How Often Should You Wash Your Hair? | Right Frequency for Oily & Dry Scalp

How often should you wash your hair? Some of us seem to need to shampoo our scalps every single day, while others can be several days (or even weeks) without washing.

How often you should shampoo your hair depends on a few factors: your scalp type, hair texture, lifestyle, how much you sweat, whether/what styling products you use, and the condition of your hair. As a starting point, most people can begin with 2-3 hair washes per week, adjusting the frequency according to how their scalp reacts. In the meanwhile, those with an oily scalp may need to shampoo their hair more often, while those with dry, curly, or thick hair might not need to wash their hair as frequently. Your dermatologist will most likely recommend a frequency based on how quickly your scalp gets oily or dirty instead of an across-the-board recommendation.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

You can't find a precise number, but this can be a helpful guide:

These numbers represent a starting point only – a woman with fine, straight hair and an oily scalp may find that she can shampoo her hair every day, while someone with thick, curly hair may find that she doesn't need to shampoo her hair nearly as regularly.

How Often to Shampoo an Oily Scalp?

The oily scalp tends to produce more sebum, leaving your roots gummy, flat, and dirty shortly after washing. If your hair looks oily the day after you wash it, waiting a few more days probably won't be the answer.

If you have an oily scalp, you may want to shampoo your hair every day or every other day depending on how quickly your scalp gets oily.

A basic shampooing routine for an oily scalp might include:

•       Washing your hair every 1-2 days

•       Applying most of your shampoo to the scalp and roots

•       Applying conditioner mostly to the lengths and ends

•       Washing your hair more frequently after workouts or other sweat-inducing activities if you notice that your scalp gets greasy

•       Avoiding applying heavy oils or styling products to your scalp and roots if you're already getting enough oil from your scalp

You don't want to shampoo your scalp so often that you remove all traces of natural oil, but you do want to keep it clean!

How Often Should You Wash Dry Hair?

Avoid shampooing your dry hair too often, particularly with damaging ingredients. It can leave already-dry hairs feeling more dry, and cause damage and/or breakage.

If you have dry, thick, curly, or textured hair, try shampooing your hair every 1 or 2 weeks and see how your scalp and hair react. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends shampooing dry, curly, or thick hair as needed rather than on a regular schedule.

For dry hair:

•       Using a gentle, moisturizing shampoo

•       Applying shampoo mainly to the scalp

•       Applying conditioner after washing your hair

•       Applying conditioner mainly to the lengths and ends of your hair

•       Avoiding very hot water

•       Limiting heat styling

Remember that dry scalp and dry hair are not the same thing. Your scalp may need to be cleaned even if your lengths are dry.

What About a Normal Scalp?

If your scalp doesn't get particularly oily or dry, 2-4 washes per week is an acceptable starting point.

In general, shampooing every other day or about 3 times per week is a good range for a lot of people. However, you might want to adjust this based on your own needs.

For example, if your scalp feels clean and comfortable after 2 days, you probably don't need to wash it again yet. If your scalp feels greasy, itchy, or uncomfortable, washing your hair sooner may be a good idea.

How Often Should Men Wash Their Hair?

Men don't necessarily have different shampooing needs just because they are men. An easy starting point for men with short, straight, or normal-to-oily hair is every other day or 3-4 times per week.

However, men with an oily scalp, tendency to sweat heavily, or use lots of styling products may need to shampoo their hair more often. On the flip side, men with dry, curly, or coarse hair may find that they need to shampoo their hair less often.

A basic men's shampooing routine would include:

Normal scalp: 3-4 times a week

Oily scalp: Every day or every other day

Dry/coarse hair: 1-2 times a week

Heavy workouts: More frequent washing to match increased oil, sweat, and buildup

How Often Should Women Wash Their Hair?

Women can apply the same guidelines that apply to most men – although women's hair tends to be longer and more curly, and women tend to care for their hair differently (especially regarding treatments and styling). For women with normal or slightly oily hair, every other day or 2-4 times per week can be a helpful starting point. Women with dry, curly, or chemically-treated hair might want to shampoo their hair a bit less often to avoid dryness and breakage. Long hair might also need some extra conditioning since the natural oil from your scalp takes a while to reach your lengths.

Are You Washing Your Hair Too Often?

You're washing your hair too often if your hair generally feels:

•       Extremely dry

•       Rough or straw-like

•       Frizzy

•       Brittle

•       More prone to breakage

While frequent washing isn't necessarily a bad thing, using a damaging shampoo too regularly can leave your hair lifeless and dry.

One helpful tip is to reduce your shampooing frequency by 1 day per week and see how your scalp and hair respond.

Are You Washing Your Hair Too Little?

On the other hand, washing your hair too little can leave your scalp and hair feeling greasy, uncomfortable, and messy. If your scalp and hair feel:

•       Very greasy

•       Unpleasant-smelling

•       Heavily product-laden

•       Itchy

•       Dry

•       Uncomfortable in any way

you may need to wash your hair more frequently to remove built-up oil, dead skin cells, sweat, and product.

Dandruff and itchiness can have a variety of reasons besides a shampooing frequency issue, so if the problem persists, you might want to talk to a dermatologist.

The Right Way to Shampoo

Frequency matters, but technique is arguably just as important. To really care for your hair, you should:

1.     Wet your hair properly

Use lukewarm water rather than very hot water

2.     Focus on shampooing your scalp

Your scalp is where the action is, collecting oil, sweat, dead skin cells, and product buildup. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends shampooing your scalp rather than unnecessarily shampooing your entire hair length

3.     Massage your hair gently

Use your fingers rather than scratching with your nails

4.     Rinse thoroughly

Make sure you're rinsing your shampoo away completely

5.     Condition your hair

Apply conditioner mainly to the lengths and ends if you have fine or straight hair, or throughout more of your hair if you have dry or curly hair

Can You Include Natural or Organic Hair Care?

Yes – however, natural doesn't always mean better. As an optional addition to your regular hair care, you can dedicate 10% of your hair care to natural or simple care rather than using natural products exclusively. For example, you can use a little bit of coconut or jojoba oil before washing your hair if your lengths tend to be particularly dry. Cleveland Clinic recommends using natural oils such as coconut or jojoba, but reminds people not to go overboard.

A basic natural routine might include:

90%: Regular shampoo + conditioner suited to your scalp/hair needs

10%: Natural hair care such as a little bit of suitable oil

Avoid assuming that DIY treatments such as lemon juice, baking soda, or undiluted essential oils are helpful – these can potentially irritate your scalp or interfere with your hair care in other ways.

The Bottom Line: What Is the Best Shampoo Frequency?

There's no right or wrong answer to how often should you wash your hair.

As a starting point for an oily scalp, you can shampoo your hair every day or every other day. A normal scalp can begin with 2-4 washes per week. Dry hair/scalp can try a frequency of about 1-2 times per week. Curly or thick hair should be washed as needed, often less frequently. Heavy workouts can involve increased washing depending on your scalp's reaction to oil/sweat.

The best rule of thumb is to wash your scalp when it's oily, dirty, or uncomfortable, and protect your lengths from unnecessary dryness.

Your perfect shampooing frequency can change depending on the seasons, your activities, treatments to your hair, and your hairstyle. Instead of a strict, one-size-fits-all shampooing schedule, begin with an easily-maintained routine and adjust it based on your scalp and hair's actual needs.

Healthy hair care is all about balance – for your scalp, your hair, and your lifestyle.

This article provides general hair-care information only and should not be used as a substitute for professional advice from a medical practitioner. If you're having persistent dandruff issues, scalp irritation, redness, severe itchiness, or unusual hair loss, consult a dermatologist.