Essentially, you allow your natural scalp and hair oils to replenish by not using any kind of hair products. This means no shampoo or conditioner and no hair care creams, sprays or oils for seven days. You can still shower and wet your hair, but that's it.
A hair reset also entails throwing out old hair products and removing any products that do not enhance your natural hair health.
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.
Depending on your hair type, you can wait three to five days between washes, and we've got the scoop on how to survive the process while you're waiting for sebum production to slow down. We'll admit, the first two weeks are the most difficult, but after about week four, you should see a significant difference.
It will not only buff away flakes and product buildup, but also increase blood circulation to hair follicles, which promotes hair growth and thickness.
ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor is a powerful strengthening conditioner for moderately damaged hair. It helps hair maintain moisture, rebuild strength, and elasticity. It is recommended on tinted, bleached or relaxed hair.
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.
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.
"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."
Washing your hair only once a week brings the benefits of natural oils into sharp relief. After all, many hair serums and treatments are meant to replicate the oils produced by the scalp, but excessive shampooing strips the hair of these valuable substances.
“Washing it more does not cause your hair to grow less,” says Yates, noting that washing your hair less could lead to follicle damage, not the other way around. “A build-up of sebum and/or styling products can clog your hair follicles, leading to follicle damage and ultimately hair loss,” she adds.
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.
Resetting your hair is important for both styling and health. Doing a curl reset helps to strip away product buildup and provide your hair with a blank canvas.
That's known as “no-poo,” and it refers to the idea of giving up shampoo completely (or using shampoo alternatives). While the no-poo method may be a concept only true advocates of the practice understand, many experts agree that it comes with several benefits for everyone—no matter your hair type.
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.
Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health.
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.
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.
Dry Shampoo: Whether it be powder or spray you prefer, there's no question that a dry shampoo can be a lifesaver on the days you're not washing your hair. While it helps absorb oils and odors, it can also help the health of your hair by eliminating blow drying.
Our Best Hairstyling Products to Achieve Second Day Hair
Think: dry shampoo, hair spray, wave spray and texture spray. With these products, you'll be able to achieve that gritty texture you love without having to skip shampoo and conditioner for long periods of time.
Don't be surprised if you notice that your second day hair looks and feels better than right after washing it. On the second day, your hair has had time to fully dry, your hair's natural oils have returned, and your hair's natural shape is restored.
Recommended to use 1x per week; 2x per week for heavy styling users. Our shampoos provide a deep cleanse to the hair & scalp. Balanced with the necessary amount of gentle sulfates to remove up to 100% residue and conditioning agents that deliver hydration and prevent stripping.