4c hair is characterized by its kinky, coily curls that are often styled into an afro. Still, there are many styling options for people with 4c hair, but as this is a super delicate hair type, you need to develop an optimized hair-washing routine.
In this article, we reveal how often you should wash your natural 4c hair to keep it healthy, happy, and hydrated. We also answer some FAQs to provide more information about washing this type of hair.
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How often should you wash 4c natural hair?
Advice: Every 2-3 weeks
The frequency at which you should wash your hair is up for debate. After all, everyone is different, and numerous factors can affect the health, moisture content, and style of your hair.
With 4c hair and other curly hair types, you can typically wash your hair less frequently than if you had straight hair.
As 4c is the kinkiest hair type there is, you can get away with washing it every two to three weeks. If you wash it more regularly than this, you might remove some of the hair’s natural oils, causing it to dry out.
Moreover, 4c hair is particularly prone to dehydration, tangling, and breakage. Therefore, you need to be delicate when washing and drying your hair to prevent accidental damage.
Factors that influence how often to wash your 4c hair
You can use the 2-3 week timeframe as a guide for washing your coily hair, but numerous factors can influence your decision, meaning you might have to wash your hair more frequently than this. For instance, here are some of the most prevalent factors you need to consider:
Hair products
The amount and type of hair product you use will influence how frequently you should wash your 4c hair. For instance, if you use oils and butters to nourish your hair, you will experience a build-up of these products on your scalp and hair follicles.
As a result, you will probably need to wash your hair every seven to ten days, as this buildup can cause your hair to look excessively oily or dirty if you don’t wash it out.
Your environment
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, particularly if you work outside, you will need to wash your hair more frequently. When you work outside, your roots will become oily within a few days. This is made worse if you sweat frequently.
One potential solution is to use dry shampoo on the days when you don’t want to wash, but you need to make some type of plan to combat the excessive oil to keep your coils looking healthy.
The porosity of your hair
Porosity indicates your hair’s ability, or inability, to absorb moisture. You can have low, medium, or high porosity hair, and the type you have will influence how often you wash your hair.
Low porosity hair means that your hair shaft has a tight outer layer, making it difficult for moisturizing products to penetrate it. Therefore, this type of hair is more susceptible to product build up, so you will need to wash more often to keep it clean.
Your chosen hairstyle
If you employ a protective hairstyle to protect your coils from the elements, you can potentially get away with washing your hair every few months. However, if you opt for natural, voluminous styles like to showcase the natural depth of your 4c hair, you will need to wash it much more frequently. Take a look at some popular short curly hairstyles.
Switching to a protective style is an excellent option if you’re tired of washing your 4c hair at regular intervals.
How often should you co-wash 4c hair?
Co-washing hair refers to the process of using only a conditioner to wash, rather than shampoo. For the best results, you should use a deep-cleansing conditioner with natural ingredients that are sure to nourish and replenish your hair.
You shouldn’t opt for co-washing your hair as an alternative to washing it with shampoo, but you can use it as an option when you’re between washes. For instance, if you resolve to shampoo your hair every three weeks, you can co-wash your hair every ten days.
The verdict: How often should you wash your natural 4c hair?
You should aim to wash your natural 4c hair every two to three weeks. Washing it more frequently than this can cause it to dry out and it will also affect your styling goals.
However, numerous factors can influence the frequency with which you wash your hair, so you might find that you need to wash your coils more frequently to keep them healthy, as explained above.
After washing, you can opt for the best frizz-reducing hair dryer for 4c hair like Laifen Swift Special to protect your hair scalp. Meanwhile, a diffuser attachment will elevate up your overall experience in blowout 4c hair every morning and evening.
FAQs
Q1: How often should you wash 4c high porosity hair?
If you have high-porosity hair, it means that there are many gaps and holes in the cuticle, meaning that moisturizing products can seep through. If you have this type of 4c hair, you can wash it every 2-3 weeks, but be careful not to overwash it as you risk depriving your hair of its natural oils.
Q2: How often should you wash 4c low porosity hair?
Low-porosity hair typically needs to be washed more frequently than high-porosity hair, particularly if you often use styling products. We recommend washing low-porosity 4c hair every 10-14 days.
Q3: How often should you wash 4c hair for growth?
If you want to help your 4c hair thrive, we recommend washing it thoroughly with high-quality natural shampoo and conditioner products every 2-3 weeks. You should also treat your hair with a hair mask from time to time and take steps to protect it from the elements.
