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How to decide if you need to wash your hair today?

Are you confused about your hair type and how often should you wash your hair? Follow this hair wash guide.
wash your hair
Here’s how to determine if you need to wash your hair today. Image Courtesy: Shutterstock
Shifa Khan Published: 29 Apr 2022, 12:27 pm IST
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Washing too frequently can lead to stripped, straw-like hair, dried-out scalp, inflammation, and irritation, so let your scalp and hair strands tell you what they need each day. Whenever you experience any itching, flaking, product buildup, greasy strands, or unpleasant smells, then you should wash your hair without a saying.

Health Shots spoke to Dr Nivedita Dadu, Renowned Dermatologist, Founder and Chairman of Dr. Nivedita Dadu’s Dermatology Clinic, who listed the right signs to wash your hair.

Here’s when you need to wash your hair:

1. Look for build up

Product buildup is a reality and it will come for you if you’re not washing your hair enough. Don’t let all the sprays, serums, and stylers start to build up in your hair. This will help weigh down the hair, causing dullness and even some clumping and shedding. Too much product buildup will look and feel unsettling.

2. If your hair feels greasy

When the hair becomes too oily, it’s high time you should wash your hair. The longer you wait to wash your hair, the oiler it will get. As the temperature rises, you will be dealing with not only oil but also sweat and pollutants too.

rosemary for hair
Greasy locks is a sign to wash your hair! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

3. If your hair has knots and clumps

Due to the buildup of product, oil, sweat and all that jazz, the hair will begin to knot and tangle more easily. Once the struggle to brush through your hair becomes too real, you will know it’s time to wash your hair.

4. Notice the smell

If your hair doesn’t smell fragrant or have traces of your shampoo or conditioner duo, it may be time to wash your hair. If your hair smells straight-up unpleasant, it’s time to wash your hair.

bad hair day
Having a smelly scalp is a real thing. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

5. If your curls and waves seem straight

If your familiar texture of the hair that’s wavy or curly, is starting to get straighter, it’s due to oil secretion. Not having a product to help maintain and highlight your hair type can also leave it flat and calls for a refresh.

What happens if you wash your hair  too much?

1. It can dry out your hair

Shampooing too frequently can cause damaged hair. Washing your hair too often can make the hair dry and brittle and lead to irritation of the scalp. When hair is wet, it swells up, making it more vulnerable.

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hair wash
Just the right shampoo won’t make a difference, you have to rinse your locks properly once you wash them. Image courtesy: Shutterstock.

2. It can damage the hair cuticle

The process of moving shampoo or conditioner around in the hair can damage the hair cuticle, which is the outer layer of the scalp.

3. Shampoo can strip away the shine

When the hair dries after you wash your hair too much, it doesn’t lay perfectly flat, which makes hair look dull and strips away the shine from your locks.

hair damage signs
Dullness is one of the most prominent, yet ignored signs of damage when you wash you hair too much. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

4. It may give you split ends

Washing your hair too much makes it harder to comb and increases the chances of getting split hair.

5. It can irritate your scalp

Women with sensitive scalps should take extra caution. Exposure to detergents can cause irritation on the scalp. For some people, washing hair too often can lead to rashes and itching.

So girls, consider these factors before grabbing the shampoo and scrubbing your hair. Look closely for changes in your hair texture and greasiness and you do you!

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About the Author

An aesthete and a skincare junkie, Shifa spends most of her time cooking delish food while wearing a sheet mask. At HealthShots, she creates high-octane content that can leave you all a little intrigued! ...Read More

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