Wash hair properly: when to wash it?
You’re either a morning person or an evening person. When you wash your hair is a very personal thing, but did you know there are different benefits depending on the time of day you wash your hair?
This is one of those questions to which there is no right or wrong answer, no one-size-fits-all approach – it’s entirely subjective. That’s because there are benefits to both morning and night washers…
NIGHT WASHERS – THE TIME SAVERS
Washing your hair in the evening can save a lot of time the next morning, so it’s great if you’d rather catch 15 minutes more sleep than spend your morning caring for your hair.
There’s also the fact you’ve got more time to let it dry. And that’s great for your hair and scalp – turning the hairdryer up to its highest setting in a bid to get ready quickly in the morning could actually damage the hair.
Night time washers, however, have plenty of time to let it air dry, so their hair and scalp aren't at the same risk of drying out under the heat.
MORNING WASHERS – THE CLEAN STARTERS
There’s a down side to washing your hair before you go to bed though. If your hair isn’t 100 percent dry, it can actually encourage dandruff.
Trapped moisture can actually create a humid environment that encourages scalp microbes like Malassezia globosa to grow.
These play a key role in causing scalp discomfort and dandruff.
What’s more, if you have particularly fine hair or are prone to oily or greasy hair, you may find you produce a lot of oil overnight and your hair doesn't have the same healthy shine when you wake up.
For morning washers, it’s all about getting a fresh, clean start to the day.
SHOULD I LEAVE CONDITIONER IN MY HAIR OVERNIGHT?
Leaving conditioner in your hair overnight will quickly replenish moisture and soften the hair.
However, around 30 minutes is enough time for enough moisture to be absorbed by the hair and there are typically no extra benefits to leaving conditioner in for up to 8 hours.
WHY NOT MIX IT UP?
While most people tend to stick to a regular hair washing routine, it is important to remember that there are some occasions when you will need to break your routine.
Wash your hair well after exercise, using a deep cleaning shampoo as sweat will have accumulated on the scalp and could lead to discomfort.
Also, be sure to thoroughly shampoo your hair after swimming, both in a chlorinated pool and in salt water.
Both salt and chlorine can damage the hair, so it’s a good idea to follow up a swim with a damage repair shampoo to help keep it strong and healthy.
More tips and advice from the experts:
