How Often Should You Be Washing Your Hair? ...

By Vanessa β€’ Sep 24, 2014 β€’ MD

After chains like Blo
 and Drybar started popping up years ago, the number of new dry shampoos on the market has dramatically increased. "What started as a smart way to stretch your blowout has turned into a major time
 and money saver... and made dirty hair socially permissible," says Nunzio Saviano, an NYC hair salon owner. The oil absorbers in dry shampoo make unwashed hair look fresh and create texture and volume... but how often should you go between washes?

First, let's talk about the benefits of skipping a wash! We've all been told that daily washing is the root of bad-hair days, which is true. "Most detergents strip your scalp and hair of their natural oils, leaving them dry," says Michael Gordon, founder of NYC hair studio, Hairstory. That's why unwashed hair tends to looks better; The oils will make your hair glossy and less frizzy.

Going a day or two without washing your hair is totally okay. But going on days? "If you're piling on products- and not cleansing regularly-the scalp can become imbalanced," says Liz Phillips, a trichologist from NYC's Philip Kingsley Clinic. That means itching, flaking, and even shedding! Not cool.

How do you know what's going to work best for you? Listen to your scalp! If you begin to feel any sensitivity or see an increase in itching, flaking and/or shedding, it's time to wash your hair.

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

  • Thelma62913

    2014-09-25T00:47:02.763Z

    I hate washing my hair because it takes too long to blow dry. The new dry shampoos are great. It makes my thin hair look much fuller. I tend to wash my hair with regular shampoos on Sunday night & Wednesday night. If I'm going out Saturday, then I'll wash it then too.
  • Haley

    2014-09-24T23:23:41.805Z

    I have thicker hair so i usually wash my hair every other day and it works pretty well for me! Also my hair tends to look better on the second day. When I used to wash my hair everyday it was frizzy and had much more breakage
  • Michellebeck

    2014-09-24T19:17:28.826Z

    Well I can go without washing for like 4 days before it even starts to become greasy or smells bad 😁
  • Tubi

    2014-09-24T19:22:33.947Z

    I wash my hair everyday, but with a mild shampoo. As its advised it can be washed everyday
  • Valerie

    2014-09-25T04:43:18.891Z

    My hair gets greasy after approx. 13-16 hours, therefore I wash my hair everyday.πŸ˜‹
  • bonbon

    2014-09-25T03:37:14.658Z

    I dont even count how many times I shampoo my hair. I wash it as often as I feel like and my hair is never greasy.
  • Jackie

    2014-09-25T18:52:06.003Z

    I USED TO wash my hair daily, but, after all the reading I did on how washing your hair everyday does more harm than good! I have long thick hair and it does look better on the 2nd day! It's all in your mind.
  • Melissa

    2014-09-24T19:52:48.778Z

    I wash my hair everyday, but literally just massage the shampoo on my scalp for like 10 seconds, and not the ends everyday. Only wash the ends every 3rd day, since I have blond highlights. So far so good.
  • Suzi

    2014-09-24T22:34:43.216Z

    Wen everyday equal gorgeous hair everyday
  • Isabella

    2014-09-25T00:08:30.028Z

    I shampoo my hair every second day, and on other days i just give it a rinse. If i go until 3 days without washing then it really feels like it needs it!
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