If you’ve always wanted long, voluminous hair, it’s likely that you’ve experimented with a number of hair care products, techniques, and accessories to get the desired appearance. Numerous items are available to assist in creating the hair of our dreams, ranging from clip-in extensions and biotin gummies to anti-breakage style sprays and root-boosting hot tools (hi, VOLOOM!).
Hair Growth and Washing Schedules
For many years, the frequency of hair washing has been a contentious issue. other individuals (especially those with fine hair) couldn’t fathom not washing their hair every day because of how greasy it may seem only hours after washing, while other people refuse to wash their hair more than once a week (under the excuse that frequent shampooing is detrimental for your hair). What is the consensus, then? Does the length and general health of your hair truly depend on how you wash it?
Anabel Kingsley, a consultant trichologist and brand president for Philip Kingsley, states that “a clean scalp is more than likely to be a healthy scalp.” Furthermore, long, full, and healthy-looking hair is more likely to grow from a healthy scalp. According to her, “taking care of your scalp and shampooing it regularly is essential.” Your scalp is the foundation of good hair development. “The best environment for your follicles to grow is a clean, balanced scalp.”
We get what you’re thinking: Surely frequent washing may lead to color fading and dullness? Not always. This is due to the fact that some shampoo sessions may be customized to concentrate on your scalp rather of your hair, as board-certified dermatologist and Vegamour ambassador Neera Nathan, MD notes. Because the hair roots are located in the scalp under the skin’s surface, the scalp has to be cleaned on a regular basis to promote healthy hair development, according to her explanation. Therefore, washing your hair from roots to ends every other day may not be something you want to do, but using shampoo to revive your scalp might be beneficial.
Are you still unsure about stepping up your washing routine? Kingsley claims that skipping washing may lead to the accumulation of oils, perspiration, debris, and dead skin cells, which can serve as a haven for germs that disturb the follicles in your scalp. She says, “This can affect the strength and quality of the hairs that grow, and you may get problems with your scalp like dandruff.”
Hair type and frequency of washing
Now that you know how having a clean scalp affects hair development, it’s time to figure out the specifics since different hair types need different amounts of care.
According to Dr. Nathan, certain hair types are not viable for regular washing. Dr. Nathan suggests washing hair that is straight, thin, or wavy at least once a week; for textured or coily hair, shampooing at least once every two weeks is essential. “There are leave-in clarifying treatments that may be applied directly on the scalp to assist cleanse/exfoliate without washing if [you’re] wearing a protective style that can’t be cleaned as often,” she continues.
“You wouldn’t go longer than that without washing your face or body, after all, and your scalp is skin,” she says. She also recommends you should probably wash your hair well before the fourth day if you have fine hair. “Due to the smaller strand diameter, people with fine hair typically have more hairs per square centimeter of scalp,” the expert says. “Because each hair follicle is connected to an oil gland, fine hair typically becomes oilier more quickly than other hair textures and requires daily washing to remove excess oil.”
Regular Shampooing and Loss of Hair
Should you not routinely wash your hair, you could not be used to seeing hair accumulation in your shower. Because of this, you could believe that the rise in shampoo is the reason for hair loss, but that is untrue.
Kingsley reassures us, “Contrary to popular belief, shampooing more frequently will not cause an increase in hair loss.” Because of the quantity of hairs they witness shedding when taking a shower, people often get afraid to use shampoo more frequently. It’s crucial to understand, however, that these hairs are already cut off from the blood supply at the follicle and that washing just moves them out of the way—they are prepared to fall.
In light of this, Kingsley adds that losing around 100 hairs a day is quite natural. She says, “The longer you leave it between washes, the accumulation of this daily rate of shedding.” Therefore, there’s nothing to be worried about until you see bald patches or significant thinning after your hair dries.
More Methods to Increase Hair Growth
Even while frequent washing is crucial for maintaining a healthy scalp and hence has a direct impact on hair development, increasing the frequency of your washes won’t provide really apparent benefits right away; rather, it will take time. Nonetheless, certain hair care products have the potential to provide greater advantages sooner rather than later.
Choosing shampoo, conditioner, and hair treatments that include growth actives like biotin and caffeine might be beneficial, according to Dr. Nathan. Try the Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo and Conditioner Kit ($96) for a wonderfully perfumed, growth-boosting wash regimen.
Additionally, you may take care of the health of your hair inside. According to Kingsley, “a lot of hair growth is related to internal body processes.” “Optimizing the vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy hair growth is important because nutritional factors can really [affect] our hair health and growth.”
The appearance of health may also be influenced by the way you style your hair. According to Kingsley, “I frequently hear clients complain that their hair isn’t growing when, in reality, it is growing at the root but they have forgotten that it is breaking off at the ends.” “I’d advise utilizing pre-shampoo treatment masks that aid in moisture intake and bond repair to boost hair strength and resistance to breaking.
Tips for Pruning, Caring, and Planting Burning Bush
Considering your go-to hairstyles more carefully is another method to prevent breaking. Dr. Nathan advises against wearing tight hairstyles for more than three to four hours at a time. He also suggests limiting the use of heat styling tools and chemical hair treatments to promote healthy hair development. Breakage may also be avoided by sleeping on silk pillowcases, such as the Slip Seashell Queen Zippered Pillowcase ($89). Read more
