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.
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.
While you need shampoo to keep sebum from building up, washing your hair too frequently can strip away the natural oils and leave your hair looking dry, frizzy and dull. If your hair has lost its shine, that's a good sign it isn't moisturized and needs a break between hair-washing sessions.
You should ideally wash your hair every day, and never leave more than three days in between shampooing, she says. Thinning hair can be caused by a variety of changes going on within the body that we cannot control. Thinning hair can stem from hormonal changes, changes in medications, or it can simply be hereditary.
On the other hand, there are some benefits to not washing your hair unnecessarily. Over-washing strips your hair of its natural oils, causing it to become dull, dry and brittle.
“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.
While washing your hair won't necessarily cause it to grow, there is a correlation between the two. “As a rule of thumb a clean scalp is more than likely to be a healthy scalp,” says Kingsley. And a healthy scalp is more likely to produce long, full, healthy-looking hair.
Increased hair loss could also indicate that you aren't washing your hair enough. One of the most common causes of hair loss—that is indirectly associated with infrequent shampooing—is seborrheic dermatitis.
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.
Washing severely damaged hair (hair with breakage, brittle ends and extreme dryness), no more than twice a week. If you can wash your damaged hair once a week without it getting too greasy, then aim for once a week. The less you wash your damaged hair, the better.
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.
“Less washing and altered scalp hygiene may also predispose the skin to infections with bacteria or fungi,” Dr. Camp explains. “If certain scalp conditions are left untreated, such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, it is possible that associated inflammation could damage hair and impact hair growth.”
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).
But here's the kicker: neglecting to shampoo regularly can lead to a whole host of scalp issues, including dreaded dandruff, irritation, and even worsened hair loss. Yes, you heard that right – going #nopoo could actually stunt your hair growth goals. Talk about a bad hair day! The solution is simple: embrace the suds.
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.
According to stylist Rosi Fernandez, director of Ananda Ferdi it is not advisable to go for more than a week without washing hair, as “follicles become clogged and do not get oxygenated,” she explains.
Poor hygiene: Habits like not washing your hair enough can lead to a stinky scalp. Pollution: Particles from the environment can attach to your hair, creating a bad smell.
Hair washing without commercial shampoo, sometimes called no poo, includes water-only hair washing or hair washing with non-commercial products, such as baking soda and vinegar. Advocates argue that commercial shampoo is an unnecessary expense and may contain harmful ingredients.
If you normally wash everyday, it'll take time to get used to washing it less. So start by going an extra day or two in between your normal washes. Rinse your hair with water in between shampoos and try to build up to once a week. When your hair adjusts you'll notice a dramatic difference.