While some experts say that washing your hair once a week is alright as long as you use a good shampoo and your hair needs that frequency–we have not addressed the other side of the coin. When one has extremely dry hair which is not washed often, it can lose its natural moisture with age.
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.
People who only wash their hair once or twice a week may also see an increase in shedding when they decide to wash it because of all the buildup. “Most hair shedding should happen in the shower, although it's still common to lose some when combing through afterwards,” says Dr. Bergfeld.
"The average individual can typically go 2 to 3 days without shampooing their hair. However, if your hair is visibly oily, you may not want to wait that long," she says. "Usually, you can go longer without washing your hair when your hair is styled up, but no one should ever go more than 14 days."
Here's what the experts say. At the same time, you also want to make sure you're washing your hair enough because skipping out on several washes can irritate your scalp. “If you don't wash your hair often, scalp oil tends to build up. This causes greasiness of the hair and can promote dandruff,” Zeichner says.
Not washing your hair allows natural oils to moisturize your hair and scalp. This also prevents dryness and improves luster. Luster refers to the amount of light that your hair reflects. One appealing benefit of not washing your hair for a few days is some natural shimmer and less frizz!
Water is effective at washing away dirt, dust, and other water-soluble debris from the hair and scalp without stripping the hair of this sebum. However, Mamelak notes that if there are other oils in the hair (from a haircare or styling product, for example), a good portion of these will be left behind as well.
If you want to fix frizzy hair without washing, you need a product that works on dry hair. Comb one whole pump of Almost Everything Cream through your mid-lengths and ends using your fingers. This will again, smooth frizz, as well hydrate dry ends and give your hair a healthy sheen.
Fine or thin hair: "Fine hair will need to be shampooed as often as every other day to provide it with the moisture it needs to flourish and grow," Courtney says. Cleansing also helps remove buildup and oils that can weigh fine or thin hair down.
If you are experiencing thinning or balding, our Bosley experts recommend washing no more than three times a week.
Washing the hair less often can help the scalp remain healthy, prevent itching and flaking, and keep the hair soft and shiny. People with very oily scalps may develop acne on the scalp or along the hairline and may need to wash their hair more frequently to keep their hair looking clean.
Essentially, you allow your natural scalp and hair oils to replenish by not using any kind of hair products. This means no shampoo or conditioner and no hair care creams, sprays or oils for seven days. You can still shower and wet your hair, but that's it.
For starters, washing with just water may not be effective in removing all the dirt and oil from your hair. This is especially true if you have a naturally oily or greasy scalp, as water alone will not break down the oils as effectively as shampoo would.
It will make your hair dull and lifeless. Plus, it won't remove any dirt and grease. Use lukewarm water to open the cuticles and wash away dirt, grease, and sweat. Then, use room temperature water to close the cuticles and prevent frizz.
Rossi generally tells his patients they should wash their hair once or twice per week. But if you've had chemical treatments that can make your hair drier — such as bleach, perms or relaxers — you might want to wash it less than once weekly to avoid breaking or brittle hair or split ends, he said.
Prolonged periods of not washing can cause cause buildup on the scalp, damaging hair and even impeding its ability to grow, Lamb said. Grime from dirt, oil and hair product can show up within four to six days for people with finer, straighter hair.
Hair Washing Frequency and Tips
“I recommend washing your hair two to three times a week,” Dr. Icecreamwala says. “If your hair is dry, you may only want to wash it twice a week. If it is on the oilier side, every other day is recommended.”
Ground rules. Try not to shampoo every day, as washing too frequently can strip the hair, leaving it brittle and prone to breakage. Aim to wash every other day at the most, or wait a few days between shampoos if you're able.
Cleansing or even wetting your hair and scalp before you relax might lead to burning once you apply the chemicals, because your scalp hasn't had enough time to "rest" since your last shampoo. No matter what your regular cleansing routine is, do not shampoo your hair for at least one week before applying relaxer.
What Is the No-Poo Method? 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.