You’ve probably wondered how often you should wash your hair. The question is a vexing one. Outside the shower, our scalps gradually get shinier, darker, and oilier. So why does it happen, and how often should you wash to keep the grease at bay?
The root of the issue
Your hair gets greasy for the same reason your face gets oily: glands in the skin produce an oily substance called sebum. Sebum is what moistens hair and keeps it from drying out.
The glands that produce sebum (called sebaceous glands) are located next to hair roots in the layer of skin called the dermis. Channels from the sebaceous glands lead to the hair follicle — that’s how sebum gets out of the skin and onto your scalp.
The key thing about sebum is this: Each of us produces a different amount. The hormones responsible for extra sebum production spike during puberty, which is what causes so many of us to have extra greasy hair and acne during those lovely years.
How much washing is right for you?
Besides avoiding washing every day, there are other things to keep in mind when trying to determine the right amount of washing for you. Here are the three main important factors:
- Skin type
If your skin and hair are anywhere from normal (not super oily and not super dry) to dry, you probably only need to wash it once or twice a week. If you have a greasy scalp, you probably need to wash your hair more often.
- Hair texture
Texture matters because it affects how quickly sebum works its way from your roots through the length of your hair. Coarse or curly hair slows down sebum’s spread, so if you have hair like this you may only need to shampoo once a week. On the other hand, people with fine, straight hair will likely need to shampoo twice a week or more.
- Styling
Another thing to consider is the paces you put your hair through styling and treating it. If your hair is processed or damaged by styling, you should wash it less frequently.
But that’s something you’ll have to find out for yourself. I’ve figured out what works for my hair purely by experimentation.
So don’t be afraid to go a couple days without shampooing and see if you like what happens.
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