Is It OK to Wash Your Hair With Soap?'

Rema

Question: I'm 21 years old and male, I wash my hair with soap every other day then on Sundays I wash it with shampoo. Is my method of washing my hair okay?



Answer: Hi, Rema. I'm unclear as to whether your query is in relation to hair loss concerns or if you would just like some general haircare advice so I'll give you information on both.

Washing the hair every day or every other day is certainly recommended. If your hair is particularly short then the routine you describe should not do too much damage to your hair as long as it is properly rinsed out. However, the cleanser you use on your hair should ideally be suited to your hair type.

Bar soap - and some liquid soaps - can be very drying, so if you have fine, dry or thinning hair we would advise you to go with a gentle shampoo instead or soap. Also, if you have a scalp condition then you may require a medicated shampoo.

There are many factors to take into account when selecting the right shampoo, but, with that said, as long as you are washing your hair and scalp regularly, rinsing well and not using anything overly drying to the hair, this approach should not be too problematic for the health of the hair. If you do find your hair becoming dry or brittle we recommend switching to a gentle shampoo that is suitable for every day use. You may also want to follow with a conditioner on the ends of the hair.

There is a common misconception that frequent hair washing causes hair loss; this seems to stem from the fact that some people notice more hair in the plug hole when they are washing their hair. The act of washing the hair does not cause hair loss, however, it simply causes hair that has already been shed and is lingering, caught up in other hairs, to shake loose and fall. This happens to everyone as a normal part of the hair growth cycle - whether they have a hair loss condition or not - all the time as we walk around but is more noticeable when we wash our hair as we are more focused on it.