So, how often should you really wash your hair?

Kim Kardashian made headlines when she revealed she only washed her hair once a week - but how often should clients really be washing their hair? We spoke to top trichologist Tony Maleedy to find out. Should you wash your hair every single day? Not necessarily, but doing so won’t do any harm. Washing your hair is singularly the best thing you can do for it. Your hair and scalp, just like the rest of your body, benefit from the removal of dirt, oil and dead skin cells. If you have short, easy-to-manage hair, wash it every day. If your hair is longer and takes time to dry and style, then wash it every few days. Twice a week is the least you should be washing your hair. What about the rumour that if you stop washing your hair, it will eventually clean itself? Nonsense! Sebum travels along the hair shaft to provide moisture and protect the hair. However sebum also allows debris such as dust and dead skin cells to adhere to the hair, making it dull, adding weight, and in the case of fine hair, causing it to become limp. The only way to remove this debris properly is by using a shampoo. Another major consideration which many people fail to remember is that, under all that hair, is the scalp. The scalp on a typical head has a surface area of approximately 600 sq cm, or about 7% of the total skin surface so, in effect, not washing your hair (and scalp) would be like having a shower but deliberately not washing your lower left arm! Yet another factor to consider is that the natural bacteria that lives on our skin breaks down skin oil which, giving off an unpleasant odour. This may not be noticed by the person themselves, but almost certainly will be by other people – and in particular their hairdresser!     [Images: Rex Features]