Once you stop using shampoo on a regular basis, as the theory goes, oil production slows down and you naturally produce less. (You may experience a few greasy days or weeks of "transition period," proponents say, but eventually, your body finds balance again.)
"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."
Rogers: Dry or damaged hair may look better (and may actually be healthier) when it's not washed every day, since the scalp's natural oil will have more time to work its way through the hair.
A water-only hair wash routine will help preserve the natural oils. Further, it is a low maintenance hair care routine that requires you to invest in minimal hair care products. You can use lukewarm and cold water to wash off the dirt and dust and then follow it up with a good conditioner.
The no-poo method involves forgoing shampoo containing detergents that strip your hair of its natural oils. Your hair won't smell, because you're still cleansing it. Research the best shampoo alternatives for you: water only, conditioner only, coconut oil, ACV and baking soda, or a no-poo product.
Taking a break from shampooing your hair can help preserve natural oils in the scalp and maintain moisture. The benefits of not washing your hair range from fewer split ends to less grease and oil — check out the most important advantages below.
Not shampooing enough can build up oils (sebum) on your scalp and lead to a smell. If you have an oily scalp or super thin hair, consider washing your hair with a mild shampoo every two days to keep the sebum levels in check.
For many, two to three days is the most. However, by day five you should definitely give your strands a good wash. You'll notice the signs of necessary cleansing when your hair becomes visibly oily, you notice dandruff or buildup, or your scalp begins to itch.
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.
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. “If you run five miles a day, you can't go three months without washing your hair,” said Lamb.
It may result in debris and clogged pores that cause ingrown hair, which can be an annoying and painful experience. Moreover, the longer you go between washes, the more dirt and oils build up on your scalp, which can cause ingrown hairs. This scalp build-up also has the potential to congest your scalp.
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.
Although greasy hair isn't our favorite thing in the world, it's not unhealthy. And when it comes to shampooing, less is more — regardless of your hair type.
Benefits of Skipping a Wash
Washing your hair daily can strip your scalp of its natural microbiome and can cause dryness and inflammation. Over washing can also leave your hair brittle, limp and thin. If you have highlights or colored hair, less water exposure will ensure the color lasts longer.
Narrator: After six months to a year, all that gunk can clog up your hair follicles, which can prevent new hair from growing and, over time, ultimately lead to hair thinning or even hair loss. There's also a risk of your scalp getting infected from all the bacterial buildup.
The folks who don't wash their hair for months on end claim that when they stop washing, their hair eventually produces less scalp oil, which is called sebum. The result: hair that's shiny, moist and healthy ' never greasy.
Poor scalp hygiene, such as not washing your hair regularly, can cause a number of problems including further hair loss as the build-up of skin and sebum on the scalp which can lead to bacteria and potential infection and inflammation.
"With more natural oils lubricating the hair [from water-only washing], the hair shafts glide over each other, leading to less tangles." Skipping shampoo also allows for the hair's sebum to distribute throughout, and this may make hair appear more shiny and less frizzy.
"You can use dry shampoo to lengthen the time in between washes, to absorb sweat after workouts or to just refresh hair for a 'fresh-styled look' without the hassle of getting hair wet and blow drying it."
The no-poo method can mean cleansing with only water or with shampoo alternatives like coconut oil, baking soda, or apple cider vinegar.
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.