Dermatology Professor Explains Side Effects Of Washing Hair Daily

Hair can mean a lot of things to so many people. Hair can represent culture and even represent art and expression. Everyone’s hair has a story, down to the hairstyle, hair color, and length.

But one main question a lot of people wonder about hair is: how do you take care of it? How often should you wash your hair? There are times when people’s hair can get oilier than others, but is it the right time to wash it?

People often say that it’s not a good idea to wash your hair every day, regardless of hair texture. It’s especially not good for those who want strong, healthy hair. Professor Heather W. Goff, from the Department of Dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, discussed the consequences of washing hair every day.

“Excessive dryness breakage and split ends,” she says.

Overall, a few factors come in a place when it comes to how often you should wash your hair. Not everybody’s hair texture is the same and results may always vary.

“Curly hair tends to get dry faster and also more fragile,” says Goff.

Since curly hair is more prone to breakage, the dermatologist recommends washing it once a week or every two weeks. For people with finer textures, Goff recommends washing every 2 to 3 days, and waiting longer can risk scalp issues, such as dandruff.

However, Goff says to avoid washing your hair every day. Hair is made of keratin, which is considered durable, but it can still get dry and break. One of the top questions people ask is why their hair gets greasy so quickly. That answer, maybe due to genetics, is that oil production can occur anywhere on the body, especially in the upper body, such as the face and hair.

“People can be prone to acne because oil plants are being provoked to produce more oils,” Goff says.

Goff says rather than wash the oils away, use a dry shampoo that can absorb the oils and prevent buildup. One common misconception is that washing your hair can lead to hair loss and hair thinning, Goff says that’s not the case.

“Hairs that come out of the process of washing were hairs that were destined to fall out anyway,” she says.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should shed between 50 and 100 hairs. Other factors that cause hair loss can be related to stress or hormonal changes.

Goff offers helpful tips for properly washing your hair. Always apply shampoo to your roots, not your ends, since that’s where oil and buildup tend to accumulate. Always apply conditioner to the ends, then the top of your roots. For those who experience scalp irritation, it is recommended that you see a dermatologist, as this could be a sign of contact dermatitis or a condition like psoriasis.

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