How Frequently Should Your Hair Be Washed?

Your hair and scalp are going through a lot right now. The natural state of your hair can be impacted by sweat from exercise, heat, daily activities, and seasonal changes. Not to mention that with time, product buildup from hair products can irritate the skin on the scalp. In addition, oil produced by glands close to your hair follicles slicks your strands.

You obviously know that you should wash your hair, but how frequently should you shampoo in order to maintain the health of your scalp and hair?

The #nopoo TikTok craze suggests that shampoo should be excluded entirely. With over 288 million views, the hashtag #Nopoo shows users eschewing shampoo in favor of various cleaning techniques including utilizing apple cider vinegar or just plain water. However, there isn't any scientific evidence to support this trend's claimed advantages.

To find out how often you should shampoo for your hair type, scalp health, lifestyle, and other factors, we contacted experts about hair cleansing.

The Significance of Shampooing Your Hair

Let's start with a brief recap of the reasons behind hair washing, even if you've been shampooing your entire life.

According to West Bloomfield Township, Michigan-based board-certified dermatologist and Dermy Doc Box founder Fatima Fahs, MD, FAAD, "washing your hair serves two purposes: cleansing of the scalp and cleansing of the hair strands." She claims that cleaning your scalp is akin to cleaning your face because it gets rid of dirt, oil, and debris.

You could, however, wash too much. According to Dr. Fahs, the drawbacks of excessive washing (depending on your particular scalp and hair type) include dryness, irritation, and even hair loss. "Our hairs are nourished by sebum, a natural oil secreted from the scalp's hair follicle roots," the speaker says. "Removing this oil too often can cause damage to the hair and scalp irritation."

How Frequently Professionals Suggest Washing Your Hair

First of all, keep in mind that every person has unique hair types and scalp conditions, making the question of how often to wash your hair highly personalized.

For instance, the scalp of a person with curly hair is probably drier than that of a person with straight hair, according to Jennifer Davis Alexander, PhD, a holistic skin scientist and expert in skin wellness from Baltimore. You might need to wash your hair more regularly than someone with drier hair if your scalp and hair are naturally oilier, she explains. Additionally, according to Fahs, washing your hair every day or every other day may help if you have fine hair.

Additionally, according to Dr. Alexander, other aspects of your lifestyle could influence how often you wash:

• How frequently do you work out?
• Pool swimming with chlorination
• Having a job where
• Using hair products can result in accumulation
• If you give your hair chemical treatments

Knowing how your ethnicity affects your hair follicles is also beneficial. Alexander states that "people of African descent have asymmetrical elliptical shaped hair follicles." This makes it more difficult for sebum to move from the scalp to the hair, which increases dryness and may cause breakage. She states, "Daily washing is not recommended." Fahs continues, "People with kinky, Afro-textured hair might be able to go up to one or two weeks between washings."

Alexander notes that the hair follicles of Caucasian and Asian people are symmetrical and spherical. According to her explanation, "this allows sebum to coat the scalp and hair consistently, which can lead to an oily scalp and dead strands." Asian individuals were the focus of a 2021 Skin Appendage Disorders study, which discovered that after bathing five to six times a week, Asian individuals felt the most "satisfaction with hair and scalp condition."

In the end, though, you have to weigh all the variables that affect how frequently you should wash your hair and utilize that information to choose what works best for you. "To know thy hair is my best advice," Alexander says. And see a board-certified dermatologist for more specific advice.

How to Wash Your Hair Correctly

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises rubbing the shampoo into the scalp as you suds up.

Shampoo's primary purpose is to cleanse the scalp. For your strands, shampoo applied straight to the scalp and allowed to run through the hair while rinsing is typically sufficient, according to Alexander. Additionally, she claims that massaging it into the scalp increases blood flow, which nourishes the hair follicles and scalp.

According to Fahs, you should massage the shampoo into your scalp for a few minutes before washing it off to maximize the effectiveness of the active ingredients in cleansing. As advised by the AAD, use conditioner on the ends of your hair afterward. 

What May Take Place if Your Hair Isn't Washed?

Not washing your hair can lead to greasy hair and buildup on the scalp. The "no poo" movement, which advocates not washing your hair with shampoo, may be popular on social media, but Alexander warns against the buildup that can "clog hair follicles, weigh the hair down, and disrupt scalp pH, sebum levels, and the scalp microbiome." Shampooing helps to maintain the health of the scalp and hair, albeit everyone's time is different.

Remember that there are other things your hair can reveal about your health, so issues with your hair and scalp may extend beyond how frequently you shampoo. See your dermatologist if you usually have discomfort, itching, or dryness.

How to Extend the Interval Between Hair Washes

Here are some tips to maintain the appearance and feel of healthy hair after styling it:

Exercise should only be done lightly and without producing a lot of perspiration, such yoga or leisurely walks. Furthermore, Fahs advises scheduling a strenuous, sweaty workout just before you intend to wash and style your hair in the future.

Apply dry shampoo sparingly and intelligently. According to Fahs, using it frequently can cause buildup that irritates your scalp.

The Impact of Shampoo Type How Frequently Do You Wash Your Hair?

According to earlier research, there are numerous shampoo and conditioner options that are specifically designed for different hair types, so it's crucial to use the right ones.

Fahs notes, for instance, that if you use a moisturizing shampoo and have an oily scalp, you might be taking on too much moisture and need to start washing more frequently.

Seek out a shampoo that is designed especially for oily hair, or one that has the labels "clarifying" or "balancing." If you often use a lot of products in your hair, such as dry shampoo, which can build up over time, clarifying shampoos, which aid in buildup removal, can also be a smart option, she says. 

Asking your stylist or dermatologist for a shampoo recommendation tailored to your hair type is usually a smart option if you find the store shelves overwhelming due to the variety of shampoo formulations available.

The Final Word

 
According to experts, washing your hair is essential for maintaining the health of your hair and scalp since it eliminates product buildup, oil, and debris. The ideal frequency of hair washing varies based on lifestyle and kind of hair, but it generally falls between once a day and twice a month.