Washing your hair less often means your scalp will produce less oil, but it's a process that takes some time. If you've been washing daily, try going every other day. At first, you'll notice that your hair gets really greasy between washes, but as your scalp rebalances, it will be less and less.
Your hair will naturally be greasy in the days following your wash but it's important to resist the urge to wash it. It'll take a while for your hair to get used to your new schedule. After about 4 weeks you'll notice your hair getting less and less greasy between washes.
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.
How often should you wash your hair? ``Hair health and growth is improved with less water and less washing time,'' says Nikita Mehta, founder of Ayurvedic hair brand Fable & Mane.
The hard part is the adaptation period. Depending on how long your hair is, how good your diet is, how well you're sleeping, how naturally oily your hair is, and other health related factors, your hair could take anywhere from one week to over a month to adjust.
Balanced oil regulation
Otherwise known as 'scalp training' reducing the number of times you use shampoo (or eventually not using it at all) can help to regulate the oils produced so they're more in line with your natural hair needs.
It can help give hair important antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins B and E, which help hair stay soft, shiny and easier to detangle.
While the research into hair washing frequency and hair loss is minimal, one study has found that low wash frequency may be associated with increased hair loss [1]. That's because washing your hair less often can increase sebum (the natural oil produced by your scalp) and scalp sensitivity.
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.
Oil training is pretty much what it sounds like—it's the process of training your hair to produce less oil. While it might sound counterintuitive, the idea behind this technique is that washing your hair less often actually lessens your oil production.
If you've been washing daily, try going every other day. At first, you'll notice that your hair gets really greasy between washes, but as your scalp rebalances, it will be less and less. Eventually move to every third day and so on.
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.
Tips for Washing Your Hair Less Frequently
Start slow: Begin by gradually extending the time between washes. Instead of washing your hair every day, try every other day or every two days. This allows your scalp to adjust to the new routine without becoming excessively greasy.
Does Dirty Hair Grow Faster Than Clean Hair? The fact of the matter is that hair needs to be cleaned pretty regularly. Never putting water on your hair is unsanitary and may lead to odor, buildup, and even dryness and breakage. Kimble says, "It is actually a big myth that dirty hair grows faster than clean hair.
As a general rule of thumb, natural black hair should be washed every 7-10 days to remove dead skin cells and product buildup — every 4-5 days for those who are extra active, whether sports or job-related. Just because natural black hair isn't washed daily doesn't mean conditioning should fall by the wayside.
“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.
You should wash most bras after about four wears, or more frequently if you have a particularly sweaty day. As for sports bras, you should wash them, or at least rinse them with warm water, after every workout.
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.
It's perfectly normal to lose a few stray strands when running your fingers, or a comb, through your hair. But if you notice increased hair being pulled out when you are being gentle, this can be a cause of concern that you should get checked over.
The average person loses around 50-100 hair strands every day, but that amount can go up to 200 strands for those with very thick and long hair.
“The benefits of water-only hair washing allow your natural oils to protect, nourish and lubricate your scalp and hair rather than constantly being washed away from a traditional cleansing detergent or shampoo,” says McDaniel.