- How often should you wash your hair per week? This is the average advice
- How often should you wash your hair for each hair type?
- Can you wash your hair with only water?
- How often should men wash their hair?
- Special situations when the advice may differ
- What determines how often you should wash your hair?
- The role of sebum and your scalp
- What does shampoo do and what does conditioner do?
- Resources
How often you should wash your hair with shampoo is a question that does not have a single universal answer. Yet many people search for one clear number. Twice a week? Every day? Or as little as possible?
The ideal frequency for washing your hair with shampoo depends on your scalp, not only on your hair. Sebum production, hair density, age, hormones and lifestyle all play a role. In this guide we therefore explain, based on dermatological insights, how often you should wash your hair for different hair types.
How often should you wash your hair per week? This is the average advice
For most people the following guidelines apply:
- Normal scalp: 2 to 3 times per week
- Scalp that becomes oily more quickly: every other day
- Dry or sensitive scalp: 1 to 2 times per week
This is not a strict rule. Your scalp gives signals. Does it feel tight or flaky? Then you may be washing your hair too often with shampoo. Does your hair already look oily at the roots after one day? Then your sebum production is higher, which means you may need to wash your hair more often.
Ultimately, the right frequency is the one at which your scalp feels clean and comfortable.
Is it bad to wash your hair every day?
Washing your hair daily is not necessarily bad, but it is also not necessary for everyone. Shampoo removes sebum and dirt, but it also removes part of the natural oil layer that protects your hair. For some people, daily washing can therefore lead to dryness or a sensitive scalp.
Does your scalp produce a lot of sebum? Then washing daily with a mild shampoo may be necessary. If you have a drier or more sensitive scalp, washing less often is better to maintain the natural balance.
It is important to use a mild shampoo and to care for your hair with a conditioner in the lengths after washing. This helps prevent the hair from becoming rough or difficult to comb.
How often should you wash your hair for each hair type?
Fine or thin hair
Fine or thin hair quickly falls flat at the roots and loses volume more easily. Sebum can spread faster along the hair fibre, which makes your hair look oily sooner.
Advice: wash your hair every other day or 3 to 5 times per week with shampoo.
Choose a lightweight shampoo that cleans your scalp well without weighing down the hair. Use a small amount of conditioner in the lengths, but do not apply it to the roots. This helps maintain more volume.
Thick hair
Do you have thick hair? Then your hair is strong and naturally has more body. It also tends to hold its shape longer and does not quickly appear oily at the roots. Sebum spreads more slowly along the hair fibre, which means your hair can look fresh for longer.
Advice: wash your hair 2 to 3 times per week with shampoo. Washing more often can cause dry lengths, even though your scalp is still well balanced.
Use a conditioner after washing to close the hair cuticles and reduce friction. If your hair is very dry, use a nourishing mask once a week to keep the lengths smooth.
Curly or wavy hair
Your hair has clear waves or curls, even without styling. Often the ends feel drier than the roots. Because of the curved structure, sebum has more difficulty reaching the ends of the hair, which causes the lengths to dry out more quickly.
Advice: wash your hair a maximum of 1 to 2 times per week, depending on your scalp. Focus mainly on cleaning the scalp and massage gently, for example with a massage brush. The lengths will be cleaned automatically when you rinse the shampoo out.
Conditioner is an important part of your routine. It helps keep the curl structure smooth and reduces breakage.
Coily hair
Coily hair has a very tight curl or zigzag structure. It often feels dry, especially at the ends, and is more sensitive to breakage. Therefore, it is important to be extra careful when washing your hair.
Advice: wash your hair once per week or less, depending on your scalp. Excessive washing can further reduce the natural oil layer.
Hydration is essential for this hair type. Use a nourishing conditioner after every wash and consider a weekly intensive mask to support the hair fibre.
Oily hair or a scalp that becomes oily quickly
Does your hair quickly become oily at the roots? Then your scalp produces more sebum. This may have hormonal causes or be genetically determined.
