Can I Wash My Hair On My Period?

Many cultures include long-standing taboos surrounding menstruation. Women are often told not to cook, not to enter temples, and yes, not to shower or wash their hair during those ‘unclean’ days. The idea is part superstition, part mistranslation of ancient Ayurvedic practices, and part good old-fashioned patriarchy.

But is there a scientific reason for not washing hair during periods?

In a word: No.

Your uterus doesn’t care what your scalp is doing. There’s no mystical bloodstream shortcut between your follicles and your flow. What’s more, bathing and washing your hair can actually help you feel better during your period– by easing cramps, lifting your mood, and washing off the “ugh” of it all.

Does Washing Your Hair Trigger The Start Of Your Period?

This one comes up more than you’d think: “Does a hair wash near the due date of my period trigger its arrival?”

Nope. A hair wash isn’t some secret menstrual button. Your period begins when your hormones– specifically oestrogen and progesterone– drop and signal your uterus to shed its lining. It’s not waiting for Pantene.

What might be happening is this: showering or shampooing might relax you, and if your period was already just about to begin, that shift could coincide with the start. But it’s correlation, not causation. A classic coincidence. Like blaming the rain on the umbrella you just opened.

What About Shampooing Daily During Periods?

Is it okay to shampoo every day while you’re menstruating?

Technically yes. But practically? That depends on your scalp and hair type.

If you have an oily scalp or live in a hot, humid climate, you might prefer to shampoo daily. But overwashing can strip your scalp of natural oils, making it dry or flaky. So it’s not about your period– it’s about your hair's own preferences. 

Bottom line: listen to your body. Don’t let period hygiene myths dictate your grooming routine.

Hormones, Hair Dye & the Real Chemical Drama

One juicy myth we absolutely had to talk about: could dyeing my hair during periods affect the result?

This one comes from a grain of truth– hormonal changes during menstruation can make your scalp more sensitive or reactive. That means if you’re dyeing your hair, you might feel more irritation or notice a different texture.

However, there’s no solid evidence that your hair colour will mysteriously turn out different just because you’re on your period. If anything, it’s the same as always– just maybe don’t book that bleaching appointment when your cramps are raging at full volume.

Culture, Not Chemistry: Why Can’t You Wash Hair on Thursdays in India?

And now, a curveball: Why can a girl not wash her hair on Thursday in India?

This one isn’t even about periods– it’s about religion and tradition. In some parts of India, Thursday is dedicated to deities like Vishnu or Sai Baba, and washing your hair is seen as disrespectful on their sacred day.

So this one’s not biological, it’s belief-based. Whether you follow it is your call– but remember, it has nothing to do with menstruation and everything to do with cultural customs.

What Actually Happens When You Wash Your Hair on Your Period?

Let’s break it down:

Can I Wash My Hair On The First Day Of My Period?

Yes. A warm shower and clean hair can be therapeutic. Many people report reduced cramps after bathing. That’s likely because warm water acts like a mild heat therapy for cramps, relaxing your abdominal muscles and increasing blood circulation.

Are There Any Real Side Effects Of Washing Hair During Periods?

Only if you count ‘feeling clean and refreshed’ as a side effect. There’s no evidence it causes headaches, blood clots, infertility, or future regret. On the contrary– neglecting basic period hygiene can cause problems like bacterial or fungal infections, scalp itchiness, or just feeling plain gross.

So Where Did This Hair Myth Even Come From?

Let’s speculate for a moment.

In ancient times, before hot showers and hair dryers, washing your hair meant getting cold and staying cold for a while. Now, combine that with period cramps and fatigue, and it’s easy to see why someone might have thought it worsened symptoms.

Add to that the taboo around even talking about menstruation, and voilà: a myth is born. Generations later, it's been passed down without question, bundled up with a million other strange-but-familiar myths.

Self-Care Isn’t Selfish, It’s Survival

Let’s shift the narrative.

Periods are messy. Sometimes painful. Often inconvenient. But they’re also natural, vital, and frankly so impressive. Bleeding monthly and still showing up at work, school, or life? That’s not weakness. That’s resilience.

So whether your version of self care during periods includes bubble baths, binge-watching, journaling, or simply brushing your hair while you cry into your tea– embrace it.

Self-care is about giving yourself permission to prioritise rest, joy, and comfort. No matter what that looks like for you!

And if it includes a luxurious, scalp-massaging shampoo session on Day One– lather up, love.

The Final Rinse: Clean Hair, Clear Conscience

Let’s wrap this up with the truth, plain and simple:

A hair wash during periods is not dangerous.

It’s not unhealthy. It’s not disrespectful to your body, your ancestors, or the menstrual fairy. It’s just a normal part of feeling like yourself again. If you love the post-wash freshness, go for it. If you’d rather skip it till the cramps calm down, that’s fine too. Let’s stop handing down fear and start passing along facts. And maybe, just maybe, leave the “don’t wash your hair” myth behind– where it belongs.