If you take a single hair in between your fingers and you don’t feel anything, then you have fine hair. If you can feel the hair, then it’s medium. If you feel a strong, thick strand, then you are coarse. “Don’t confuse the density of hair with diameter,” Papanikolas emphasizes.

It doesn’t mean that your hair is rough textured or hard to manage. When you take a strand of coarse hair and roll it between your fingers, you can feel its thickness. It typically feels and looks wider than a piece of sewing thread. With fine hair, the strand is much thinner and harder to feel between your fingers.

12 Remedies for Softer Hair

1. Know your hair type. Understanding your hair type is important before trying any home remedies.
2. Coconut oil. Coconut oil is becoming increasingly prevalent in beauty products.
3. Olive oil.
4. Argan oil.
5. Use a weekly hair mask.
6. Bentonite clay.
7. Don’t wash with hot water.
8. Wash strategically.

“Unfortunately, people who have reduced the frequency of washing often layer dry shampoo and over-use dry shampoo, which can cause clogging of the hair follicle,” Blaisure tells us. For medium to coarse hair, she recommends shampooing every 3 to 7 days, though it will largely depend on the individual.

Prolonged periods of not washing can cause cause buildup on the scalp, damaging hair and even impeding its ability to grow, Lamb said. Grime from dirt, oil and hair product can show up within four to six days for people with finer, straighter hair.

14 Shampoos and Conditioners That Hydrate Dry Hair

• Best Overall: Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo.
• Best for Damaged Hair: Olaplex No.
• Best for Split Ends: Amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Shampoo.
• Best for Frizz: Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo.
• Best for Fine Hair: Kérastase Paris Bain Volumifique.

When it comes to your scalp health, dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD, said there is no “golden rule” for the amount of times you should wash your hair a week. “If a person is oily, it’s fine to wash it every day. If they are dry, it’s fine to wash it once a week, but once a week at least for hygienic purposes.

Yes, washing your hair is damaging. Even just getting hair wet can lead to more breakage! When hair becomes wet, the shaft swells, resulting in hair that is more elastic and easier to break.

For some naturals, it is sufficient to shampoo, condition and apply a leave in once a week. For other naturals, it is a routine involving misting hair once or twice a day and using an oil or butter to help maintain the moisture for longer. For others it is a rotation between shampooing and conditioner washing.

Wash your hair a lot, or don’t — it’s your call. But there is zero scientific evidence to cement that washing it less makes it grow faster (sob). However, excessive shampooing (beyond what your hair type needs) can cause dehydration and lead to breakage, so overzealous shampooers should err on the side of caution.

In short: yes. Scalp buildup can cause hair loss if left untreated and the dead skin, oil, and sweat clog your hair follicles.

The “waxy” sebum is what people often refer to as “scalp gunk”. It forms as a white, dandruff-like coating of the scalp. Most people seem to discover this when they unconsciously scratch their scalp and find a white, waxy layer under their nails. A gland that release sebum is called a sebaceous gland.

Dull Looking Hair It’s very easy to see when your hair is suffering from build-up because usually, you will notice that your hair looks very dull in appearance. Usually, at this point no matter if you add water, leave-in conditioner or anything else your hair just won’t be able to receive it.

Easy Ways to Remove Hair Product Buildup

1. Use a clarifying shampoo. Regular shampoos are formulated to remove dirt and excess oil from your hair, but clarifying or anti-residue shampoos are specifically formulated to remove buildup.
2. Try micellar water.
3. Apple cider vinegar hair rinse.
4. Baking soda is good for more than just baking.

How to exfoliate your scalp:

1. Take a teasing brush and lightly (this is key as too much pressure can cause more issues than it solves) buff away at the scalp.
2. After cleansing your hair of any product, gently massage the scrub into your scalp and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.

Apple cider vinegar removes clumpy residue and gunk in hair from product buildup. It also works as a natural detangler. When used regularly in your natural hair care routine, apple cider vinegar can revitalize your hair, leaving it soft and smooth.

20 Ways to Get Rid of Product Buildup

1. Use a Clarifying Shampoo.
2. Condition Sparingly.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse.
4. Baking Soda.
5. Dish Soap.
6. Lemon Juice.
7. Micellar Water.