Every day? Once a week? Never, like the “no poo” crowd? Advice on how often to wash your hair is all over the place.
The short answer: most people do best washing two, three, or four times a week. But your ideal schedule depends on your hair type, your scalp and how active you are. Here’s how to find yours.
WHAT DECIDES HOW OFTEN YOU SHOULD WASH
Your scalp’s oil. Everyone’s scalp makes natural oil, called sebum. Some people make more than others. The oilier your scalp, the more often you’ll want to wash.
Your hair texture. Oil travels down straight, fine hair quickly, so it looks greasy sooner. Curly and coily hair keeps oil near the scalp, so the lengths stay drier and need washing less often.
Your lifestyle. Sweat, humidity and styling products all build up on your scalp. If you work out often or live somewhere humid, you’ll likely need to wash more.
HOW OFTEN TO WASH YOUR HAIR, BY HAIR TYPE
| Hair type or lifestyle | How often to wash |
|---|---|
| Very fine or oily hair | Every 1 to 2 days |
| Frequent workouts or humid climate | Every 1 to 2 days, or rinse with water and condition in between |
| Normal or medium hair | 2 to 4 times a week |
| Color-treated hair | 2 to 4 times a week |
| Thick, wavy or dry hair | 1 to 2 times a week |
| Curly or coily hair | Once a week, or every 1 to 2 weeks |
SIGNS YOU’RE WASHING TOO OFTEN
- Your ends feel dry, rough or frizzy
- Your scalp feels tight or itchy right after washing
- Your color fades quickly
SIGNS YOU’RE NOT WASHING ENOUGH
- Your roots look greasy or flat
- Your scalp is itchy or flaky from buildup
- Your hair smells less than fresh
HOW TO STRETCH TIME BETWEEN WASHES
If you’d like to wash less often, a few habits make it easier:
- Use dry shampoo at the roots. Routine Wellness Volumizing Dry Shampoo absorbs oil and adds lift without water.
- Rinse and condition. After a workout, rinse with water and condition your ends with Routine Wellness Conditioner instead of shampooing.
- Hands off. Touching your hair spreads oil from your fingers to your roots.
- Wash your pillowcase weekly. It collects oil and product from your hair.
WHAT ABOUT THE “NO POO” METHOD?
Some people skip shampoo entirely and rinse with water or conditioner alone. It can work for very dry or curly hair. For most people, though, oil and product build up on the scalp without shampoo, which can lead to itching, flaking and flat-looking hair. A gentle, sulfate-free shampoo like Routine Wellness a few times a week is a better middle ground.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WASH MY HAIR? FAQS
Is it bad to wash your hair every day?
Not if your hair is very fine or oily, or you work out daily. For most people, though, daily washing dries out the ends. Use a gentle shampoo like Routine Wellness on your scalp only if you wash daily.
Will washing less often train my hair to be less oily?
There’s no strong evidence that you can “train” your scalp. But washing less often with a gentle shampoo can help your hair feel less stripped and dry.
How often should I wash hair if I work out every day?
Rinse with water after workouts and condition your ends, then shampoo every one to two days.
Does washing too often cause hair loss?
No. Normal shedding happens whether or not you wash, and you’ll often notice those hairs in the shower. Rough washing or harsh shampoos can make hair more likely to break, though.
FIND YOUR WASH RHYTHM
There’s no single right answer, but there is a right answer for you. Start at two to three times a week, then adjust based on how your scalp and ends feel. Whatever your schedule, a gentle shampoo and conditioner makes every wash count. Here’s how to wash your hair the right way.
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS DO
We surveyed 123 Routine Wellness customers about how often they wash their hair. Here is how they responded:
