I know it’s a pain to wash your hair and tbh, same. The struggle and amount of time it takes to dry and style it is way more than most of us are mentally (and physically) capable of in the mornings. However, unless you want an oily, smelly, itchy scalp or worse (like, hair loss), washing your hair every now and then is actually a necessity. How often you need to wash it is based on your scalp, hair type and what you do throughout the day. So before you join the “no-poo” movement (gross), here’s how often you really need to wash your hair so you don’t end up as hairless as a naked mole rat.
If You Have An Oily Scalp
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, how often you wash your hair should be based on how much oil your scalp produces. I know what you’re thinking: fucking duh, but it’s true. All of the dry shampoo in the world can’t cure a naturally oily scalp. Thus, those unlucky ones with greasy scalps may need to wash their hair as often as once a day.
If you were unfortunate enough to inherit an oily scalp, this means that your roots produce more sebum than the average person—if this is the case and you do need to wash your hair once a day, try reaching for a lightweight purifying shampoo like Christophe Robin’s Purifying Shampoo with Jujube Bark Extract. This way the shampoo works to soothe the scalp, reduce oil, and eliminate dandruff, but is light enough to cleanse your hair everyday and won’t cause buildup.
If You Have Thin Hair
Another group of people that may need to wash their hair pretty often are those with thin hair—especially the more active thin-haired people. If you have fine, straight hair and workout every day, suffice it to say you’ll probs have to cleanse your locks every day. The thinner your hair, the quicker it gets visibly dirty.
If You Have Thick Hair
The thicker, coarser your hair, the longer you’ll be able to get away without washing it. We’re talking like, once a week if you’re lucky. According to the geniuses at Columbia University, people with coarse, tightly coiled hair may only need to wash their hair once a week. One thing I do have to say to you lucky thick-haired betches is to grab a dry conditioner to keep your strands moisturized on those no-wash days.
If You Have Color-Treated Hair
For the betches that color their hair, you’ll only want to wash your hair 2-3 times a week to prevent fading. No matter how thick or fine your hair is, if you color your hair you should reach for a shampoo designed for color treated hair, like R+Co’s Gemstone Color Shampoo to help preserve and prolong the life of your shade.
If You’re Active
It may seem unfair that betches who take the time out of their schedule to work out also get double the punishment because they have to wash their hair more often, but it’s just the way it works. Every other day is the recommendation for people who work out every day, as excess sweat, oils and dry shampoo can cause major buildup.
Related: How To Get Away With Not Showering After A Workout
The Takeaway
In general, a good rule of thumb is that you can probably get away with washing your hair every 2-3 days unless you’re one of the unfortunate souls that has super oily and thin hair, OR you’re a psycho that works out everyday.
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