For years, many beauty enthusiasts have been told to wash their hair as little as possible to preserve natural oils and avoid dryness. But according to hair restoration surgeon Dr. Ross Kopelman, washing your hair more frequently may actually benefit your scalp—especially if you’re concerned about thinning hair or hair loss.
In a recent video, Dr. Kopelman challenged the popular belief that shampooing once a week is ideal.
“When it comes to shampooing, there’s a very controversial thing: How often are you supposed to wash your hair?” he says. “Some people say once a week, but I say daily.”
Here’s why he believes frequent shampooing deserves a spot in your haircare routine.
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It Helps Remove Sebum Buildup
According to Dr. Kopelman, one of the biggest reasons to wash your hair regularly is to remove excess sebum, the natural oil your scalp produces.
Sebum itself isn't harmful—it helps moisturize and protect your hair and scalp. However, allowing too much of it to accumulate around the hair follicles may create an environment that isn't ideal for healthy hair growth.
"You get a buildup of sebum around the hair follicle," he explains. Keeping the scalp clean can help reduce this buildup and promote a healthier environment for your hair.
It May Help Limit DHT Exposure
Dr. Kopelman also points to the role of hormones in hair loss. He explains that testosterone found in sebum can be converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone strongly associated with androgenetic alopecia, also known as male and female pattern hair loss.
"In the sebum, there's testosterone. The testosterone converts to DHT, and DHT causes miniaturization of hair," he says. Hair follicle miniaturization is the gradual shrinking of hair follicles over time, causing strands to become finer, shorter, and eventually stop growing altogether.
While shampooing won't stop genetic hair loss on its own, Dr. Kopelman believes washing away excess sebum may help reduce prolonged exposure around the follicles.
Daily Washing Isn't Always Necessary—But More Often Can Help
Although Dr. Kopelman recommends daily shampooing when possible, he acknowledges that it isn't realistic for everyone.
"If you can't wash every single day, wash every other day—if not, once every three days," he advises. Those with textured hair, protective styles, color-treated hair, or hairstyles that don't allow for frequent washing may need to find a routine that balances scalp health with maintaining their hairstyle.
His advice is simple: increase your washing frequency when you can. "If you have a hairstyle that does not allow you to wash your hair every single day, well, just try to wash a little more frequently," he says.
Choose the Right Shampoo
If you decide to shampoo more often, it's important to use products suited to your hair type. Look for gentle, sulfate-free shampoos if your scalp tends to be dry or sensitive, and avoid overly harsh formulas that may strip away too much moisture.
Pairing shampoo with a nourishing conditioner can help keep hair soft while maintaining a clean, healthy scalp.
The Bottom Line
Despite the long-standing trend of stretching wash days, Dr. Kopelman says shampooing more frequently may actually support scalp health and help reduce factors associated with hair loss.
"I promise you it will help," he says. "It absolutely will help prevent further hair loss."
While washing your hair isn't a cure for thinning, maintaining a clean scalp may be one simple habit worth adding to your haircare routine—especially if preserving healthy hair is one of your goals.
