Here’s How Often You Should Be Wetting Your Natural Hair…(Hint: It’s Not Everyday)

Growing up, my mother did my hair until I turned 11 or 12, then I was left to my own devices.

I remember getting up every day for school, and I would have to make my hair wet to pull it back into a tight ponytail! I cringe at the thought now.

The daily wetting caused severe hair breakage, this was mainly because I always had damp hair, because I never allowed my hair to dry as it was always in that darn ponytail.

While the question, “Should I wet my natural hair every day” may seem like not that big a deal, it can be the difference between retaining your hair’s length and causing severe hair breakage.

As you can see in the picture above, my hair has grown exponentially over a year, this picture is only 1 1/2 years apart after I learned how to take care of my natural hair and got rid of these habits in my hair care routine.

So wetting your hair or having wet hair every day can really hinder your hair growth and hair health.

Know Your Hair Type & Hair Porosity

Your hair type can mean a lot of things. When considering whether you should be daily wetting your hair, your hair’s porosity is the most important thing to consider.

You shouldn’t be doing something to your hair that works for high porosity hair if you have low porosity hair.

High porosity hair is more porous. It absorbs water much faster but can have a harder time retaining enough moisture if you don’t have the right hair care routine. In that case, your hair would benefit more from consistently using a moisturizing product on your hair after wash days.

While low porosity hair is less porous. It has a harder time absorbing moisture but retains it much more than high porosity hair can. If you have a good wash day routine, then you won’t need to add in as much extra moisture with daily wetting.

Other than your hair’s porosity, you have to consider your hair type. Do you have curly hair, straight hair, dry hair, oily hair, thin hair, I think you get my point.

Curly hair is more prone to be dry hair, so it would benefit more from hair wetting daily, especially during styling.

While straight hair can be more oily because excess oils travel down your hair more easily, this means that your hair does a better job at creating moisture and doesn’t need to be washed every day.

So no, do not wash your hair every time you shower!

What To Consider When Daily Wetting Your Hair

When it comes to wetting your natural hair daily there are varying opinions on its benefits and disadvantages. However, understanding a few key things behind daily wetting can help you decide whether you should be donning wet hair every day.

Hair Structure and Moisture

• The structure of the hair shaft, comprising the outer cuticle layer and inner cortex, plays a crucial role in moisture retention.
• Each hair shaft is covered by cuticles that can open and close in response to moisture levels. For curly hair types, this is particularly significant as the twists and turns of the hair strands can make it harder for natural oils to travel from the scalp to the ends.

Considering this, curly hair (so 3a to 4c types of hair) and high porosity hair would benefit more from daily wetting when done right.

Hygral Fatigue

• Hygral fatigue refers to the damage caused to hair strands when they repeatedly swell and contract due to water absorption and loss. This phenomenon is more pronounced in hair with higher porosity, such as curly or damaged hair.
• Daily wetting can potentially exacerbate hygral fatigue, leading to weakened hair strands, breakage, and loss of elasticity.

Considering this, when you drench your hair in water daily, it can be dangerous to your hair.

The Type Of Water

• When wetting your hair with hard water, the minerals in this type of water can form a layer over the hair cuticles and make it hard for moisture to penetrate the hair strands.
• The temperature of the water used for wetting hair can also influence its effects. Hot water can strip the hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and prone to breakage, especially for those with already dry hair or sensitive scalps.
• Conversely, cold water can help to seal the hair cuticles, locking in moisture and promoting shine. However, using cold water may not be suitable for everyone, especially those who prefer warm water for comfort or have low porosity hair that requires more heat to open the cuticles.

When wetting your hair or washing your hair, make sure to use warm water, never hot water, and rinse your conditioner off with cold water or cool water to seal in the moisture. Also, make sure to use soft water when wetting your hair.

Product Buildup and Scalp Health

• Daily wetting without proper cleansing can lead to product buildup on the scalp and hair strands. This buildup can weigh down the hair, leaving it looking dull and lifeless, and may contribute to issues like dandruff or dry scalp.
• Incorporating sulfate-free shampoos or clarifying treatments into your hair care routine can help to effectively remove buildup without stripping the hair of its natural oils.

Personal Preference and Hair Care Routine

• Whether daily wetting is beneficial or detrimental depends on individual factors such as hair type, porosity, and personal preference.
• Some individuals may find that daily wetting helps to maintain moisture levels and enhance their natural curls, especially when paired with leave-in conditioners or water-based moisturizers.
• Others may prefer to limit wetting to specific wash days or opt for alternative methods like the LOC (Liquid-Oil-Cream) or LCO (Liquid-Cream-Oil) method to seal in moisture without over-hydrating the hair.

When Is It OK to Wet Hair Daily?

