Everyone washes their hair on a regular basis. However, with so many new items and trends, this common activity can become perplexing, if not frightening. Each asserts that they are “the best way” to care for your hair, and many people appear to agree. Some people swear by washing their hair every day, while others shiver at the prospect and avoid shampoo entirely. It’s time to consult the specialists to acquire an accurate answer.

Washing your hair daily. For many, nothing rivals the sensation of freshly cleaned hair. However, everyday washing may be causing more damage than good. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital, explains that shampooing your hair every day might deplete it of natural oils. These oils are crucial for maintaining a healthy scalp and hydrated hair.

“Over-washing can make the hair dry, brittle, and cause scalp irritation,” Dr. Zeichner cautions. The more you wash, the more you risk disrupting the balance of natural oils that your scalp need. While everyday washing may make you feel clean, it may cause long-term damage to your hair.

Wash your hair more frequently. It’s crucial to realize that hair care includes scalp care. In other words, you should consider your skin. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu explained on TikTok that you should “never go more than a few days” without washing your hair. This contradicts the notion that people should wash their hair less to ‘teach’ it not to get oily. In fact, the idea that the hair and scalp clean themselves is a fiction.

“We know that sebum, dead skin build-up, all of that basically contributes to Malassezia yeast overgrowth [a fungal skin condition], that can lead to dandruff, as well as inflammation,” she said. “Just even sebum itself sitting on our scalp causes oxidative stress, and that inflammation is not a healthy environment for your hair to grow.” Therefore, she advises people struggling with hair loss to “keep up with your scalp health to maximize hair growth”.

Wash your hair less frequently. Perry Romanowski, a cosmetic chemist who co-founded the website The Beauty Brains, explains that wet hair swells up and becomes more prone to damage. “The process of moving shampoo or conditioner around in your hair can damage the hair cuticle (the outer layer). When the hair dries, it doesn’t lay perfectly flat, so that makes hair look dull, makes it harder to comb, and increases the chances of getting split hair.” So it’s better to avoid cleansing your hair too much.

Plus, according to integrative dermatologist Elizabeth Hughes, some people are more vulnerable to this damage than others. “There are some people with really fragile hair that becomes easily damaged with the act of washing. Those people might want to wash their hair every other week,” says Hughes. “There is an enormous range of how often a person might need to wash their hair.”

It depends on the hair. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should wash your hair. The ideal frequency varies depending on your hair type, lifestyle, and scalp health. If your scalp is oily or you exercise often, washing every day or every other day may be necessary. However, people with drier scalps or curly hair may benefit from washing less often.

Kasey Bertucci, co-founder of Salon 120 West in Boston, suggests that those with oily scalps should wash their hair every two to three days, whereas people with curly or textured hair can wait five to seven days between washes. The American Academy of Dermatology even recommends washing just once a week or every other week for those with tightly curled or textured hair.

Why Your Scalp Matters More Than You Think. The health of your hair is closely linked to the health of your scalp. Ignoring your scalp—whether by washing too much or too little—can lead to problems like hair loss, dryness, and irritation. If you’re experiencing thinning hair, Dr. Liu emphasizes the importance of keeping your scalp clean to encourage growth. “Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp,” she states.

Pay attention to your scalp’s needs. If it’s itchy or flaky, that could indicate buildup that needs to be addressed. On the other hand, if your scalp feels dry or tight after washing, you may need to reduce how often you shampoo.