Washing the hair less often can help the scalp remain healthy, prevent itching and flaking, and keep the hair soft and shiny. People with very oily scalps may develop acne on the scalp or along the hairline and may need to wash their hair more frequently to keep their hair looking clean.
Washing your hair every day can strip away more oil than it should from your hair, which leaves your hair drier and more likely to break. Washing your hair every day can cause dryness, and that makes your hair much more prone to split ends. Split ends are the enemy of happy and healthy curls!
Maintaining a healthy scalp and hair through good hygiene and proper hair care can help prevent and control many diseases and conditions. Use soap and clean, running water to remove dirt, oil, and unwanted residue from your head.
"The average individual can typically go 2 to 3 days without shampooing their hair. However, if your hair is visibly oily, you may not want to wait that long," she says. "Usually, you can go longer without washing your hair when your hair is styled up, but no one should ever go more than 14 days."
For the average person, every other day, or every 2 to 3 days, without washing is generally fine. “There is no blanket recommendation. If hair is visibly oily, scalp is itching, or there's flaking due to dirt,” those are signs it's time to shampoo, Goh says.
Hair Washing Frequency and Tips
“I recommend washing your hair two to three times a week,” Dr. Icecreamwala says. “If your hair is dry, you may only want to wash it twice a week. If it is on the oilier side, every other day is recommended.”
People with oily hair or who use hair care products daily should consider washing their hair once every 1–2 days. People with dry hair can wash their hair less frequently. Those with textured or coily hair should only wash it once every 1–2 weeks.
Yes, there is no harm in washing hair daily with plain treated water but prefer cold water. You need to check for excess chlorine or bleach in water which may cause dryness and split ends on repeated exposure.
Not washing the hair regularly with shampoo has certain advantages like cost and time saving, reduced exposure to chemicals, and less risk of hair damage. However, it may increase the risk of scalp irritation and infections due to the buildup of sebum, dirt, and sweat.
Not washing your hair enough can lead to dandruff, irritation, clogged pores, breakouts, and even hair loss over time, says Dr. Rubin, explaining that these issues are usually the result of buildup and residue from sebum, hair products, and dead skin cells.
The day after washing, that natural oil (called sebum) that we washed away starts to come back adding softness to our tresses. Sebum also helps to balance the pH levels of your scalp preventing your hair from dryness and breakage.
The simplest way to switch to a shampoo-free hair washing routine is to reduce the amount of shampoo you use gradually. However, simply washing your hair with water will leave it dry and oily, and it will take some time to get used to it.
Generally, if your hair isn't greasy or dry, you should cleanse it every two to three days, King recommends. But if you wash hair too often for your hair type, "it could be very drying to the hair, depending on the ingredients in the shampoo," King says.
“Due to our routine, pollution and multiple products used on the scalp can cause build-up which can lead to multiple issues. If the hair is not washed regularly, it can lead to hair breakage and brittleness,” she said.
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.
If you want to fix frizzy hair without washing, you need a product that works on dry hair. Comb one whole pump of Almost Everything Cream through your mid-lengths and ends using your fingers. This will again, smooth frizz, as well hydrate dry ends and give your hair a healthy sheen.
Hair traps moisture, Lamb said, meaning that built-up bacteria on unwashed scalps can start to pick up a mildewy or sour smell after several days or a week, especially if exercise is involved.
It's possible we have doubts about using only conditioner when we shower because we've always been told to use both products simultaneously. Well, that is no longer the case and it's definitely okay to just skip the shampoo to opt for conditioner instead.
While there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people (unless you are grimy, sweaty, or have other reasons to shower more often). Short showers (lasting three or four minutes) with a focus on the armpits and groin may suffice.
Disadvantages Of Cold Water
When washed with cold water, there are chances that your enclosed hair cuticles lock in excessive moisture. This may weigh down your hair and make it flat. Also, the moisture increases the binding of your hair strands, resulting in a decrease in hair volume overall.