Nothing divides the beauty community quite like the question of how often we should all be washing our hair. In one camp, you have people who swear by washing at least twice a week (you wouldn't want that bottle of shampoo to expire, would you?). In another, there are those who believe that the less they shampoo (think once a month), the better (and they've got the expertise on how to use dry shampoo to prove it).
So which routine is right for you? While many experts will tell you that there's no one answer, it all depends on your lifestyle and hair habits. So, before you pop the top on that bottle of drugstore shampoo, read ahead.
Meet the experts: DiAnne Davis, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Hopkins Dermatology in Texas. Anabel Kingsley is a trichologist and president of Philip Kingsley haircare. James Kilgour, MD, is a dermatologist and founder of KilgourMD.
How often should you really wash your hair?
How often you shampoo is dependent upon a few different things, including your hair type, how active your lifestyle is, how long it takes for your hair to become greasy after styling it, and the overall health of your scalp. Board-certified cosmetic dermatologist DiAnne Davis, MD, FAAD typically recommends patients wash their hair at least once a week, but if you have dandruff or build-up, you may have to wash a little more frequently.
Anabel Kingsley, trichologist and president of Philip Kingsley haircare, shares a similar opinion. "As a trichologist, I always advise frequent shampooing, since our scalp is simply an extension of the skin on our face, and thus sheds dead skin cells, collects dirt and bacteria daily, and secretes oil and sweat," she says.
The Best Shampoos That Cleanse and Hydrate
How often should you wash your hair if...
- You have an oily scalp: For oilier scalps, dermatologist James Kilgour, MD, recommends shampooing at least every other day using products specially made for oily scalps. "This means looking for shampoos that are clarifying or toning, and avoiding thick conditioners," he explains. He also recommends avoiding volumizing products, since they tend to leave a film on the hair fiber to thicken their appearance, which can cause the hair to feel greasy.
- You have a dry scalp: If you frequently experience scalp dryness, Dr. Kilgour recommends doing the opposite of the above advice. "Strictly avoid shampoos containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), as these are far too stripping on the scalp and hair," he adds. "Also look for highly hydrating conditioners containing ingredients such as glycerin, ceramides, emollient oils such as argan or jojoba, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid.
- You have fine hair: Kingsley recommends that people with fine hair shampoo daily to remove excess oil and product buildup. "Fine hair is the oiliest of all hair textures, as there are often more strands per centimeter on the scalp versus any other hair texture," she explains. "Every hair follicle has a sebaceous gland, so people with fine hair will often find their hair becomes oily and limp quickly, whereas people with coarse or coiled hair textures can often go longer before noticing their hair looks or feels oily."
How long is too long to go without washing your hair?
Again, while this is dependent on your lifestyle, you shouldn't go more than a week without washing, as your scalp may become a lot more prone to irritation or flaking. "The aim of shampooing is to cleanse your scalp and remove dirt, dead skin cells, sweat, and sebum," Kingsley says. "You wouldn’t go more than a few days without washing your face or body, so the same should apply to your scalp."
According to Dr. Kilgour, some larger signs that you're not washing your hair frequently enough include product and oil build-up, scaly, flaky skin, and worsening of dandruff. Not washing at least once a week increases your risk of all of these things.
Danielle is the senior beauty editor at Women's Health. Her apartment is currently littered with beauty products, but when she's not testing them all out, you can find her watching facial ASMR videos on YouTube, binge-watching The Golden Girls on Hulu, and reading rom-coms.
