I’m standing in the shower, shampoo in hand, questioning every life decision that’s led me to this point.
Do I lather up today? Or let my natural oils do their thing? Is it a greasy-hair day or just an “I’ll deal with it later” kind of day?
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your shampoo bottle like it holds the answers to life’s mysteries, you’re in luck.
Spoiler alert: It all depends on your hair type!
Whether you’re rocking curls, straight strands, or a whole head of damage (thanks, DIY bleach sessions!), this quiz will help you uncover your perfect wash routine.
Read on for more tips and tricks for your hair type below….
1. What is your hair type?
A) Oily
B) Dry
C) Curly
D) Normal
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?
How often you wash your hair is largely dependent on your individual hair type.
Different hair types require different shampooing schedules. What works for one person might not work for another.
But there are other things to think about besides your hair type when deciding how often to wash your hair:
- Your activity levels– If you work out regularly or live in a hot, humid climate, you may need to wash your hair more often to prevent sweat and oil buildup.
- Your environment -If you live in a cold climate or don’t sweat much, you may be able to get away with washing your hair less frequently.
- Your hair care routine – It’s also important to consider the products you use in your hair. If you use a lot of styling products, such as hairspray, mousse, or gel, you may need to shampoo more frequently to prevent product build-up.
- On the other hand, if you use minimal products or natural products, you may be able to extend the time between washes.
Ultimately, the best way to determine how often you should wash your hair is to experiment and find what works best for your individual hair type (or just take our quiz above!).
Wash Frequency by Hair Type
Here’s a guide to how often you should wash your hair according to its texture:
Thick Hair: 3-4 days
Thick hair tends to get drier at the ends and oilier at the scalp as the days go by – so you’d want to go no more than 3-4 days in between washes.
Washing it too frequently can dry out your locks and strip your hair of their natural oils, so aim for a balance between the two.
Talking of balancing, it’s also important to use a good quality shampoo that won’t weigh down your hair follicles.
A lightweight conditioner will help keep your tresses soft and shiny without leaving them looking greasy or limp. And if you need extra volume, try using a volumizing mousse!
Expert Insights
“Thick hair has more surface area for oil to travel, so you can wash it less frequently. But always condition, as thick hair tends to be drier at the ends.”
– Celebrity stylist Sally Hershberger, via Harper’s Bazaar
Fine Hair: 2 days
If you have fine hair texture, then you’ll need to wash it every other day.
That’s because fine hair can get greasier quicker than other types of hair.
When you do wash it, be sure to use a gentle shampoo and conditioner to prevent your hair from getting weighed down. And when you style it, use lightweight products to avoid flattening out your locks.
Expert Insights
“Fine hair tends to get oily more quickly because the scalp’s natural oils have an easier time spreading along the shaft. Washing every two days usually keeps things fresh without stripping those essential oils.”
– Dr. Francesca Fusco, dermatologist, via Allure
Oily Hair: Every day
If you have oily or greasy hair, you should be washing it every day.
That may sound like a lot, but it’s necessary in order to remove the excess oil and keep your hair shafts looking clean and shiny.
Oily hair is prone to looking greasy and stringy, so daily washing is a must. Fortunately, there are plenty of gentle shampoos on the market that won’t dry out your hair or strip it of its natural oils.
Expert Insights
“Daily washing is fine for oily hair types. The key is to use a shampoo that’s not too harsh, so you cleanse without causing more oil production.”
– Paul Cucinello, celebrity stylist, via Byrdie
Dry Hair: Once A Week
If you have dry hair, you’ll only need to wash it once a week.
Washing dry hair too frequently can actually strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to even more dryness.
When you do wash your dry hair, be sure to use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to help replenish the moisture levels.
Steer clear of anything that contains with harsh ingredients like sulfates and parabens which will dry your hair out even more and cause breakage.
And as always, avoid over-washing! Or you’ll end up with a dry, itchy scalp.
