Can You Actually “Train” Your Hair To Go Longer Between Washes? Here's What The Science Says
While some of us need to scrub our scalp daily, others swear by letting it go for days, or even weeks, without touching a drop of shampoo. So, is there any truth to the idea that you can train your hair to go longer between washes? Or are we just getting used to a little extra oil?
Greasy hair is the biggest enemy of a perfectly polished look, which is why we've all found different ways to deal with it. From washing our hair twice a day to using generous amounts of dry shampoo to hiding the grease with hats and headbands to using our natural oil to style our hair in slicked back buns, we've tried it all.
But have you ever heard of "training" your hair to go longer between washes? Be it from an influencer on TikTok or someone we know in real life who swears they only wash their hair once a week, this idea relies on the belief that our hair can get used to producing less oil the more infrequently it is washed and hence stay cleaner for longer.
Now, while the truth is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no, below, we will explain how our body's oil production affects our hair and whether "training" our hair to last longer between washes is actually a practice supported by science.
Why Does Hair Get Greasy?
The short answer: oil production. But let’s break it down a little more. The scalp naturally produces a type of oil called sebum, a substance that serves as your hair's natural moisturizer and protection against dryness.
But while sebum is crucial for scalp and hair health, too much of a good thing can be problematic, especially when the goal is not to look like a greasy mess. And that’s why we shampoo. When we wash our hair, the soap or surfactants in the shampoo bond to the oils and dirt, helping to dissolve and rinse them away.