JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A new trend in beauty is being dubbed as the "no-poo" method. Some celebrities have taken to the trend of ditching their regular shampoo routine to maintain more of their hair's natural oils. But, is less really more when it comes to shampooing your hair? Dermatologists say it's important to shampoo your scalp regularly.
"The scalp has different oils than the rest of the body. They tend to build up and allow for the overgrowth of bacteria and yeast," explained Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Dr. Melissa Piliang.
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Piliang says that when bacteria on the scalp overgrow, they can cause dandruff, itchy scalp, flaking scalp and even hair loss. So the question is: How long is too long?
Piliang recommends not stretching your shampoos beyond every two or three days, but says your routine can vary based on your hair type.
For African-American hair, Piliang says stretching out shampoos to once every week or two weeks is okay. The key is to make sure you are removing dead skin cells and excess oil to prevent dandruff.
Some new products on the market, like dry shampoo, are marketed to those who want to go longer in between traditional shampoos. Piliang says they are okay, but they are no substitute for the real thing.
"Those do absorb some of the oil, but they also sit on the scalp and allow the oil to stay there, and again the yeast and the bacteria to overgrow, so use those sparingly," Piliang explained.
She says that when you're using shampoo, it's best to focus your efforts on the skin of your scalp and the roots of your hair, and then use a conditioner on the actual hair fibers.