Going a long time without washing your hair can cause a buildup of a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia on your scalp. Over time, this leads to a layer of dead skin cells that shed from your head in the form of oily, yellow-ish dandruff flakes. Dandruff can also make your scalp red, scaly, and itchy.
With that being said, the length of time between washes will vary based on the person. "The average individual can typically go 2 to 3 days without shampooing their hair.
You Should Still Wash Your Hair
In most versions of the no 'poo movement, not using shampoo doesn't mean not washing your hair at all: Rinsing with water is generally acceptable (and encouraged), and some methods recommend natural alternatives like baking soda or apple cider vinegar.
As with many hair care trends, certain hair types may see better water-only hair washing results than others. According to McDaniel, water-only washing “works best on thick, coarse, curly/coily textures or those that tend to experience dry scalp or hair.”
Not shampooing enough can build up oils (sebum) on your scalp and lead to a smell. If you have an oily scalp or super thin hair, consider washing your hair with a mild shampoo every two days to keep the sebum levels in check.
If your scalp is drier, then you may want to wash it less frequently—regardless of hair type.” Since oil production and product residue varies from person to person, you may shampoo every other day, while someone else can get away with washing once a month.
Whether you choose to suds up every day or every other day is up to you, but you'll want to make sure to clarify once or twice a month with a sulfate-based shampoo to break down the product buildup, waxes, and oils that can be contributing to your grease.
She says it's more important to consider your hair type, texture and amount of oil production you usually experience. “I typically advise patients to keep to a standard hair washing schedule, whether it is three times per week, weekly or once per month, regardless of activity level,” she says.
According to the expert, when hair is washed less than twice a week, the follicle becomes clogged and this can cause certain problems: scalp flaking, itching, sensitivity, dandruff and even hair loss.
Not washing your hair regularly can make the scalp flaky and lead to dandruff. It will make you feel itchy and you can also get rashes on your scalp. “You can develop major dandruff problem if you don't wash your hair for 1 or 2 weeks,” she warned.
The no-poo method is a hair-cleansing technique that removes shampoo from the equation, says Geeta Yadav, MD, a dermatologist in Toronto. Instead of using shampoo, followers of the practice use alternatives such as apple cider vinegar, a cleansing conditioner, or just plain water.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) notes that: If a person has oily hair, they may want to wash it daily. If a person has chemically treated hair, they may want to wash it less often. If a person has textured or coily hair, they may want to wash it once a week, or every other week.
Shampoo less, condition more
Jeff Chastain, a hairstylist in New York City, recommends that women get their shampooing down to once or twice a week. Less washing, he said, means stronger and longer hair. And women with curls need not wash their hair as often as others.
But you should wash it at least every two to three weeks to keep your scalp and hair clean and healthy.
The more you moisturize your hair and scalp with water, the healthier your head will be. Hair growth flourishes from a clean, healthy scalp. The bottom line is that dirty hair doesn't grow any faster than clean hair, so you may as well have a clean scalp and fresh tresses.
Wash to suit your needs and your hair type. Oily and fine or thin hair types should wash every one to two days. This schedule allows for removing buildup and the natural oils to stimulate hair health and growth. Wavy or curly hair and dry or damaged hair types should wash in the range of once every four to seven days.
If you normally wash everyday, it'll take time to get used to washing it less. So start by going an extra day or two in between your normal washes. Rinse your hair with water in between shampoos and try to build up to once a week. When your hair adjusts you'll notice a dramatic difference.
There's no single right answer to how many days you can get by without washing your hair. This comes down to your lifestyle, hair texture, and hair type. For many, two to three days is the most. However, by day five you should definitely give your strands a good wash.
For most people, there is no medical need to shampoo at all, as rinsing with water can remove dirt and dandruff. However, some health conditions can benefit from regular shampooing. People with parasitic infections of the scalp, particularly lice, may need to use special shampoos to get rid of the bugs.
Your hair can enhance the odor.
And once they break down the fats in apocrine sweat, the stay-away-from-me aroma appears. The more hair you have, the more surface area bacteria has to cling to, which keeps the smell so pungent, says Bowe.
Co-washing is a term for washing your hair with conditioner only. Ditching the 'poo may seem unconventional but it's actually the perfect solution for dry hair. The natural hair movement has made this beauty routine more popular as word got around that curly and coily locks are more prone to dryness and breakage.
The No Poo Method is as simple as its title: avoid shampoo. Specifically, avoid the sulfates in shampoos. Sulfates, the most common of which is sodium laureth sulfate (SLS”>, are surfactants. Surfactants or detergents are attracted to dirt and grease.