Every day, people make choices that have a direct impact on the environment. Many individuals are discovering that making tiny lifestyle adjustments have the potential to create the most significant change. Has anyone mentioned why washing your hair less is healthier for you and the environment?
Something as simple as washing your hair less often can reduce plastic consumption, preserve freshwater, and prevent chemicals from entering local ecosystems. Take a few minutes to learn more about why washing your hair less is healthier for you and the environment.
Uses Less Water
Although over 70% of the earth is composed of water, only a small fraction of this water is suitable for human use. Considering the dwindling supply of freshwater worldwide, conserving this precious resource has become a critical concern for the environmentally conscious.
The average shower in America delivers over 2 gallons of water per minute, or more than 20 gallons every ten minutes. By cutting out hair washing just a few times a week, you can reduce your water usage by hundreds of gallons a year, saving costs on your monthly water bill and doing your part to help the earth.
Releases Fewer Harmful Chemicals into the Environment
Shampoos and conditioners typically contain a wide range of environmentally harmful chemicals. Washing your hair releases the compounds in these products into wastewater which is then carried to a treatment facility. Unfortunately, scientists are starting to recognize that some potentially hazardous chemicals can remain even after treatment, often ending up in freshwater streams, rivers, and lakes.
Eventually, toxic chemicals from products like shampoo end up in the food chain, affecting insects, fish, and birds. Washing your hair less than usual minimizes pollution to the delicate ecosystems these creatures inhabit.
Reduced Plastic Waste
Many of today's shampoos and conditioners are packaged in plastic bottles that are not easily recyclable. Every year, bottles like these contribute to over 300 million tons of plastic waste annually around the world.
Discarded single-use plastics that end up in the oceans can cause severe ecological damage that scientists today are just now understanding. Washing your hair less frequently will lower the amount of plastic waste you create each year, helping to foster a more sustainable future on earth for future generations.
Healthier Hair
If certain hair care products are harmful to the environment, what's the long-term impact on our hair? If you're washing your hair every day, the combination of shampoo or conditioner ingredients and steaming hot water can sometimes cause more harm than good. When your hair looks frizzy or thin, it could be because of excessive washing.
Aside from fostering a more eco-friendly world, washing your hair less often will keep your scalp from becoming too dry, ultimately resulting in a healthier, more vibrant head of hair. You can also explore natural hair-washing alternatives like essential oils to keep your hair looking rich and beautiful.
Various hair products may say "rinse and repeat," but the many chemicals found in shampoo and conditioners can put considerable stress on the environment. Skipping over hair washing just a few times a week may seem like a small contribution, but even the shortest steps forward can make a vast difference. If even only a few people in your community decided to steer away from ecologically harmful products like certain shampoos or conditioners, the impact could be profound.
Learning why washing your hair less is healthier for you and the environment might inspires you to consider adjusting your haircare habits to help build a safer, more eco-friendly tomorrow. It may also be worthwhile to explore more holistic approaches to washing your hair that don't rely on harsh chemicals and compounds. Given time, friends and loved ones will become inspired to follow in your footsteps as well, slowly making the world a better place.
Looking for a new hair salon in Alexandria? Our friendly team at Cualtzin Salon will help you achieve the look you've always wanted. Call or visit us today to schedule an appointment.