Experts Weigh In: The Optimal Hair Washing Frequency Is More Nuanced Then You Think
new York, NY – For years, the prevailing wisdom has been to wash your hair less often to maintain its health. However, dermatologists and hair stylists are now emphasizing that the ideal washing frequency isn’t a worldwide rule, but rather a personalized approach dictated by scalp health and hair type.
The shift in thinking stems from a deeper understanding of sebum, the natural oil produced by the scalp. While allowing sebum to accumulate was once seen as beneficial, experts now explain that prolonged exposure to air causes it to oxidize, perhaps leading to skin irritation, inflammation, and even microbial overgrowth.
“With washing your hair less and letting the time between hair washes go longer, there’s more time for sebum accumulation, and the composition of that oil changes once it’s exposed to air,” explains Dr. Weng. “it’s exposed to oxygen in the environment, it gets oxidized, and some of that can cause skin irritation and inflammation, and also microbial overgrowth and fungal overgrowth.”
The recommended frequency varies. Dr. Wang suggests those with thin hair wash their hair five to six times a week,while individuals with thicker hair can typically get away with two to three washes weekly. However, these are merely guidelines.
Experts unanimously stress the importance of focusing on scalp health. Signs that you may need to wash your hair more often include redness, flaking, excessive greasiness, thick buildup, or breakouts on the scalp.
“It’s just more so at a certain point you just gotta get in there and, like, scrub your scalp,” says stylist DeZarate. “If you’re actually cleaning your hair and your scalp properly, you’re preventing hair loss, you’re preventing possible infections. You’re preventing pimples from even forming on your scalp, right? That’s like the main thing people forget-under the hair, there’s still skin that needs to be taken care of.”
Kogen recommends incorporating scalp-specific products designed to cleanse impurities, rather than solely focusing on the hair strands themselves. Dr.Weng adds that allowing these products to sit on the scalp before rinsing can maximize their effectiveness.
Conversely, overwashing can also be detrimental. DeZarate cautions that washing hair more than once a day, combined with deep conditioning, can overhydrate the scalp, leading to breakouts and bumps.
Ultimately, the key is to listen to your scalp. “We say don’t wash your hair too much, but you want to make sure you’re washing it enough,” says Kogen. “It’s a fine line, and you need to figure out what’s best for your hair type.”
