Hair Shampoo

How Often Should You Shampoo Your Hair

By Upasana KakatiJul 29, 2024 6 mins read

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Signs Your Hair Needs Shampooing

Factors Influencing Your Shampoo Routine

Experts Answer Frequently Asked Questions

References

One of the most debated topics in hair care is how often should you shampoo your hair. Most men wash their hair daily and don’t have even a bit of damage, while women may be devastated if they do the same. Regardless of the science and logic behind shampooing, one thing is clear: shampooing hair every day is a bad idea unless you have extremely oily hair.

As per hairstylist Erinn Courtney, “While some hair types should avoid a daily wash for those reasons, those with super oily hair "can benefit from washing every day because of the amount of oil it produces.” Before we delve deep into the girl gang’s common hair woe, let’s understand what a hair shampoo does to your mane (both good and bad!).

Also Read: Top 5 Benefits of Using pH-Balanced Shampoos for Your Hair Type

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Did you know? – Before shampoos came into the market, people all over the world used hibiscus leaves, herbs and their extracts, and rice water to cleanse and hydrate hair. In fact, the cleansing ritual in ancient times included a mixture of water and animal fats. That being said, hair cleansing has now become even more important due to changing weather conditions and the tremendous use of styling products.

A hair shampoo is an amalgamation of surfactants such as sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, and others. It cleans the scalp and hair by forming a bubbly lather with water. The shampoo helps remove dust, dirt, grime, and excess oils from the mane, leaving it clean and fresh. It not only contains cleansers but also has numerous aesthetic-boosting ingredients, like rosemary and coconut.

Cutting it short, those funny-sounding chemicals and other components work together to provide a refreshing feeling. However, over-shampooing can strip oils and nutrients from the scalp, resulting in itching and irritation. It can also lead to split ends, damage, and breakage. Thus, it becomes essential to know your hair’s needs, use appropriate products, and shampoo hair mindfully. Read on to discover a healthy shampooing routine for your hair type.

Signs Your Hair Needs Shampooing

According to Dr. Garshick, “Some signs to wash the hair are when the scalp becomes itchy, the hair appears oily, there is flaking or visible buildup.” Keeping these in mind, we’ve listed the common signs indicating the need for shampooing.

Product buildup — Using leave-in products frequently accumulates residue on the scalp. Such a condition demands thorough cleansing with hair shampoo at least once every three days.
Oily or greasy appearance — Visible greasiness is often due to sweating, overuse of gels and serums, and highly humid temperatures. Oily substances can pile up on the scalp and weigh down the tresses.
Flakes or dust — If you notice flakes or dust particles on your nails when you scratch your head, they are probably due to dehydration, dandruff, or related conditions. In such cases, you can opt for moisturizing shampoos to revive dried follicles and roots.
Unusual smell — An unpleasant odor in your hair might be caused by bacteria, dust, and sweat. To get rid of the foul smell, choose an odor-neutralizing hair shampoo or cleanser, like apple cider vinegar, once weekly.
Knots and tangles — Detangling fussy knots can be frustrating, especially when you have curly or coarse tresses. Knotted hair is generally a telltale sign of dryness. Consider washing your hair with detangling shampoos for intense hydration.

The need for shampooing may differ from one person to another. However, the need for choosing the right hair shampoo is equally important. Moehair’s hair shampoo collection not only caters to all hair needs but also offers a safe, sulfate-free shampooing routine.

Factors Influencing Your Shampoo Routine

Most of the time, you automatically feel the need to shampoo your hair when it feels greasy, dull, or lackluster. These signs are like your hair’s call for help. Let’s discuss other factors that influence your hair shampoo routine.

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Age

The sebaceous glands produce oils on the scalp that protect hair follicles from external aggressors. These natural oils can accumulate on the surface and lead to a greasy appearance, weighing down your hair. If you experience signs like itching, oiliness, and tightness, you may need to wash your hair frequently, say 3-4 times per week. However, with growing age and hormonal changes, these glands tend to produce less oil.

Hair type

Your hair type and texture matter. Individuals with dry, parched strands must use moisturizing and volume-boosting shampoos, whereas those with oily hair can use lighter versions. On the other hand, colored hair girlies should look no further than color-protecting formulations. They help shield hair color against fading and dullness while gently cleansing the mane. Shampooing 2-3 times weekly seems sufficient for normal or combination hair types.

Sweat

If you sweat excessively, your hair can become dirtier than usual very soon. The salts in the sweat draw out moisture from the scalp, clog hair follicles, and make hair vulnerable to infections. Choose dry shampoos and gentle cleansers to cut down on harsh shampooing, and invest in hair masks every ten days to restore hydration.

Weather conditions

The changing weather conditions demand different hair care. For instance, freezing temperatures and less outdoor exposure favor infrequent washing. Hot and humid conditions may require a hydrating hair shampoo ritual 3-4 times a week, depending on hair length and thickness.

Styling products

Excessive use of leave-in styling products can cause product buildup on the scalp and invite scalp infections. It can clog pores, reduce moisture retention, and disrupt pH levels on the scalp. All in all, this situation calls for frequent hair washing, so that residue leaves hair timely before causing any severe damage.

Also Read: How to Use a Dry Shampoo - Tips You Need to Know

Experts Answer Frequently Asked Questions

Your hair is your identity, which can make or break your entire look. To ease a couple of things for you, we tapped experts from across the globe to solve mysteries about hair cleansing and shampooing.

Q.1 How many times per week should you shampoo your hair?

The answer to how often should you shampoo your hair differs for almost everyone, owing to diverse hair types and expectations. Dermatologists recommend washing hair 2-3 times per week—the number might be higher for straight hair and lower for coarse tresses. Suds up more frequently if you indulge in rigorous physical activity.

Q.2 Is it bad to shampoo hair daily?

Using shampoo every other day may not be a good idea, as it can strip off natural oils from the scalp and cause dryness. Avoid exposing the mane to harmful chemicals of hair shampoo every day, unless recommended.

Q.3 Is it better to skip shampooing?

Occasionally, yes. You can skip lathering and opt for dry shampoos or cleansing just with water. In fact, no-poo days are prominent in certain parts of the world, encouraging people to use traditional cleansers instead of shampoos.

Q.4 Can I wash my hair with water every day?

Washing your hair with water daily seems OK until you use only cold water. This is because hot water may interfere with the natural oils on the scalp and dry out the strands. It seems a good option for people with extremely oily hair.