There is no universally correct answer to the question: how often should you apply shampoo and conditioner on your hair? The deputy beauty director of Cosmopolitan shouts out in her recent February blog. It all depends on your hair. 

Chloe Metzger disagrees with the idea of washing your hair as rarely as possible. The needs vary according to each hair type. Washing your hair too often or rarely will both bring you dire consequences. 

Four Different Types of Hair

You need to determine your type of hair to know how often you should wash it. Oprah Winfrey's long-time hairstylist classified four different types of hair. 

• Type 1 - When your stylist says you have type 1 hair, that means your hair is straight. It could either be thick or thin, fine or coarse. This type of hair may demand more frequent washing because it tends to get oily more often. Because your hair has no curls or waves, it’s easy for the oil from your scalp to run down the strands. That is why it is not unusual for people with Type 1 hair to have shiny hair. Experts recommend washing flat, fine hair every other day with a gentle, volumizing shampoo. Thick, straight hair will be good if washed only 1 to 2 times a week.

• Type 2 - If you want to know how type 2 hair looks like, find an old photograph of your grandmother in the 1920s. This type of hair is one that benefits from a light touch of mousse or hair gel. It is classified further into three types based on which part of the hair starts to wave. Generally, the waves start below the level of the eye. Others have it somewhere in the middle while still others have it near the crown. Washing 2 to 3 times per week is enough to keep those natural waves.

• Type 3 - This is the curly hair. You have type-3 hair when your hair forms loose loops with a size that is wider than the large end of a taper candle. Like the type-2 hair, it is also further classified into three types according to the intensity of the curls. The most intense of this type of hair comes close to coily hair, which is the type-4 hair. This hair type needs enough moisture to preserve those curls. A good leave-in conditioner will help control the frizz. 

• Type 4 - Now, it's time for the most delicate type of hair. If curly hair needs a lot of moisture, then this type takes plenty to stay healthy. If you have this type of hair, you don't need to wash it very often. Once or twice a week is enough. You only need to make sure it stays moisturized. You will need your hands to stroke your hair with a leave-in conditioner because combing may damage this type of hair. 

Practical Advice

Whether you have straight, wavy, or curly hair, oily hair doesn't always mean healthy hair. Daily washing may cause your scalp to produce more oil and make your hair greasy. Your hair needs moisture and not grease. You may need to wash your hair as often as every other day. 

Perhaps the notion is still right. Washing your hair every day may not always be healthy for your hair. The secret is to keep it moisturized, but each type of hair has different needs. You need to understand your hair if you want to give the right treatment it needs. 

References:

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g26000027/how-often-should-wash-hair/

https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/types-of-hair#style-and-care