We all take a bath every day to stay clean and fresh. But what about the hair? Does it need to be washed every day or is once a week enough? These are some of the most common hair washing questions. A top dermatologist has the right answers for you! Read on to find out what hair washing mistakes you’re making.
Health Shots linked up with Dr Swati Mohan, Senior Consultant, Dermatology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, to find out how much money is worth when it comes to hair washing.
How often should you wash your hair?
There can be side effects of washing your hair every day. Dr Mohan says you can wash your hair every two or three days, depending on your lifestyle. That means if you are a person who goes to the gym and sweats a lot, you can wash your hair every two days. The truth is that there is no blanket recommendation that you should wash your hair after 48 hours or 72 hours. If you itch or see flakes on your scalp, especially from sweating, you should wash your hair whenever possible.
It also depends on your shampoo when you wash your hair. If it is a very mild shampoo or a sulfate-free shampoo, it may sometimes be necessary to wash your hair more often than the ZPTO shampoo, which is used to fight dandruff. But washing your hair once a week is not a good idea. It is not healthy for your hair and you will end up losing hair due to accumulation of sweat, dust and dirt, says the expert.
Common hair washing mistakes
There are several causes of hair loss, and the way you wash your hair is one of them. Dr Mohan says he deals with many cases of hair loss, which is often caused by hair care products and the way people wash their hair.
1. Using strong shampoos
Your shampoo should not be too strong and you should go with sulfate free shampoo. Such shampoos help retain moisture in your hair, so this helps keep your locks soft.
2. Using hot water
Using hot water is something that many women do in winter. The expert urges you not to use hot water because it dries your hair completely and creates more frizz.
3. Keeping only one towel
Do you wipe yourself with just one towel? It’s time to have a different towel for your body and a different one for your hair. Your mane should be very soft. Don’t rub your hair like it’s tangled, there will be more breakage and more frizz.
4. Not using conditioner
A good conditioner will help reduce your hair fall. If you have wet hair use your conditioner. Do not comb your hair and avoid friction. Just leave the conditioner for some time and then wipe it off. Also, it is better to wash your hair beforehand. To avoid breakage, do not try to disturb your hair while using the hair straightener.
5. Not washing hair oil properly
Many women like to oil their scalp or have a scalp massage before washing their hair. If you apply oil to your scalp and if your shampoo is not strong enough, it may not remove as much oil and this can lead to dandruff. There is also dirt and dust, so if a little oil is left on the hair, it will attract more dust and dirt.
Don’t over wash your hair and make sure you use a good conditioner and serum that can easily penetrate your hair shaft.
