When you are armed with the best dry shampoos and texturising sprays, it can be tempting to put off washing your hair that little bit longer. But if you lead an active lifestyle that involves the gym, the daily commute and lots of travel, product and pollution can quickly cause build-up that might leave your scalp feeling itchy and flaky. Here, a skin and hair expert explains why you shouldn’t skip wash day too regularly.
How long can you go without washing your hair?
For Dr Rashmi Shetty, the ideal hair wash frequency is determined largely by two factors, your hair type and your lifestyle. Those with fine hair will likely need to wash it daily or every other day: “Since the increased number of oil glands can make this hair type get greasy and oily quicker,” she explains. Oily hair, on the other hand, can survive on two to three washes a week, and drier hair a weekly shampoo.
Once you’ve taken your hair type into account, it’s time to look at your lifestyle. “Perhaps you ride a bike and wear a helmet, which leads to scalp occlusion and increased oiliness,” Shetty says. “If you enjoy activities like running outside or you like to drive with the windows down, you may accumulate a lot of dust as well.”
What are the risks if you skip too many hair wash days?
Too busy to wash and blow dry? We’ve all been there. But here are some haircare issues identified by Dr Shetty, all worth taking into account before you skip the shampoo.
Slower hair growth
The number of times you wash your hair does not directly impact hair growth, but a clean scalp provides a healthier environment for it. Maintaining scalp hygiene promotes healthier hair growth and helps prevent hair loss.
Increased build-up
The root cause of dandruff is oily build-up that stems from a lack of washing. Take note of your lifestyle and Dr Shetty’s guidelines for your hair type, and make sure you’re washing your hair often enough.
Itchy scalp
If you haven’t been washing your hair as often as you need to, the build-up of debris, pollutants and oil can cause your scalp to feel itchy and uncomfortable while also opening the door to other problems, such as dandruff.
Folliculitis
Scalp folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicle. Depending on the severity, measures such as gentle massaging of oil onto the scalp, and being diligent about hair washing, can tackle it. “Ultimately, the most important factor that plays a pivotal role in the quality of your hair is the health of your scalp,” Dr Shetty says. “Therefore, ensure that you maintain a clean and healthy scalp by washing it as often as needed which will, in turn, lead to healthy hair. If your scalp feels itchy or infected despite regular washes, consult an expert who can advise on the best course of treatment.”