Wondering why you’re not exactly getting the look you want? Or why it takes so much product to finally lock in your hair style?
If you’re like most guys, you want your hair clean and fresh but not overly dry, itchy or worse—flaky.
The problem starts with sulfates (the things that cause all the suds in your standard shampoo). Sulfates strip away natural oils that protect the hair and scalp and seal in moisture.
That means your hair becomes more coarse, more brittle, and more difficult to manage and style with every wash.
So if you’re spending more time than you’d like figuring out your hair every morning, you might be shampooing too much.
So how often should you wash your hair?
This is one of the most common questions we get from new customers starting a regimen with Frederick Benjamin. And the simple answer is “it depends”.
Generally, we recommend that you rinse more than you wash, meaning just cool water with a conditioner on most days.
But finding the best hair washing schedule for you is based on a few key factors: the ingredients in your product, your hair type and your desired style.
So we’ll give you our expert advice and let you tailor a regimen for your lifestyle.
Less is more
Harsh chemical cleansers, sulfates and drying alcohols are the primary cause for dry, itchy scalp and hair.
You want to get rid of the dirt and oils that build up throughout the day but not totally strip your hair and scalp of the sebum it needs to retain moisture and stay healthy.
Unfortunately, that’s the standard for a lot of shampoos on the shelf. Which means you actually damage your hair as you try to clean it.
That’s why we’ve formulated our Invigorating Cleanser with natural active oils like spearmint, clove, nettle and hemp seed that have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties—without any sulfates. That means you get a deep clean without losing the moisture your hair needs.
What’s your type?
Every guy is different. And your hair type plays an important role in how your hair responds to different products and how often you should use them—especially when you have curly hair.
One major factor is porosity, which determines how much moisture your hair can hold.
Why hair porosity matters
High porosity hair is prone to frizz and tangling, easily losing moisture and needing regular replenishment and products that can seal it in (leave-in conditioners are really key for this hair type).
Low porosity hair resists outside moisture, and certain products tend to sit on the hair instead of penetrating hair. This may make your hair a bit tougher to style until you find the right blend of products.
Medium porosity hair requires the least amount of maintenance and usually responds well to most products. But caring for medium porosity hair is important because damaging your hair can affect it’s porosity and change how it interacts with the products you regularly use.
Getting the Look
Depending on your preferred hair style, the use of waxes, gels or greasy pomades will also factor in when it comes to how often you should wash your hair.
Greasy build up clogs pores in your scalp and on your skin, leading to bumps and irritation—which can make shampooing everyday a necessity.
Our water-based pomade rinses clean so you don’t have to shampoo every day to get out any gunk. And using a conditioner to co-wash is a great way to replenish moisture and clarify your hair—without adding any harsh chemicals.
So what’s the solution?
Switch to Frederick Benjamin! The Line is your starter kit to healthier scalp and hair.
Use our Invigorating Cleanser three times a week and follow up with our Invigorating Moisturizer after each wash and on the days when you skip shampoo.
To style, just mix a bit of our best-selling Daily Hydrator and Sleek Water pomade for moisture and hold—without the greasy residue or stiff, crunchy finish.
