Fact or Fiction: The Daily Shampoo

I have oily hair. For as long as I can remember, washing my hair has been a part of my daily routine, just so I can avoid looking like a giant ball of grease. Over the years I’ve been chastised by well-meaning friends who swear that washing your hair every day is one of the worst things you can do for your locks. I’ve never experienced any adverse effects from my daily shampoo, but could it be that there’s some truth behind what I was sure was a myth?

As we oily-haired individuals know all too well, it’s the scalp—the part containing living hair follicles and skin cells that do require cleansing—and not the hair itself (which is entirely dead) that makes our hair look greasy and limp. Unfortunately, too much washing may not be the answer. Every hair follicle on your body is connected to a sebaceous gland, which secretes natural oils called sebum that moisturize and waterproof your hair and skin. Sources that discourage shampooing every day claim that frequent washing strips your hair of sebum, leaving it exposed to the elements. To compensate for the constant depletion of sebum, the sebaceous glands can actually produce excess oil, making the problem of oily hair even worse. This is why conditioning is so important to maintaining healthy hair: it restores the moisture that gets washed away by harsh shampoos.

So where does this leave us on the great shampoo debate? It really depends on your hair type. Dry, thick or coarse hair does not need to be washed every day, and in fact may end up being more damaged by lathering up too frequently if it’s not properly moisturized. Washing thin, oily hair daily isn’t necessarily unsafe, as long as you use a gentle formula and focus primarily on the scalp and roots.

Think less lathering might be worth a try for you? On days you don’t shampoo, use talcum powder or a dry shampoo to absorb the extra oil. Make sure you continue conditioning the ends of your hair to prevent it from drying out. Don’t go for too long without washing, though: dead hairs can accumulate in the scalp and stunt growth (not to mention give your hair a matted appearance), and an accumulation of natural oils can cause major breakouts on your face and hairline.

The Verdict: Fiction — sort of. It depends on your hair type and the type of shampoo you use.

Do you think a daily shampoo is bad for your hair?

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