The scorching heat and muggy weather during the summers in Kerala torment Malayalis to such an extent that it is unimaginable to go a day without a cold shower or two. The non-Malayali folks would often be surprised to hear that the “hair-bath routine” for a Malayali is seven times a week on an average or more, depending on the heat outside. In fact, a “complete” bath for a Malayali means getting wet from head to toe. But when it comes to hair care, is this routine recommended?
Hygiene is undoubtedly one of the factors affecting a person’s hair growth. But those who think that frequently washing your hair is the ultimate hygiene mantra should know that it is a myth.
Although the frequency of washing your hair does not really harm the hair and the scalp, it is recommended by experts that you keep it down to three washes per week.
Naveen Mavar, a hair care expert for Toni and Guy, says, “Washing your hair daily can affect your scalp because it will prevent the hair follicles from producing natural oils, which are seminal in maintaining the natural texture and growth of a person’s hair. In Kerala, people apply oil to their hair on a daily basis and leave it on till the next day, which can sometimes lead to scalp infections and dandruff and eventually hair fall.”
When asked about their hair wash routines, a majority of the people from Kerala said they washed their hair daily and applied oil regularly, unless they were sick.
Anjali, a 23-year-old college student living in Kerala, says, “I have long, wavy hair, and whenever I have gone a day or two without washing my hair, it becomes greasy and entangled. So, to avoid the mess, I make sure I wash my hair daily.”
On the contrary, Malayalis living outside Kerala do not stick to this hard and fast rule and prefers washing their hair less frequently.
“I wash my hair only twice or sometimes thrice a week. I stopped washing my hair daily when I realised the water isn’t that great and saw I was starting to lose a lot of my hair”, says Bernad, who has long hair and is a tattoo artist in Chennai.
A more factual explanation concerning the question of daily hair wash was given by Dr Althasma Ameem, a trichologist at Cochin Hair Transplantation in Kerala. “Certainly washing your hair daily is not a great idea. But depending on the nature of one’s daily routines and work, a person may decide the number of times his/her hair needs to be washed. If you have dandruff on your scalp, washing your hair daily with a mild shampoo would be a good option to prevent an excessive build-up of dead skin cells,” says Dr Ameem.
The most appreciated and accepted myth―washing your hair daily―does not stand alone while a number of hair care myths follow one after the another, as found on the internet.
Hair care myths are abundant | Pixabay
Some of these beliefs/myths as observed by Dr Ameem include:
i. Oil massage leads to hair fall. This is false. Oil massage helps in better blood circulation and oil absorption.
ii. Shampooing frequently nourishes your hair. Actually, shampoo is used for cleansing the dirt off your hair and scalp. Excessive use of shampoo will prevent the hair and the scalp from producing natural oils.
iii. Trimming your hair short reduces hair fall. Hair grows from the roots and not the tips. If you have a hair fall problem, it would be due to an underlying cause which is affecting the scalp and the hair follicles.
Interestingly, people from Kerala, often stereotyped by their damp hair dabbed with coconut oil, (especially the women) are often praised for their thick, luscious and black hair. But the role of daily hair wash in this could be overlooked by the fact that strong, beautiful hair is merely a unique feature of the Malayali genes. But Dr Ameem makes it clear that apart from a person’s genes, a healthy diet and occasional scalp massages are two important deciding factors for a healthy hair growth. She also specifically suggests that an oil massage twice a week would really help the hair grow stronger and thicker.
Despite knowing a little too much about hair-care, skipping a hair bath would still feel like a nightmare for most people. However, hair-care experts suggest that ‘rinsing’ the hair with water instead of ‘washing’ is an effective way of getting rid of the dirt and sweat from the hair and feel the same freshness as washing. Subsequently, a thorough hair-wash must be done only when you want to get rid of the excess oil from the scalp. A dry-shampoo which is feasible for your hair type is another wonderful alternate option to washing your hair, which would also, at the same time, help you maintain the shine and texture of those lovely tresses.
