
Human hair naturally produces oil, known as sebum, and shampoos function as emulsifiers to remove excess oil, dirt, and product buildup. While you’ve likely heard the advice that shampooing less is beneficial for your hair, there isn’t conclusive evidence to determine the ideal frequency for shampooing. However, it’s generally agreed that you may not need to shampoo your hair as frequently as you might think.
What will happen to your hair when you ditch shampoo
Skipping shampooing for a few days is perfectly fine if your hair is normal in terms of oiliness and weight. Over-shampooing can strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and lackluster locks. Your hair needs some oil to maintain moisture and provide a protective barrier for both the scalp and strands.
However, if you have an oily scalp, daily washing may be necessary. Sometimes, people mistake dandruff for a dry scalp, leading them to shampoo more frequently to address the flakes.
Why avoid daily shampooing? Shampoo removes oils, and excessive washing can dry out your hair, making it more prone to breakage. Only a small subset of individuals, like those with very fine hair, frequent exercisers, or those living in humid climates, truly need to shampoo daily.
You can absolutely go longer between washes — once a week may suffice, supplemented with brushing and talcum powder. Cutting back on shampooing, coupled with minimizing hair-damaging activities and reducing heat styling, can improve hair quality.
Brushing your hair nightly with a boar bristle brush helps redistribute natural oils, maintaining hair health.
Moreover, there’s reason to reconsider frequent shampooing due to potentially harmful ingredients. Some shampoo components, like diethyl phthalate (DEP) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), linked to carcinogenic and skin-irritating effects, respectively, may pose health risks.