How often should Black hair be washed?
If you’ve ever wondered ‘can Black people wash their hair every day?’ the answer is pretty subjective. But, due to the fragility of textured hair, and the fact it tends to err on the drier side of the texture spectrum, it’s probably best to avoid a daily wash. Textured hair tends to thrive more when it’s not washed as frequently as other hair types. However, if you don’t wash it often enough you risk stunting hair growth because of grime and product build-up on the scalp.
If you style your textured hair straight and use heat often, you’ll want to wash it roughly every ten days to reset your style and wash away any product build-up. To do this it’s best to use a shampoo and conditioner that cleanses well and gives hair nourishment and care, such as Dove Amplified Textures Hydrating Cleanse Shampoo and Super Slip Detangling Conditioner.
For African-American hair that you style in its natural coils, every two to three weeks is more than enough to cleanse your coils without stripping away too much moisture. What you use to wash your naturally coily hair depends on what you use to style it. If you follow the ‘curly girl method’ your routine will avoid styling products with clingy silicones, so you can opt for a cleansing conditioner or co-wash. If you do use gels, creams or pomades, make sure you are cleansing with a gentle clarifying shampoo every two weeks to avoid the build-up of ingredients. Dove Amplified Textures Hydrating Cleanse Shampoo and Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner are designed specifically for coils, curls and waves and their specially created formula gently removes product build-up.
When it comes to African-American hair with protective styles such as braids and faux locs, the hair doesn’t need to be washed during the lifespan of the style, but cleansing your scalp is a must to refresh from sweat and grime. Use a root relief spray to restore balance on the scalp or simply use a damp, warm washcloth to gently lift impurities from your hair part and around the hairline.
