An actual head-scratcher… why older ladies with thinning locks solely get the shampoo out ONCE per week

Washing your hair regularly is an essential part of any typical grooming regime.

But a third of women over the age of 65 only get the shampoo out once a week, according to a study.

Experts have warned that a clean scalp is essential for healthy hair – especially for older women with thinning locks.

And we should all be shampooing for a full 60 seconds to ensure a deep clean, they said.

The poll, carried out on behalf of haircare brand Philip Kingsley, asked more than 2,000 women in the UK over the age of 18 about their hair-washing habits.

Overall, 21 per cent said they wash their hair once a week.

However this rose to a third in women aged 65 and over, suggesting knowledge of scalp health may be less common in the older generation.

Anabel Kingsley, brand president and lead consultant at Philip Kingsley, said: ‘There are no pros to not washing your hair. I advocate daily hair washing.

A third of women over the age of 65 only get the shampoo out once a week, according to a study. Picture: Stock image

Experts have warned that a clean scalp is essential for healthy hair – especially for older women with thinning locks. Picture: Stock image

‘You wouldn’t leave more than three days between washing your face, and you likely wouldn’t wear the same outfit more than a few times before washing it.

‘Apply the same thinking to your hair and scalp.’

While the data did not reveal why older women wash their hair less frequently, it could be that they have less active social lives and are less likely to be going to work than the younger generations.

Other potential factors is that they believe incorrect myths such as washing your hair too often can make it greasy.

The survey also revealed that two-thirds of women spend less than £10 on their shampoo, and only half said they use a shampoo specific to their hair texture.

Ms Kingsley said women only need a 50p-sized amount of product, but it should be massaged into the hair and scalp for a full minute.

Ms Kingsley said women only need a 50p-sized amount of product, but it should be massaged into the hair and scalp for a full minute. Picture: Stock image

She advised that women should use shampoo designed their hair type – for example one that is moisture balancing, or for an itchy scalp, or to help provide density.

The correct way to wash hair is to wet the hair fully, use a targeted shampoo, clean the scalp thoroughly and then repeat this step, she said.

Then, a person should rinse with water before applying a conditioner to the ends before rinsing again.

Further poll results revealed the most popular days for washing hair include Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.