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If You Have Fine, Thin, or Oily Hair
Wash every day or every other day, Maryanne Makredes Senna, M.D.,
a dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, tells SELF.
Everyone’s scalp produces oil, but those oils (called sebum) travel more
quickly down the hair shaft when you’ve got fine or thin hair, giving
it that greasy appearance sooner. If you’ve got an oily scalp but don’t
want to shampoo daily, use an anti-dandruff
shampoo, even if you don’t have flakes, says Senna. Anti-dandruff
shampoos cut down on grease, and less grease means fewer washes.
If You Have Medium-Thick or Dry Hair
Wash
every two to three days. Any more than that and you could strip your
hair of the natural oils that keep it looking shiny and healthy. “Sebum
provides strength and pliability to the hair, making dry hair less prone
to breakage,” says Senna. If you don’t want to go that long without a
wash, try a sulfate-free shampoo, which is gentler on your hair. You can also give your hair a quick rinse with water and apply conditioner to the ends.
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If You Have Thick or Curly Hair
Wash once or twice per week. The oils your scalp produces will take longer to travel down the super-thick or tightly coiled hair,
so oiliness won’t be as noticeable. Bonus: Those extra oils can help
calm frizz and give coarse hair a smoother look. But don’t go too long
between washes—too much oil can be just as bad as not enough. “Excess
oil can clog up the hair follicles, making the scalp more prone to
infections,” says Senna.
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Pro tip: Your lifestyle matters, too.
If you work out and sweat a lot,
you may want to wash your hair more often, regardless of texture. The
same goes for people who use lots of products or live in a highly
polluted area. On the flip side, if you want to extend your no-wash
streak an extra day or two, try dry shampoo.
Make sure you apply it to the roots so it can soak up the extra oil,
and steer clear of the ends—dry shampoo can make them look dull.
