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Original poster

How often do you wash your hair?

161 replies

MrsMontague · 25/02/2010 19:12

I was at the hairdressers today, as my colour was fading again.

She asked me how often I wash my hair and I said every other day and she said that's why my colour fades so quickly, and that she only washes her hair once a week

Her hair always looks fab though, whereas mine always looks greays and awful by the 3rd day. I won't leave the house at that point!

How often does everyone wash their hair??

OP posts:
MrsL123 · 26/02/2010 18:03

I've got a shoulder length bob and I wash it every day. Washing and conditioning adds about 3 minutes to my shower, drying takes about 5 minutes (super powerful hair dryer with turbo boost, can't beat it!) and straightening takes literally a minute with GHD's (I only go over the top layer to stop it looking too flat). So probably 10 minutes in all. I don't use any fancy shampoo or conditioner, just whatever is on offer in the supermarket.

There have been times when I've got up late and have skipped the washing, but I still need to straighten it because otherwise it looks 'slept on' and too messy for work, and gets greasy by lunchtime. I've tried dry shampoos but they just make my hair feel clogged up and heavy, and if it's not freshly washed it takes ages to straighten it and get it looking half decent. So it's quicker for me just to stick to my usual routine and wash it, than to try and fix 8 hours worth of freaky sleep-twister!

MumInBeds · 26/02/2010 18:17

Once or twice a week for most of it although I sometimes need to do my fringe in between. My hair is thick, straight and past my waist.

orienteerer · 26/02/2010 20:19

I'm with MrsL123 but beginning to wonder if I should try the no shampoo approach (i.e. still "wash" in water everyday). My SIL went this route (with V short hair) and became quite evangelical about it, I note she now has a "bob" but haven't asked if she has changed her regieme.

ButterPie · 26/02/2010 21:09

About once or twice a week, depending on how icky it gets. I used to do it more because I used to backcomb for nights out, and so it would become unmanageable until I got some serious conditioner on it.

solo · 26/02/2010 22:51

PDR, I use either Johnsons baby shampoo or Sainsbury's own brand no tears children's shampoo and conditioner in one. Must say though that I still use either Pantene for curls or Sunsilk conditioner for curly hair on it even if I've used the 2 in 1. Once it's been on for a few minutes, I then either comb it through(gets a weeks worth of fluff and loose hair out)or recently I've started using a Tangle Teezer...

If I use a product after that, it's either a curl serum or curl tamer(Frizz eeze)or if I have it VO5 curl gel type stuff ~ not even sure it's still available tbh.

My hairdresser ~ who has a mixed race Dd told me I should be 'feeding' Dd's hair with something like DAX which she says looks quite greasy at first, but absorbs into the hair/scalp and really helps curly hair. I would think though that it would make very curly European hair types very lank and greasy looking. Daily, I spray it with plain water or if she's mixing with other Dc's, I spray with Nitmix.
Brings the curls back without having to wash it.

solo · 26/02/2010 23:01

NA, yes or maybe just a bit of a wave.
It was very tight curls as a toddler, went to just waves after my first hairdressers cut(Mum was hysterical!)aged about 3 and the curls came back big time aged 26.
When I lost my curls after Ds, my hair went very fine and I was practically hysterical and when I saw the first curl returning, I wanted to throw a party! Apart from the grey, I've never loved my hair as much as now(well, I will when I have a full force head of curls!)
I reckon it's hormonal for me. One of my friends hair went the same way after her first baby and another friends hair has a wave now after being totally straight.

PDF, it sounds like your Ds's hair would benefit from using DAX if it breaks off. It's very cheap I understand. It's about £4 a pot.

solo · 26/02/2010 23:10

PDF PDR sorry! DAX

PDR, sounds like this would help your Ds's brittle hair. There's a whole range though.

Hulababy · 26/02/2010 23:10

Every day. I have psorasis of the scalp and my head becmes very itchy if it is left longer.

HinnyPet · 26/02/2010 23:18

Which shampoo and conditioner doesn't have the sodium laurel sulfate and silicon nasties in it? I would like to try that idea!

SayHitIsntSo · 26/02/2010 23:20

Every morning.
Can't stand the thought of not washing it whilst in the shower, I get out of the tub feeling dirty (and not a good kind of dirty)

FreakoidOrganisoid · 27/02/2010 13:22

PDR I use just water on DS's soft curls (he is 2.2) and either Anita Grant babassu bar or Urtekram rose shampoo and conditioner on dd's coarser more afro hair. The Anita Grant whipped butters are gorgeous and I can really tell the difference when I use them on dd (although using it does mean her hair needs washing a bit more frequently). Carrot oil is meant to be v good for feeding hair too.

