Many people who wash their hair regularly do so because they cannot tolerate oily hair. While it is a good practice to maintain hair hygiene, it is important to understand that oily hair is an outcome of sebum production, which is known for its role in maintaining healthy, shiny locks. Therefore, washing it daily, even when your hair is fit and fine, can deprive it of its natural oils, making it coarse and dull.
Therefore, speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Amit Bangia, Associate Director-Dermatology, Asian Hospital, Faridabad, discussed how frequently you should wash your hair and shared the factors that need to be considered.
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How Often Should You Wash Your Hair
According to Dr Bangia, there is no right or wrong answer to how frequently you should wash your hair.
Ideally, dermatologists recommend washing your hair 2-3 times per week. However, this depends on the type of hair you have, the doctor said.
“Finer, straighter hair requires more frequent washing than coarser, curlier hair, but the frequency with which you suds up should be determined by your scalp and hair strands,” he added.
Furthermore, the prevalence of dandruff or a dry scalp, or if you use a lot of styling products every day, may also affect the number of times you wash your hair.
As per the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), here are the guidelines for how often you should wash your hair depending on your hair quality:
- If your scalp is oily, you may need to wash it as often as once a day.
- If you have chemically treated hair, your hair may be drier, so you may want to wash it less frequently.
- As you get older, your scalp makes less oil, so you may not need to shampoo as often. But if you see flakes in your hair, you may not be shampooing enough. This can lead to dandruff and other scalp diseases.
How Long Can You Go Without Washing Your Hair?
Dr Bangia reiterated, “The length of time you can go without washing your hair depends on your hair type and oil levels.”
He advised, “If you have dry, thick, and/or coily hair, you should only go a week without washing it—not because you can't stretch your wash-day out any further, but because you really shouldn't if you want to avoid breakage, dryness, and irritation. Your scalp and strands require moisture to thrive, so cleanse once a week if possible.”
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Can Washing Hair Regularly Affect Hair Health Negatively?
Not washing your hair sufficiently can cause dandruff, irritation, clogged pores, breakouts, and even hair loss due to residual buildup from sebum, hair products, and dead skin cells. As long as you’re using a mild shampoo, washing your hair every day might not be that bad.
However, Dr Bangia noted that different hair types need different hair wash schedules. For some people, especially if you have dry hair, washing your hair daily may not be the best idea. It can strip away natural oils and moisture, leading to increased dryness, frizz, and potential damage. The natural oils produced by your scalp help to keep your hair moisturised and healthy. Washing too often can disrupt this natural balance.
Conclusion
Washing your hair is a good practice. But how often you do it may depend on various factors. While dermatologists recommend washing your hair once every 1–2 days, understanding your hair type and scalp condition plays a vital role in determining the number of times you should wash your hair. Most importantly, people with dry hair should not wash their hair daily, or even every other day, as it can deprive their locks of their natural oils. This, in turn, can lead to dull and coarse hair.
