How often should you wash your hair?

(CNN) — A Latest Report A cancer-causing chemical found in some dry shampoos may make you rethink your hair care routine. However, 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 your days off.

“Some people think they have to wash their hair every day or it becomes too oily,” says Dr. Anthony Rossi, an associate dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology. They can see that there is no hair. On the other hand, they don’t tolerate waiting too long or washing too often because they feel their scalp is too much. oil.” “.

How often you should wash your hair depends on many factors, including type and style, how oily your scalp is, and your activity levels.

“It’s a personal thing,” Rossi says. Washing your hair too often can make it dry and dull, while oil build-up can cause it to smell bad and fall out if you don’t wash it enough.

Next, we explain which one is best for you.

When to wash

Rosie often tells her patients to wash their hair once or twice a week. But if you have chemical treatments that dry out your hair, such as bleaching, perming, or straightening, you should wash your hair less than once a week to prevent breakage, brittleness, or split ends. , he says.

If your scalp is too oily, you should wash it once a day. According to the website of the American Academy of Dermatology. Age can also play a role.

“Hormonal surges occur during puberty, so the sebaceous glands can become enlarged. This is one of the causes of teenage acne,” Rossi said. She added that children can have oily scalps during puberty, so washing their hair more often can help.

According to the association, our scalp produces less oil as we age.

Frizzy or brittle hair is more prone to dryness or breakage, says the association. Frequent washing can make this worse, which is why thick, curly hair doesn’t need to be washed daily or weekly, according to the association.

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

What to do between washes

Hair and scalp care isn’t just done in the shower. Between washes, there are a few things you can do to keep it clean and looking good and protect it from damage.

“I think scalp hygiene is important. Just like beard hygiene, you have to take care of the skin underneath,” Rossi says. “You have to take care of it and comb it (the hair). It loosens the dead skin cells, the debris. If you can, moisturize it.”

“At the very least, massaging your scalp will also help loosen the residue. So you don’t need to shampoo it, but keeping it clean goes a long way,” Rossi added. “You can also use something like a leave-in conditioner or scalp oils to help nourish and hydrate your scalp.”

If you’re prone to sweating during exercise, you don’t need to shampoo your hair every time it’s overgrown with bacteria or your hair or scalp starts to smell, Rossi said. If you want, you can wash it off with water.

Most dry shampoos are considered safe for hair, but don’t rely on them too often, Rossi said. “If you have a lot of oil, that’s fine at some point. But you have to wash it off. You don’t want it building up on your scalp.”

If you notice excess oil around your hair, you can blot it with makeup absorbent papers, she said.

If you swim in a pool and expose your hair to water, chlorine can dry it out and make it brittle. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, moisturize and condition your hair by wearing a tight-fitting shower cap and immediately replenish lost moisture with shampoo and deep conditioner.

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