Hi, my name is William Gaunitz, and I’m a fellow with the World Trichology Society. With over 21 years of experience as a certified trichologist, I’ve dedicated my career to helping people regrow hair. A common question I ask my clients is, “How often do you wash your hair?” Especially when dealing with hair loss and scalp conditions, it’s crucial to understand that a buildup of bacteria, fungus, oil, and parasites on your scalp can exacerbate these issues. The less you shampoo, the worse these problems can become.
Many people, when facing hair loss, become overly gentle with their hair, barely touching the scalp during shampooing. However, this approach can actually lead to further hair loss. Proper shampooing, as I’ll demonstrate, helps remove dead hairs that are bound to fall out, cleanses the scalp surface, and creates a clean, healthy environment conducive to hair growth. It also aids in exfoliating the scalp, which is essential if you’re using any topical scalp serums, ensuring they penetrate effectively.
For those dealing with scalp conditions and hair loss, I typically recommend shampooing every 24 to 48 hours. The process should go as follows:
First Shampoo: Apply a quarter-sized amount of shampoo to your hair and scalp. Lather it up and use the pads of your fingers to scrub the scalp, working from the front to the nape of the neck. Let the shampoo sit for 30 seconds to a minute. This scrubbing action is key for dislodging parasites like Demodex, which feed off hair follicles. By manually removing them, you expose the hair follicle rim, allowing deeper penetration of shampoo in the next round.
Rinse and Repeat: After a minute, rinse your hair and apply shampoo for the second time. Repeat the scrubbing process, letting it sit for a bit longer this time – about a minute to a minute and a half.
This double shampooing technique ensures that debris, oil, and buildup around the hair follicle are removed, allowing better action from the shampoo and more effective treatment application.
After shampooing, it’s vital to use a conditioner like Scalp Therapy by Advanced Trichology. This acts like a moisturizer following a toner or cleanser, rehydrating the scalp and bolstering its immune system. Use a quarter-sized amount of conditioner, more if you have longer hair, and work it into the scalp down to the nape. Let it sit for about two minutes, or longer for longer hair. This helps the conditioner penetrate the hair shaft and provide necessary hydration.
For women with very long hair, apply this conditioner to the scalp and use a different, longer chemical-based conditioner on the length of your hair. This method conditions both the scalp and the length of the hair effectively.
Once you’ve shampooed twice and conditioned, apply a topical scalp serum directly to the scalp after towel drying your hair. This ensures the best penetration due to the thorough cleansing and preparation of the scalp.
Serum in the Video: https://amzn.to/42pXTdx
Remember, proper shampooing decreases inflammation, removes harmful microbials, and creates an optimal environment for hair growth. If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments. I’m here to help in any way I can. Don’t forget to check out my other video for more tips on hair care.
