Generally speaking, the majority of people, regardless of their hair type or hair texture, can go two to three days without washing their hair. For those of us with textured hair, our sebum – the natural oil our scalp produces – takes much longer to travel down the hair shaft than those with straight, fine hair.
This type of hair is known to be highly prone to breakage, dryness and brittleness than other hair types. This is the sole reason why 4c hair should be washed as little as possible on a weekly basis and put in protective styles for both women & men to avoid any further damage.
A rule of thumb is that afro hair should be washed every 7 – 10 days, or more often if you have an active lifestyle Every 4 - 5 days. It is important to cleanse the scalp and hair of flakes and product build up to ensure optimum health and hair growth.
Yes, you can wet natural hair everyday, and it is actually advised to do so to maintain moisture. Let's be clear though: by wetting your hair, we don't meanwashing it. We simply mean rinsing natural hair either in the shower or spritzing water over your hair.
Prolonged periods of not washing can cause cause buildup on the scalp, damaging hair and even impeding its ability to grow, Lamb said. Grime from dirt, oil and hair product can show up within four to six days for people with finer, straighter hair.
Going a long time without washing your hair can cause a buildup of a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia on your scalp. Over time, this leads to a layer of dead skin cells that shed from your head in the form of oily, yellow-ish dandruff flakes. Dandruff can also make your scalp red, scaly, and itchy.
She says it's more important to consider your hair type, texture and amount of oil production you usually experience. “I typically advise patients to keep to a standard hair washing schedule, whether it is three times per week, weekly or once per month, regardless of activity level,” she says.
It should only be slightly damp, and definitely not completely wet. Sleeping with completely wet hair damages the follicle and causes breakage, so you'll want to blast it with the hairdryer to dry out 70 per cent of your hair, or let it naturally dry till it's just a little damp,” says Sabanayagam.
The answer is yes. Are you surprised? You can over-moisturize your hair and cause more harm than good. Over-moisturizing your hair is called hygral fatigue.
Can Black people wash their hair every day? No, it is not advisable to wash black hair daily as it can make your hair dry and brittle. Which shampoos are best for African-American hair? For the best results, use SLS-free shampoos that are gentle on your hair and scalp (6).
She advises that after two to three months of the same routine, your hair will eventually adjust. But for many people with naturally curly or coily hair textures, daily washing is already a thing of the past.
There's no single right answer to how many days you can get by without washing your hair. This comes down to your lifestyle, hair texture, and hair type. For many, two to three days is the most. However, by day five you should definitely give your strands a good wash.
Too much sebum can cause more dirt to get attached to the hair. Too little sebum and your afro hair will be dry and unprotected from lice.
It's a common misconception that 4C hair doesn't grow, or can't get long. This is a myth! Because 4C hair experiences so much shrinkage, it can feel like your hair is growing very slowly or not at all. However, if you take care of your hair, you will notice growth when you stretch out your hair.
Stay away from heat: When you have 4C hair, heat styling should be done sparingly . Rely on curl-defining 4C hair products and styles to tame your frizz rather than heat tools. There are also many heatless hairstyles to rock! Regularly detangle and protect: 4C hair is extra prone to breakage, damage, and frizz.
Because 4c hair strands are fine and have tight coils, there are more points of weakness. Coupled with the fact that natural hair is already the driest hair type, it will be more prone to breakage and shedding than other hair types.
It's a good idea to replenish any moisture your hair might have lost throughout the day before heading to bed. Even if you have a good routine of regularly moisturizing your hair, applying a bit of something lightweight like our White Peony Leave-In Conditioner at night can make a big difference.
Lock in moisture using the LOC method
The LOC method is one of the best ways you can keep 4C hair moisturized. This method relies on hydrating the hair with water or water-based product. The moisture is then sealed in with an oil, and then the hair cuticles are closed using a cream, which prevents loss of moisture.
What is pineappling hair? The pineapple hair technique, a term coined by the NaturallyCurly community, is a way to protect your curly hair when you sleep. Done correctly, the pineapple hair method creates a beautiful pile of curls on the top of your head, which resembles the shape of—yes, you guessed it—a pineapple.
As moisture is absorbed through the shaft, our hair strands contract and expand. Sleeping with a conditioner in your hair can put your strands at risk of hygral fatigue. This is the direct opposite of dry, brittle hair as hair loses its elasticity and becomes fragile from continuous wetting and drying.
If you normally wash everyday, it'll take time to get used to washing it less. So start by going an extra day or two in between your normal washes. Rinse your hair with water in between shampoos and try to build up to once a week. When your hair adjusts you'll notice a dramatic difference.
How often should a person wash their hair? People with oily hair or who use hair care products daily should consider washing their hair once every 1–2 days. People with dry hair can wash their hair less frequently. Those with textured or coily hair should only wash it once every 1–2 weeks.