How Often Should You Wash Your Hair? Who Needs to Shampoo Daily and Who Can Go Longer
Plus get four pro tips to help make sure your cleansing your scalp without stripping protective oils
Key Takeaways
- How often you should wash your hair depends on your scalp health and hair type.
- Oily scalps may need daily washing, while curly or coily hair can go longer.
- Using the right shampoo and gently massaging your scalp helps keep hair healthy.
How often should you wash your hair? It’s an age-old debate. While some people can’t leave the house in the morning without freshly washed hair, others can go weeks at a time just freshening up with dry shampoo. So who’s right? We tapped top dermatologists and celebrity hairstylists to break down when more frequent or less frequent washing makes sense and how to make sure your hair-washing routine supports your hair health, no matter how often you wash it.
How often should you wash your hair?
The short answer: It depends on your hair and scalp. “One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that there’s a universal rule for how often you should wash your hair,” explains Nupur Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Luma Dermatology in Clearwater, FL. “The reality is that your scalp is skin, and just like the skin on your face, its needs are highly individualized.”
“My philosophy is simple: Your washing schedule should be dictated by your scalp health, not a trend,” continues Dr. Patel. “Hair texture, oil production, lifestyle, hormonal changes and underlying scalp conditions all play a role. For some individuals, daily washing is completely appropriate. For others, two to three times a week may be sufficient.”
Dr. Patel adds that the goal with hair washing should be finding a happy medium where you’re not compromising the integrity of your hair, but your scalp also feels clean and comfortable.
Women who benefit from washing their hair more often
We’ve established that hair washing frequency largely depends on the person, but you still might be wondering which bucket you might fall into. We asked our experts to break down when each washing style might be most ideal. Shamsa Kanwal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Aesthetic Evolution Skin and Laser Clinic, says those who may benefit from more frequent washing include those with:
- Oily scalps
- Excessive sweating
- Straight or fine hair
- Significant product buildup
People with seborrheic dermatitis might also benefit from more frequent washing, sometimes with a medicated shampoo, as excess oil and buildup can play a role in their symptoms, adds Dr. Patel.
“For this group, washing daily or every other day is often the sweet spot,” explains Dr. Patel. “I also want to dispel the myth that washing your hair every day automatically damages it. If you have an oily scalp and are using a gentle, appropriately formulated shampoo, daily washing can be perfectly healthy.”
Women who benefit from washing their hair less often
Dr. Patel says people who may benefit from less frequent washing include those with hair that is:
- Curly
- Coily
- Highly textured
- Naturally on the drier side
“The reason comes down to hair structure,” explains Dr. Patel. “With curly and coily hair, it’s more difficult for the scalp’s natural oils to travel down the twists and curves of the hair shaft. As a result, the mid-lengths and ends can be naturally drier and more vulnerable to breakage. Frequent shampooing, particularly with stronger cleansers, can exacerbate this dryness.”
“Washing roughly weekly or every other week often works well for Black hair, while broader dermatology guidance suggests dry, textured or curly hair should still be cleansed as needed, generally at least every two to three weeks,” adds Dr. Kanwal.
Menopause and aging can also mean a change in hair washing frequency. “Oil production often decreases with age, and hormonal changes around menopause can accompany drier hair and scalp as well as thinning,” explains Kantor. “A woman who needed daily washing at 30 may find that schedule too drying later on.”
If you find your hair washing frequency becoming drying with age, Kantor recommends adjusting gradually. “Add a day between washes or remove one wash a week, and see how the scalp feels,” says Kantor. “A gentle moisturizing shampoo can help if dryness is the problem. But menopause does not create one new schedule for everyone; an oily scalp still needs regular cleansing.”
What if you’re wearing your hair in a protective style?
If you’re someone with naturally curly or coily hair currently rocking a protective style like knotless braids, cornrows or a sew-in, know that you can and should still be washing your hair. Doing so the right way (more on that below) can help remove buildup on your scalp without stripping your hair of its natural oils.
“Protective styles can be wonderful for minimizing daily manipulation and reducing certain types of hair breakage, but they should never mean neglecting the scalp,” adds Dr. Patel. “For many individuals wearing braids, twists or extensions, cleansing the scalp approximately every one to two weeks is a reasonable starting point.”
How do you do it? “I recommend using a gentle shampoo diluted or applied through a nozzle applicator to reach the scalp between braids or twists. Focus on cleansing the scalp rather than aggressively manipulating the hairstyle. Rinse thoroughly and, importantly, make sure the hair and scalp dry completely.”
How to make your hair-washing routine work for you
Whether you need to wash your hair daily, a few times per week or every few weeks, what matters most is that you’re washing it. “Washing removes excess oil, dead skin, sweat residue and styling products,” says Keith Kantor, PhD, ND, trichologist and clinical director of Regen Therapeutic. “It also helps keep the scalp comfortable and control the buildup that can contribute to dandruff and irritation. Your scalp is skin, and it needs care just as the skin on your face does.”
We asked our experts for their best advice to make sure your hair washing routine supports your hair health:
Pick the right shampoo
“Choose the right shampoo that cleans your scalp without leaving your hair feeling dry or itchy,” says Antonio Velotta, New York-based celebrity hairstylist. Sarai Martinez, celebrity hairstylist at Sarai By Day, adds that you should always have two types of shampoo on hand: one that is clarifying and one that is nourishing.
Massage your scalp with fingertips, not nails
“Use the pads of your fingers to gently massage the shampoo into your scalp for approximately 30 to 60 seconds, or until you’ve thoroughly cleansed the entire scalp,” says Dr. Patel. “Avoid scratching your scalp with your nails. Your scalp is delicate skin, and aggressive scrubbing can create irritation or small abrasions.”
Condition after shampooing
“For most people, conditioner belongs after shampoo because it helps restore softness, reduce friction, improve detangling and protect the hair shaft from mechanical damage,” explains Dr. Patel. “There are exceptions, such as pre-shampoo conditioning treatments for very dry or fragile hair, but shampoo followed by conditioner is an excellent standard routine.” Martinez recommends conditioning your hair shaft and ends rather than your roots to avoid excess oil buildup.
Dry gently
“Blot or wrap your hair with a soft towel or T-shirt instead of rubbing it,” says Kantor. This gentler approach can help reduce breakage. “Air-dry when practical or use a low heat setting” if you’re blow drying your hair.
The bottom line on how often you should wash your hair
Like most things in life, how often you should wash your hair is not one-size-fits-all. So wash your hair with whatever frequency makes the most sense for you and your scalp, and consider trying one of our experts’ tips to help keep your hair healthy whenever you suds up.
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