Here’s how often people should wash their hair

A report of a cancer-causing chemical found in some dry shampoos may have caused you to rethink your hair care routine. But experts say there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should wash your hair — or what you can do to maintain it on days off.

“Some people just think they have to wash their hair every day or they end up with very oily hair,” says Dr. Anthony Rossi, an assistant dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology Association. “If they give themselves a chance, they may see that they don’t really have that oily scalp or hair. And on the other hand, they may not tolerate going too long or too little because they feel like their scalp is very gets fat.

How often you should cleanse your locks depends on multiple factors, including hair type and style, how oily your scalp gets, and how active you are.

“It’s kind of a personal venture,” said Rossi. Washing too often can dry out and dull hair, while the oil buildup from not washing enough can also lead to odor and flakes.

Here’s how to find out what works for you.

When to wash

Rossi generally tells his patients to wash their hair once or twice a week. But if you’ve had chemical treatments that can make your hair drier — such as bleach, perms or relaxers — you may want to wash it less than once a week to avoid breakage or brittle hair or split ends, he said.

If your scalp is very oily, you may need to wash it as much as once a day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association website. Your age can also play a role.

“During puberty we have a surge of hormones, and so the sebaceous glands can become enlarged. It’s one reason people get teenage acne,” Rossi said. Children may experience a more oily scalp during puberty, so washing their hair more often could be beneficial, he added.

Our scalp produces less oil as we age, according to the association.

Your hair may be more prone to getting dry or breaking if it’s curly or curly, the association says. Washing too often can make this worse, so thick, curly hair generally doesn’t need daily or even weekly washing, according to the association.

But you should wash it at least every two to three weeks to keep your scalp and hair clean and healthy.

What to do between washes

Hair and scalp care doesn’t just happen in the shower. There are certain things you can do between washes to maintain its cleanliness and appearance and protect it from damage.

“I think it’s important to have scalp hygiene. Just like with beard hygiene, you want to take care of the skin underneath,” said Rossi. “Groom it and comb (your hair). That loosens the dead skin cells, the debris. You want to wet it if you can.

“At least massaging your scalp will really help loosen debris as well. So you don’t necessarily have to shampoo it yourself, but it’s really helpful for keeping it clean,” Rossi added. “You can also use things like leave-in conditioner or scalp oils that help nourish and moisturize the scalp.”

If you regularly sweat from exercise, you don’t need to wash your hair every time unless there’s an overgrowth of bacteria or your hair or scalp starts to smell bad, Rossi said. You can rinse it off with water if necessary.

Most dry shampoos are considered safe for hair, but don’t often rely on them, Rossi said. “If you’re super oily, it’s fine in a pinch. But you want to wash that out. You don’t want to build that up on the scalp either.

If you notice excess oil around your hairline, you could wipe it off with cosmetic blotting paper, he added.

If you swim in a pool while your hair is exposed to the water, chlorine can make it dry and brittle. Protect your hair by wetting and conditioning it beforehand, wearing a tight-fitting shower cap, and immediately afterwards replacing all lost moisture by using a shampoo and deep conditioner formulated specifically for swimmers, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

If you experience persistent problems with your scalp or hair, such as dandruff, hair loss or brittle hair, you should see a board-certified dermatologist who treats conditions in these areas, Rossi said.