Is unwashed hair healthy?

Author: Eliseo Cartwright  |  Last update: Thursday, October 2, 2025

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.

Is it healthier for your hair to not wash it?

You might think it won't hurt, but washing your hair regularly is incredibly important for the health of your hair and scalp. "Shampooing removes sebum or oil that normally coats the hair shaft," says Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York.

Is it good to let your hair go greasy?

It's best to prevent your hair from becoming too greasy to keep the scalp healthy. Sebum is the natural oil produced by the scalp that helps keep the skin moisturised and healthy. However, if the scalp starts to become built up with excess oil and grease, this can lead to itching, redness, and dandruff.

Does your hair benefit from not washing it?

Natural Oil Production: The scalp and skin produce natural oils (sebum) that help moisturize and protect. Not washing may allow these oils to build up, potentially improving hair and skin health for some individuals.

Is it good to go without washing your hair?

Not washing it would be unhygienic and will lead to even worse scalp problems, including bacterial or fungal infections. Get a gentler shampoo if that's what your scalp needs, but wash your hair when YOUR HAIR needs washing. Not when someone with a completely different hair type and lifestyle says they wash their hair.

Dermatologist Debunks Biggest Haircare Myths

How long is it okay to not wash your hair?

Your scalp and your strands need moisture to stay healthy, so try to cleanse once a week if possible. If you're working with fine or thin hair, or you have an oil-prone scalp, you may need to suds up a few times a week, every other day, or even daily (if you're, say, running a marathon in scorching heat every morning).

Can I wash my hair with just water?

Despite the rave reviews of some vloggers, most hair professionals do not recommend the water only hair washing method. “Sebum is naturally quite waxy (and smelly), and water alone may not be able to remove the buildup which can be problematic for people with scalp conditions or a predisposition to scalp conditions.

What if you never wash your hair?

There's also your everyday body odor, sweat, and bacteria that fester in your hair. Left untreated, it can start to smell sour or mildewy, especially if you have thick hair which traps odors more easily. The longer you go without washing, the worse the stench gets.

What did people use before shampoo?

Before the advent of modern shampoos, people used a variety of natural ingredients and traditional methods to cleanse and care for their hair, including:
  • Herbs and plant extracts.
  • Natural soaps and oils.
  • Egg and milk mixtures.
  • Ash and clay.
  • Honey and vinegar rinses.

Will hair grow if not washed?

To affirm that not washing your hair makes it grow is completely false. It is a popular belief that is just another of the many hair fake news. The number of times a person washes their hair does not influence hair growth, however, not keeping it in good hygienic conditions can cause it to fall out.

Is dry hair healthy?

When hair is healthy, the natural oils in the cuticle – the outer layer of hair – nourish and protect the inner layers. These oils also reflect light, giving your hair shine and lustre. In dry hair, this moisturising outer layer breaks down, and your hair starts to look dull and unhealthy.

What happens if you don't wash your hair for a year?

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.

What is the healthiest way to wash your hair?

How to Properly Wash Your Hair in 8 Simple Steps
  1. Brush your hair. Brushing your hair before washing is a crucial part of the process. ...
  2. Soak on. ...
  3. Lather for length. ...
  4. Indulge in a scalp massage. ...
  5. Rinse & repeat. ...
  6. Condition the ends. ...
  7. Hydrate with a Hair Mask. ...
  8. Soak off.

What is the no poo method?

The no-poo (or “no shampoo”) method is a hair-cleansing technique that removes shampoo from the equation, says Yadav. Instead of using shampoo, followers of the practice use alternatives such as apple cider vinegar, a cleansing conditioner, or just plain water.

How did Native Americans wash their hair?

Native Americans have a rich history of traditional practices, and one of the ways they used to wash their hair was by immersing themselves in the natural environment, particularly in rivers or streams. For many indigenous communities, rivers and streams held profound cultural and spiritual significance.

What did people use before deodorant?

Before the twentieth century, talcum powder—made of the mineral talc—was the main personal care product advertised to alleviate odorous feet, armpits, and general body perspiration. Talcum powder was sold as a general body freshener and deodorant, as it absorbed perspiration and moisture from skin and clothes.

How did our ancestors wash their hair?

Around the world, other ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians used citrus juice and water to cleanse the hair, while the Greeks and Romans used vinegar rinses. In North Africa rhassoul clay, derived from the Arabic word ghassala, which means to wash, was used to clean the hair.

What happens if you never wash your body?

If you don't wash your body, it makes it easier for germs that cause actual skin infections to flourish. If you didn't wash at all, dirt, sweat, dead skin cells and oil would start to accumulate, and infections or ongoing skin conditions can become more serious, more difficult to manage, and harder to undo.

What happens if you wash your hair with water only?

Water is effective at washing away dirt, dust, and other water-soluble debris from the hair and scalp without stripping the hair of this sebum. However, Mamelak notes that if there are other oils in the hair (from a haircare or styling product, for example), a good portion of these will be left behind as well.

Is it okay to wash hair without shampoo?

Shampoo is great, but it can have damaging effects on your hair and scalp too. The good news is that you can wash your hair even without shampoo. Natural alternatives to shampoo can help you achieve clean and healthy hair.

Is damaged hair wiry?

Hair Looks and Feels Dry and Brittle. The first tell-tale sign of hair damage Opens in a new tab is usually that dry and brittle feeling. It's lacking in natural shine, it's permanently parched, and it's more difficult to style as a result.

Which shampoo is best for hair?

  • Onion Shampoo for Hair Fall Control and Hair Growth with Onion & Plant Keratin - 650 ml. ...
  • Rice Water Shampoo For Damage Repair - 250ml. ...
  • BhringAmla Shampoo with Bhringraj and Amla for Intense Hair Treatment - 250 ml. ...
  • Curd Smoothening Shampoo with Curd & Keratin for Smooth & Shiny Hair- 250 ml.

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