You've probably heard mixed reviews about whether shampooing your hair too much is unhealthy. Some say washing your hair daily can lead to hair loss, while others believe that frequent shampooing is necessary to keep your hair and scalp healthy. Where does the truth lie? Here is what you need to know about washing your hair and hair loss.
How Does Shampoo Work?
First, it is helpful to understand how shampoo works. Your scalp naturally produces oils called sebum that keeps your hair adequately moisturized, healthy, and strong. The goal of shampooing is to remove unwanted dirt, hair product, dead skin cells, and bad oils from your hair and scalp.
Shampoo works by stripping unwanted debris and oil from your scalp and hair. Unfortunately, these products cannot tell the difference between 'good' oils and 'bad' oils, so both are removed when washing your hair. A lack of protective oils can cause your hair to dry hair, leading to breakage. This, in turn, can cause thinning and hair loss.
Can Frequently Washing Your Hair Cause Hair Loss?
The short answer is no. Simply washing your hair, in itself, will not cause hair loss. It is almost impossible to wash your hair too much, even for those who prefer to wash their hair 1-2 times per day. Most shampoos in this day in age are considered mild and non-damaging. However, it is advisable to apply a quality conditioner to your hair following each washing to help lock in moisture and prevent drying out.
If you notice hairs in the drain while showering, there is no need to panic. It is perfectly normal to lose about 50-100 strands of hair per day. That is part of the normal hair growth cycle. Old hair must fall out to make room for new growth.
In fact, it is the things you do to your hair after washing that are more likely to contribute to hair loss. For instance, aggressively brushing wet hair can break the strands of hair and potentially damage the follicles if you brush too hard. Also, the overuse of hot styling tools can make your hair dry, brittle, and susceptible to breaking.
Dangers of Not Washing Your Hair
You are more likely to experience hair loss from not washing your hair often enough than you are too much. As mentioned above, your scalp produces natural oils that are meant to prevent your hair and scalp from drying out. If you do not wash your hair, these oils, along with the accumulated dirt, dead skin cells, debris, etc. will form a residue on your scalp that clogs hair follicles.
First and foremost, residue build-up makes for an unhealthy scalp environment which can lead to an infection or fungus. Clogged hair follicles, infections, and fungi can not only hinder normal hair growth but accelerate the hair growth cycle causing strands of hair to fall out faster than they normally would.
How Often Should You Shampoo?
You want to keep your hair strong, but clean. Regular shampooing is vital for a healthy scalp. Everyone is different. If you have naturally drier hair, you may be able to get away with washing your hair every 2-3 days. For those with oily hair, daily shampooing is almost non-negotiable. Humidity and activity level also plays a role in how often you should wash your hair.
No Need to Skip a Wash Because of Hair Loss
If you are experiencing hair loss or thinning it is highly unlikely that your hair washing regime is to blame. The professional hair specialists at New Look Institute can help you get to the root cause of your hair loss. As the most trusted hair restoration studio in San Jose, we will conduct a thorough hair and scalp analysis. Afterward, your hairstylist will walk you through all of your options. Hair loss does not have to be a permanent part of your life. Schedule your free hair analysis today!
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