How often do I need to wash my hair? This question is such a vexing one. In fact, it’s so common that it’s the third suggestion that pops up when typing the words “how often” into Google.
Outside the shower. Our scalps slowly get shinier, darker, and oilier. So why does this happen, and how often should you wash to keep the grease at bay?
The Root of the Issue
Your hair gets greasy for the very same reason your face gets oily: glands in the skin produce an oily substance known as sebum. This is what moistens hair and prevents it from drying out.
The glands that produce sebum (sebaceous glands) are located next to hair roots in the layer of the skin called the dermis. Channels from the sebaceous glands leading to the hair follicle, which is how sebum gets out of the skin and onto your scalp.
The key thing about sebum is this: Each of us produces a different amount of it. Everything from genetics and hormones affects how much sebum we produce. The hormones that are responsible for extra sebum production spike during puberty, which is what caused so many of us to have extra greasy hair and acne during that lovely period.
How Much Washing is Right for You?
While the answer to this question is different for everyone, no one needs to wash their hair every day. In fact, washing your hair too often can do more harm than good. Lynne Goldberg, a dermatologist and director of Boston Medical Center’s hair clinic, says that “it’s paradoxical, but people who wash their hair a lot to get rid of oil are drying out their scalp and producing more oil.”
Besides not washing your hair every day, there are other things to keep in mind when trying to determine the right amount of washing for you. Here are the three main important factors:
Skin Type
If your skin and hair are anywhere from normal (not super oily and not super dry) to dry, you probably only need to wash it once or twice a week. If you have a greasy scalp, you’ll need to wash it more often.
Hair Texture
Texture matters because it affects how quickly sebum works its way from your roots through the length of your hair. For example, coarse or curly hair slows down sebum’s spread, so if your hair is like this, then you probably only need to shampoo once a week.
On the other hand, those of us with fine, straight hair will likely need to shampoo twice a week or more.
Styling
Another thing to consider is the paces that you put your hair through styling and treating it. If your hair is processed or damaged by styling, you should wash it less frequently.
But this is something you’ll need to figure out yourself, so don’t be afraid to experiment a bit. Don’t shampoo your hair for a couple of days and see if you like the result.
Source: sciencealert
Images: depositphotos
These 7 Tips Will Make Doing the Laundry Much Easier!
In this video, we share some tricks that can significantly decrease the time you have to spend on sorting, washing, and drying your laundry. Take a look!
Here's How You Can Keep Your Mind Sharp At Any Age...
Everyone has a tendency to be a little forgetful. Here are 7 exercises that will help keep your mind sharp at any age.
10 Simple Ways to Significantly Reduce Your Carb Intake
Are you looking to lose some weight? Here are ten ways that you can significantly reduce your carb intake!
Low on Estrogen? Add These 8 Foods to Your Diet...
If you have been told that you need to boost your estrogen levels, here are 8 foods that you should consider adding to your diet.
Going Gray? Add These 7 Foods to Your Shopping List!
Adds these foods to your weekly shopping list to prevent your hair from turning gray.
If You Suffer from Back Pain, You Must Read This...
If you have back pain, the following information is like a gift from God. This is how you can relieve back pain effectively.
The 7 Dirtiest Spots in Your Home You Forget to Clean
Your home may not be as clean as you think. Here are seven dirty spots you are overlooking in your home
10 Smart Ways to Neutralize Any and All Shoe Odors
To combat shoe smells, we've compiled a list of 10 simple solutions that are readily available in most households.
Video Turorial: How to Unclog the Toilet Without a Plunger...
Unclogging the toilet is never a happy task. I was happy to discover this easy method of unclogging the toilet without having to use one.
These Great Design Tips Will Make Your Home Outstanding!
If you've decided you want to make a change to your home, then here's how you can give it an up-to-date look.
Is Your Dryer Getting Slow? These Tips May Help!
There are a number of common reasons why a dryer might stop working efficiently. Here are 5 of them!
The Best Natural Methods to Controlling Excess Sweat
While sweating can be good for you, sometimes it can be embarrassing and cause a foul odor. Discover natural ways to prevent excess sweating.
Say Goodbye to Rotten Fruits & Veggies with These 12 Tips
The way you store your groceries can affect their shelf life. These 12 tips will help keep your fruits and vegetables fresh for longer.
What is Your MBTI Personality? Discover Now!
A great way to find out what kind of personality you have, using a scientific personality test.
Solve Your Everyday Problems with These Time Saving Tips
This handy list of hacks will make your life easier and is budget-friendly. You'll be surprised to discover what you can do with these everyday objects.
Everything You Need to Know About Hearing Aid Fitting
So how does one choose the best hearing aid for them? This video will explain.
