Florey says it's essential to shampoo twice, rinsing in between, and your hair will be transformed if you do. “The hair will become a lot stronger, shinier and healthier,” he says, but adds that the improvement won't be instantaneous and it could take a few weeks or even months for the change to take effect.
The Benefits of Double Shampooing
“Shampooing your hair twice is beneficial because it allows for proper cleansing, giving you longer periods of time with a clean scalp and keeping away the oily hair problem,” he says. “It also keeps you away from over-shampooing your hair, which is a mistake that most women make.”
Which brings us back to the once or twice debate? “If you're shampooing every day to every other day, there's no need to shampoo twice. However, if you shampoo less than three times a week, you should double cleanse.”
"Double shampooing is usually absolutely fine for all hair types – I would say it is more down to the type of shampoo you are using," Adam explains. "If you have colour treated hair, make sure you are using a shampoo that protects the colour in-between salon appointments."
Washing your hair once should be enough if you are doing it properly! “One and done” is another familiar moniker we often hear, and it may be a better one to apply to your hair care routine. If you wash your hair properly once, you simply don't need to wash it again.
This in turn will lead to a healthier scalp and ultimately, healthier hair.” she adds. So, is it true? According to Anabel Kingsley, trichologist at Philip Kingsley, it depends on how often you wash your hair. "If you're a daily washer then there's no need to double cleanse (AKA shampoo twice)," says Anabel.
You may be doing more damage to your hair by washing and conditioning it every day. So, the rule of thumb I suggest is to only shampoo and condition your hair as you feel it needs it. No one else knows your hair as well as you do. On a good hair day, it's your best friend.
Women who can benefit from double conditioning are those with curly hair in need of an extra dose of moisture. Giving your curls the double conditioning treatment will help them retain moisture better than the traditional shampoo-then-condition process.
Jeff Chastain, a hairstylist in New York City, recommends that women get their shampooing down to once or twice a week. Less washing, he said, means stronger and longer hair. And women with curls need not wash their hair as often as others.
Double shampooing entails washing your hair with shampoo twice during the same shower or bath. Some hair stylists swear by double shampooing, suggesting that the first shampoo helps remove dirt and oil and the second shampoo helps impart nourishing benefits.
How often should you wash thick hair? Thick hair textures normally become drier as the days go on so washing your hair every other day or up to once a week is sufficient. But, if you find that your thick hair becomes greasy, wash it more frequently.
There are many myths out there about hair loss and what causes it. Washing your hair too frequently is one of them, according to hair doctor Anabel Kingsley. You should ideally wash your hair every day, and never leave more than three days in between shampooing, she says.
Kimble's advice? "You should really wash your hair at least once per week, if not every 2-3 days." And if you're more active and are prone to a sweaty scalp, Rutlin suggests that everyday washing isn't as bad as you think.
Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals can collect on your hair and leave behind a residue that feels waxy or sticky.
There's no specific answer for how frequently you should be washing your hair, but there are signs you could be shampooing it too often. Signs of over-washing include an increase in split-ends and excessive dandruff. If your hair is being cleaned too often, it may look less shiny and more frizzy.
Unlike shampoo, conditioner can be used everyday, as it re-hydrates hair and replenishes nutrients. You might also want to consider conditioning on the days you don't shampoo (remember, keep that to two or three days a week). It'll help rinse away grime on the non-shampoo days, and re-hydrate following a shampoo.
Dry, weak, overly soft, limp and/or flat curls, no matter how much conditioner you add to it, are usually the first signs that your hair is over conditioned. Over time, hair that is excessively conditioned with moisture-based conditioners becomes porous and starts to develop dryness as a result.
In fact, the most effective way to treat most dandruff is to use an over-the-counter shampoo, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) explains. You should shampoo your hair daily and swap in the anti-dandruff shampoo twice a week. If you have natural hair, you only need to use the anti-dandruff shampoo once a week.
The answer to how often to shampoo hair lies in your hair type – if your hair isn't particularly oily, 3-4 times a week should be enough. Oily hair? You might need to wash it daily. And if you have thick, curly or dry hair, then weekly should be fine.
Who Should Shampoo Daily? The experts agree: Only a small group needs to shampoo daily, like those with very fine hair, someone who exercises a lot (and sweats), or someone living in very humid place, Goh says. “If you have oily scalp, then daily washing is needed,” she explains.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using rinse-out conditioner after every wash, ideally a few times per week. However, if you have very oily or fine hair, you may want to condition less frequently because it can weigh your hair down.
Why shouldn't you wash your hair daily? “Neither guys or gals need to wash daily unless their scalps are particularly greasy," Bard says. "Most people report that their hair doesn't accumulate enough sebum to feel greasy until day three."
Most people apply shampoo to their hair, scrub, and rinse before applying conditioner. Shampooing removes dirt and oil from the hair, but it can leave the hair rough, frizzy, and unmanageable. Using conditioner after cleansing with shampoo is thought to help this issue.