Beyond caring for your face, your hair and scalp also deserve attention. The right routine helps keep both strong and healthy. One of the simplest habits is shampooing. So, how often should you wash to support hair and scalp health?

Why Do We Need to Wash Our Hair?

Just like bathing and cleansing your face, washing your hair helps remove dirt, excess oil, and dead skin cells that collect on the scalp.

That said, you do not need to shampoo every day or at every shower. Washing too often can strip away the scalp’s natural oils, leaving hair drier and more fragile.

If you wash your hair too much, this habit can also alter the scalp’s acidity, making it easier for fungus and bacteria to thrive. Over-washing may leave strands dry and brittle.

When you wash your hair, choose a shampoo that matches your hair and scalp type. Using an unsuitable product can raise the risk of dandruff, hair fall, and breakage.

Recommended Hair Washing Frequency

Everyone’s shampoo needs differ. Several factors influence how often you should wash, including:

• Scalp oil production. If your scalp is naturally oily, you may need to wash more often than someone whose scalp produces less oil.
• Hair type. According to Healthline, people with straight, fine hair usually need more frequent washing than those with waves or curls.
• Straight hair tends to collect more sebum, which can make the hair looks oily.
• Sweat production. If you spend a lot of time outdoors or do strenuous exercise that makes you sweat, you should wash more often to remove sweat residue.
• Exposure to pollutants. Those who are frequently outside and exposed to pollution are also advised to shampoo more regularly.
• Exposure to hair care products. If you often use styling aids such as hairspray or pomade, you will likely need to wash more frequently than someone who does not. Product buildup can damage hair and dry it out.. 

According to WebMD, many people do well washing every two to three days. However, this is not a rigid rule for everyone.

If your hair starts to feel dirty or look oily, wash it to prevent further scalp issues.

If your hair gets very grimy and seems to need frequent cleansing, try not to wash more than once per day.

If you feel you must wash more than once in a single day, aim to space out shampoo days when possible. This helps avoid the dryness and damage that can come from washing too often.

Shampooing is the most basic hair care step. While it keeps hair clean, be mindful of how often you do it. If frequent washing has led to problems, reduce your schedule until your hair and scalp improve.

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