EXPERT TIPS
How often you should be washing your hair is a question that is often up for debate, with answers spanning everything from daily rinses to once-a-week washes. However, the reality is that there is no definitive, one-size-fits-all answer.
In this helpful guide, we’ll explore the different factors — from hair and scalp type to lifestyle — that can help you to determine how often you should be washing your hair.
Many people believe that by washing your hair less often you can ‘train’ your hair to be less oily. However, you may be surprised to hear that the concept of training your hair to last longer between washes is in fact a myth.
If your hair is feeling uncomfortably oily or visibly greasy, then there is no problem with washing it every day. You’ll soon know if you are shampooing too often as your hair will start to feel dry and frizzy and your scalp may be irritated.
Although it’s fine to wash your hair every day, we know not everybody will want to or have the time to. Using a dry shampoo is a great interim alternative to absorb any excess oil and freshen up your roots until hair wash day. However, it’s important not to rely on dry shampoo for too long as this can cause product to build up.
Relied on dry shampoo a little too long? Reset your hair by washing with a clarifying shampoo. These buildup-busting shampoos contain ingredients to deeply cleanse and wash away excess styling products and oil.
Sebum is a natural oil produced by your body to keep your skin moisturised and protected. The sebum produced by your scalp helps to keep your hair healthy and smooth. However, there are some factors which can increase the production of sebum and therefore affect how often you may need to wash your hair.
To figure out how often you should be washing your hair, it’s important to understand your scalp type.
For dry and sensitive scalps, regular hair washing with a high-performing, mild shampoo is recommended. Using a gentle shampoo prevents your hair from being stripped of its natural oils while removing any excess product buildup that may irritate your scalp.
If your scalp is naturally oily, wash as and when you need — even if this is every day — and choose products with balancing ingredients which will nourish your scalp without creating excess buildup. Look for ingredients such as hydrolyzed keratin or panthenol, which helps to gently cleanse while softening and strengthening.
The thickness and texture of your hair can also make a difference to how often you might need to shampoo.
Finer, thinner hair is more prone to oiliness and may need washing more regularly compared to thicker, coarser hair. Those with finer hair tend to have more follicles on their heads, meaning there are more oil glands to produce sebum.
Straight hair is also more prone to greasy strands, serving as the perfect surface for sebum to easily spread down from your scalp compared to textured or curly hair.
If you work out regularly or live in a humid climate, you may need to wash your hair more often due to sweat which when combined with sebum, can cause your hair to appear greasy.
Or maybe you live in a city where you’re more exposed to pollution, dust and dirt which can accumulate on your scalp, causing your hair to become dirty quicker.
Whether you have a natural hormone imbalance, are pregnant, menopausal or taking hormones, hormonal changes can influence the amount of sebum your scalp produces. Hormones can fluctuate and therefore so can the frequency of how often you might need to wash your hair.
If you are worried about any hormonal changes that could be contributing to oily hair, it’s always worth speaking to a medical professional for advice.
Ultimately, you know your hair best and since there are so many factors that can affect your hair and scalp, there is no right or wrong answer as to how often you choose to lather up. Once you’ve found the frequency that works for you — and it may take some trial and error — your hair and scalp should feel comfortable and healthy.