How often should I wash my hair?

Your lifestyle and hair type will impact how often you’re washing your hair.  In this article, we’ll go through the key factors to determine how often you should wash your hair, some myths we need to stop believing and end on some tips for optimal hair washing.

The key factors to consider when deciding your hair wash schedule are age, hair type and activity level.

Age

The oil glands on our scalp produce what is called sebum. Depending on your age, the oil glands produce more or less sebum, which is directly linked to your hormone levels. Younger people usually have more active oil glands as their hormone levels are higher. Women after menopause produce less sebum, the same applies to men. So, as you age, this might mean that you wash your hair less often during the week.

Scalp profile

Individuals with oily hair may need to shampoo more frequently to manage excess sebum production. Those with dry hair may find that less frequent shampooing is sufficient.

Activity level

If you’re getting sweaty multiple times a week, it’s advisable that you wash your hair often to avoid scalp buildup. Sweat does contribute to scalp buildup so keep a look out and see how your scalp is feeling.

All things considered, personally, I have curly hair, I work out 5 times a week. I find that washing my hair every 2 days works well for me.

Finding the Right Shampooing Schedule

The best way to determine your optimal shampooing frequency is to experiment and see what works best for your hair. Here are some general guidelines:

• Oily Hair: Aim to shampoo every 2-3 days.
• Normal Hair: Shampoo every 3-4 days.
• Dry Hair: Shampoo every 4-5 days or even less frequently.
• Curly Hair: Curly hair tends to be drier, so you may only need to shampoo once or twice a week.

Consider your lifestyle and what feels right for you. With this in mind...

Let’s debunk three common myths that can wrongly impact your hair washing decisions

MYTH 1: Washing your hair too often is bad for you

It isn’t. If you need to wash your hair every day, wash your hair every day. It is more important to ensure that you are using the right shampoo. If your scalp and hair is getting overly greasy and you need to wash it every day, do it.

MYTH 2: Shampoo is bad for you

No, it’s not. Bad shampoo is bad for your scalp. But that’s the same as a bad face cleanser, doesn’t mean face cleansers are bad, you’re just using the wrong one. If you need to wash your hair every day, try to find a gentle shampoo formulated for everyday use.

MYTH 3: You must use only sulfate-free shampoo

No. There is a place for sulfates in shampoo. I personally use a sulfate shampoo (usually labeled as a clarifying shampoo) once every few weeks as a reset for my hair. I feel like it just removes everything and gives me an extra deep clean. On the days that I use a clarifying shampoo, I follow up with a hydrating conditioner and leave-in. By the way, contrary to what we usually like to write about. There is no scientific evidence that clarifying shampoos should be used this way. My views on this are purely anecdotal. Again, do what works for you.

MYTH 4: Coily hair should not be washed often

Even coily hair benefits from washing at least once a week. Not only is it an opportunity to clean your scalp, it is also an opportunity to properly cleanse and moisturize your hair. The longer you leave your hair unwashed, the harder your was day will end up being.

And lastly let’s go through some golden rules of hair washing:

1. Shampoo is for your scalp, conditioner is for your hair

You must focus the use of shampoo on your scalp. This is where the sebum is collecting along with dust, sweat and product residue. You risk the chance of scalp buildup if you’re not thoroughly cleaning your scalp.

A good general rule is to shampoo your scalp and let the lather run through your hair during rinse off. Don’t apply shampoo to your hair directly. Conditioner, on the other hand, should not touch your roots its only for your hair.

2. Shampoo twice

Your first shampoo picks up the dirt, grease and general buildup. Your second shampoo ensures that your scalp is perfectly clean. You will notice that your second shampoo lathers more than the first which is also a good indicator that your scalp is clean. A bonus is using a shampoo brush, these really help to give your scalp a deep clean and a massage.

3. Use lukewarm water when washing your hair

Hot water is too harsh for your hair. We recommend lukewarm water which helps to loosen debris from your scalp and hair.

Check out this article for more hair washing tips.

Optimize your hair care routine with these treatment-based solutions   Shop Now

End Thoughts

Wash your hair as often as you feel it needs to be washed. Personally, I don’t recommend going beyond 1 week, but I do know that longer time between hair washes works for some. My view on this is purely based on our general lifestyles. Beyond a week I feel there is quite a bit of buildup on your scalp that can cause long-term damage. But if it’s working for you, meaning you have no scalp issues when you go beyond one week, then go ahead.

A key factor for healthy hair is a healthy scalp. And a healthy scalp is a clean scalp. We want to ensure that there are no clogged or blocked follicles, and your scalp can “breathe” so you can produce a healthy head of hair.

With that said, I hope this gives you enough guidance to create a schedule that works best for you.