“When your hair is dry, it’s important to wash less frequently to preserve the natural oils that keep it hydrated. Aim for once a week, and focus on using moisturizing products to avoid further damage.”
– Anabel Kingsley, trichologist at Philip Kingsley Clinic, via Glamour
Damaged Hair: Once a week
If you have damaged hair—whether it’s from heat styling, coloring, or any other reason—you should only be washing it once or twice a week.
Frequent washing can further damage your already fragile locks, so it’s best to err on the side of caution.
When you do wash your hair, make sure you’re using a good quality shampoo and conditioner made for damaged hair.
This will help hydrate and nourish your strands while also cleansing them gently. Bond repairing products like Olaplex are best for you.
Expert Insights
“Damaged hair needs gentle care, which means limiting washes to once or twice a week to avoid further stress on the hair cuticle. Focus on hydration and strengthening treatments to help restore health.”
– Dr. Kari Williams, trichologist, via InStyle
Colored Hair: 4-7 days
If you have colored hair, you should be washing it every four to seven days.
Color-treated hair can quickly become dry and brittle if washed too frequently, so aim for that four day window and go up to a week if you can.
You can wash your hair straight after it’s been dyed, but it’s best to wait a couple of days. This will also help preserve your color and stop it from fading and washing out.
It’s also important to use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner made specifically for colored hair. This will help ensure your color stays vibrant and true while keeping your locks healthy and strong.
Expert Insights
“To preserve your color, avoid washing too frequently. Stick to every 4-7 days and always use color-safe products to prevent fading and maintain vibrancy.”
– Rita Hazan, celebrity colorist, via Vogue
Short Hair: 2-3 days
Short hair typically doesn’t need to be washed as often as long hair. Depending on your scalp type and lifestyle, you may be able to get away with washing it every 2-3 days.
If your hair tends to get greasy quickly, though, you may have to wash it more frequently.
If you use a lot of product to style your hair (looking at you, pixie cut!), you’ll want to wash it more often too. No one wants greasy pillows!
The best advice for determining how often to wash your hair is to experiment with different frequencies and see what works best for you. Remember that everyone’s hair is unique—so listen to yours!
Expert Insights
“Short hair can often handle more frequent washing since it’s less prone to dryness, but it still depends on your scalp’s oil production. Every 2-3 days usually works well for most people with short styles.”
– David Lopez, celebrity hairstylist, via Byrdie
Curly Hair: Once or twice a week
Curly hair is typically more prone to dryness, so it’s best to only wash it once or twice a week.
This will help keep your curls from getting frizzy and give them time to absorb moisture from the air and your conditioners.
When you do wash it, use a gentle shampoo that won’t strip out the natural oils your scalp produces. A good quality conditioner is key too—it’ll help retain moisture in those beautiful ringlets of yours!
Finally, remember that when it comes to caring for your hair, consistency is key. Find what works best for you and stick with it—your locks will thank you!
Expert Insights
“Curly hair is naturally dry, so you don’t need to wash it as often. The focus should be on conditioning to keep it moisturized and frizz-free.”
– Ouidad, curl expert, via Cosmopolitan
Hair Washing FAQs
Is it unhealthy to wash your hair everyday?
Washing your hair everyday isn’t necessarily unhealthy, but it may not be necessary either.
It all depends on your hair type and how dirt and buildup it gets. For some people, daily washing can be a great way to maintain healthy hair, but for others it may leave their locks dry and brittle.
If you do wash your hair everyday, make sure you’re using a gentle shampoo and conditioner specifically made for daily use. And don’t forget those nourishing treatments! They’ll help keep your hair looking and feeling its best.
No matter how often you choose to wash your hair, it’s important to remember that the key is hydration and rinsing the products out of your hair thoroughly.
So always follow up with a hydrating mask or deep conditioner on days when you don’t shampoo.
This will help replenish the moisture levels in your mane while also keeping it looking fabulously soft and shiny!
Is it OK to wash hair once a week?
Yes! It’s super ok to wash your hair once a week if you can get away with it. This is especially true if you have thick, curly, dry or colored hair.
If you do choose to go the weekly route, it’s important to make sure that your scalp and strands stay clean in between washes.
Use a dry shampoo or scalp scrub to remove any excess oils and dirt buildup. This will help keep your locks looking and feeling fresh without stripping them of their natural moisture!
And don’t forget about deep conditioning treatments—these are essential for keeping your mane hydrated and healthy in between washes. We often just refresh our locks with conditioner and skip the shampoo.
Ultimately, how often you wash your hair is all up to you—just find what works best for your type of hair and lifestyle!
How often should you wash hair with dandruff?
As anyone with dandruff knows, those little white flakes can be annoying. Not only are they visible on your clothes, but they can also cause itching and irritation on your scalp.
While there is no cure for dandruff, there are a few things you can do to help manage the symptoms. One of the most important things is to keep your scalp clean.
Shampooing regularly helps to remove the build-up of dead skin cells that can lead to dandruff. However, you don’t need to shampoo every day. In fact, over-washing can actually make dandruff worse by drying out your scalp.
So how often should you shampoo if you have dandruff? The answer may vary depending on the severity of your symptoms, but a good rule of thumb is to shampoo 2-3 times a week with a gentle dandruff shampoo.
With regular cleansing, you can help keep those pesky flakes under control.
Does not washing hair make it healthier?
There is some evidence to suggest that not washing your hair regularly can make it healthier and actually be good for your scalp.
When you don’t wash your hair, your oil glands produce less sebum, which is the natural oil that can contribute to clogged pores and oily hair.
Not washing your hair allows your scalp to produce its own natural moisture, which can keep your hair healthy and hydrated.
There was a phase of people claiming that not washing your hair for a few weeks leads it to ‘clean itself’ and you’d never have to wash your hair again! But it can leave you with limp looking hair and a super oily scalp.
We’re not brave enough to try that!
What are the benefits of not washing your hair for a week?
If you have colored hair, dry, damaged hair or a non-oily hair type, skipping a few washes can actually leave your hair looking and feeling healthier.
When you wash your hair, you strip away natural oils that keep your scalp hydrated and your hair looking shiny.
By giving your hair a break from shampoo, you allow the oils to build up, resulting in softer, more manageable locks.
Not washing your hair regularly can also help to extend the life of your color treatment too.
Plus, skipping a few washes can also save you time in the morning, and give you an extra few minutes to hit the snooze button. So go ahead and give yourself a break – your hair will thank you for it!
The Bottom Line: Wash Smart, Not More
At the end of the day, how often you should wash your hair is a personal journey, just like finding the perfect pair of jeans or binge-worthy Netflix series.
It’s all about tuning in to what your hair needs—whether it’s a daily refresh or a once-a-week pamper session. The quiz (seriously, have you taken it yet?) is your guide to figuring it out, but remember, your hair is as unique as you are!
So, embrace the wash routine that works for you, experiment with different products, and don’t be afraid to stretch out your shampoo days if your hair can handle it. After all, even on those greasy, dry-shampoo-saturated days, hats and messy buns are here for you.
Now go ahead—take the quiz, find your hair’s sweet spot, and let your locks live their best life!
Found your perfect shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @coloredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.
Our Research & Review Process
To ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and reliable as possible, we’ve undertaken an extensive research effort.
We cite scientific evidence and journals, collect real user reviews and gather impartial perspectives from hair stylists, users, and experts in the field.
Additionally, we conduct hands-on testing by using products and applying hair dyes not only on our own locks but also on real human hair extensions and hair pieces of different hair type, textures and lengths.
This rigorous approach allows us to provide you with insights into which products genuinely live up to their promises.
As always – please consult with a professional hair colorist or stylist for advice on how to color your own hair at home. It’s different for everyone!
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