How Often Should You Wash Your Hair? Tips From an Expert Hair Stylist

I'm Briana, a celebrity hairstylist who’s been in the industry for nearly three decades, and I’ve seen ALL kinds of hair. One thing my clients always ask me is, "how often should I wash my hair?" I'll tell you what I always tell them: you NEVER want to wash your hair every day, no matter what hair type you have. Over-washing can lead to all kinds of problems. I'm talking irritation, itchy scalps, and dandruff.

But if you have greasy or oily hair, this can take you from confident to concerned. No one, and I mean NO ONE, wants to go out with slick, stringy hair. Some of my clients have even skipped their gym sessions because they've felt too self-conscious about it.

So if you're wondering exactly how often you need a hair washing routine to keep away the grease, read on.

So, How Often Are You Supposed to Wash Your Hair?

There is SO much different information floating around about this, so how do you decide what is right for you? Some people SWEAR by washing their hair every single day, and others have decided to stop washing their hair with shampoo entirely (I'm looking at you, No-Poo). Who knew that washing your hair could be such a controversial topic?

But the truth is, most people don't actually need to wash their hair every day.

You only need to shampoo your hair 1-2 times a week.

Let's get into the science of it. Your scalp makes natural oils that are specially designed to condition your hair, and if you wash your hair too much, you're actually getting rid of all those oils. This can have two effects:

• It can make your hair dry and brittle - NOT a vibe.
• Your scalp will panic and start overproducing oils to compensate. Say hello to stringy, greasy hair.

Not to mention, if you shampoo too much, this can also mess with your scalp’s microbiome, giving you all sorts of issues like an itchy scalp, irritation, and dandruff. Trust me - these are issues you DON'T want.

That said, there are exceptions to every rule. Let's get into how often you should wash your hair based on different hair textures.

Washing Hair Based on Type & Common Mistakes

Fine Hair

If you have fine or thin hair, then you may be guilty of once-a-day washing. Fine hair gets oily a lot quicker than textured hair, and when the grease gathers, I get it, you want a quick fix. But washing your hair every day can actually make it worse! It can lead to a super oily scalp or, on the opposite end, persistent dryness that makes your locks look limp and lifeless, zapping away your confidence. Plus, it dries out your hair significantly, so who wants greasy hair and fried ends? I’m guessing not you! 

For finer hair, I recommend washing your hair twice a week. One of the biggest mistakes I see is people with fine hair reaching for moisturizing shampoos. If you have virgin hair, this can be really problematic. Think about your hair “zones.” The zone next to your root is likely not damaged or in need of moisture because you have your natural oils, and since the purpose of shampoo is to clean your scalp, then let it do just that! Reach for a lightly clarifying or shampoo for “normal hair” and let your CONDITIONING do the work and moisturize the ends. This also goes for pretty much every fine hair type unless you have a bleach and tone. You know who you are! 

To refresh between washes, use Skip Day: a non-aerosol dry shampoo alternative. It'll give you a beautiful weightless feel, without the buildup that dry shampoo leaves, and that SUPER HIGH volume you finer-haired girlies have been craving. You can use it multiple days in a row to keep that shampoo going while feeling fresh and confident. The good news is that it’s a wet spray, so you can use it right after the gym on sweaty hair or on dry hair that just looks greasy. 

FOR FINE, OILY OR BLONDE HAIR

SKIP DAY

🌟 Oil Absorbing Dry Shampoo 🌟

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Thick Hair

Do you have thick hair? It doesn’t matter if it's straight or wavy: the same rule applies. You likely only need to wash your hair 1-2 times a week for soft, hydrated locks. And remember, let the CONDITIONER do the conditioning, not the shampoo. 

Dry, Textured Hair

Whether you've got some serious waves or curls going on, I recommend washing your hair once a week. This is because your hair takes longer to get greasy; natural oils take their sweet time to slip down your hair strands.

In fact, if you have this type of hair, washing it less often can help keep it more hydrated, making it ultra-healthy, as well as doing wonders for your scalp. And IMO it looks cooler as you go on through the week! Stay tuned for some hot tips on how to refresh those curls in between shampoos! 

Expert Advice on How Often to Wash 4C Hair

4C hair is HUGELY curly and, because of that, it can get pretty dry quickly. So if you have this type of curly hair (or even 3C hair), I recommend leaving at LEAST 5 DAYS between washes. You need to give your natural oils time to soak into your strands and nourish your hair. If you wash your hair too much, your curls will completely dry out, meaning you'll become a victim of extra frizz and that B word none of us wants to hear: breakage.

Even though some of you have ultra-textured hair, you still find it to get greasy at the roots, especially if you are a workout girlie! So, if you want to keep your confidence and refresh your hair between washes, use a no-rinse shampoo or an alternative to dry shampoo for coily hair, like my Sweaty Hair Refresher. This product is a lightweight foam that is designed with curly hair in mind, and here’s the best part: it has deodorizing enzymes to neutralize odors, so you can refresh and restyle your hair without needing a full wash. Say goodbye to hiding away on no-wash days and hello to feeling like you again.

FOR CURLY, TEXTURED OR WAVY HAIR

SWEATY HAIR REFRESHER

🌟 Deodorizing Sweat 🌟 Soothing Scalp 🌟

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The Truth About How Often to Wash Hair For Growth

Want healthy hair growth? Don't we all.