FreakoidOrganisoid · 27/02/2010 13:26

Hinny there are loads of SLS free shampoos thogh they do tend to be more pricey. I like the Urketram rose stuff I mentioned as well as handmade naturals stuff. Lots of people seem to like Green People stuff. On the high street you can get Organic Surge, Naked and a few others depending which shop.

BlueEyeshadow · 27/02/2010 15:26

I have very thick hair and part of the reason for washing it as little as possible is that when it gets wet it goes frizzy and enormous.

DS1 has fine hair at the moment and also quite thick, I think.

As for showering, I like a showerhead that you can take down and direct the water where you want it, rather than a fixed one. Otherwise I guess I would have to use a shower cap!

For people who just use conditioner - doesn't that have nasty chemicals in it too? And would you use shampoo after swimming?

PDR · 27/02/2010 20:54

Solo thanks for the great info!

Am going to order some DAX

solo · 28/02/2010 00:09

Please let me know how it goes PDR, I might invest in some if you rate it too

SarahMumtoAlex · 28/02/2010 20:15

nappyaddict DS has fairly fine straight brown hair. He had a lot at birth and though its changed he was always hairy. My best friend washed his hair with shampoo the other week because she didn't know we never did.

I have slightly curly red hair and use 'faith in nature' conditioner which has no silicone - but there are all sorts without silocne you just have look out for the 'cone's in the ingredient list. Swim twice a week and use conditioner after one of them. I think it the healthier hair is less vulnerable to chlorine

nappyaddict · 01/03/2010 09:25

I would like to try it with DS but he has long hair.

SarahMumtoAlex · 01/03/2010 12:14

I suspect it would be fine. Give it a go. One last time with just shampoo (to get rid of any silicone) then use silocone free conditioner if you really feel he needs it. I have to say I always want to tell people with new babies - don't start with the shampoo! Good luck

AllwaysDoingSomething · 01/03/2010 13:38

I wash my hair every other day, but wash and blow dry my fringe every day, because it looks oiler than the rest of my hair, prob due to my oily forehead.

My hair is coloured red with a semi permanent colour and frequent washing does speed up the fading process. My colour is noticeably weaker in colour after 3 weeks, but I make 'last' 4 due to cost, time spent at hairdressers etc.

I'd say my hair was medium thickness, medium texture with a good dose of wave/frizz/oilyness (I also have an oily t zone) I blow dry straight and run flat irons over the top layers for extra smoothness. The less product I use means less grease the next day and avoid product at roots, so I can manage the 2nd day without the need for a full wash.

nappyaddict · 01/03/2010 16:08

solo Do you do any exercise in between washing your hair? I go to the gym and think my hair might be really minging if I didn't wash it after getting all sweaty.

solo · 01/03/2010 21:56

Not anymore NA, but even when I did 3 or 4 days in the gym a week, I didn't wash it all the time. The only exception was swimming, but I don't like swimming, so that's not really an issue for me.

NoahAndTheWhale · 01/03/2010 22:06

I wash mine about 3 or 4 times a week I think. Is very short and looks better when it has been washed.

nappyaddict · 02/03/2010 10:19

solo When you went to the gym and only washed it once a week would you just leave it after you'd been to the gym or would you rinse it with just water?

solo · 02/03/2010 16:37

No, if I'd rinsed it in water, I'm pretty sure it'd have looked manky. NA, are you trying to make me sound like a minger with all these questions aimed at me?! Nowadays, I can go 2 weeks without washing my hair but if it looks manky, it gets washed. I've also been known to use Batiste too.

My Ds can be lazy ~ as boys can be...if he doesn't wash his hair after sports, his hair stinks! so not everyone would get away with it. His hair though is incredibly thick. He has on occasion wet his hair, no shampoo or conditioner and it looks and smells horrible, so I don't know how other people can get away with no products tbh.

nappyaddict · 03/03/2010 09:45

Asking you cos it sounds like you have similar hair to me. I currently wash my hair once a week but have recently started going to the gym and it gets sweaty around the hairline. I didn't want to undo my good work of getting to once weekly but also didn't want to smell disgusting. Still don't really know what to do!! It's interesting to know that you can go 2 weekly now. Do you think that's to do with it being thicker and curly now?