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.
Oily hair: Every day to prevent the buildup of dirt. Dry/damaged hair: Every 5-7 days to allow some of your hair's natural oils to be retained on the scalp. Fine/thin hair: Every other day to provide your hair with enough moisture. Wavy/curly hair: Every 4-5 days, depending on the density of your hair.
Hairstylists recommend gently massaging your shampoo only into your roots using the tips of your fingers and avoiding the bottom of your hair altogether, then gently rinsing with lukewarm water in order to prevent damage.
However, the news that daily washing doesn't damage the hair doesn't mean it's necessary. There are no hard and fast rules: daily hair washing is a “can” not a “must,” and more frequent washing is only required if your hair tends to be greasy.
Daily shampooing removes oils that are healthy, to some degree, but a too-oily scalp can nourish fungus that causes seborrhea, a condition that leaves the scalp itchy and scaly. If your scalp is naturally oily or you work out daily, washing once a day may be right for you.
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.
Scalp condition
Washing the hair less often can help the scalp remain healthy, prevent itching and flaking, and keep the hair soft and shiny. People with very oily scalps may develop acne on the scalp or along the hairline and may need to wash their hair more frequently to keep their hair looking clean.
Prolonged periods of not washing can cause cause buildup on the scalp, damaging hair and even impeding its ability to grow, Lamb said. Grime from dirt, oil and hair product can show up within four to six days for people with finer, straighter hair.
For the average person, every other day, or every 2 to 3 days, without washing is generally fine. “There is no blanket recommendation. If hair is visibly oily, scalp is itching, or there's flaking due to dirt,” those are signs it's time to shampoo, Goh says.
You don't have to shampoo every day.
According to Redway, if you're doing heavy cardio daily, you should wash your hair two to three times a week. “Rinsing your scalp in between shampoos will help clean it. And if you have curly or textured hair, co-wash [with conditioner but not shampoo] in between.
Cold water is good for hair as it seals the cuticle back up and locks in the moisture from your conditioner. This leaves your hair looking extra hydrated, frizz-free and shiny.
Oil your hair no more than 1 to 2 times a week. Leave it on for approximately an hour or two but you don't need to leave it on longer than that. When you leave oil on too long you run the risk of zits because oil will run down onto your skin and you also don't add any real benefit by leaving it on longer.
Using too much conditioner on your locks may cause more damage than good. Over-conditioning your hair can make it dry, brittle, unmanageable, greasy, and limp.
“The average individual can typically go 2 to 3 days without shampooing their hair. However, if your hair is visibly oily, you may not want to wait that long,” she says. “Usually, you can go longer without washing your hair when your hair is styled up, but no one should ever go more than 14 days.”
Feisal shares that “washing with water alone is like taking a shower without soap—great as a quick refresh, but probably not ideal for most of us to do all of the time. Water will only help rinse the hair's surface of dust and debris, but will not do much else and especially won't 'wash' your hair.”
More volume. A little oil clinging to your hair strands instantly adds volume. Your hair is fluffed out and looks lusher and thicker. From braids to buns or loose locks, your hair will appear fuller when it's a little dirty.
When you go too long without washing your scalp, Dr. Rubin says you can get a build-up of sebum, hair product residue, and dead skin cells. "All of this can potentially result in clogged pores, which is not good for your scalp health or your hair health," Dr. Rubin explains.
In the broadest sense, “no poo” means no shampoo. It's a philosophy and method of cleaning your hair without traditional shampoo. People are attracted to the no-poo method for a number of reasons. Some want to avoid overly stripping their hair of good and natural oils produced by the scalp.
In addition to being good for your scalp, coconut oil also moisturizes your hair. Since it's easily absorbed, it works better than other oils at repairing dry hair. Keep in mind that coconut oil alone may not be effective as a shampoo to cleanse hair, but as a pre-shampoo treatment, it will condition hair.
For best results, some haircare experts suggest using coconut oil about two to three times a week.
The use of coconut oil on hair helps reduce protein loss in all hair types. And, because this oil is rich in lauric acid and easily penetrates inside the hair shaft it is great to use as a daily conditioner.