But if you want the ugly truth, shampooing TOO much can actually hinder hair growth because it strips your hair of its natural oils. This means you're no longer feeding it the essential moisture it needs. Like I mentioned earlier, over-washing your hair can also give you a range of scalp issues, like dryness and irritation, which can lead to inflammation, and that affects hair growth. Think: an angry scalp is not a healthy environment for growth. 

If you want lusciously long hair, aim to wash your hair 1-2 times a week.

A quick note - If you've noticed hair loss, whether that's hair thinning at the scalp or extreme shedding, and you know you're not over-washing or under-washing, there are a host of things that could be causing this. Hormonal hair loss, post-anesthesia hair loss, stress-related hair loss, and thyroid-related hair loss – just to name a few. If you notice more shedding than usual, talk to your doctor and ask for some testing. 

Washing Your Hair After a Workout: Do I Need to Do It Every Day?

One common question that my clients are always asking me is whether they need to wash their hair every time they work out. The answer to that is absolutely NOT. There are so many ways you can refresh your hair (and your confidence) without resorting to daily washing. Here's how to get rid of greasy hair:

• Use a Dry Shampoo Alternative: Should you use a dry shampoo between washes? Sure, if you want clogged pores and that disgustingly dry, cakey, brittle feeling. If you DON'T want that, go for a dry shampoo alternative, like Skip Day. Or if you need to refresh your curls, pick up the Sweaty Hair Refresher. These types of products will absorb excess oil and sweat without washing your hair. In fact, my products are designed SPECIFICALLY for you to use on hair that's wet from sweat.
• Try a No-Rinse Shampoo: Scalp care is still important, even if you're not washing your hair. Cleanse your scalp with a no-rinse shampoo, like my Sweaty Hair Refresher. It's in the name: this product will refresh sweaty hair when you're on the go and need to feel like a 10/10. Just remember to start out with a little directly on the scalp and add more depending on the thickness of your hair! 
• Co-Washing: Known as conditioner washing, this is where you use a conditioner instead of shampoo to cleanse your hair. If you have textured hair, this method might just be a lifesaver. Just keep it off your scalp and use it more as a refresh for the ends. 

How Do I Know If I Am Overwashing My Hair?

The main thing you need to do is LISTEN to your hair. If it's crying out for moisture, it'll soon let you know:

1. Dry, Coarse Hair: When you touch your hair, it may feel rough and dry.
2. Breakage: Your hair may start breaking easily. That means split ends, frizz, the works.
3. No Shine: If your hair looks as dry as it feels, then you might be over-washing your hair.
4. Itchy Scalp: If you wash your hair too much, this can disrupt your scalp’s natural oils, leaving it irritated and itchy.
5. Too Much Oil: Washing too often can lead to even BIGGER oil production. It's your hair's drastic attempt to compensate for all those oils your shampoo has stripped out.

An Important Note - Lots of other things can also cause dry and damaged-looking hair, like heat styling, using the wrong products, and even certain skin conditions (like seborrheic dermatitis). If you're pretty sure you're not over-washing or under-washing your hair, look at your lifestyle and hair routine as a whole because other factors might be causing the issue.

Okay, But How Do I Know If I'm Underwashing My Hair?

Not sure if you're washing your hair enough? If you are washing your hair less than every 10 days, this is not ideal. Here are some things to look out for:

• You Have Product Buildup: If you notice flakes or a white cast on your scalp and are leaning on a lot of product to keep your style in place, you likely have product buildup. This clogs pores and harbors irritating bacteria, which causes inflammation, and isn't great for your scalp condition.
• Your Scalp is Starting to Feel Uncomfortable: Waiting a few days between washes shouldn't be hugely noticeable, especially if you're using products between washes like our Sweaty Hair Refresher. But if it's been over a week and you're noticing an itchy or irritated scalp, you might want to up your frequency to once or twice a week. (Remember 1 - 2 times a week is the goal.)

My Top Hair Washing Tips

Want to prioritize your hair health? You need my expert hair washing tips:

1. Use the Right Shampoo! Remember! Shampoo is meant to clean your SCALP! Conditioner is to moisturize your ends, so unless you have super textured hair or bleach and tone, you need a shampoo that is gentle on your hair but cleans it at the same time. If you have dry or brittle hair, I recommend getting a shampoo for “normal” hair, as this will have balanced moisture. And if you have an oily scalp or virgin hair? A clarifying shampoo is the way to go.
2. Use the Right Technique: Don't go in too rough when you're washing your hair! The point is to get your scalp clean, not get your hair into knots! Start by splitting your hair down the middle in the back and applying the shampoo there (the backs of most people’s heads have never even seen shampoo), then massage your way up. 
3. Double shampoo if you are only shampooing once a week: 1st one is to get out product, dirt, and environmental debris. 2nd one is to clean your scalp. 
4. Skip the conditioner! If you have virgin, fine, or short hair that is straight or wavy, try skipping the condish. I know it’s a mind-blowing concept, but your hair will thank you!
5. Take care of your scalp on wash day: Use a gentle exfoliator or nourishing serum on wash days as a pre-shampoo mask to maximize the effectiveness of your shampoo routine. 

Final Thoughts

So, how often should you wash your hair? If you want optimal scalp and hair health, 1-2 times a week is absolutely fine for the majority of people. It'll remove buildup (oils, dead skin cells, harmful bacteria, and styling products) and give you the vibrant, shiny hair you've been craving, as well as the confidence you DESERVE.