Washing your hair using the best shampoo is an everyday act of great importance to your own health, hygiene, and fashion. However, there are many doubts regarding this seemingly simple task.
How much of the recommended shampoo and conditioner brands out there to use is one of the most common ones.
Washing your hair properly is fundamental to the health of the hair and scalp, and how much shampoo to use influences it a lot.
So... How Much Shampoo to Use?
Let's start by mentioning a very important point: it depends.
Different hair types, haircuts, ethnicities, sex, and much more, influence how much shampoo to use.
You should use the following recommendations as a rule of thumb, and adapt from there depending on your particular, personal needs.
As a rule of thumb, the ideal amount of shampoo to use is:
- Short Hair: Size of a nickel
- Medium-length: Size of a quarter
- Long hair: Roughly the size of a half-dollar
That's not a lot of shampoo, right?
But that's the ideal amount!
It's no use dumping 2 liters of natural shampoo on your head, it won't make it any cleaner or prettier.
On the contrary, it can have a negative effect as the product accumulates on your hair.
So, remember to not overdo it.
The rule of thumb on how much shampoo to use is: less is often more.
Do I Need to Shampoo Twice Per Wash?
It depends on how often you wash your hair.
If you wash every day or every other day and your hair is not too greasy, you can apply it just once.
Now, if your hair is extremely oily or you go for more than two days without washing your hair, you're incentivized to use it twice in the same session.
Is Too Much Shampoo Bad?
As long as you rinse it thoroughly, there should be no problem.
But it is worth remembering that excess foam can greatly reduce the natural hydration of the hair. Therefore, keep in mind that shampoo, as seen at the start, does not need to be applied in huge quantities and should be managed with care.
Can You Wash Your Hair Every Day?
Yes, unless you start to notice broken strands of hair. Pay notice if you have lost more hair than normal or if some short strands are showing on the crown of your head.
The secret to avoiding damage is to wash only oily or very dry hair daily.
Living in a polluted city, always being in a humid environment, and exercising every day are also on the list of valid criteria for daily washing.
Now, if you don't present any of the above conditions or if you don't have any special circumstances for washing your hair more frequently, aim to wash it once every 2 days instead.
Dandruff Shampoo: Can I Use it Every Day?
Does your hair have a lot of dandruff?
The white or greyish stuff on your hair is nothing more than dead skin from your scalp and it can be caused by a number of different factors such as a dirty scalp, a symptom of seborrheic dermatitis, or the overuse of chemical in the region.
The first answer to this problem ends up being dandruff shampoo, but how should we use this product? Can I apply every day? Does it dry out the scalp?
It is important to wash your hair regularly to keep the hair and scalp clean.
However, it is not recommended to wash it every day if you have a dandruff issue, as this can make the problem worse and increase peeling due to dryness
Therefore, it is better to vary the hair washings and do it 3-4 times a week and bet on shampoos that contain salicylic acid, zinc, and antifungals.
If you have a serious dandruff issue, you might want to search for a qualified dermatologist to help you.
In addition, it is also important to know how to properly use dandruff shampoo. Know the step-by-step of how to apply dandruff shampoo:
- The shampoo should be applied mainly on the scalp;
- Let it interact with your scalp for a few minutes before rinsing;
- After that, the normal care routine can be applied;
And in case you're wondering, yes, you can use dandruff shampoo in conjunction with your normal shampoo. Dandruff shampoo and normal shampoo can work perfectly well together. Just as important is to pay attention to the shampoo ingredients.
Can I Use the Same Shampoo For a Long Time?
Many people wonder if it is healthy to use the same shampoo regularly or opt for salon shampoo brands for a long time or if it is better to mix different shampoos.
Scientific studies prove that the continuous use of the same hair product for a long time optimizes its effectiveness since the results accumulate.
You already know that this story that using the same shampoo for a long time is bad, has no scientific basis and is a myth.
So, if your long-trusted shampoo is no longer having the same effect, it is important to look up the possible reasons for it.
It may be that the shampoo has expired, that the weather has significantly changed, or even hormonal changes.
If you are wondering how to know which shampoo to use, the short answer is: use high-quality products and advanced technology.
It is not true that the hair gets used to the shampoo, but it is a reality that it accumulates the results over time. Therefore, always using the same high-quality product allows you to perform a better hair treatment than frantically changing brands.
Do not waste time and wash your hair with a shampoo recommended for your hair type!
I've Used an Expired Shampoo! What now?
You don't have to despair. An old shampoo will not cause any significant damage to your hair.
The main issue is that it will not be as efficient as before. Normally, it takes 2-4 years for a shampoo to expire, meaning it is a rare circumstance. But it is worth paying attention to any significant changes in smell or color in your shampoo in case of expiration.
Can I Use Two Different Shampoos at the Same Time?
Yes, as long as this mixture has been indicated by a specialist.
It is important that they are compatible with each other so that the action of one shampoo does not cancel out that of the other.
Or even better, that they synergize with each other, creating new positive effects that wouldn't be there if you didn't use both of them.
With this said, it is generally best to be safe and use a natural shampoo that has been proven to work well with you, as a bad combination of different shampoos can be catastrophic.
Not Using Enough Shampoo
As seen before, the overuse of shampoo can have negative effects on your hair and health.
However, not using enough shampoo can be just as damaging.
Make sure you're regularly using shampoo and in the right quantities.
Otherwise, there are a number of negative effects that can occur.
To better understand the downsides of not using shampoo, here are 5 of the most common problems that come from not using enough shampoo:
1. Ingrown Hair
Yes, it may seem a curious and somewhat bizarre fact, but the same thing that happens to the hair on your leg or groin can happen to your hair if you don't use shampoo.
As the scalp is not clean, not only does excess sebum accumulate there, but previous hair products and chemicals can also accumulate there.
All of this compromises the clogging of the follicles, which causes ingrown hair.
2. Your Hair May Start to Fall Out
With blocked hair follicles, new, strong, and healthy hair is also more difficult to grow.
Spreading the shampoo throughout the whole scalp stimulates the follicles since it activates blood circulation.
Also, remember to consult a dermatologist if your hair is falling! There can be a variety of factors outside of not using enough shampoo that can cause this issue, such as genetics.
3. Your Hair May Get Dirty
That's because all the oil accumulated on your hair or scalp becomes a real magnet of unwanted particles, such as dandruff.
And dandruff is a real nightmare to deal with. Even with the right shampoo, dandruff can be extremely hard to get rid of.
4. The Odor Won't Be as Pleasant
Excess oil on the scalp not only attracts unhealthy residues but also contributes to holding unwanted fragrances for longer on the hair.
This is a great factor for pleasant smells, like that of your favorite perfume, but terrible when they are smells that you can't stand for even a second.
5. Your Hair Will Lose Its Shine
And it will be much more brittle and opaque. This is because the dirty particles and dandruff that your oily hair attracts cause it to gradually lose its shine and splendor.
Hair with a lot of residues and/or dandruff also tends to be drier, which contributes to a non-homogeneous surface, thus making it difficult for light to reflect on the capillary surface.
For more info on how to care for your hair we have an article on: DIY hair mask with only 3 ingredients