If you have very fine, straight hair that gets oily fast, day four or five may be your cutoff point. If you have a thick, coily mane that's on the drier side, you might find that two weeks or more sans wash makes your hair feel its healthiest.
It's better if you wait at least one or two days between every single wash, and not wetting your hair in between. Daily washing can strip your hair and make it brittle and weak. I would suggest using dry shampoo in between and trying to do a routine or letting at least 48 hours pass between each wash with shampoo.
The maximum amount of time you should go without washing is about 10 days. Its not about your hair, its about your scalp. Your scalp needs the wash to remove sebum build up and keep the follicles clear and healthy. If you are very active, then I would agree about once a week seems normal, if not more.
“Regardless of how your hair feels, though, don't go longer than 14 days, ever,” Lamb says, who doesn't buy into the total 'no poo' movement. From a medical perspective, Goh says some of her patients only wash their hair once a week. She says as long as they don't have scalp problems that seems OK.
Generally, it's best to leave at least a day between washes. As with your face, the more you wash it, the more oil it produces because you're stripping your scalp of its natural oils. So, you're not going to achieve that fresh, clean, voluminous look and feel.
If the hair is washed infrequently, sebum can accumulate on the scalp. At the same time, skin cells die and are constantly renewed. When hair is washed infrequently, these dead cells remain on the scalp for longer, leading to a build-up of dirt, oil, and dead skin particles.
If your hair tends to be oily, you'll want to make sure your wash window is within 24 hours of your upcoming permanent or semi-permanent dye job. For normal-to-dry hair, that window can stretch up to three days between washing your hair and applying at-home dye.
The answer to this question will be different for everyone, depending on your hair type and texture. Those with fine, thin hair may need to wash every 2-3 days, while those with thick, curly hair can often go much longer. It will take some experimenting to figure out what works best for you.
It also depends on your personal preference. If you feel better with a daily showering routine, go for it. If you would rather skip some days, that's OK, but never go more than two or three days without washing your body with soap.
If the scalp is insufficiently cleansed, this sebum production can increase and promote the proliferation of Malassezia, which leads to inflammation and irritation. Chronic inflammation of the scalp can then lead to hair loss, however, it's worth noting that the studies on this are not yet solid.
Hair shedding in the shower after not washing for a few days is often due to the natural hair growth cycle. Hair that would have shed gradually throughout the week accumulates and falls out during washing. This is a normal process, and unless excessive, shouldn't be a cause for concern.
But before you give it a try, some warnings: Although it didn't happen to me, forgoing cleansing can cause some side effects like dandruff, an overly-sensitive scalp, and even hair loss (things that are reversible and often related to the hair's need to regain balance after giving up shampoo).
While you definitely want some natural oils to remain in your hair, not washing your hair will allow oil, dirt and grime to build up on your scalp. This can lead to a greasy appearance and unpleasant odours, as well as conditions such as dandruff and an itchy scalp.
You should wash most bras after about four wears, or more frequently if you have a particularly sweaty day. As for sports bras, you should wash them, or at least rinse them with warm water, after every workout.
As with many hair care trends, certain hair types may see better water-only hair washing results than others. According to McDaniel, water-only washing “works best on thick, coarse, curly/coily textures or those that tend to experience dry scalp or hair.”
Skipping regular baths can make you more susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. Moisture, sweat, and accumulated dirt create the perfect environment for the growth of harmful microorganisms, potentially leading to skin infections like athlete's foot or jock itch.
According to dermatologists, most people shouldn't be shampooing daily. So, depending on your hair type and the state of your scalp, you may be fine to wait a whole week or (gasp) longer before sudsing up again.
You'll smell bad
This is certainly a key point for anyone with friends: if you stop washing, it's pretty likely that you'll start to smell bad. Even if you don't sweat excessively, strong body odor will doubtlessly develop and your refusal to shower will prevent you from eliminating it.
Medium Hair: Wash every 2–3 days. Why? This hair type usually has balanced oil production, so you have more room for flexibility in your washing routine. Thick or Coarse Hair: Wash every 3–4 days or once a week.
Infrequent hair washing, a reaction to a hair product, dandruff, and seborrheic dermatitis are some of the most common reasons why your scalp might be itchy. Other causes include head lice, psoriasis, nerve problems, ringworm, and scabies. Your treatment will depend on what's causing the itching.
If you have straight and oily hair, you might do well to wash it every day or every other day. But, if your hair is long, dry, or curly, it is healthiest to wash it once in 2 or 3 weeks to prevent damage to it. The same can be said if you regularly blow-dry your hair, use hot curling irons, or color it.
"Semi-permanent and demi-permanent hair color can be applied to wet or dry hair, but wet hair application in not recommended for permanent hair color." Meanwhile, permanent color changes require a dry hair application. This could mean going lighter, or darker.
Post-color washing is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of your hair. By cleansing and conditioning, salons help in closing the hair cuticles, locking in moisture, and preserving the smoothness of your locks.
Keep in mind that color-wise, the end result will usually be the same whether you're going to the salon with freshly washed or dirty hair. Allowing oil to accumulate before bleaching your strands is solely to nourish your scalp and should have no impact on your desired color.