Should people with curly hair wash their hair every day?

Author: Koby Kris DVM  |  Last update: Thursday, August 21, 2025

Most experts recommend washing your hair about 1-3 times a week, but those with thicker curls and coils can often leave their hair for longer, with some recommending every 10-14 days. Coarser curls need the moisture from the sebum as long as possible, or else the hair can feel very dry and brittle.

Should curly hair be washed every day?

Since curly hair is extremely dry, it is best to avoid washing your hair every day. You have to create a schedule that balances off sweat and grime on one hand and hydration on the other. What works best for my hair (with my daily gym visits) is washing every 2 or 3 days -- be it with a shampoo or co washing.

What is the curly girl method?

Here's how to do the Curly Girl Method step-by-step.
  • Step 0: Reset Wash. First up, do a reset cleanse to remove product build-up from your strands. ...
  • Step 1: Cleanse. Wash your hair with a co-wash conditioner or a sulfate-free, low-poo shampoo. ...
  • Step 2: Condition & Detangle. ...
  • Step 3: Style. ...
  • Step 4: Plop. ...
  • Step 5: Repeat.

What happens if I don't wash my curly hair for a week?

Prolonged periods of not washing can cause cause buildup on the scalp, damaging hair and even impeding its ability to grow, Lamb said... Those with coarse or curly hair can buy a bit more time, she said, as many as 10 days. If itchy dandruff or a scaly scalp occurs, it may feel tempting to scratch.

Why do people with curly hair wash their hair less?

Washing your hair daily tends to dry it out because it removes oils and curly hair needs more moisture. The other thing is that most curly routines take a lot of time and many people's hair takes a long time to dry, so doing that every morning is a lot.

How often do you wash your curly hair? A hair routine schedule

Is it okay to wet curly hair every day?

A good rule of thumb: If your curls feel dry, try washing less frequently. Washing your curls everyday can remove the natural oils of your curls and makes it difficult to retain moisture. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't wet your hair. "Rinse and condition more often; shampoo less," Hallman advises.

Is it normal for curly hair to look greasy?

Everyone is susceptible to oily hair regardless of hair type. Due to the twists and turns in curly hair, sebum struggles to move down the hair shaft. This can lead to a build up on the scalp, ultimately ending in oily hair around the roots.

How to maintain curly hair without washing everyday?

How to refresh curls between washes: 5 techniques
  1. Start by protecting your curls while you sleep. Source: Pinterest. ...
  2. Use a spray bottle to dampen and refresh curls in the morning. ...
  3. Or, for thicker textures, refresh curls dry using conditioning products. ...
  4. Create a DIY curl refresher spray.

What is the best shampoo for curly hair?

Our top pick is the Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo because it works on all curly hair types and delivers bouncy, nourished, frizz-free curls. It's formulated with replenishing ingredients that cleanse but don't strip your strands.

Is curly hair rare?

According to Curlkeeper, less than 20% of people have curly hair, making it a rare hair type. However, curly hair comes in all kinds of different styles starting with super coiled curls to slightly wavy. Curly hair requires work to maintain and take care of it, making it hard for some to stick to the routine.

Do you use gel or mousse first?

THE PERFECT COMBINATION. Using mousse and gel in combination when styling your wavy hair is sure to be the perfect dream-team double act! Apply your mousse first, then apply your gel for voluminous waves that will stay alive all day long.

Should I wash my curly hair with hot or cold water?

If you have curly hair, you should use warm water instead. This will help loosen the curls and make them more manageable. If you have thick hair, feel free to wash it with either cold or warm water – it's up to you. No matter what your hair type is, it's important to avoid hot water.

How often should curly hair be conditioned?

Curls need essential moisture to maintain their bounce and structure, as well as to help control frizz and unwanted flyaways. Those with curly hair should start by deep conditioning once a week, and increase the frequency to twice a week if you're still not getting the nourishment you need.

How to dry curly hair?

When you get out of the shower, pat your hair with a gentle microfiber towel to get rid of excess water. Add some gel or leave-in conditioner to your hair and scrunch it. After that, leave your hair alone to dry on its own. If you want to make the process faster, try sitting outside on a warm and sunny day.

What shampoos should not be used on curly hair?

Products Containing Sulfates:

Many mainstream shampoos contain sulfates like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), which can be harsh on curly hair. For instance, popular brands such as Head & Shoulders or Pantene often include sulfates in their formulas.

How to bring out natural curls?

How to Define Your Curls: Top 10 Tips & Popular Methods
  1. Use the Right Shampoo and Conditioner.
  2. Apply a Leave-in Conditioner.
  3. Apply a Hair Oil.
  4. Use a Microfibre Towel or Cotton T-Shirt.
  5. Embrace the “Praying Hands” Method.
  6. Scrunch Your Curls.
  7. Use a Diffuser on Low Heat.
  8. Refresher Spray.

Is Dove good for curly hair?

Love your curls and let them flourish. Dove Defined Curls Sulfate-Free Co-Wash works with its matching leave-in cream to enhance the natural beauty of your curls. This curly co-wash, formulated with 0% parabens, 0% sulfates, and 0% dyes, cleanses while protecting your hair's natural oils.

Is it damaging to wash curly hair everyday?

Though there's some debate among haircare experts on this one, the overwhelming opinion is that, for most people, washing your hair every day is unnecessary. In fact, particularly for people with tight curls, over-washing your hair can dry your hair out, causing damage, split ends and breakage over time.

What is the 123 gel method?

The 1-2-3 gel method is a hair-care and styling technique that moisturizes your hair and locks in hydration by layering three different gels over a cream styling product. While you may think that gels will give your curls a hard look and feel, the cream-styler works as a base to keep your strands moisturized.

What should I do with my curly hair everyday?

Daily Hair Care Routine
  1. Avoid Daily Shampooing.
  2. Detangle Waves and Curls.
  3. Apply Curly Products.
  4. Finger Coil For Perfect Curls.
  5. Protect Hair Overnight.

What does unhealthy curly hair look like?

Definition and Structure: Damaged curls may lack a well-defined pattern. So they appear frizzy, limp, or uneven. They might have split ends or rough cuticles.

How long can curly hair go without washing?

Most experts recommend washing your hair about 1-3 times a week, but those with thicker curls and coils can often leave their hair for longer, with some recommending every 10-14 days. Coarser curls need the moisture from the sebum as long as possible, or else the hair can feel very dry and brittle.

Does curly hair look better wet or dry?

This completely depends on your unique curls and how you prefer to wear your hair. If you want more volume you are likely to prefer damp styling, but if you are looking for less frizz and more definition then wet styling will be for you. At Only Curls, we like a combination of both.

Previous article
What happens if I keep the whitening gel for longer than 30 minutes?
Next article
Does retinol damage your skin over time?