A. Should you wash your hair everyday?
Haircare is a very personal choice. There is rarely a medical reason to wash your hair. The decision on how often to wash your hair depends on the type of hair, the structure of the scalp, the fat content of the hair, and personal preferences.
For some people, washing too often can damage hair and an itchy, dry scalp. For others, sporadic washing can leave the hair looking oily and lifeless.
1. How often do you wash your hair
For most people, washing your hair is not necessary for good health. Rinsing your hair with water just a few times a week will remove the most visible dirt particles. The decision on how often to wash your hair depends on personal preference.
a. Hair texture
People with very dry hair do not need to wash their hair daily or even every other day. If you wash your hair less often, the natural oils are trapped in the scalp and the hair is well hydrated.
Washing your hair weekly or even every two weeks may be sufficient for people with very dry hair.
Rinsing your hair with water between washes will keep it looking fresh without removing any moisture from the hair.
Hair is more likely to dry out if:
- Thick
- Curly
- Old or gray
- Treated with chemicals such as dyes or chemical relaxants
Very oily hair can appear oily for a few hours after washing, especially in the summer or after exercise. People with very oily hair may choose to wash their hair daily or every other day.
Using a sulfate shampoo can increase the time between washes. Hair gets oily when it is:
- Very good
- In a straight line
People who experience hormonal changes such as puberty may also find that their hair becomes more oily than normal. Most people are somewhere between these extremes and can wash their hair 2 to 5 times a week, depending on personal preference.
b. Scalp condition
The condition of a person’s scalp also affects the condition of the hair. People with very dry scalps tend not to produce as much sebum. Washing your hair less often can help keep your scalp healthy, prevent itching and flaking, and keep your hair soft and shiny.
People with very oily scalp may develop acne on the scalp or along the hairline and may need to wash their hair more often to keep it looking clean.
c. Hair style preferences
Much of the decision about how often to wash your hair depends on personal style preferences. Some people don’t like it when their hair looks or looks a little oily. Others find their hair easier to comb for a few days after washing.
People who wear complicated hairstyles or have very long hair may also prefer less shampoo, as less frequent shampoos mean less time to style their hair.
2. Why wash your hair with shampoo?
Washing your hair is similar to washing your skin. Water can remove most of the pollution and visible debris, but it cannot remove odors or oily debris. The shampoo helps the water to effectively remove dirt, residues and odors such as smoke or sweat. Shampoos can also remove oil. The hair gets its oil from the sebaceous glands, which secrete sebum and provide hydration to the hair.
Hydrated hair is less likely to break or look dry and curly. But too much moisture can make your hair look oily, flabby and dirty. After a few days without washing, the oil will accumulate near the scalp and make the hair on your face look dirty. Most shampoos are designed to remove excess oil, which can keep hair looking cleaner for longer.
a. How Shampoo Works
The shampoo cleans the hair using chemicals called surfactants. They are soaps that remove residues from the scalp and hair surface. Many shampoos also contain compounds called sulfates, which produce a rich foam that removes oil from your hair. This can help keep hair looking cleaner, but it can also damage it.
It is important to put at least a little oil on your hair to protect it from damage. Some people choose moisturizing or sulfate-free shampoos to help maintain hair health, although there is little evidence to suggest that sulfate-free shampoos are less aggressive than regular products.
Other people reduce the frequency with which they wash their hair. Some people even advocate abandoning the shampoo altogether.
3. Oily or dry?
Assessing whether your hair is oily or dry can help someone decide how often to use the shampoo. A person can help determine their hair type by asking:
- When does the hair look better? Oily hair looks best on shampoo day. Normal hair can look better the next day, while dry hair does not look good until a few days after washing.
- Does the hair break easily? Dry hair often breaks easily and can have split ends. Oily hair tends to be more elastic.
- How is the hair? One look at the hair is enough to give us an idea. Dry hair can appear brittle or lifeless when washed, while oily hair can be smooth and oily just one day after washing.
4. Is shampoo washing always medically necessary?
For most people, there is no need for medical shampoo, as rinsing with water can remove dirt and flakes. However, some health conditions can benefit from regular washing. People with parasitic infections of the scalp, especially lice, may need to use special shampoos to get rid of insects.
Scalp psoriasis can improve with the use of special shampoos, especially tar products or medicated shampoos. People with specific skin and scalp conditions should discuss their ideal hair care routine with a dermatologist. In contrast, frequent washing can worsen some conditions. Daily shampooing can irritate eczema, very dry skin and dandruff.
