As a general rule of thumb, natural black hair should be washed every 7-10 days to remove dead skin cells and product buildup — every 4-5 days for those who are extra active, whether sports or job-related. Just because natural black hair isn't washed daily doesn't mean conditioning should fall by the wayside.
Unlike other types of hair, African-American hair generally does not need to be washed daily, but rather once a week to every ten days on average, in order to allow the scalp's natural sebum to penetrate the hair.
Frequency: Many people with 4C hair wash their hair every 1 to 2 weeks. However, some may choose to wash weekly or even every 3 weeks, depending on their hair and scalp needs.
For biracial hair care, you may want to consider washing a little more often than once a week. But, you will rarely want to wash more than a couple of times a week.
Black women should generally shampoo their hair once every 1-2 weeks to retain natural oils and prevent dryness, adjusting the frequency based on personal hair needs and styles.
Look for gentle, moisturizing shampoos, and use a conditioner with each wash, making sure that the conditioner coats the ends of the hair. While washing, massage the scalp gently. Pat the hair dry with a towel, rather than rubbing it.
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.
Can you wet African American hair everyday? Yes, you can wet natural hair everyday, and it is actually advised to do so to maintain moisture.
Most people tend to wash their hair every other day or even every two to three days. But a variety of factors can impact how often you should shampoo.
Keep it clean
We would generally suggest that you wash around once a week or a little more often during the summer months or if the person or child does physical activity often. With regards to wash day, we also recommend that you air dry mixed heritage hair or use as little heat as possible.
While there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, a general rule of thumb is to comb 4C hair only as needed to remove tangles and style it, usually a few times a week. This frequency allows for the removal of product build-up and the maintenance of a clean, healthy scalp without over-drying or causing damage to your hair.
Co-washing is short for "conditioner-only washing." It means skipping shampoo and relying solely on conditioner, whether you're a daily or a weekly washer. Most conditioners contain trace amounts of detergents called cationic surfactants, or "quats" for short.
Type 4 (Coily Hair)
Coily hair, commonly referred to as Afro-textured or kinky hair, type 4 is naturally very dry and spongy in texture and can be soft and fine or coarse and wiry. Strands form very tight, small curls of zig-zags right from the scalp and are prone to major shrinkage.
African hair is seen to be much thicker and more dense meaning that the hair follicles are larger. Density represents the amount of hairs that grow from the head, with denser hair resulting from more hairs growing closer together from the scalp. An individual with high-density hair creates a fuller appearance of curls.
For optimal nourishment, it is generally recommended to oil your 4C hair once every 2-3 days. This helps to replenish moisture and keep your hair healthy.
"Regular washing, or about once every one to two weeks, is recommended to maintain cleanliness and a healthy sleep environment," says Harris. Once a week if you don't use a top sheet. Once a month if you do. Once a week if you don't use a top sheet.
If your hair isn't super fine, you can probably afford to go a little longer in between washes. For medium textured hair, shampooing every 2-4 days is usually enough, or whenever you feel your hair needs it.
We found out that the average American shower lasts 15 minutes and is taken 5.9 times per week. While the frequency of showers stays fairly consistent, the length of them can vary quite a bit depending on where you live.
Most hair care professionals recommend washing 4C hair once or twice a month, with at least five days between washes. Washing more frequently can severely damage 4C hair because it's particularly dry and brittle compared to other hair types.
Fros don't absorb as much moisture as our caucasian cousins' hair, added to this the structure of our hair (curls and kinks, and increased density) means that nutrients often don't travel along the length of our strands as well as we'd like.
The LOC Method
LOC stands for: Leave-in, oil, cream. This easy 3-step process is great for adding extra hydration to dry hair and tackling frizz. This process works by penetrating the hair shaft which helps repair the structure and integrity of the hair while also sealing in that much-needed moisture.
You should wash most bras after about four wears, or more frequently if you have a particularly sweaty day. As for sports bras, you should wash them, or at least rinse them with warm water, after every workout.
“Less washing and altered scalp hygiene may also predispose the skin to infections with bacteria or fungi,” Dr. Camp explains. “If certain scalp conditions are left untreated, such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, it is possible that associated inflammation could damage hair and impact hair growth.”