It’s something we all do, but everyone’s hair care routine is a little different. Some people swear by washing their hair every day, others weekly. This is followed by opinions on how to best deal with dandruff, or whether you should oil your scalp. We asked Dr. Oetewa Oyelinde, assistant professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine and director of the Skin of Color Clinic, all your hair care questions to help you get the most out of your daily routine. This is the first installment of the hair care series.
So how often should you wash your hair? Oyerinde explains that it depends on your hair type.
“It really depends on the person’s hair texture and hair characteristics,” Oylinde explained. “People with straight hair need to wash a little more often than people with curly hair, and people with curly hair need to wash more often than people with curly hair.”
If your hair is straight, simply combing it or running your hands through it will distribute the oils from your scalp throughout your hair. This makes the hair oily and heavy, and people with straight hair need to wash their hair more often. “For such people, I usually recommend doing it at least three to four times a week, or daily if your hair is super pin-straight,” Oyelinde says.
People with loose curls or wavy hair can wash their hair two to three times a week. For those with very coily hair or tighter curls, Oyelinde recommends washing your hair once a week.
“Sebum doesn’t transfer easily over curly hair,” says Oylinde. “Washing too often can strip your hair of its natural oils, making it dry, brittle, and even prone to breakage.”
Oyerinde says it’s okay to use cleansing shampoos that contain sulfates for people with straight or wavy hair. Especially if you have a lot of product buildup or sweat a lot, because these products help remove everything from your hair. For those with curlier hair types, moisturizing or sulfate-free shampoos may be better for regular use. As for conditioner, it depends on your hair type and whether you need a moisturizing or strengthening conditioner.
“Strengthening conditioners contain hydrolyzed proteins, which means they contain enough small proteins to penetrate the hair and strengthen it,” says Oyelinde. “If it’s moisturizing, it’s going to have ingredients like glycerin, honey, humectants that pull moisture from the outside world into[the hair].”
For those with color-treated or chemically treated hair, we recommend looking for shampoos and conditioners that have hair-strengthening properties.
“When you change your hair permanently (like coloring or treating it), you need a little more protein, because when you chemically change your hair, you automatically damage the hair proteins,” says Oierinde. . “Also, people who color their hair should avoid sulfates, as they can strip the color from their hair.”
While lathering, be sure to shampoo with lukewarm water. This will allow the product to penetrate deeper into your hair and increase its cleaning power. When applying conditioner, Ojelinde recommends rinsing it off with cold water to close the hair cuticle.
Your hair type also matters when it comes to detangling your hair. For those with curly or coily hair, Ojelinde recommends using a wide-tooth comb or a brush with wide bristles and teeth. On the other hand, if you have straight hair, you may want to use a brush with firmer bristles.
“If you have very tightly coiled or natural hair, it’s safer for your hair to use a brush when your hair is actually wet,” says Oyerinde. “If you have straight hair, it’s safer to brush your hair when it’s dry. If you have loose curls, you may need to sprinkle a little water before brushing.”
Stay tuned for the next part about scalp oiling, hot tools, and whether or not you should sleep with wet hair!
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Written by Anna Chiappes
