'Only time' you should wash your hair to guarantee 'healthy scalp', according to expert

Oct 31, 2023

Experts warn that many of us are compromising the health of our scalps by washing our hair too often, and insist it actually only needs shampooing once you notice a 'clear' sign

A good hair day can boost your confidence and make you feel like a million dollars. And some prefer to wash their locks every day to get that fresh feeling.

But according to the experts, this is a big mistake and could actually be doing more harm than good when it comes to the health of your scalp and hair. Three hair pros opened up about the rules for how often we should be washing our hair and claimed there are certain times to do it each week and a 'clear' indicator that it's time to grab the shampoo.

Speaking to the Express, Saul Meskin, hair maintenance expert at Foxy Locks explained why it's crucial not to over-wash your hair: "Your hair is connected to your scalp by a follicle and this follicle is connected to glands that produce vitamins and moisture, which gets passed into the hair.

"If you wash your hair too often, you'll wash out all the natural oils in your hair that the glands are producing, meaning they will no longer be passing on any goodness to your hair, leaving it lifeless and dry." While hair expert Simone Thomas at Simone Thomas Wellness added: "Stripping your hair of essential oils is just one issue, as well as leading to dandruff and a dry, itchy scalp. It can also make your hair dry, brittle, and more vulnerable to breakage."

So when should we be washing? A-list celebrity hairdresser Jon Hala told the publication: "You should only wash your hair when it's absolutely necessary." In order to work out whether your hair needs a wash or not, simply run your hands through it. If your hair feels soft and bouncy, it's likely it doesn't need washing.

Mr Hala added: "Although the general recommendation is to wash it a maximum of one to two times a week, I'd say that it should only be washed when the hair is visibly oily. If the scalp is itchy or there are signs of flakiness due to dirt, then it's clear it's time for a wash. Remember, for a healthy scalp you need natural sebum for healthy follicles, and washing your hair too regularly will reduce this."

This comes after another hair pro warned that we should be taking a closer look at our shampoo to avoid damaging our hair further. Nicole Petty from Milk + Blush warned that the type of shampoo you're using could also be a problem and shared several ingredients to avoid - including sulphates, alcohol and parabens.

She told the Mirror: "Try training your hair by using dry shampoo to increase the longevity of time between washes and avoid using overly stripping ingredients such as sulphates, parabens, and alcohol. There's a broad range of products available with an endless array of ingredients, but most target specific hair concerns.

"Research before investing for advice on which will most benefit your hair. For example, dry hair benefits from nourishing oils such as coconut, argan and jojoba, which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants and can penetrate deep into the hair to nourish and hydrate it. Meanwhile, oily hair can benefit from rosemary, tea tree, and peppermint oil as they help regulate oil production, decongest the scalp, and balance pH.

"Particularly damaged hair will benefit from bond-building products to help repair weak strands. Curly hair can see great results from castor oil and glycerin-based products, which act as natural humectants which help retain moisture by preventing water loss."

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