Mayo Clinic Minute: How often should you wash your hair?

Table Of Content

• How Often You Should Wash Your Hair Based on Skin Type
• Look for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners with nourishing ingredients like natural oils.
• Alternative shampoos
• shopHow often should you really shower? Derms weigh in on the controversial topic
• shopHere's why you shouldn't sleep with wet hair, according to experts

“Anytime there is a hormonal shift, the hair is affected.” Hormonal shifts can cause hair to become more or less oily, or even change texture. Experts also note that during puberty, there is a surge of hormones and the oil glands enlarge which can lead to more oil production. Additionally, as we age, both men and women may experience hair thinning or loss, Hill says.

How Often You Should Wash Your Hair Based on Skin Type

When styling with a hairdryer, curling iron, or straightening iron, always use a heat protectant product to shield fragile curls from damage. Of course, cutting back on heat styling as much as possible can go a long way toward keeping curls healthy and damage-free. Aim to wash your curly hair anywhere from one to five times per week, recommends Lindsey Little, the owner of Lume Salon in Boston. This leaves curly hair more prone to dryness, so it has some special needs, according to Kerry E. Yates, a trichologist (hair and scalp treatment specialist) and CEO of Colour Collective. Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with nearly five years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from rosemary oil for hair and castor oil for hair. She’s an authority in all hair categories, but is an expert when it comes to how often you should wash your hair after constantly bugging dermatologists if she’s overwashing her oily scalp.

Look for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners with nourishing ingredients like natural oils.

The authors state that regular cleaning with a well-formulated shampoo will not cause damage to the hair. As a result, there is no limit to how often a person can wash their hair, particularly if a person regularly uses conditioner. Some people may experience itching when they wash less frequently. But for the most part, shampooing less will only change the appearance and feel of the hair. Some people benefit from skipping traditional detergent-based shampoo altogether or using it rarely.

Alternative shampoos

Whether straight, wavy or curly, hair that’s of medium thickness can sometimes feel oily on the scalp and dry on the ends. That means locks need a hair washing routine that restores nourishment and balance. Medium hair should be washed every other day to make sure the scalp stays clean and fresh, using a shampoo that boasts the right balance of purifying and moisturizing ingredients. For some people, shampooing every other day, or every 2 to 3 days, without washing is fine. Depending on your hair’s texture, it’s better to go longer between washes.

shopHow often should you really shower? Derms weigh in on the controversial topic

You’ll also want to avoid heat-styling as much as possible—so no blow-drying after your daily showers—or you’ll strip and damage your strands, leading to dull, brittle hair over time. For example, if you have curly hair, your scalp is likely drier than the scalp of someone with straight hair, says Jennifer Davis Alexander, PhD, a holistic skin scientist and skin wellness expert in Baltimore. If your scalp and hair tend to be oilier, you may have to wash more frequently than someone with drier hair, she says.

Higher sebum levels can lead to scalp itching or seborrheic dermatitis, a scaly rash that forms on oily areas of the body and scalp. Washing your hair is essential to your overall look, but it’s also a self-care practice. You may need to wash your hair daily, a few times per week, or a couple of times per month. Hair type plays a role in how often a person should wash their hair. For example, those with textured or coily hair should avoid washing more than once a week to prevent damaging their hair.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair? Let's Settle the Debate

We also discuss shampoo alternatives and the risks of overwashing hair. Many people include hair washing as part of their regular hygiene routine. How often you wash your hair — and with what — depends greatly on your body, lifestyle, and preferences. The dirtier you get and the more oil you produce, the more often you have to wash your hair.

It’s important to make sure you’re using a shampoo and conditioner that’s formulated for your specific hair type, and there are many, according to past research. First, remember that everyone has different scalp conditions and hair types, so the answer to how often you should wash your hair is extremely individualized. By hitting the sweet spot of washing your hair the right amount for your unique hair type, you’ll not only maintain the integrity of your hair, you’ll help keep your scalp healthy, too. The scalp and hair can change over time, particularly during pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause, Hill explains.

shopHere's why you shouldn't sleep with wet hair, according to experts

The fewer times your hair is shampooed, the longer your color will last. You may also hear about other remedies, such as yogurt, beer, and aloe vera. These may be used in between your regular shampoo and conditioner as masks, but shouldn’t replace regular hair washing sessions.

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You may also consider going as long as you can if you dye or chemically treat your hair. It’s not uncommon for people to wash their hair with astringent shampoo on a daily basis. But the culture seems to be swinging the other way, at least in part.

Baking soda, another home remedy, is also unproven as a shampoo substitute and may actually damage your hair. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. No matter your curl type, Little says everyone can benefit from a deep conditioning mask. Keep in mind that the higher you climb on the scale, the more vulnerable your curls are to breakage and frizz. In other words, 4B and 4C curls may need more TLC than 2A and 2B curls. You’re probably thinking that seems unsanitary, but according to the experts, you’re way off.

Some hair types require more frequent washing, like thinner locks. To avoid flat hair, women with thinner hair typically need to cleanse more often. Ladies with fine, thin hair should also try to avoid shampoos containing certain ingredients.

Whether you have sleek and straight hair, thick and curly hair or anything in between, we've got information tailored to the specific needs of your hair type—because trust us, that matters. For example, African Americans are more susceptible to thinning hair. Washing hair less frequently might lead to product buildup on the scalp, slowing or decreasing hair growth.

Not washing hair often enough can also cause an overgrowth of demodex, a small parasite that feeds on the oil and epithelial cells inside the hair follicles of the scalp and face, he says. “Hair loss can accelerate if you have loss already, and other inflammatory scalp conditions can become amplified,” he adds. While we are (thankfully) experiencing a cultural movement that encourages us to embrace our natural textures, playing with different hairstyles can be especially fun for this hair type.

If you have dandruff, OTC shampoo options include selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, and ketoconazole. If at-home shampoos aren't effective, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to discuss other options. On the other hand, in certain cases, not washing often enough can lead to a problem with dandruff, also known as seborrheic dermatitis. “A dry scalp can lead to increased hair shedding,” Dr. Khetarpal says. Oil glands, also called sebaceous glands, are only present in your scalp.

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As you might have noticed, this timeframe is pretty broad — that’s because washing frequency depends on the texture and health of your hair, along with other factors, like exposure to the elements and how much you tend to sweat. Here’s what to know about washing and caring for your curly hair, including how often to shampoo, products best suited for curly hair, and what to do in between washes. Dandruff is the most common form of seborrheic dermatitis, appearing as flaky skin on the scalp without severe redness or irritation. It typically can be managed with regular use of a gentle or medicated shampoo to reduce oil and skin cell buildup. "[If not wetting it in the shower], the hair will dry, you can wash the sweat out the next day. Not a problem if it doesn't look or feel bad," Bard says. With that in mind, Kingsley says that it is perfectly normal to lose around 100 hairs per day.