working out your hair washing schedule can be tedious at the best of times, but don’t fret, that’s where we come into the picture. we’re here to answer the age-old question of ‘how often should you wash your hair’ once and for all, so you can create the perfect routine for you and your doo.
let’s be real: how frequently should you actually wash your hair?
want to know how often you should wash your hair? as always, the answer is kind of complicated. there's no be-all and end-all answer for everyone. instead, the amount of times you should wash your hair per week varies depending on your hair type.
here’s a bit of guideline to follow:
- for curly hair: leave the washing to once per week, so you can give the oils in your scalp time to reach and nourish your strands.
- for fine hair: sometimes fine hair is prone to getting oily quite quickly, so keep the hair-washing to every other day.
- for thick hair: to allow time for sebum to make its way down mid-lengths and ends, try washing hair every three days at a minimum.
- for oily hair: encourage your scalp’s oil production to stabilise by washing every third day.
for normal hair: every other day, once it’s greasy and feels unclean to the touch.
is it bad to wash your hair every day?
would you be shocked if we told you washing your hair too often can do more harm than good? well, whether you are or are not surprised by this, it can have a huge impact on your hair and scalp’s health… but how? it all boils down to how over washing your hair can strip natural oils in the scalp which leads to dryness and brittleness in the hair, and can also throw off the scalp’s microbiome. but there’s more… this can all be made even worse if you’re using products which have harsh ingredients.
the benefits of less frequent hair washes
so, what are the benefits of not washing your hair too often? first off, it allows your hair's natural oils to protect your hair, helps in enhancing texture, and also prolongs the vibrancy of colour-treated hair. on the other hand however, if you don’t wash your hair enough, you may experience an itchy scalp or even dandruff, as oil can block the hair follicle and lead to build-up. all in all, it’s about finding *the* balance between keeping your hair clean whilst maintaining its precious protective qualities.
the *right way* to wash your hair
now comes the fun part, the basic step-by-step guide to how to wash your hair properly…
- first up, wet those strands to help get all that oil, dirt and product build-up loosened up
- start by squeezing a small, coin-sized amount of shampoo into the palm of your hand (you may find you need a little more, depending on the length and thickness of your hair), then lather up, starting at the scalp before massaging down towards the mid-lengths and ends
- rinse thoroughly (hot tip: if your hair is feeling super-duper dirty, repeat a shampoo and rinse)
- now it’s time to apply some conditioner to your ends. same principle as shampoo, start out with a small coin sized amount of conditioner, then depending on the length and thickness of your hair, you may need to use more or less
- leave this on for 2 minutes and rinse thoroughly (hot tip: if you’re after some extra nourishment for your doo, replace conditioner with a rinse-out hair mask like the great hydrator)
choose the perfect products for your hair
level up your hair care routine
you’ve reached the next stage of your quest, and it’s time you come prepared with the right products at hand to enhance your routine… lucky we’ve got some complimentary products that you can mix n’ match for your own personalised result.
springsclean deep clean rinse
recommended for curly, wavy and coily hair, springsclean is your “sometimes” shampoo, especially for when you’re after a deep clean to remove product build-up, dirt and excess oil. use once a week.
mane attention protein treatment
if you’re looking for that extra oomph in your hair routine, it might be time to start incorporating a treatment into the mix. use mane attention if your hair is colour-treated and feeling damaged. apply after cleansing and conditioning with ritual salvation shampoo and conditioner for extra repairing.
water killer dry shampoo
has it been a day or two since you last washed your hair? are your roots starting to feel a little on oily side? don’t worry, we’ve all been there… keep your hair fresher for a little longer by applying water killer in between your wash days, whenever your hair is starting to feel a bit oily. better yet, it will also provide extra volume and texture.
the bottom line
to put it simply, whether you reach for your shampoo once, twice or three times a week really boils down to your hair type. and once you’ve got this detail ironed out, make sure you’re reaching for high-quality products with simple ingredients that will do only good, no harm. go one more and level up your hair care routine with a deep clean rinse, treatment or dry shampoo so you can reap all the benefits of healthy hair (and the many compliments that come with).
common hair washing faqs
what if i don’t wash my hair enough?
leaving it too long between washes? you might want to think again. skipping wash day can cause dirt, oil and dead skin cells to build up on the scalp and block your hair follicles. not only can this make your locks look greasy, limp and lifeless, but it can also cause some pretty uncomfortable side effects, like dandruff, irritation and even odour.
what are signs i’m washing my hair too much?
while it’s important to wash your mane regularly, it’s important not to go overboard. depending on your hair type if you’re washing your hair too frequently with a harsh cleansing shampoo, it can strip away the scalp’s natural oils, which can cause your hair to become dry or brittle over time. depending on the shampoo, this can cause your hair to look dull and damaged, can make colour fade faster and can even cause frizz, and can be drying on your scalp.. if you wash your hair regularly and deal with any of these issues, it might be a good idea to switch up your schedule to allow more time between washes.
is it bad to wet my hair every day even if i don’t use shampoo?
while some people - especially those with curly hair - swear by a daily spritz of water to reset their natural curl pattern, others - such as those with fine or straight strands - say it can strip moisture. if you think wetting your hair on the regular might work for you, start slowly and pay attention to any changes in your hair or scalp. hot tip: we also recommend making sure you’re not leaving your hair wet if your planning on putting it in an up-do… as wet hair is far more delicate than dry.
does dry shampoo count as washing my hair?
dry shampoo might be our fave product for a refresh on the go, but does it actually clean your hair? sadly, the answer is no. dry shampoo absorbs any excess dirt or oil on your scalp to give you a just-washed look, but it doesn’t actually remove it. regular washing with shampoo and conditioner is the only way to actually cleanse your hair and scalp.
how should i adjust my wash routine if i work out often?
if you work out often, you’ll probably want to consider washing your hair more regularly. this is because sweat can quickly make your hair dull and dirty and could even cause irritation to your scalp. however, some people find a quick rinse with clean water or even a blast with some dry shampoo does the job! your best bet is to try a few different options and see what works best for you!
should i wash my hair after swimming in a pool or the ocean?
after a refreshing dip in the ocean or a swimming pool, you might think your hair is pretty clean, so why clean it again? well, chlorine, salt water and other chemicals can actually be quite damaging to your delicate strands and can cause them to become rough, brittle or dry. lathering up for a good wash after your swim is a great idea (try using normal persons shampoo to clarify), or you can simply rinse your hair out well with some clean water. you can also wet your hair before you go swimming so it doesn’t absorb chlorine as easily.
is it okay to switch up how often i wash my hair?
changing your hair washing routine is totally okay! not only that, but it could help to try different intervals if you feel you’re washing too much or not enough. of course, when changing the frequency of your washes, try to increase or reduce your routine slowly to give your hair time to adjust.
how long should i go without washing if i want to extend my colour?
while you certainly can’t skip wash day altogether, extending the time between shampoos is a great way to extend the life of your hair colour. it’s also a good idea to try to wash your hair using products designed for dyed colour-treated hair, like most evo shampoos and conditioners, to avoid fast-tracking the fade.