5. Alternatives to washing
Shampoo washing is not the only way to keep the scalp looking or feeling clean. Some alternatives are:
- Dry shampoo: dry shampoo is a perfumed spray that absorbs oil. It can increase the time between washes, especially for people with thin or oily hair. However, dry shampoo does not remove dirt. If used for several days in a row, it can also develop a build-up of dust that irritates the scalp.
- Detergent-free shampoos: Detergent-free shampoos, sometimes referred to as “non-poos”, are shampoos that are free of sulfates and aggressive detergents. Gently care for the hair, but do not remove oil. This is a great option for people with dry or curly hair, or for those who want to wash their hair daily, but do not want to cause damage.
- Conditioner washing: Conditioner washing, sometimes called co-washing, is when a person uses conditioner or a special cleansing conditioner in place of the shampoo. For people with normal dry hair, washing with conditioners can completely replace regular shampoos, especially if they are not using heavy styling products.
B. Should You Be Washing Your Hair Every Day? Here’s What Dermatologists Say
The debate over how often you really need to wash your hair has been going on for years. And while there are many hot options for scheduling the ideal shampoo – once a day to once a week – dermatologists say there really isn’t a single answer. “It depends on your hair and activity levels,” says certified dermatologist Gary Goldenberg, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine on Mount Sinai, New York.
However, one thing is for sure: cleaning your hair and scalp is important. Its hair follicles, which are surrounded by skin cells and sebaceous glands, push your hair through the scalp, explains Dr. Goldenberg. These sebaceous glands produce a substance called sebum that naturally conditions your hair to keep it healthy and soft. However, it is also partly responsible for the feeling of grease between washes.
Give shampoo. “The purpose of the wash is to remove dirt, oil and hair care products from the stems themselves,” said Joshua Zeichen, M. D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. As the shampoo reaches the scalp, it also has a cleansing effect on the skin, just like detergents do on your body.
1. But is it harmful to wash your hair every day?
Not necessarily. However, this again depends on your individual needs. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), how often you wash your hair should depend on how much oil your scalp produces.
“If you have oily hair, it is perfectly safe and appropriate to wash it daily,” says Dr. Illustrator. “However, if you have dry hair or sensitive scalp, you can skip washing your hair as needed.” Some people wash their hair daily, while others soap themselves every week or two, he says. It’s all about personal preference.
Of course, it is possible to wash a lot. Washing your hair more than necessary can remove the sebum that your hair needs to keep it conditioned and soft, says Dr. Goldenberg, which leads to fragility or even breakage if you have very dry hair.
2. So, how often should you wash your hair?
There is no right answer, even if you divide things up by factors like hair type and oil production. Think about how often you exercise, dye your hair, and even your age influences how often you wash.
“When you are very active, sweat can build up and dirt can build up in your hair, so you should use shampoo more often,” says Dr. Goldenberg. On the other hand, chemically treated hair generally requires less cleaning to prevent color fading. And as you get older, your scalp produces less oil, so you may not feel the need to soap yourself frequently.
3. In general, experts say this is a good washing guide for most major hair types
Oily hair: wash daily or every other day. Dr. Goldenberg says he uses this as a “general rule” for patients.
Dry and rough hair: Wash once a week. “People with dry, rough hair generally don’t need to wash as often because their hair doesn’t produce that much oil,” says Dr. Goldenberg. Some people prefer to simply rinse their hair with water and instead use only one conditioner every few days, a method known as “co-washing”.
Thin hair: wash daily or every other day. Thin hair is easy to cover for sebum and can look oily faster than thick hair, says Dr. Goldenberg.
There are still some trial and error here. “The appearance of your hair will help,” says Dr. Goldenberg. If you feel the strands are dry and cracked, choose the shampoo schedule a day or two before. If your hair is always greasy, return to your routine for a day or two.
4. What should you look for in shampoo?
The right shampoo makes all the difference in the health of your hair and scalp, says Dr. Illustrator. Therefore, he recommends choosing a product that has been designed for your hair type.
This is more important than you think. “Some of the shampoos for dry hair can make thin hair heavier and make it limp,” says Dr. Illustrator. But bleaching shampoos (which are used to remove build-up on the scalp and hair) can be excessively scaly for people with dry or coarse hair, he says.
5. Summary
There is no correct number of times that a person should wash their hair each week. Expectations about the appearance of hair and how often a person should wash it also vary by culture, age, and from decade to decade. How often someone washes their hair is a personal choice, not a choice that is likely to affect their overall health.