Being a human can be pretty difficult at the best of times, and it doesn't help that our existence is complicated by such trivial matters - like lining up our hair-washing schedule with our social calendar.
It's an age-old questions that continues to plague many of us to this day; exactly how often should we be lathering up our locks, and how can we maintain that squeaky-clean feeling? Go too long between shampoos and you could fry an egg with the oils on your head, but wash too often and you risk a dry and dull 'do. How can we win?
Unfortunately, the answer isn't exactly straightforward. Speaking to CNN, Dr Anthony Rossi - a fellow at the American Academy of Dermatology Association - attempted to shed some light on the art of shampooing, but noted there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Basically, how frequently you should be scrubbing your scalp will depend on several factors such as your hair type, activity levels and how much oil your head tends to produce - but as a general guideline, Rossi recommends washing your hair once or twice per week.
However, if you've undergone chemical treatments that can make the hair drier and more brittle - such as bleaching, perming or relaxing - you may want to wash it even less to avoid breakage and further damage, he noted.
If your scalp tends to be very oily, it will largely come down to personal preference - and how long you feel comfortable embracing that slicked-back bun. Some people may wash their hair once a day, but they should consider experimenting with their schedule to see just how long they can go between lathers, he continued.
"If they give themselves a chance, they may see they don't actually have that greasy scalp or hair. And on the other hand, they may not be able to tolerate going too long or too infrequently because they feel that their scalp becomes very greasy," he said, as per CNN.
To make matters even more hairy, your age also plays a role in how often you should be bathing your barnet.
"During puberty we have this surge in hormones and so the oil glands can become enlarged. It's a reason why people get teenage acne," Rossi said.
As a result, adolescents and young people may want to wash their hair more frequently to keep the oils at bay.
On the flipside, our scalps produce less oil as we age, leading to dullness and dryness, which can make the strands more prone to breakage. Because the scalp is dryer, older people may be able to go longer between washes and may want to skip that extra shampoo to prevent any additional damage.
Washing your hair too often with this hair type can also be counterproductive, exacerbating the dryness by stripping the hair of its natural oils. People with thicker, curly hair also shouldn't need to wash their hair daily, or even weekly.
When it comes to maintaining its cleanliness and appearance between washes, Rossi told CNN there are several habits we can adopt to keep up our hair hygiene.
"Just like beard hygiene, you want to take care of the skin that's underneath," Rossi said. "Tend to it and comb - that loosens up the dead skin cells. Massaging your scalp skin will really help to also loosen up debris. So you don't necessarily have to wash it with a shampoo itself, but keeping it clean is very helpful.
"You can also use things like leave-in conditioner or scalp oils that help nourish and moisturise the scalp."
And if you're a fitness fanatic who feels like their scalp is always sweaty, Rossi advised resisting the urge to shampoo after every workout, but suggested rinsing the hair with water - or using a dry shampoo occasionally to freshen up.
"If you're super oily, [dry shampoo] is good in a pinch. But you want to wash that out. You don't want to build up that on the scalp as well," he said.
And it goes without saying, but if you're experiencing perpetual issues such as dandruff or hair loss, don't suffer in silence; consider booking an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist who specialises in the area.
To help you get started on your journey to luscious locks, here are some of Newshub Lifestyle's favourite haircare products:
- Briogeo Superfoods Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture 3-in-1 Leave-In Spray, $43, available at Mecca
- Lush Wasabi Shan Kui Shampoo, from $19.90
- Lush American Cream Conditioner, from $15.90
- Ethique The Guardian Nourishing Solid Conditioner Bar, $25
- Mae Shampoo & Scalp Brush, $16, available at Farmers
- ghd Bodyguard Heat Protectant Spray, from $41
- Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil, $61, available at Mecca
- Garnier Fructis Hair Food, $14.50, available at The Warehouse
- Lush Roots Scalp Treatment, $29.90.
