Have you been told in the past that washing your hair too often is a bad thing – it could be something that leads to hair loss? If you have heard of this, you may be wondering if it really matters. It used to, but it does not as much anymore. There are some key things to know, though, about washing your hair including how often you really should do so (and when you should not). For those dealing with hair loss, it pays to work with a hair professional who can offer true tips and steps to help you individually prevent a worsening of your condition.

Can You Over Wash Your Hair So Much That It Falls Out?

Older shampoos used to have a higher level of chemicals in them. These chemicals were not only bad for your hair, but they could impact the scalp and your overall health. Today, we use much milder products, and that is a good thing. Most of the products people buy to shampoo their hair are not likely to contain high levels of chemicals to cause any type of reaction with the skin unless you are allergic to the ingredients in them. However, there are still a few concerns.

But, You Are Seeing Hair Loss

Sometimes, people confuse the washing of their hair with hair loss occurring at a rapid pace. However, most people lose between 50 to 100 strands of hair each day. When a strand falls out or detaches from the hair follicle, it does not instantly hit the floor. Many times, it remains wedged in your hair and scalp or lodged in with other hair. When you wash your hair, you reduce some of that tension and the hair is finally able to fall out and hit the ground. But, it looks like a lot more than it should. For most people, though, this is normal. If you have chunks of hair falling out, then that is not normal and should not be considered okay.

How Shampoo Cleans and Doesn’t Hurt Your Hair

Assuming you are using a higher quality shampoo, they work very well to remove the dirt present in your hair. To do this, they work to break down the oils produced in the scalp that often coat the hair. These oils are located on the scalp, too. Your hair needs these oils. It helps to keep your scalp balanced and works to reduce the risk of buildup of debris. Your hair needs some of these oils present – you do not want to wash them out all of the time. However, if you do not wash your hair enough, these oils build up, and that’s what can make your hair feel greasy. If it feels bad or feels uncomfortable, it is time to wash it. This is why it is important to find out if your scalp is oily, dry or dehydrated in order to determine how often you should wash your hair.  At Unique Hair Concepts, we conduct an evaluation utilizing tools that measure oil production, hydration, scalp Ph and an advanced microscope camera.

Frequency Matters

When it comes to determining how often you should wash your hair, there is not a single rule here. Generally, you should not wash your hair every day if you have a dry scalp. Doing so can strip away all of those important oils too frequently, leaving your head exposed. However, you should wash your hair at least two or three times a week. This is ideal for most women. During the high humidity season, or during summer, it is a good idea to be a bit more careful about washing your hair. Wash it a bit more frequently to help remove any excess oil buildup. You’ll want to ensure you are washing your hair enough to keep it comfortable. If your scalp is uncomfortably dry, that could mean you are washing too often.

At the end of the day, the answer to the original question is no. You are unlikely to cause your hair to fall out just from washing alone. If you are over-styling your hair, using harsh chemicals on it, over treating it with a product or otherwise abusing it, then you may be putting your hair at risk of falling out. Instead, use a high-quality shampoo to wash your hair two or three times a week. If you notice any type of buildup or dryness, speak to your stylist about the options for improving your overall hair quality and scalp health.

To learn more about your scalp, call the team at Unique Hair Concepts for a complimentary hair and scalp analysis.