Here’s How Often You Should Be Washing Your Hair
Everyone wants the healthiest head of hair which is why it’s so important to know how often you should wash your precious locks.
While your hair stylist says one thing and Google says another, we all want to say “we woke up like this” after stepping out into our office with the shiniest head of hair.
“It depends on your hair and activity level,” said board-certified dermatologist Gary Goldenberg, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.
Gary Goldenberg, M.D.
Dr. Goldenberg mentions that it’s critical to cleanse your hair and scalp because the hair follicles surrounded by skin cells and oil glands push your hair through the scalp.
The oil glands produce a substance called sebum, (or in other words oil), which naturally condition hair to keep it healthy and soft to the touch; although it’s the sebum that’s also causes the grease!
So is it bad to wash our hair everyday?
Not necessarily no; but it varies with every individual, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
“If you have oily hair, it is perfectly safe and appropriate to wash your hair daily,” said Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
Joshua Zeichner, M.D.
“If you have dry hair or a sensitive scalp, however, you certainly can space out hair washing as needed.”
Joshua Zeichner, M.D.
And of course it is also possible to suds up too much.
Washing your hair more than needed can strip the sebum which is needed in order for your hair to stay soft and conditioned says Dr. Goldenberg.
So how often should we wash our hair?
There’s really no right answer, but you should remember that hair type, texture, oil production, exercise, color-treated hair, age, etc. have a role in how often to shampoo and condition.
For oily hair, it’s best to note to wash daily or every other day according to Dr. Goldenberg.
For dry or course hair, wash once every week.
“Using a co-wash helps the hair retain its moisture as they are cream-based and sulfate-free,” explains Sabrina Holdsworth, celebrity hairstylist and founder of NTRL By Sabs. “Always use products that specifically say they are for co-washing as using any type of conditioner can expose you to unwanted build-up.”
Sabrina Roe Holdsworth
Curly hair ladies: For those with 3 hair types can wash more often than 4 according to Holdsworth.
“I would say two times a week for 3 types and once a week for 4 types is plenty.” Although she also mentions that if washing less frequently is also completely okay. “If your scalp remains clean,” she explains, “both types could wash every two weeks.” However, she doesn’t recommend going much longer than that without suds in the shower. “The scalp needs some kind of rinse (even waterless is fine) to remain balanced every 14 days,” she adds. Co-washing is also critical for curly hair.
Sabrina Roe Holdsworth
And finally for our thin hair goers, try to wash daily or every other day; it’s easier for sebum to cover thin hair which in return can make it look greasy, faster, Dr. Goldenberg comments.
