How often do you do it?
For some guys, it’s every morning without fail. For others, it’s simply when they can find the time. You might be wondering if you do it too much, or if you’re not doing it enough.
Yep, we all take a different approach to washing our hair, and there’s plenty of conflicting advice out there about how and how often we should be doing it. But there’s no point tearing your hair out over it(even that wouldtechnicallysolve the problem), there’s a simple answer.
Basically, less is more. According to most dermatologists and barbers, on average guys should wash with shampoo once every two to three days - depending on how greasy your hair gets - and no more than three times a week.
Don’t do it daily
You’re probably thinking, “wait, isn’t it pretty dirty to not wash my hair every day? Isn’t that like not using soap daily?”
The answer to that is no (although you should definitely use soap every day, as well as doing your daily grooming routine).
The reason has to do with sebum, the oil your scalp produces that nourishes your hair and keeps it from drying out. Shampoo strips this away, which can dry out your follicles at their roots and weaken your hair. As a result, your body does into overdrive and produces more sebum - making your hair super oily.
If you shampoo less frequently, your scalp will balance itself out and find the sweet spot with the right amount of oil. It will also improve frizzy hair, make it easier to style with product, lessen breakage, make your hair look healthy and shiny, and even help with hair loss.
There’s always an exception to the rule however, and guys with oily hair may need to shampoo more frequently. You’re the best judge of that, so it’s important to know your hair and what it needs.
Rinse with water
For those of us that work out daily, or get overly sweaty in the warmer months, only washing two or three times a week may sound like a bad idea. But you’ll find that rinsing your hair with warm water, and exfoliating your scalp by rubbing and scratching it, actually does the trick.
That’ll clear away dead skin flakes, dirt and most of the excess oil, while still leaving enough for your hair to get the nourishing benefits it needs to stay healthy. Plus a bit of salt in your hair from sweat will give you some texture not unlike “surfer’s hair” - with a bit of product, you’ve got yourself a guaranteed good hair day.
Think of conditionerseparately
Most of us think shampoo and conditioner are an iconic duo in the vein of Bonnie and Clyde, Holmes and Watson, and fish and chips - but that’s not actually the case.
While your hair does need both, they don’t need to be used at the same time. 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.
When it comes to conditioning, again, knowing your hair is key. If you’ve got an oily scalp, the excess sebum produce will act as a natural conditional, so your hair is less likely to dry out.
It can take a bit of time and a few attempts to figure out the right routine and frequency for you, but it’s worth breaking away from the daily shampoo and conditioner routine we’ve all become accustomed to - your hair will thank you.
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FAQs
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using rinse-out conditioner after every wash, ideally a few times per week. However, if you have very oily or fine hair, you may want to condition less frequently because it can weigh your hair down.
How often should hair be washed and conditioned? ›
When to wash. Rossi generally tells his patients they should wash their hair once or twice per week. But if you've had chemical treatments that can make your hair drier — such as bleach, perms or relaxers — you might want to wash it less than once weekly to avoid breaking or brittle hair or split ends, he said.
How often should I use conditioner on my hair? ›
How often should you condition your hair? The answer to this is that you should condition your hair every time you wash it, without a doubt. When we wash our hair, we're cleansing it of dirt and impurities. Shampoo opens the hair's cuticle as it cleanses, while conditioner seals the hair's cuticle to lock in nutrients.
Is 3 times a week too much to wash hair? ›
She says it's more important to consider your hair type, texture and amount of oil production you usually experience. “I typically advise patients to keep to a standard hair washing schedule, whether it is three times per week, weekly or once per month, regardless of activity level,” she says.
How often should you wash your hair for hair growth? ›
There's actually no evidence that washing your hair more or less often can help grow your hair faster. But washing can help keep your scalp exfoliated and less prone to clogged pores (which, reminder, can hinder hair growth and even contribute to hair loss.
Is it OK to condition your hair everyday? ›
However, if you have very oily or fine hair, you may want to condition less frequently because it can weigh your hair down. If you have dry, coarse, curly, or color-treated hair, you may benefit from conditioning your hair more frequently — daily or every other day.
How often do dermatologists recommend washing hair? ›
“There are too many variables to set one rule,” Jessica J. Krant, a cosmetic and medical dermatologist at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York said in an interview. “I believe hair can be washed anywhere from daily to once every two weeks, depending on hair and skin type, hairstyle and lifestyle.”
Can too much conditioner damage your hair? ›
Just like you can over-wash hair, you can over-condition it. Conditioner is supposed to make your hair look and feel moisturized, soft, and smooth. If you condition your hair too long or too often, however, your strands can become too soft making them difficult to style and susceptible to breakage.
Do you put conditioner or shampoo first? ›
The general recommendation is to use shampoo to cleanse the hair before conditioner. Follow these steps for best results: Completely saturate your hair with warm, not hot, water. Squirt a small amount of shampoo into the palm of your hand.
Is it OK to use conditioner without shampoo? ›
But, if your hair needs even more moisturization, give it what it wants! In that case, you can condition your hair even on the days you don't shampoo it. If your hair is treated, damaged (from chlorine, for example), dry, curly, or thick, you may find that it needs to be conditioned in-between shampoo days.
“I don't think there's anything bad or wrong with [washing with water only], and certainly washing with water will remove actual dirt, pollen, and sweat,” said Hughes. But the water-only method also leaves out any moisturizing you get from conditioner or hydrating shampoos.
Can I just wash my hair with water? ›
Just Water Method
By wetting your hair you're still technically washing it, but you're avoiding exposure to potentially dehydrating ingredients like sulfates. A good time to use the “just water” method is when it's the end of the day and your hair is looking like a bit of a mess.
Should I rinse my hair with water everyday? ›
If you need to rinse your hair daily, use cool water to preserve oils. At some point, your scalp will get used to this routine and you will achieve less greasy hair. Then, scrub well with warm water every 7-10 days. Use a cool water rinse to get rid of sweat between your weekly rinses.
How to thicken hair? ›
"One of the best ways to strengthen hair that has become thin from either poor health or over styling is to use a protein-based conditioner," adds Lamb. Leave-in thickening and volumizing products including dry shampoo, mousses, serums, coconut oil, gels and sprays may also be helpful.
Does your hair grow faster if you wash it more? ›
Hair growth flourishes from a clean, healthy scalp. The bottom line is that dirty hair doesn't grow any faster than clean hair, so you may as well have a clean scalp and fresh tresses. Your strands will look better, feel better, and be healthier, too.
Does conditioning your hair count as washing it? ›
In short, co-washing means using conditioner instead of shampoo and falls somewhere between squeaky clean and second-day hair. In most cases, strands will feel smoother, softer, and easier to manage, especially if you have a head of curls or waves.
Can hair be too conditioned? ›
Just like you can over-wash hair, you can over-condition it. Conditioner is supposed to make your hair look and feel moisturized, soft, and smooth. If you condition your hair too long or too often, however, your strands can become too soft making them difficult to style and susceptible to breakage.
Is it good to condition hair between washes? ›
Give Your Ends Some Extra TLC Between Washes
Shampooing less often also means conditioning less often which can lead to frizzy, dry ends. Be sure to condition your hair from the mid-shaft to the ends with Honey-Infused Leave-In Conditioner between washes.
