Hair Washing 101 with Our Expert, Eva

Meet Eva Proudman, our haircare guru and top Trichologist who’s back to share her tried, trusted and proven DOs and DON’Ts when cleansing those tresses this summer…

How often should we be washing our hair?

“For the majority of people, I’d advise washing every day or every other day.  The reason for frequent washing is that the scalp needs to be maintained and nourished.  We have 180,000 sebaceous (oil) glands on our scalp - the most of anywhere on our body. Look how we look after our skin. The scalp is skin too, so the frequency of washing will keep the scalp balanced and at the correct pH level for healthy hair growth. 

Avoid harsh chemicals and look for products with gentle sulphates in, like our incredible Collagen Complex Thickening Shampoo. You can always opt for sulphate-free products, but in most cases, they won’t be strong enough to fully clean the scalp.”

How do we cut down on washing our hair?

“If you’re busy and can’t find time to wash your hair, then using a dry shampoo to delay the washing for just one day is fine, but not for several days. The dry shampoo will build up on the scalp and can cause irritation, which we don’t want. If you’ve got long hair, then wearing it up can help you to stretch the time between washing. Plaits are a good style to help protect the hair too. When it’s short, it often needs more frequent washing and care to keep the style and shape.”

Any advice for people with a greasy scalp?

“Wash your hair regularly with a shampoo that contains active ingredients such as tea tree or salicylic acid to help with the over production of sebum (natural oil), and good cleansers such as TEA (Triethanolamine Lauryl Sulphate) or MEA (Monoethanolamine Lauryl Sulphate). SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulphate) formulas are the most commonly used, but are very harsh and can really dry out the skin.

A clarifying shampoo that gives a deeper clean can also sometimes help to manage the oiliness. I’d definitely avoid conditioners, and never put them on the scalp or root as your natural sebum is the best conditioner possible."

What ingredients should people with a greasy scalp be wary of in shampoos and conditioners?

“The obvious answer is added oils. You’re looking for something to deep clean the scalp, but not to add more oil to it.  Silicones can also weigh down oily hair and make it look lank, so avoid formulas with added silicones. The Absolute Collagen Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner uses collagen that acts like a silicone as it’s soluble in water, and so washes out. Perfect if you’re looking for extra lightweight volume or thickness without insoluble silicones that add heaviness.”

Find out more from Eva

Cleanse your way to va va volume

With these expert tips from Eva and our clinically proven, Collagen Complex Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner, you’re ready to give your summer locks a new lease of life for thicker, fuller, glossier strands than ever before.