WASHING HAIR DAILY – IS IT SAFE FOR YOUR HAIR?

True or false? Washing hair every day dries it out

False. Washing hair daily is really not bad for your hair. What could dry the hair out would be the shampoo you are using. In fact, using a mild daily shampoo is the key to having healthy hair. The right shampoo for your hair will in fact add moisture, shine, and beauty to your hair. Some shampoos also contain added nutrients which nourish weak and unhealthy hair.

The old practice of washing your hair once or twice a week is no longer suitable today. With constant daily exposure to pollution, dust, smoke, and dirt, we definitely need to wash hair daily.

How would you feel if you wash your face only once or twice a week? With dust, perspiration, oils, and dirt, you would surely end up with grimy and unhealthy skin. The same is true with the hair and scalp. Sometimes your hair and scalp is even dirtier than your face, with all the styling and finishing products that you use each day.

Hair and Oils

Hair is a filament, mostly protein, that grows from follicles found in the dermis. A hair follicle is a part of the skin that grows hair by packing old cells together. Attached to the follicle is a sebaceous gland, a tiny sebum-producing gland. The sebaceous glands are microscopic glands in the skin which secrete an oily/waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate the skin and hair.

The oil on the surface of skin is a complex mixture of sebum, lipids (from the surface skin cells), sweat and environmental material.(1)

Sebum is odorless, but its bacterial breakdown can produce odors. Sebum is the cause of lots of people experiencing “oily” hair, as in hot weather or if not washed for several days.(2)

Too much sebum or oils in the hair should be cleansed using a shampoo. Shampooing is necessary to keep the hair and scalp clean and prevent bacterial growth, dandruff, and odours. If the hair and scalp isn’t washed regularly, it may create a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria which may lead to itchiness, dandruff, or even infection.

Daily shampooing helps to remove dead cells, sebum, and different hair product buildups. Shampooing is indispensable to everyone, no matter what hair type or texture. You need to shampoo as often as necessary to keep your hair looking and smelling fresh. This would also make the scalp clean and feel comfortable. You shouldn’t wait for your hair to look dull and for your scalp to feel itchy and greasy before deciding that it is time to wash your hair.

Another advantage why it is very important shampoo daily is that hair often holds odours especially from food and smoke. After thoroughly wetting your hair, apply shampoo at the roots. The quantity of shampoo to use will depend on the length and density of your hair. If your hair is very oily or soiled, you may need to shampoo a second time. Gently massage the product to your scalp to remove dead cells, remove dirt, and to promote good circulation on the scalp.

Another myth is that daily shampooing may cause hair loss. This is definitely not true. Extreme rubbing, brushing, and manipulation can cause hair to break which may interpreted as hair loss.

The key is to never use an ordinary brush to comb wet hair. Use a wide toothed comb or special detangling brush to smooth out the hair.

How Do Shampoos Clean the Hair?

Shampoo is basically soap for the hair and scalp. Shampoo works with water droplets and lather to get between your hair and the dirt and oils so they can be easily washed away. Shampoos contain surfactants to remove dirt and oil. Washing daily to keep the hair cleaner and healthier requires using a mild shampoo. The harsher the surfactant in your shampoo, it is more likely to damage and dry out your hair.

Shampoo is generally made by combining a surfactant, most often sodium lauryl sulfate and/or sodium laureth sulfate with a co-surfactant, most often cocamidopropyl betaine in water to form a thick, viscous liquid.(3)

A good quality shampoo uses a gentle surfactant plus natural moisturisers and conditioning ingredients. Everyday washing shouldn’t be a cause for concern if you use a mild shampoo that nourishes as it cleanses.

Mild Shampoo for Everyday Use

NISIM, a Canadian company has developed F.A.S.T. – Fortified Amino Scalp Therapy – Shampoo and Conditioner. F.A.S.T. works by supplying the hair with essential nutrients, amino acids, and proteins not found in regular shampoos. These special blends of nutrients make the hair grow as fast and as healthy as possible.

F.A.S.T. Shampoo contains Panthenol, otherwise known as vitamin B5. Pantothenic acid softens the hair and provides natural vitamin B5 for healthy hair growth.

Other nourishing ingredients in F.A.S.T. Shampoo include Inositol that encourages hair growth as well as Cystine and Cysteine that have important roles in protein synthesis and to hair growth. Biotin strengthens the hair while Methionine is an essential amino acid and a powerful antioxidant.

Methionine, cystine, and cystein are found in F.A.S.T. Shampoo to provide a substantial amount of sulfur to the hair. Sulfur is necessary for healthier and stronger hair. Tocopheryl Acetate or vitamin E acetate is a vitamin supplement that provides hair protection against the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

All these natural components and essential amino acids are combined in one breakthrough product. F.A.S.T. can be used on all hair types by both men and women, even on colour treated or permed hair, and even on children. F.A.S.T. is a mild shampoo with gentle cleansers plus superior nourishing ingredients guaranteed to be gentle enough to use every day and as often as you want.

You can also check this great article on body washes.

References: (1) www.dermnetnz.org, (2) www.dermnetnz.org, (3) Wikipedia.org