Prolonged periods of not washing can cause cause buildup on the scalp, damaging hair and even impeding its ability to grow, Lamb said. Grime from dirt, oil and hair product can show up within four to six days for people with finer, straighter hair.
"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."
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.
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.
Not washing your hair regularly can make the scalp flaky and lead to dandruff. It will make you feel itchy and you can also get rashes on your scalp. “You can develop major dandruff problem if you don't wash your hair for 1 or 2 weeks,” she warned.
The amount of time between when someone should wash their hair is different for each person. Most people tend to wash their hair every other day or even every two to three days. But a variety of factors can impact how often you should shampoo.
In fact, when you don't wash your hair enough, you allow oils and dirt to build up on your scalp and clog your pores, paving the way for actual hair loss. That's why finding the perfect frequency for your shampooing schedule is the key to caring for your scalp and avoiding hair loss.
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.
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 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.
Going a long time without washing your hair can cause a buildup of a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia on your scalp. Over time, this leads to a layer of dead skin cells that shed from your head in the form of oily, yellow-ish dandruff flakes. Dandruff can also make your scalp red, scaly, and itchy.
Water is effective at washing away dirt, dust, and other water-soluble debris from the hair and scalp without stripping the hair of this sebum. However, Mamelak notes that if there are other oils in the hair (from a haircare or styling product, for example), a good portion of these will be left behind as well.
Dr Aragona says it usually takes around six weeks for hair to adjust to the process and for the natural oils in the hair to balance out.
However, simply washing your hair with water will leave it dry and oily, and it will take some time to get used to it. The best approach to maintain your hair clean, healthy, lustrous, and dandruff-free is to use water-only hair wash substitutes like lemon, apple cider vinegar, and clay.
DIRTY HAIR
If you don't wash your hair regularly enough – dirt, oil, and product build-up can cause your scalp to become itchy and irritated. When your hair is too dirty, it can also lead to unwanted bacteria, sometimes turning into dandruff and other scalp problems.
If you stop washing your hair, the dirt and product build-up can affect its growth process. By clogging the hair follicles, it can prevent the hair from getting the nutrients it needs to grow. It will eventually lead to lackluster and stunted hair growth.
5: “Washing your hair on a daily basis makes it fall out more” FALSE: Not only is this not true, it's actually completely the opposite! If your hair feels greasy every day, it's best to wash it to stop excess sebum blocking your follicles. Hair that falls out as you wash was ready to fall out anyway.
“Shampoo less and your hair will be more hydrated,” they said, which helps promote thickness. “Be sure to use sulfate-free products to preserve your hair's natural oils. (Their whole line of products is sulfate-free, should you be in the market.)
"Short hairstyles are best for thinning hair, because too much length can drag the hair down and create an unflattering, stringy appearance," says Alabama stylist Hope Russo.
Basically, washing your hair too much can throw off your scalp's microbiome, which can let bad bacteria and fungi take over and cause things like inflammation, according to Burg. He recommends gently cleansing your scalp two to three times per week to help remove excess sebum.
When starting the No Poo method you may be a bit worried about how long it takes for your hair to get used to your new way of life. And as a rule of thumb, it may take around six weeks for your hair to fully transition, however it could be faster than this if you have shorter hair.
One month: Again, every person's hair is different—and if you're using conditioner (which tends to have a mild cleansing effect), you can go a month or more without shampoo. But if you hit the one-month mark rinsing with nothing but water, you may find your hair is begging for help.