Lather, rinse, repeat… You know how to shampoo your hair, but have you ever thought about how often it needs to be cleaned? The answer may be a little different than you think. Depending on your hair type, scalp type, and styling habits, the answer can be anywhere from "once a day" to "once a week." Here's what you need to know about how often to shampoo your hair.
What's Your Type?
Your skin type has a huge role to play in how often you need to shampoo your hair. No matter what your hair looks like, your scalp is busy beneath it creating natural oils called sebum. In small amounts, sebum is a good thing: it helps keep your hair moisturized and offers some protection from environmental stressors. However, you can definitely end up with too much of a good thing.
If your hair tends to produce a lot of oil, you're usually better off shampooing every day. The same is true if you have very dry hair, live in a humid environment, or exercise frequently. For everyone else? 2 to 3 times a week is usually best. That's because daily shampooing can remove too much sebum from your hair. This can lead to all kinds of problems, including dry scalp, dry hair, and damage.
Do you have coarse or curly hair? Then you may even be able to get away with shampooing once a week. That's because hair's texture influences how quickly sebum travels from your scalp through your hair.
Of course, there is such a thing as going too long between washes. For most people, it's a good idea to shampoo at least once a week. If you notice your hair is visibly oily or if your scalp is itchy, it's time to lather up! Don't be afraid to experiment a bit to find the frequency that works best for you.
Finding Your Routine
Think you may be shampooing a little too much? There are ways to reduce your shampooing frequency without impacting the way your hair looks and feels. First of all, don't undervalue a simple rinse. Wash everything below your hairline during your daily shower, and then let the water just rinse away any dirt or product that's built up.
Dry shampoos are also a great way to go a little further between shampoos. Powders absorb oil that may be near your roots, helping to freshen your hair and add back a little volume.
Finally, making the switch from a conventional shampoo to a natural option can reduce the impact that frequent shampooing has on your hair. Natural ingredients are gentler than their conventional cousins, lessening damage and giving back nutrients that daily life takes away.