How To Go Longer Without Washing Your Hair

Part of getting healthier hair, is to wash it less. Here are my top 6 tips on how to go longer between washes.

+Dry Shampoo Can Be Your Best Friend!

A dry shampoo is a good thing to have handy. Dry shampoos get rid of those greasy roots, without you having to wash your hair. If you work out a lot these are helpful and are also handy if you're travelling.
- A good dry shampoo for thinner hair is : Oscar Blandi Volumizing Dry Shampoo.
- The most cost effective brand of  shampoo for all hair types is : Batiste

Baby Powder and Cocoa have also been used successfully as substitutes for dry shampoo

//Satin Should Be in Your Wardrobe!

LOL not like that, but you should invest in a satin bonnet, head tie or pillowcase. Silk scarves work well too when wrapping the hair but can come off easily during sleep.
This technique is often used by women of color, but can also work for all different ethnicities, either to provide volume for curly hair or to prolong straightened hair.

Straight: Smooth your hair around your head, pinning with bobby pins to keep it flat, and continue on. You may use a mesh head band to keep it secure and then put on your silk bonnet, scarf or whatever you choose. This helps prevent that annoying line in your hair where the hair tie was.

Curly: Tie your hair in a pineapple (ponytail close to the top of your head) and use your bonnet, scarf  or head-tie, or go to sleep on your satin pillowcase. This will help prolong your curls by keeping them moisturized and preventing frizz and will also give you more volume.

+Up-dos are a girl's best friend

Doing an up-do is the PERFECT way to go another day without washing your hair, and I say the bigger the better... "That's why her hair's so big.. it's full of secrets". Well. The secret is, updos such as messy buns, and all sorts of twists and braids look so much better on dirty hair!
I know I KILL a sock bun at least once a week.
If you live in a climate where you can get away with wearing hats/beanies etc... Do that! Trust me, not only are they stylish, they keep you warm and can hide all your hair hang-ups.

//DITCH All Those Products!

One of the main reasons people need to wash their hair so much is - PRODUCT BUILDUP!
The necessary products you need are the ones that give moisture to your hair, like your conditioner etc, not hairspray, gel and all that crap, especially not on 'first day hair' unless you have some seriously special plans.
Limit the amount of product you use, e.g. you can only use hairspray twice a week etc.. and you'll find that your hair gets way less dirty in the same amount of time. Stick to using it only when you're doing an up-do or you're going out somewhere that you really need to look good for!

+Conditioner to the Rescue!

Co-washing can allow you to go more time in-between washes. Co - washing is quite simply the act of washing your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo. A lot of kinky/curly/coily haired girls use co washing to allow them to go up to 2-4 weeks between washing. It's the action of massaging your scalp and the water running over your hair that cleans it.

The most important thing is to take baby steps. If you wash daily, do NOT jump into washing your hair only once a  week. Your hair will look disgusting and you'll get disheartened. My advice is, increase what you're doing by 1 day. So wash every other day, and keep going on until you get to a routine you're happy with.

How Long SHOULD I go between washes?
Depending on your hair type it varies, but I'd say:

1. Thin, light grease prone hair - every 2-3 days
2. Thinner curly/wavy hair like mine - 1 or 2 times per week.
3. Extremely thick kinky/curly or coily hair - can last for up to 2-4 weeks.

This is simply a guide, but wash your hair as often as YOU prefer. Train your hair to your wash routine!

Do I need to wash.. Is there no alternative to shampoo?
You can use products like clarifying and cleansing cremes;  you can even use natural products to clarify the hair, just make sure you do your research!

Let me know how your hair growth journey is going!