Advice: wash your hair every other day or even daily. Use a mild balancing shampoo that cleans the scalp without drying it out. Use conditioner only in the lengths and in a small amount. This keeps the roots light and airy.
Dry or damaged hair
Does your hair feel rough, break easily or do you have split ends? Then the hair fibre may be damaged by heat, colouring or chemical treatments.
Advice: wash your hair 1 to 2 times per week. Avoid harsh cleansing and choose a mild shampoo that you apply gently.
In this case aftercare is more important than frequent washing. A repairing mask can help temporarily strengthen the hair fibre and restore flexibility.
Grey hair
Grey hair contains less pigment and often feels coarser or drier. It can sometimes appear dull and reacts more sensitively to dryness.
Advice: wash your hair 2 to 3 times per week, depending on your scalp.
First, there is nothing wrong with grey hair. It can look beautiful. But if you are not yet ready for those grey strands, a special shampoo may help. For example, the Anti Grey Shampoo. It is important to know that this product is only suitable for darker hair types.
Washing your hair with Neofollics products
Not every hair type requires the same washing frequency or the same products. At Neofollics we distinguish between products that focus on hair growth, hair condition and scalp balance.
If you want to stimulate existing hair growth, choose the Hair Growth Stimulating product line, which includes shampoo and lotion. By using these products at least twice per week you support hair growth as effectively as possible.
Do you mainly experience an irritated or sensitive scalp? Then the Scalp Therapy product line may be more suitable. This line includes a balancing shampoo and an intensive mask. Products from our different lines can also be combined.
Can you wash your hair with only water?
Washing with water alone removes sweat and surface dirt, but it does not remove excess sebum or product residue. It can be a temporary solution after exercise, but it does not replace shampoo if you use styling products or if your scalp produces more sebum.
How often should men wash their hair?
Men generally have higher sebum production due to hormonal influences. In addition, the hair is often shorter, which makes oiliness visible more quickly. Depending on your scalp you can wash your hair 3 to 5 times per week.
Can men wash their hair with water every day?
Yes. However, if you have oily hair, it is better to wash your hair daily with shampoo.
Special situations when the advice may differ
If you exercise a lot or sweat daily
Sweat itself is not harmful, but the combination of sweat and sebum can irritate your scalp. Therefore, it can be wise to wash your hair more often if you exercise intensely.
You cannot prevent sweating, but you can reduce the chance that it remains in your hair.
- Choose breathable materials during exercise instead of tight caps.
- If you have only sweated and have not used products, rinse your hair with water only.
- If you exercise frequently, use a mild shampoo that is suitable for more frequent washing.
How often should you wash your hair with extensions?
With hair extensions it is important to prevent build-up of sebum and styling products at the roots. At the same time, you do not want to place too much stress on the attachments.
Wash your hair 2 to 3 times per week, depending on how quickly your scalp becomes oily. Use a mild shampoo and massage gently around the roots without rubbing hard.
How often should children wash their hair?
Children produce less sebum than adults. Therefore washing 1 to 2 times per week is often sufficient, unless the hair is visibly dirty or oily or if they have thick curly hair.
How often should you wash your hair when using anti dandruff shampoo?
If you have dandruff, you should wash your hair regularly. Dandruff is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus malassezia. With the right shampoo this can be treated effectively. Regular cleansing, about 2 to 3 times per week, helps reduce excess sebum and flakes, which are an important factor in dandruff (Borda and Wikramanayake, 2015). If symptoms persist it is advisable to seek medical advice.
What determines how often you should wash your hair?
The role of sebum and your scalp
Your scalp naturally produces sebum, a thin oil layer that protects your skin and hair from drying out. A healthy amount of sebum keeps the scalp flexible and helps your hair remain shiny.
If too much sebum is produced, your hair may feel oily more quickly and the scalp may feel heavy or itchy. If there is too little sebum, the scalp can feel tight and dry flakes may appear.
