Washing your hair is one of the basics of everyday hygiene. After all, you don’t want to walk around in public or at work with greasy hair, don’t you? However, some people can go overboard and use too much product, damaging their hair and even scalp in the process.
This relationship between keeping your hair clean and trying not to damage it with product raises a popular question: what is the right amount of shampoo to use?
Benefits of Washing Your Hair
Other than making you look better and your hair more lush, shampoo plays an important role in hair health and hygiene. We’ve all heard about dandruff – a skin condition that presents itself with white flakes in the hair and on the scalp. Although not a serious medical condition, dandruff can be hard to get rid of and looks unhygienic.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a similar disease that affects the scalp, but can also affect the face, chest, nose, and the groin area. This condition is caused by the overgrowth of a fungus called Malassezia, which can be prevented by washing your hair more often.
Effects of Too Much Shampooing
However, using too much shampoo or washing your hair too often has its own downsides. Shampoo tends to capture oils from our hair – oils that act as a protective barrier for our scalp and hair. Removing these oils by shampooing too often can lead to damaged hair, especially if your hair is naturally dry.
Conclusion
So, what is the right amount of shampoo to use? It depends on your hair type and size. For shorter or fine hair, you can use as little as a teaspoon of shampoo, while longer, thicker hair may require as much as a walnut-sized amount.
