OT~ can I damage my hair by washing it too much?

Louise

Just recently I'm finding my hair smell's of school (you know the smell school dinners and bleach!!) and I want to wash it daily but I'm worried that with shoulder length coloured hair that too much washing may cause it to become dry and brittle? Am I thinking nonsense? x

14 years ago

General

8 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

taylor

Veteran

Louise,
Your color may fade, but certain shampoo's to help prevent that:) It ~may~ feel dryer...but as long as you continue to trim regularly and condition your~ ends~ after each shampoo you should be fine...one light shampoo a day isn't going to damage..that comes from over processed..permed, color, flat iron and excessive blow drying(several times a day) so no worries:)

14 years ago

(website)

Veteran

You might be drying it out. What happens when you skip a day, or was with conditioner only?

14 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

I've had quite a few hairdressers insist that the longer you can go between washes, the healthier your hair will be. I think the rule of thumb is that if it's shoulder length or longer, you shouldn't wash it more often than once every two days. It takes a while for the oil from the hair follicles to work its way down the hair shafts.

It's just a rule of thumb, though. In my personal experience, colouring and heat-styling cause a lot more damage than frequent washing. (And by colouring, I mean the kind where they have to bleach out the hair and colour on top of that. Semi-permanent dyes don't hurt the hair at all; in fact, I think they help condition it).

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I was also going to suggest washing with conditioner only. It'll help freshen up the smell, and it won't strip the oils away.

14 years ago

Beth

Veteran

Ah yes, the smell of school: a delightful medley of chicken noodle soup, bleach and old milk. I'm very familiar with it.

I think a light shampoo would be fine, especially since your hair isn't super long.

14 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Phew thanks all

Beth you've obviously spend much time in schools too!!

Taylor I use a shampoo and conditioner for colour treated hair, I never blow dry or flat iron except when the hair dresser does it (i'm too lazy!!) and get my hair cut and coloured every 8 weeks.

Di and Rae good idea on the conditioner only I'll give it a go.

Elizabeth I'm currently just having semi permenant colours on as I had 12 months of highlights which frazzled my ends x

14 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I think it's true that your hair will be healthier if you don't wash as often, but the reason for that is not alone the frequent washing but mainly the frequent blow-drying. Too much heat too fast and often isn't good for the hair and makes it dry and brittle. But I think you'll be fine if you only use low heat and dry your hair gently.

14 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Louise, I very much understand, especially since you are working around kids. I really have to wash my hair every day, even though it's short - I just feel greasy and my skin starts breaking out on the 2nd day without washing.

I rotate between a Redken shampoo for color-treated hair and a gentle Alba shampoo that doesn't cause too much dryness, and though my hair is short, I still use conditioner for color-treated hair a few times a week. I try to dry sans-hair dryer as much as I can - wrapping my hair in a towel to absorb water, sitting around and fluff-drying my hair with my fingers. I still have to apply heat to give it some shape, but I trry to be gentle.

A while back I tried to go every other day without washing while using a dry shampoo spray on the days when I didn't wash my hair. As long as I showered once a day and really washed my face well, that was okay - but I still feel cleaner & fresher if I start the day with freshly washed hair.

14 years ago

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