Most of us wash our hair every day — or at worst, every other day — without giving it a second thought. Rinse, lather, repeat. Right?
Wrong. That is, according to a handful of supposed hair experts and anti-shampoo evangelists. The “no ‘poo’” movement started to gain momentum last fall, and today, people are still ditching their shampoo bottles in hopes of achieving that healthy head of hair.
However, there are those of us who haven’t exactly embraced the idea of letting our natural oils flow freely. If you’re still using, you might be wondering just how bad shampoo really is for your hair.
The answer? It depends on a few things.
1. How Often You Shampoo
Americans are champion shampooers, lathering up between four and five times per week. That’s twice as much as some Europeans.
One of the major misconceptions about shampoo is that it’s supposed to clean your hair. But in fact, shampoo is meant to clean the scalp and the roots.
Most experts agree that shampooing every single day is unnecessary at best, and harmful at worst. Shampoo strips away the oils produced by the scalp, which can leave hair dry and prone to split ends and breakage. For people with curly hair, dryness can lead to excess frizz.
But you don’t have to go without shampoo for five years — like this woman did — to benefit from using less shampoo. Cutting back to once or twice a week should be enough to show a noticeable improvemen
2. The Products You Use
Certain shampoo brands are worse for you than others. But even the most discerning consumers might have difficulty figuring out what they’re massaging into their scalps — in the U.S., labelling requirements allow cosmetic companies to leave out certain chemicals. Phthalates, for instance, might be lurking under the catch-all title “fragrance” on shampoo label ingredient lists.
Other dubious shampoo ingredients include sulfates, which promote that sudsy lather, and parabens, a type of preservative. Though the jury is still out on the effects that these chemicals can have over time — parabens, for instance, can penetrate the skin and interfere with hormone function — it can’t hurt to reduce your exposure by shampooing less, or opt for a natural, organic shampoo product
3. You Scalp and Hair Type
People with straight, fine tresses are among the small group of people who should probably shampoo once per day. Oil travels faster down straight hair, and when hair is thin it will (noticeably) weigh it down. Having an oily scalp is another reason to shampoo more often, even daily.
On the other hand, those prone to dryness may find their hair simply looks healthier when they let the scalp’s natural oil do its job. If you color, highlight, or relax your hair, you might find repeat washings especially detrimental. These treatments already make it easier for your hair to lose moisture, and getting excess with your shampoo habits will only exacerbate dry hair.
To prevent frizz, curly or wavy locks are best left to their own devices.
4. Your Lifestyle
If you like to break a sweat on the daily, you might find going without a wash following a workout uncomfortable. You don’t have to wash after every workout, but if you’re worried about going ‘poo-free, a dab of baby powder or dry shampoo can work wonders.
Same goes for those living in hot or humid locations. If you’re showering to cool off, it’s okay to skip the shampoo.
[Image via Shutterstock]
