How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?
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If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re washing your hair enough, or too often, you’re not alone. "How often should I wash my hair?" is the most common hair-care questions we hear.
The short answer: there isn’t one perfect schedule for everyone.
Your scalp produces sebum, an oil that helps protect your scalp and hair. How much you produce varies from person to person and can be influenced by things like genetics, hormones, age, hair texture, and your scalp health.
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So instead of counting the days between shampoos, start by paying attention to what your scalp and hair are telling you.
Start with your scalp
If your scalp is oily, greasy, sweaty, itchy, or uncomfortable, it may need to be washed more frequently. If your scalp feels comfortable but your ends are dry, brittle, or difficult to manage, you may be washing more often than your hair needs. |
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Dermatologists generally recommend washing based on how quickly your hair becomes oily or dirty. Someone with fine, straight hair and an oily scalp may need to shampoo every day or every other day, while someone with thick, curly, or very dry hair may go much longer between washes.
Your hair texture matters.
Very fine or very straight hair: Oil travels down the hair more easily, so you may need to shampoo every day or every couple of days.
Thick, coarse, or curly hair: Sebum has a harder time traveling down the hair shaft, so you may be comfortable going several days or longer between washes.
Color-treated or chemically processed hair: Your hair may benefit from less frequent washing and more attention to conditioning and moisture.
Very fine or very straight hair: Oil travels down the hair more easily, so you may need to shampoo every day or every couple of days.
Thick, coarse, or curly hair: Sebum has a harder time traveling down the hair shaft, so you may be comfortable going several days or longer between washes.
Color-treated or chemically processed hair: Your hair may benefit from less frequent washing and more attention to conditioning and moisture.
There’s no prize for going the longest between shampoos. If your scalp is oily or uncomfortable, wash it.
What about exercise?
You don’t necessarily need to shampoo every time you work out. If you sweat heavily and your scalp feels sweaty, oily, or irritated, though, it may be time for a wash. An active lifestyle can change what works for your particular hair and scalp.
You don’t necessarily need to shampoo every time you work out. If you sweat heavily and your scalp feels sweaty, oily, or irritated, though, it may be time for a wash. An active lifestyle can change what works for your particular hair and scalp.
A better way to think about shampoo.
Shampoo is primarily for your scalp.
Apply it where the oil, sweat, dead skin, and product buildup are accumulating rather than scrubbing shampoo through the entire length of your hair. The suds that rinse through your lengths are usually enough to clean them, while conditioner can help protect and soften the ends.
Shampoo is primarily for your scalp.
Apply it where the oil, sweat, dead skin, and product buildup are accumulating rather than scrubbing shampoo through the entire length of your hair. The suds that rinse through your lengths are usually enough to clean them, while conditioner can help protect and soften the ends.
So, how often should you wash?
A good starting point is:
Oily scalp or fine hair: Every day to every other day
Healthy scalp and medium-textured hair: Every 2–4 days
Dry, thick, curly, or coarse hair: Once a week or as needed
Itchy, flaky, or irritated scalp: You may need to wash more frequently or use a targeted scalp treatment
A good starting point is:
Oily scalp or fine hair: Every day to every other day
Healthy scalp and medium-textured hair: Every 2–4 days
Dry, thick, curly, or coarse hair: Once a week or as needed
Itchy, flaky, or irritated scalp: You may need to wash more frequently or use a targeted scalp treatment
The right routine is the one that keeps your scalp clean and comfortable while leaving your hair manageable and healthy-looking.
If you’re constantly fighting oil, dryness, flakes, or buildup, your washing schedule may be part of the problem. It may also be worth looking at your shampoo, conditioner, styling products, and scalp health as a whole.
Pro tip: Try dry shampoo in between washes to give your hair a cleaner, fresher appearance. To learn more about dry shampoo check out How Does Dry Shampoo Work?
