How Frequently Should You Wash Your Hair, Per Science
You may have pondered how frequently you should wash your (sometimes greasy, sometimes not) hair. The query is challenging.
In fact, it’s so popular that when you type “how often” into Google, the third recommendation appears (following queries about showering and pooping).
Our scalps gradually become shinier, darker, and oilier outside of the shower. What causes it, and how frequently should you wash to prevent grease buildup?
The cause of the problem
The same glands in the skin that generate sebum, an oily material, also cause your face to become oily, which is why your hair becomes greasy. Sebum is responsible for keeping hair moisturized and from drying out.
The dermis, a layer of skin, contains the sebaceous glands, which are situated near to the hair roots. Sebum leaves the epidermis and enters the hair follicle through channels from the sebaceous glands; this is how it reaches your scalp. Look at this:
Sebum is important since each of us produces varying amounts. According to dermatologist Paradi Mirmirani of Kaiser Permanente, our ability to create sebum at any particular time is influenced by a variety of factors, including hormones and heredity.
Puberty promotes an increase in the hormones that cause additional sebum production, which is why so many of us experience extra greasy hair and acne during those wonderful years.
What amount of washing is ideal for you?
Everyone will have a different answer, but according to Mirmani, no one should be required to wash their hair daily.
According to dermatologist and head of the hair clinic at Boston Medical Center Lynne Goldberg, washing your hair too frequently might really be detrimental to your hair’s health. People who frequently wash their hair to get rid of oil are paradoxically drying up their scalp and producing more oil, according to Goldberg.
Other considerations should be made when figuring out how much washing is appropriate for you, other avoiding washing every day. The three most crucial elements are as follows:
1. Skin tone
According to a Columbia University health column, you probably only need to wash your skin and hair once or twice a week if they are anywhere from normal (not too greasy and not super dry) to dry. You should probably wash your hair more frequently if your scalp is oily.
2. Hair quality
Because it determines how rapidly sebum moves from your roots through the length of your hair, texture is important. According to Columbia University specialists, if you have coarse or curly hair, you may only need to shampoo once a week because certain hair types slow down the distribution of sebum.
However, individuals with fine, straight hair would probably require shampooing twice weekly or more.
I personally let my curly hair run around two days without washing it. I rinse my hair in between shampoos, massage my scalp, and condition the ends of my hair.
3. Fashion
The styling and treatment procedures you subject your hair to are another factor to take into account. You should wash your hair less frequently if it has been processed or damaged by styling, advises Mirmirani.
However, you’ll have to research it on your own. I only learned what works for my hair through trial and error. So don’t be scared to let your hair go without shampooing for a few days to see whether you like the results.