Cola Has Many Surprising Uses Other Than Drinking It
Cola may be a popular drink, but here are 19 other ways you can use it.
Quick and Easy Ways to Defrost Your Car Windscreen
Going to your car and finding the windscreens covered in ice is one thing that annoys us all. Here are three easy ways to quickly defrost your car windows!
Discover 6 Easy Ways to Clean a Home with Hydrogen Peroxide
We all want to see our homes clean and sparkling, and it turns out that with hydrogen peroxide - something we all have at home- this can be done with ease!
If You Ever Encounter an Aggressive Person Do These Things
If you ever encounter an aggressive person, keep these tips in mind.
Look At the Eyes: How to Tell When People Are Lying
According to NLP, one can know whether a person is lying or not only through the eyes. Learn how to do this with the help of this guide ...
If You See a Baby Choking, Do You Know What To Do?
If you see a baby choking, do you know what to do? This guide explains.
How to Make an Effective Cough Remedy Using an Orange!
Oranges are a great source of vitamin C that helps strengthen the immune system, but did you know there is a way to make it an effective cough medicine?
7 Kinds of Food Known to Cause Adult Acne
There is a significant link between adult acne and diet. These 7 food types are known to cause acne in adults
Black Pepper Is More Than a Seasoning - Here Are 10 Uses
Black pepper has so much going for it. It's already in your cupboard so you might as well get these 10 extra uses from it.
Darken Graying Hair Using Potato Peels!
Do you spend a lot of time fighting gray hair? The following simple idea will allow you to darken hair graying quickly using something we all have: potato peels!
Mouthwash Can Do So Much More Than Freshen Your Breath
Did you know mouthwash is the number 1 household product you should keep at hand? Discover its fantastic multiple uses to see why.
8 Things You Need to Do With Your A/C to Save on Money
Not looking after your AC properly will decreases the efficiency of your system, meaning you’re losing a lot of money.
Keep Your House Smelling Amazing with These DIY Tips
These are some of the best and cheapest things you can do to make any part of your home smell nice and welcoming.
Feeling Drowsy After Lunch? Here’s How To Control It
Do you often find yourself feeling a little sleepy after lunch everyday? Then these tips might help you control that.
Easy Tutorial: How to Fix a Running Toilet
In this tutorial, you'll learn, in the most straight-forward and practical way, how to fix a running toilet.
Never Put Your Phone in These 8 Common Places!
If you care about your cell phone and your health, then make sure you never leave your device in any of these places.
19 Household Items You Need to Change Now
It's high time you change these household items.
How to Reduce that Puffiness Your Face Gets in the Morning
Get to know the 6 most effective ways we were able to find to treat a swollen face in the morning.
DIY Corner: A Cool Technique for Christmas Decorations!
This is how you can use packing tape to make a sticker out of anything. Sounds too easy? It truly is!
These Healthy Vegetables Are Very Easy to Grow In a Pot
If you grow your own vegetables at home, you can both eat healthier and save money. These 10 vegetables don't even need a garden to grow perfectly well.
12 Foods You Must Add to Your Diet in Your 40s and Later
In this article, we’ll focus on 12 foods with proven anti-aging effects that are easy to find in stores and even easier to add into your diet
How Waking Up at 5.30am Will Change Your Life!
Find out how waking up at 5.30am will have a positive impact on your life.
The 11 Best Places to Retire to in 2024
Before you is a list of recommended places to retire to in 2024, all of which offer mix of affordable living, quality healthcare, vibrant communities, and diverse cultural experiences.
Know Your Kitchen Tools - the Uses for Every Type of Paper
Learn when to use (and when to avoid) each type of kitchen paper, aluminum foil, cling film, and all other wrapping mediums.
How to Celebrate Christmas Without Going Into Debt
You can be frugal and festive at the same time. We shared some tips on how to save on energy bills and gifts this Christmas.
Click to See Unbelievable Uses for These Household Items
Click to learn more! We've collected Ba-bamail's best list of tips and alternative uses for things you've got lying around the house.
8 Natural And Safe Ways to Keep Ants Away From Your House
Take note of these useful natural remedies that can help you keep ants away from your home.
The Devil Is in the Detail, Even When it Comes to Cleaning...
This guide shows you how to clean every room in your home, as well as specific parts of each one. You won't find a more detailed home cleaning guide than this.
How to DEEP CLEAN Your Windshield Perfectly
Clean windshields are not just nice to looks at but also important for your safety! So if it's time to give your windshield a scrub, check out these important tips.
You Don’t Need a Garden to Grow Fruits & Vegetables!
Why not grow your own produce in your own home?
Baby Oil Can Do Things You Never Even Considered!
Baby oil is usually used to keep your baby's skin soft, but in the next article, you'll get ideas for six more effective and surprising ways to use it.