You may have heard that shampooing less often is better for your hair.
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According to WebMD, experts say there is no single answer to how frequently people should shampoo. You might not need to do it as often as you believe, but personal preference is typically the deciding factor. However, you need to consider your hair type and styling preferences.
“I’ve always said that it’s fine to skip shampooing for a few days. I occasionally urge my clients to go as long as they can without shampooing if their hair is normal in terms of oiliness and medium weight,” said Alli Webb, a professional hair stylist.
How Shampoo Works
Angela Lamb, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City said that shampoo absorbs oils, so using it too frequently might dry out your hair, making it prone to breakage.
"Hair produces natural oil called sebum, and shampoo is an emulsifier that collects and holds excess oil, debris, and product residue, which you then rinse out to clean the hair," Lamb explains.
For the most part, some dirt is natural and acceptable, and you absolutely want some oils to remain in your hair.
Who Should Shampoo Everyday?
According to Goh, only a small number of people, such as those with very fine hair, those who workout often (and sweat), or those who live in humid conditions, need to shampoo daily.
"If you have an oily scalp, you should cleanse it every day. Sometimes, people mistake dry scalp for dandruff, although in those cases, more frequent cleaning is also beneficial."
How Often Should You Wash?
The average person can go without washing their hair every other day, or every 2 to 3 days.
"There is no overall recommendation. If your hair is noticeably oily, your scalp is itching, or you have flaking due to filth, it's time to shampoo,” according to Goh.
How Long Is Too Long?
You may be able to go longer without shampooing your hair if it is styled.
"The most important thing I tell my clients when using heated styling tools is to make sure that their hair is super-clean," Webb explains. "Your hair will last longer, look better, and you'll use those stressors less frequently overall."
The purpose of shampooing your hair is to cleanse the scalp and get rid of extra oil.
Unless you apply styling products, your shampoo is only meant to cleanse your scalp. Don’t wash the ends of your hair with it. The ends of your hair are the oldest, most fragile portions, and they need special care like added moisture.
