Your hair can handle a wash just fine and doesn't cause any irritations, your hair may just feel a bit dry and stiff if washed too often. However, your scalp reacts strongly to frequent washing and poor shampoo's.
Just like the rest of your body, the scalp is protected with a thin layer of sebum. This sebum protects your scalp from drying out and ensures that your scalp remains hydrated. With too frequent washing, this sebum layer is removed from your scalp, leaving it unprotected. This, combined with the drying effect of the shampoo, causes your scalp to become too dry.
A dry scalp causes dandruff, which is essentially just the flaking of your scalp. Besides dandruff, the scalp becomes sensitive and irritations arise. This, combined with poor hair products and frequent washing, eventually leads to an endless cycle where you can't get rid of that irritated scalp.
How often should I wash my hair?
Every two days is the answer here. Wash your hair every two days with a good quality shampoo and you'll see that irritations and dandruff disappear. Most shampoos you can get at the local supermarket do little more than degrease and make your hair smell nice, so leave these products aside and switch to a good shampoo. These shampoos are often a bit more expensive than a regular shampoo, but you need to wash your hair less often with them and they take care of your scalp. Below you will find our selection from American Crew and Uppercut Deluxe of good shampoos:
Hair care after washing
Your hair may feel dry and stiff after washing, so try using a conditioner or a good hair oil after washing. These nourish your hair and scalp and keep them in good condition.
Washing hair if you have dandruff
If you currently have dandruff, leave that anti-dandruff shampoo aside. Take a good shampoo and do not wash your hair more than twice a week. I dare to guarantee that your dandruff will significantly decrease and your scalp will feel healthy again. Dandruff is actually a result of a too dry scalp. By reducing the frequency of washing, your scalp has time to recover and provide your skin with that important protective sebum layer.