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If you have heard that skipping washing your hair makes it grow faster, do not fall into this trap. Dirty hair growing faster is one of the biggest scams or myths that need to be busted. Irrespective of how convenient skipping hair washing may seem, it is not hygienic at all. In fact, such practice can do more harm than good to hair health.
In this article, we will discuss one of the frequently asked questions, ‘does dirty hair grow faster than clean hair’ and try to bring the positive side of this perspective.
Keep reading!
What Happens When You Let Your Hair Get Dirty?
When you do not wash your hair, either with shampoo or plain water, it starts getting dirty. Eventually, it leads to buildup that blocks hair follicles. Excess dirt, grime, and natural oil also contribute to causing odors in the scalp.
Dirty hair not only looks dull but also welcomes bacteria to grow on the scalp and cause different scalp and hair issues. As a result, you may experience hair fall and, in severe cases, baldness.
How Does Hair Benefit from Skipping Washing?
The only benefit you can get from skipping washes is preventing it from getting too dry due to excessive use of shampoo.
Many people wash hair daily with shampoo. The presence of chemicals in shampoo not only remove dirt and grime but they can also strip off natural oil from the scalp when used daily (1). As a result, the hair become dry and frizzy. The lack of moisture in hair also contributes to making them prone to breakage.
Here, it is essential to mention that all these adverse effects are only due to excessive use of shampoo, especially since it is not gentle on the scalp and hair. If you are over-washing hair or using shampoo every morning while taking a bath, you could experience all of these, which may eventually result in hair loss.
What Are the Adverse Effects of Skipping Hair Washing?
While overwashing harms hair health, skipping washing altogether welcomes a plethora of problems. The foremost issue that arises is bacterial growth.
Our hair is a hub of bacterial infestation and growth. One wrong choice and bacteria can invade, making the scalp their permanent home. It can happen due to the following-
- Natural oils called sebum create a thriving environment for bacteria
- Sweat provides moisture that favors bacterial growth on the scalp
- Product buildup attracts bacteria
- Environmental pollutants accumulate over time, inviting bacteria to thrive
As bacteria multiply on the scalp, scalp diseases can occur such as trichodynia wherein you feel intense pain on the scalp when you touch hair or Malassezia that results into dandruff, atopic and seborrheic dermatitis and folliculitis.
What Should the Frequency of Hair Washing Be?
The usual recommendation for hair wash is after every 2 to 3 days. However, the exact answer to this question depends upon various factors, such as your hair type, scalp type, and environmental conditions.
People who get sweaty scalp due to their lifestyle, work or any other reasons can wash their hair daily, but with mild shampoo (2). Co-washing using suitable shampoo and conditioner is also a great alternative for them. It will clean and moisturize their hair at the same time.
On the other hand, people who do not develop sweat often and have dry scalps should wash only after 2 to 3 days to keep the scalp clean and hair healthy. Remember, a healthy and clean scalp ensures faster hair growth.
How Can I Grow My Hair Faster?
The average rate at which hair grows is of 0.35 mm per day, which sums to approximately 0.5 inches per month or 6 inches per year (3). Here, it is important to mention that this rate varies among people due to various factors like age, genetics, health, medical condition, stress, etc.
Still, incorporating certain practices in life can’t help hair grow faster. These include-
- Maintaining healthy diet that include all the nutrients in the right proportion. special attention should be given to protein, vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Drinking enough water to keep the scalp hydrated and prevent dryness.
- Minimizing hair damage from heat styling products, chemical treatments, and excessive sun exposure.
- Maintaining a regular hair trimming schedule.
- Maintaining scalp health is a priority, and high-quality oils are used for hair massages.
- Keeping stress at bay.
- Consuming supplements such as fish oil, biotin, collagen, etc., when the body lacks them.
Besides, maintaining proper hair hygiene is of utmost importance to keep them healthy. These are all dermatologists’ recommended advice for maintaining healthy hair and scalp that eventually helps promote hair growth.
Conclusion
Women who seek long and luscious hair should not believe any myth that they come across. Always try to find certain logic in what you hear. If you start believing that dirty hair grows faster than clean hair and skip washing, it will only result in hair that looks oily and dull. So, make your choices mindfully to get long, lustrous, and voluminous hair.
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