Washing your hair is something everyone does regularly. But this common task can become confusing, even daunting, with all of the new products and trends. Each one insists they are “the best way” to care for your hair, and many people seem to agree. Some people swear by washing their hair daily, some shudder at the thought, and some forgo shampoo altogether. It’s time to call in the experts to get a proper answer.

Washing your hair every day

For many, nothing beats the feeling of freshly washed hair. However, daily washing might actually be doing more harm than good. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital, explains that washing your hair every day can strip it of natural oils. These oils are essential for keeping your scalp healthy and your hair moisturized.

“Over-washing can make the hair dry, brittle, and lead to scalp irritation,” Dr. Zeichner warns. The more you wash, the more you risk disturbing the balance of the natural oils your scalp needs. While daily washing may make you feel clean, it could be damaging your hair over time.

Washing your hair more often

It’s important to note that hair care is also scalp-care. In other words, you need to consider your skin. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu explained on TikTok that you should “never go more than a few days” without washing your hair. This opposes the idea that people should cleanse their hair less to ‘train’ it not to get greasy. In fact, the theory that the hair and scalp cleans themselves is just a myth.

“We know that sebum, dead skin build-up, all of that basically contributes to Malassezia yeast overgrowth [a fungal skin condition], that can lead to dandruff, as well as inflammation,” she said. “Just even sebum itself sitting on our scalp causes oxidative stress, and that inflammation is not a healthy environment for your hair to grow.” Therefore, she advises people struggling with hair loss to “keep up with your scalp health to maximize hair growth”.

Washing your hair less often

Perry Romanowski, a cosmetic chemist who co-founded the website The Beauty Brains, explains that wet hair swells up and becomes more prone to damage. “The process of moving shampoo or conditioner around in your hair can damage the hair cuticle (the outer layer). When the hair dries, it doesn’t lay perfectly flat, so that makes hair look dull, makes it harder to comb, and increases the chances of getting split hair.” So it’s better to avoid cleansing your hair too much.

Plus, according to integrative dermatologist Elizabeth Hughes, some people are more vulnerable to this damage than others. “There are some people with really fragile hair that becomes easily damaged with the act of washing. Those people might want to wash their hair every other week,” says Hughes. “There is an enormous range of how often a person might need to wash their hair.”

It depends on the hair

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should wash your hair. The ideal frequency varies depending on your hair type, lifestyle, and scalp health. If your scalp is oily or you exercise often, washing every day or every other day may be necessary. However, people with drier scalps or curly hair may benefit from washing less often.

Kasey Bertucci, co-founder of Salon 120 West in Boston, suggests that those with oily scalps should wash their hair every two to three days, whereas people with curly or textured hair can wait five to seven days between washes. The American Academy of Dermatology even recommends washing just once a week or every other week for those with tightly curled or textured hair.

Why Your Scalp Matters More Than You Think

The health of your hair is closely linked to the health of your scalp. Ignoring your scalp—whether by washing too much or too little—can lead to problems like hair loss, dryness, and irritation. If you’re experiencing thinning hair, Dr. Liu emphasizes the importance of keeping your scalp clean to encourage growth. “Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp,” she states.

Pay attention to your scalp’s needs. If it’s itchy or flaky, that could indicate buildup that needs to be addressed. On the other hand, if your scalp feels dry or tight after washing, you may need to reduce how often you shampoo.

More hair tips

– Olive oil has not been proven to help with moisturizing the scalp, according to Dr. Liu. Instead, use coconut oil to condition the hair and reduce damage.
– Don’t use anti-dandruff shampoo daily because it can dry the scalp and make the hair feel frizzy, said Dr. Liu. Rather, use it two or three times a week and leave it in for five minutes before washing it out.
– Colored hair should be washed less often and with moisturizing, sulfate-free products.
– Thin hair should be cleansed more often and not with products containing certain ingredients like dimethicone.
– Styling products can build up, damage, and irritate the scalp and hair. So if you use these products often, you may need to wash your hair more frequently.
– When you shampoo, focus on the scalp since the ends of the hair will be washed during the rinsing.
– You don’t need much shampoo, just a dollop about the size and volume of a raspberry.

References:

“Doctor issues grim warning to those who ‘go more than a few days without washing hair’.” Mirror. Danielle Kate Wroe. June 8, 2024
“How often should you really be washing your hair? We asked the experts.” Today. Chrissy Callahan and Emma Stessman. April 27, 2023
“How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?” Healthline. Mandy Ferreira. June 19, 2018.