The goal is therefore not to remove as much sebum as possible, but to maintain balance. By paying attention to the signals from your scalp you can better determine how often washing works for you.
What does shampoo do and what does conditioner do?
Shampoo is primarily intended to clean the scalp. During washing, shampoo removes sebum, sweat, dirt and product residues. Because shampoo cleanses, it also has a mild degreasing effect. This means that not only excess sebum is removed, but the hair and scalp may temporarily feel slightly drier.
Shampoo also causes the hair cuticles to open. This helps loosen dirt effectively, but it also makes the hair more sensitive to friction immediately after washing.
Conditioner has a different function. It is intended for the hair fibre and the lengths. A conditioner helps close the hair cuticles again, reduces friction and makes the hair smoother. It also supports the moisture balance of the hair, which helps prevent dryness.
If you do not use conditioner after washing, the hair may feel drier and rougher. It is often more difficult to comb and less easy to style.
Dermatological research also emphasises this distinction. Cleansing mainly focuses on the scalp, while conditioning is primarily intended to protect the hair fibre and support the condition of the hair (Trüeb, 2015).
Influence of styling products
Styling products can accumulate around the hair root. In that case washing more often is logical to prevent blockage and irritation.
Age, hormones and hair density
During puberty, pregnancy or menopause your scalp may produce sebum. If your hair becomes thinner, it may also appear oily faster because the scalp becomes more visible.
When is washing often logical?
If you have high sebum production, exercise intensely or use many styling products, wash your hair more often. Washing less often is logical if you have dryness, curls or damaged lengths.
FAQ
Does your hair become oilier if you wash it often with shampoo?
Sebum production is mainly regulated by hormones, not by how often you wash your hair. However, washing too aggressively can temporarily disturb the scalp balance, which can make it appear oilier.
What are signals that I should wash my hair less often?
Does your scalp feel tight? Do you see dry flakes or do your lengths become stiff quickly? Then it may be that you are washing your hair slightly too often.
What is the best way to wash your hair with shampoo?
Wet your hair thoroughly and apply a small amount of shampoo to your scalp. Massage gently with your fingertips or with a special brush. This helps loosen sebum and dirt.
According to dermatological literature, a second wash allows active ingredients to work better, because the first wash mainly removes dirt and sebum (Trüeb, 2015).
You do not need to wash the lengths separately. They become clean when the shampoo is rinsed out. Want to learn more? Then read our blog about how to wash your hair.
What if I swim frequently in chlorinated or sea water?
Chlorinated water and sea water have a drying effect on the hair and scalp. Chlorine removes the natural oil layer that protects the hair. Salt draws moisture out of the hair fibre. As a result, the hair may feel drier, rougher or frizzier.
Therefore, rinse your hair with clean water as soon as possible. The longer chlorine or salt remains in the hair, the more moisture it can lose.
If necessary, wash your hair the same day with a mild shampoo and then use a conditioner to close the hair cuticles and keep the hair smooth.
What happens if you do not wash your hair?
Not washing your hair for a month can have several effects on your scalp and hair. Initially you may notice an increase in oiliness because your scalp builds up natural oils. This can make your hair look oilier and duller. In addition, dirt, dust and product residues can accumulate on the scalp, which may lead to clogged hair follicles and scalp problems such as dandruff or itching.
Should I wash more often if I use many styling products?
Yes, in most cases. Styling products such as gel, wax, mousse or dry shampoo can accumulate on the scalp and at the roots. This build up can clog pores and make your hair feel heavier or oilier more quickly. Regular washing helps remove product residues, sebum and dirt. This keeps your scalp fresh and better balanced.
Resources
Trüeb, R. M. (2015). The value of hair cosmetics and shampoos. International Journal of Trichology, 7(1), 2–8. Hair Cosmetics: An Overview.
This information does not replace professional medical advice. If in doubt, always consult a doctor or specialist.
