How Often Should You Wash Oily Hair

If you have oily hair, you’ve probably wondered about how often you should be washing it. Chances are, you’ve received conflicting advice on what’s better.

 

 

Some individuals will tell you not to wash it as often while others will say you have to wash it every day. So, whose right and who’s wrong? Before we address this question, let’s dive a little deeper into how oily hair comes about.

 

 

How does your hair get oily?

 

If your face tends to get greasy easily, that may be the same reason why your hair gets oily as well. The substance that makes your hair oily is called sebum, and glands produce it in the skin.

 

 

Generally, sebum helps to moisten the hair and prevent it from drying out. Each of us produces a different amount of sebum, and these amounts could be affected by a number of factors from genetics to hormones.

 

While going through puberty, you could experience additional oiliness as extra sebum is produced during puberty due to a spike in hormones.

 

So, how often should you wash oily hair?

 

It’s honestly hard to say how often someone should be washing their hair as does depend on a variety of factors. Experts seem to agree, however, that nobody should be washing their hair every single day.

 

In fact, studies have shown that washing your hair every day could do more harm than good as you’re drying out your scalp which in turn produces more oil.

 

So how do you determine how often you should be washing your hair?

 

Skin Type

If you’re one of those individuals blessed with hair and skin that aren’t overly oily or dry, you only need to wash your hair once or twice a week. However, if you have hair that’s oilier than average, you would need to wash your hair more often.

 

Even so, it’s not recommended to wash your hair every single day.

 

Hair Texture

 

Interestingly, hair texture affects how quickly sebum works up the length of your hair. If you have coarse or curly hair, it slows down the spread of sebum. Hence, you would only need to shampoo once a week.

 

However, if you have hair that’s fine and straight, it’d be best if you shampooed twice a week or more.

 

While the thought of not shampooing every day can sound horrifying, your hair will adjust to less frequent shampooing. To ease into things, you can start out by washing your hair only four times a week.

 

Once you’ve gotten used to that, slowly decrease to three times a week. You’ll notice a significant difference in your hair as you’re no longer stripping the natural oil from your scalp.

 

If not being able to shampoo still concerns you, consider trying a dry shampoo such as Aveda Shampure Dry Shampoo to have soft, manageable hair and a balanced scalp.

 

 

Dry shampoo absorbs excess sebum and dirt, making it an ideal quick fix. While dry shampoo cannot replace a regular shampoo wash, it can lengthen the period of time between washes.

 

If you’re worried about the chemicals in a dry shampoo, you can also find organic dry shampoos that are exclusively made with natural ingredients.

 

Styling

 

If you happen to have hair that’s colored or treated with chemicals, you should wash your hair less frequently. As you’re putting your hair through styling and treating, it has already gone through a lot.

 

Putting it through constant washes will strip your hair of its natural oils and cause more damage than good.

 

Products for oily hair

 

Below are some products that are suitable for individuals with greasy hair. After all, you want to make sure that you’re using the right products. The wrong hair products could end up producing more oil – which is something that you don’t want.

 

Shampoo

 

For oily hair, you should be getting a shampoo that’s effective and clarifying. You want to avoid sulphates as they strip your hair from its natural oils and encourages excessive oil production.

 

If you have hair that’s thick and oily, try the Renewable Difference Detox Shampoo. This shampoo gently cleanses your scalp and leaves it feeling nice and clean.

 

 

While you might be inclined to grab an anti-dandruff shampoo, you should look for a shampoo that has ingredients like tea tree oil instead.

 

Tea tree oil helps to stimulate circulation in the scalp, fortifies follicles, fights hair loss and helps to remove excess build-up. Try this Tea Tree Shampoo from Essential Oil Labs that’s both sulfate and paraben-free.

 

 

 

Dry Shampoo Blotting Sheets

 

Blotting sheets? You may be wondering why you’d need something like that, but these Nunzio Saviano Dry Shampoo Blotting Sheets could actually be a lifesaver. Use these uniquely designed blotting sheets to help you get through the period of not washing your hair.

 

All you have to do, is simply blot your hair and scalp to refresh your hairstyle while absorbing any excess sebum. It’s a lot easier to handle than dry shampoo, and you won’t have to worry about white streaks in your hair.

 

Conclusion

At the end of the day, there’s nothing wrong with having oily hair. We all have different hair textures and hair types. What’s important is that we take care of our hair properly and give it the nourishment that it needs.

 

As everyone is different, try experimenting with your hair to see what works best for you. You can try reducing the amount of times you wash your hair a week or use certain hair products to minimize oil production.