The frequency at which you wash your curly hair is extremely important. But what works for someone might not work for someone else. This is because every person’s hair is different, and your loose, bouncy waves are different from your friend’s tight corkscrew curls.
With that in mind, we explore how often you should wash curly hair and introduce some of the factors you need to consider before deciding on the optimum hair-washing routine for your hair type.
How often should you wash natural curly hair?
How often you wash curly hair depends on numerous factors, but as a general rule, you should wash it with shampoo and conditioner between one and three times per week. If you don’t wash your hair at least once per week, dirt and debris can build up, resulting in greasy-looking hair that may also smell, knot, and look generally unkempt.
Conversely, if you wash your hair more than three times each week, you risk stripping it of its natural essential oils, which are crucial for keeping your hair healthy and hydrated. What’s more, overwashing your curly hair can result in frizz, something that practically everyone with curly hair hopes to avoid.
The key thing to realize is that all curls are different, and what works for one person may not work for another. We advise you to begin with your hair type and consider a suitable timeframe that considers your curl pattern, thickness, and environmental factors.
For instance, if you have 2A and 2B curls, which are fine, loose waves, you can probably get away with washing your hair one or two times per week with shampoo. But if you have 4A, 4B, or 4C curls, which are much thicker and denser, you might need to wash your hair more frequently.
Factors that affect how often to wash your curly hair
Other than hair type, there are a few other things to consider before deciding on a routine for washing your curly hair:
Oil (sebum)
If your hair looks “dirty” one or two days after washing it, the chances are that oil is the culprit. Your hair naturally produces oil (known as sebum), and the amount of oil you produce depends on numerous factors, including genetics, sex, and environment. If your hair produces excessive amounts of oil, you might need to wash or rinse your curls every day to prevent them from looking greasy.
Sweat
When you sweat, the sebum in your hair spreads, which can cause your hair to look dirty and even disheveled. Therefore, if you work out every day and build up a sweat, you might have to rinse your hair or even lightly shampoo it to remove the sweat and return your curls to normal. If you work out up to three times per week, you might consider washing and shampooing your hair after each workout, which is a good way to get into a consistent hair-washing routine.
Dirt, pollen, and dust
Depending on where you live in the world and the amount of time you spend outside, dirt, pollen, and dust can all attach to your hair. These can all get trapped in your hair, making it look dull and dirty. If you work outside – perhaps as a construction worker, landscape gardener, or any similar profession – you will need to increase the amount you wash your hair.
Styling products
Excessively using styling products can have a detrimental impact on your hair, particularly heavy, oil-based products and some hairsprays. If you’re over-reliant on styling products, you will need to wash your hair more frequently to remove them from your hair. Therefore, consider styling your hair naturally from time to time, and don’t apply products every day.
Shampoo and conditioner
Finally, you also need to think carefully about the shampoo and conditioner you use to wash your hair. A good starting point is to buy shampoo that has been designed specifically for curly hair.
You should then look for a natural, organic shampoo, which is free from harmful ingredients like parabens and alcohol. If you use a shampoo and conditioner with natural ingredients, you lower the risk of dehydrating your hair.
The verdict: How often should you wash curly hair?
As explained, you need to consider numerous factors before deciding how often to wash curly hair. As a minimum, you should wash your curls at least once a week, but you can increase the frequency of your washes to three times per week if it’s necessary for you to maintain healthy and hydrated hair.
Underwashing your curly hair can cause it to look greasy and dirty, while overwashing your hair can remove the essential oils, dehydrating your hair and causing it to frizz. Therefore, getting the balance right is key, so feel free to experiment with trial and error until you get it right. Besides, you can read to understand how to take care of your curly hair.
FAQs
Q1: How often should you wash curly hair with dandruff?
Dandruff is often a sign of overwashing your hair as persistent flaking can be a symptom of an overly dry scalp. Therefore, cut back on the amount you wash your hair if you have dandruff, sticking to a schedule of one or two times per week to begin with.
Q2: How often should you wash thin curly hair?
This depends on the factors introduced above. But most people with thin, curly hair can wash it two to three times per week without any issues. When you want to blow out your hair shile avoid frizz and extra heat, it’s better to choose the Swift model from our branding website Laifentech.com.
Q3: How often should you wash curly hair, male or female?
Whether you’re male or female shouldn’t necessarily influence how often you wash your hair. Rather, your curl type, the oily nature of your hair, and the other factors presented above need to be considered over your sex.
