A recent report about the discovery of a cancer-causing chemical in some shampoos may have you rethinking your hair care routine. But experts say there's no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should wash your hair.
"Some people just think they have to wash their hair every day or they'll end up with very greasy hair," said Dr. Anthony Rossi, an expert in the US. "If they give themselves a chance, they may find that they don't actually have an oily scalp or hair."
How often you should wash your hair depends on many factors, including your hair type and style and how oily your scalp tends to become.
"Washing too often can make hair drier, while oil buildup from not washing enough can also lead to unpleasant odors," Rossi said.
When to Wash
Rossi generally tells his patients to wash their hair once or twice a week. But if you have dry hair you may need to wash it less than once a week to avoid breakage or brittleness or split ends.
If your scalp is very oily, you may need to wash it as often as once a day. Your age may also play a role.
Children may have more oily scalps during their puberty years, so washing their hair more often can be beneficial.
Our skin produces less oil as we age.