There are certain circumstances where you can wet your hair outside of your wash day routines:

Washing Away Gel or Edge Control:

If you’ve applied styling products like gel or edge control, washing them away daily can prevent product buildup, which can weigh down the hair and lead to scalp issues.

Manipulating Hair for Styling:

Daily wetting may be necessary if you need to manipulate your hair for styling purposes, such as refreshing your curls or creating a new hairstyle.

Wetting the hair can make it more pliable and easier to work with, especially for individuals with thicker or coarser hair textures.

After Sweating at the Gym:

If you’ve worked up a sweat after exercising at the gym, rinsing your hair with water can help remove sweat and refresh your scalp.

This can prevent sweat from drying on the scalp and potentially causing irritation or odor.

It’s especially important for those with oily or acne-prone scalps to cleanse away sweat regularly.

Refreshing Your Curls After Wash Day:

For people with curly hair, refreshing curls between wash days can help maintain their shape, bounce, and definition.

Daily wetting, specifically with a spray bottle filled with a mixture of water and a leave-in conditioner, can be an effective way to revive curls without the need for a full wash.

Simply spritzing the hair lightly and scrunching with your fingers can reactivate styling products and reshape curls, providing a quick pick-me-up for your hairstyle.

In each of these situations, make sure to use water at the right temperature to avoid damaging the hair or scalp.

Lukewarm water is what I recommend, as it effectively cleanses without stripping the hair of its natural oils or causing excessive heat damage.

Additionally, incorporating a co-wash into your routine can help cleanse the scalp and hair without over-drying it in between wash days.

How To Help Your Hair Stay Moisturized

If you wet your hair often because you want to add moisture into your hair, then you’re doing it all wrong.

While water is the best way to add moisture to your hair, you need other hair products to seal this moisture in, and other products that can help moisture penetrate your hair even better.

• Pre-poo treatment: This helps prevent your hair from getting dried out by harsh shampoos. Allowing your hair to be more moisturized and retain moisture better.
• Use sulfate-free shampoo: Sulfates dry out your hair and can damage your hair, so avoid them at all costs.
• Deep conditioning: Adding deep conditioner to your hair care routine allows your cuticle to open up and allow moisture to penetrate your hair.
• Co-wash often: When your hair isn’t too dirty but you need a refresh, do a co-wash rather than using your regular shampoo.
• Rinse with cold water: When you use cold water it seals your cuticles and helps your hair retain moisture.
• Consistent wash days: Washing your hair consistently (every week or every two weeks) can help prevent your hair from becoming too dry. Make sure to have a good wash day routine that moisturizes your hair and keeps it moisturized.
• Leave-in conditioner: After washing your hair, make sure to use a leave-in conditioner or a water-based moisturizer to allow your hair to get moisturized after shampooing your hair.
• Use humectants: Humectants absorb moisture from their surrounding, so using them on your hair allows for the moisture from around you to get absorbed into your hair when used wisely.
• Add heat: Adding heat whenever you are deep conditioning or putting in your leave-in conditioner will help open up your hair’s cuticles. A great way to do this is with steam or a hooded dryer.
• Protective styles: Putting your hair in protective styles can help your hair retain more moisture and prevent your hair from drying out.
• Wear a silk bonnet: Wear a silk bonnet to protect your hair during your sleep.

Does Wetting Your Hair Moisturize It?

Yes, wetting your hair does add moisture into your hair. But you can just moisturize your hair with water and call it a day. You need to help your hair retain this moisture and seal it in to avoid your hair from drying out.

Should I Wet My Hair Daily?

No, you should not be wetting your hair daily. Rather wet your hair when you need to. You can use a spray bottle with some leave-in conditioner and coconut oil to spray your hair when you need a bit of extra moisture.

Or alternatively, you can buy a refresher spray to use on these days.

FAQ About Wetting Natural Hair Everyday

Should African hair be washed everyday?: Washing African hair daily is generally not recommended, as it can strip away natural oils and lead to dryness.

How often should I wash my afro hair?: Washing afro hair every 1-2 weeks, or as needed based on activity levels and product buildup, is typically sufficient.

Does hair grow faster with water?: While water hydrates and supports healthy hair growth, it doesn’t directly affect the rate of growth.

Does cold water help hair growth?: Cold water can help seal the hair cuticle and retain moisture, promoting healthier hair growth over time.

Does water damage afro hair?: Water alone typically doesn’t damage afro hair, but excessive manipulation or prolonged wetness can lead to issues like hygral fatigue or breakage.

How does water affect black hair?: Water hydrates black hair and helps maintain moisture levels, but excessive wetting without proper care can lead to dryness and damage.

Does water help regrow hair?: Water alone doesn’t stimulate hair regrowth, but maintaining proper hydration and scalp health can support the hair growth process.

Should I put water in my hair everyday 4c hair?: It depends on your hair’s needs and porosity. Some 4c hair may benefit from daily moisture, while others may find it leads to over-hydration.

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