Second day hair often has a unique charm. It's typically more manageable, holds styles better, and exudes a relaxed, effortless appeal.
Many people find that their hair looks better 1-2 days after washing for several reasons: Natural Oils: After washing, your scalp produces natural oils (sebum) that can help add shine and moisture to your hair. These oils can make your hair look healthier and less frizzy.
Also, the longer it is after washing, the more oil is produced on your scalp and starts distributing down your hair. Therefore, my hair looks better 2nd and 3rd day. Around the fourth day, my scalp starts becoming too oily and it needs to be washed.
“Some people with dry hair or curly hair can wash much less frequently without problems,” Goh says. For some people, shampooing every other day, or every 2 to 3 days, without washing is fine. Depending on your hair's texture, it's better to go longer between washes.
If it looks better after a day or two when your hair's natural oils have built up a little, it's probably because your hair is too stripped of moisture, probably from over-washing. It's better for your hair not to wash it every day, but I understand some people just don't like doing that.
The short answer to why your hair often looks better after a week is the settling-in process. At this time, your hair releases and adapts to your new length and style. Furthermore, some great tips are here to help you make your new style look great after you walk out of the salon, so keep reading.
**Stylist Preference**: Stylists prefer working with clean hair because it allows them to better assess the natural color and condition of your hair. Clean hair also falls in the natural growth pattern. This can be particularly important for coloring techniques like balayage or highlights, where placement is key.
Your scalp and your strands need moisture to stay healthy, so try to cleanse once a week if possible. If you're working with fine or thin hair, or you have an oil-prone scalp, you may need to suds up a few times a week, every other day, or even daily (if you're, say, running a marathon in scorching heat every morning).
Don't Wash Your Hair (At First)
Izquierdo says to wait three days. “This gives time for the cuticle to close and the color to set,” he says. That's why you might want to skip a workout or two so you don't have to wet it or wash it—if you do, you're lifting the color right out of your hair.
Some really helpful techniques are shampooing twice, using less conditioner, blow drying the hair upside down, and using lots of dry shampoo and texture spray. You can even train your hair to not have a part or trim it to get rid of some weight.
Generally, he says, the range is somewhere between once a day and once a week. “If you have very fine or thin hair, you may need to wash more often, while those with thick or curly hair may need to wash less often,” says Dr Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board certified dermatologist and hair health expert.
However, as time passes, your curls naturally settle and relax. So, they give a softer, more voluminous appearance on the second day.
Morning hair washing
One major advantage of washing your hair in the morning is that you do not have to worry about trapped moisture. This can be a concern for night-time washers, especially if your hair is too wet before going to bed, as it could lead to dandruff or even a scalp infection.
Is leaving hairspray in your hair bad? Ideally, you shouldn't leave hairspray in your hair for longer than a day. It's recommended that you wash your hair in the evening after wearing hairspray for a day. (Don't worry, washing your hair daily won't cause hair loss — that's just a myth.)
Whatever the cause, the most common culprit for post-wash lankiness is products that are too heavy in oils, moisturizers, and other ingredients that weigh down your look. The fix. This one's simple: swap to a lightweight, volumizing shampoo and conditioner like Herbal Essences Orange Blossom Collection.
The no-poo (or “no shampoo”) method is a hair-cleansing technique that removes shampoo from the equation, says Yadav. Instead of using shampoo, followers of the practice use alternatives such as apple cider vinegar, a cleansing conditioner, or just plain water.
If your hair is extremely dry and not washed often enough, it can lose its natural moisture with age. According to stylist Rosi Fernandez, director of Ananda Ferdi it is not advisable to go for more than a week without washing hair, as “follicles become clogged and do not get oxygenated,” she explains.
On the other hand, there are some benefits to not washing your hair unnecessarily. Over-washing strips your hair of its natural oils, causing it to become dull, dry and brittle.
The day before should leave oil-prone hair and scalps fresh enough for flawless application. Meanwhile, for normal or dry hair types that aren't as prone to oiliness, 'day two' or 'day three' hair can act as the perfect base for applying hair color.
If you're planning to get a haircut, washing your hair beforehand can be crucial. Clean hair gives your stylist a better view of your hair's natural fall and texture. Choosing the Right Shampoo: Use a shampoo that suits your hair type. For color-treated hair, opt for a color-safe shampoo to prevent fading.
Post-color washing is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of your hair. By cleansing and conditioning, salons help in closing the hair cuticles, locking in moisture, and preserving the smoothness of your locks.
Don't be surprised if you notice that your second day hair looks and feels better than right after washing it. On the second day, your hair has had time to fully dry, your hair's natural oils have returned, and your hair's natural shape is restored.
Avoid rubbing hair dry with a towel as this can cause major damage to your wet, sensitive strands. Instead, wrap your hair in a towel after washing and gently press the water out. Wet hair is naturally more elastic than dry hair.