People with oily hair or who use hair care products daily should consider washing their hair once every 1–2 days. People with dry hair can wash their hair less frequently. Those with textured or coily hair should only wash it once every 1–2 weeks.
“If you have oily scalp, then daily washing is needed,” she explains. “Sometimes, people think they have dry scalp because they have dandruff, but in those situations, more frequent washing is also helpful.”
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, people with really oily hair may need to shampoo up to once a day. Just don't go ham—over-washing can deprive your scalp of its natural oils, causing a rebound effect that can produce more oil.
Prolonged periods of not washing can cause cause buildup on the scalp, damaging hair and even impeding its ability to grow, Lamb said. Grime from dirt, oil and hair product can show up within four to six days for people with finer, straighter hair.
Is Oily Hair Healthy? Oily hair isn't healthy or unhealthy by default. People with an oily scalp can have healthy hair or dry, brittle hair. Your hair needs oil to be healthy, but too much oil can lead to buildup on the hair and scalp.
Hair growth flourishes from a clean, healthy scalp. The bottom line is that dirty hair doesn't grow any faster than clean hair, so you may as well have a clean scalp and fresh tresses. Your strands will look better, feel better, and be healthier, too.
Those with fine or thin hair, however, may find their hair looks greasy after just one day. It's all to do with the amount of oil your scalp produces, as well as how well your hair can carry that oil.
Yes, the oily scalp can definitely lead to hair loss in a lot of cases. This is because oiliness attracts a lot of dirt, sweat, impurities and dandruff, all of which end up settling on your scalp and clogging your pores over time.
Every pore on your skin has a sebaceous gland, including your scalp. The sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance called sebum, which gives your hair its natural shine. Sebum keeps your hair healthy and smooth, and it keeps the hair from becoming dry and breaking.
Oily hair is frequently caused by overwashing your hair, environmental factors, and using certain hair care products. It can also result from post-strenuous exercise, excess heat, and humidity.
Oily hair can cause limp locks, itching and dandruff. It is also prone to infections and hair loss, since the hair follicles responsible for hair growth can get clogged with sebum and buildup at the root.
"You can train your scalp to be less greasy in the course of three to four days, however, it will take some time for your body to fully adjust," Potempa says. "Take some time to do research about the type of hair you have and establish a new routine that gives your body enough time to adjust to the change."
Dirty pillowcases, washing too little or too often, and agitation as you sleep can all contribute to over production. That said, there is nothing unhealthy about having greasy hair it is more a personal preference but for most it can be a tad discomforting when our hair becomes too greasy.
How is oily hair different from having an oily scalp? Basically, oily hair is a result of an oily scalp. This happens when the scalp is ordered to produce more oil. This could be due to the dryness taking over the hair from using harsh hair care products or a weak scalp barrier.
Why Greasy Hair Looks Thin. According to hair expert Jean Will of NiaWigs, an oily scalp makes your hair look thinner because a buildup of excess oil at the base of your hair follicles causes strands to clump together. “Greasy hair looks thin because of its oily look,” she said.
You want to reap the benefits of your hair oil, without having to deal with dirt trapped inside your pores. Oiling your hair 1-2 times a week is enough. Doing it everyday can attract dirt and also strip away essential oils from your hair.
Oily and fine or thin hair types should wash every one to two days. This schedule allows for removing buildup and the natural oils to stimulate hair health and growth. Wavy or curly hair and dry or damaged hair types should wash in the range of once every four to seven days.
"The average individual can typically go 2 to 3 days without shampooing their hair. However, if your hair is visibly oily, you may not want to wait that long," she says. "Usually, you can go longer without washing your hair when your hair is styled up, but no one should ever go more than 14 days."
Hair Washing Frequency and Tips
“I recommend washing your hair two to three times a week,” Dr. Icecreamwala says. “If your hair is dry, you may only want to wash it twice a week. If it is on the oilier side, every other day is recommended.”
Most hair experts suggest if you follow a very carefully regimented program to train your hair to get less greasy when washing it less often, you should see significant improvements at the end of two months. Some people see results as quickly as 4 weeks while others may not see results for up to 12 weeks.
The Benefits of Double Shampooing
“Shampooing your hair twice is beneficial because it allows for proper cleansing, giving you longer periods of time with a clean scalp and keeping away the oily hair problem,” he says.