You’ve likely heard of double cleansing, which as the name implies, calls for washing your face two times (usually with a micellar water, oil, or balm) before going in with a foaming or creamy cleanser. The idea is to get you the deepest clean possible. Similarly, there’s something called triple washing, but for the hair. It sounds excessive, I know, but the method actually has some great benefits for hair health depending on your hair type.
“Simply put, triple washing is the process of washing your hair three times in one washing session, versus washing it twice,” explains John Kahen, MD, chief hair surgeon and founder of Beverly Hills Hair Restoration. This all takes place in one session where you lather, rinse, and repeat…then repeat again.
While most of us try to get away with doing less hair washing, the moral of the story is that healthy hair needs a clean environment to grow. And if you’re not washing your hair diligently, things like product buildup and natural oils can start to accumulate on the scalp, leading to some not-so-pretty side effects. Think irritation, hair thinning, and ultimately, hair loss.
Although some hair experts—especially colorists who want to help maintain your color‚ may discourage frequent washes, many trichologists argue the more cleansing, the better. “For those looking for thicker, fuller hair, I’d recommend cleansing more regularly to ensure the scalp stays cleaned and hydrated, encouraging the optimal environment for healthy hair growth,” says Helen Reavey, a celebrity hairstylist, trichologist, and founder of hair care brand Act + Acre.
For more about triple hair washing and to determine whether it should become part of your wash-day routine, we spoke to top hair experts. Read on for their input.
What are the benefits of triple-washing your hair?
If you’re a product lover who likes to layer on oils, spray, and stylers, etc., triple washing is likely for you. The same goes for dry shampoo users or those who like to push the boundaries of how long they can go between hair washes (dirt, dead skin, and oil build up on the scalp naturally!)
“Similar to a multistep skin care routine, a triple hair wash can be a great technique to effectively cleanse, balance, and target specific areas of the scalp and hair shaft to maximize results,” says Mara Roszak, a celebrity hairstylist and founder of hair care brand Rōz. “Different types of shampoos provide different benefits and can be crucial in tackling common issues such as product buildup, dryness, volume, texture, tone, and much more.”
“Multiple hair washes allow you to fully clear buildup on the hair,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital’s dermatology department in New York City. This includes “tough-to-remove hairspray, silicone residue, hair dye, or dry shampoo,” Dr. Zeichner says.
“All hair types can benefit from triple washing, but especially thin and fine hair,” says Dr. Kahen. This is because thin hair is often more susceptible to oiliness and buildup, which can be more noticeable on the scalp if you have fine hair. For oil-prone scalps, using the triple-wash technique can actually help you extend the life of your wash, saving you from more frequent washes.
Reasons to triple wash
“If hair health and growth is the goal, the three-step method can be a great way to ensure you have a healthy scalp and baseline for cut, color, and styling,” says Roszak. “The triple wash can be a great way to invigorate the scalp to promote hair growth, and to add shine by removing excess buildup, all while prepping the hair for added moisture, volume, and nourishing benefits to follow.”
How often should you triple-wash?
To be clear, triple-washing isn’t really something you should be doing daily or even every other day. “It is ideal for when your hair needs a little extra purification and deep cleansing,” says Dr. Kahen. “This is probably needed after every two to four washes, especially after using a lot of styling products or dry shampoo.”
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