How Often Should I Wash My Hair?
In this article:
- How Often Is Too Often?
- What are the Signs of Hair That’s Washed Too Often?
- Finding Your Hair-Washing Middle Ground
- What Type of Shampoo Do You Use?
- How to Keep Hair Looking Clean and Fresh In Between Washes?
- Final Thoughts from Jan
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years working with clients at the Rossano Ferretti HairSpa in Park Hyatt New York, it’s that nearly everyone wonders if they’re washing their hair too much or not enough. It’s such a common question, and honestly, the answer isn’t always straightforward.
The truth is, how often you should wash your hair depends on quite a few factors: your hair type, your lifestyle, even the city you live in. There’s no magic number. But once you understand what your hair really needs, it becomes much easier to find a rhythm that works for your hair and scalp.
How Often Is Too Often?
You don’t need to wash your hair every single day. In fact, for many people, daily washing can do more harm than good. Shampooing too frequently can strip away the natural oils that keep your scalp healthy and your hair soft and shiny.
But that doesn’t mean you should avoid washing altogether. If you go too long without cleansing, product buildup, oil, and sweat can weigh your hair down and leave your scalp feeling less than fresh. It’s all about finding that middle ground. Your hair should feel clean enough to feel good, but not so squeaky clean that it’s left dry or stressed out.
What are the Signs of Hair That’s Washed Too Often?
If you’ve been wondering whether your hair wash routine might be a little too much, here are a few signs that your hair might be telling you to ease up:
- Dry and frizzy hair that feels straw-like
- Broken strands that cause flyaways
- Hair that’s riddled with split ends
- Dull locks that lack life and energy
- A dry and flaky scalp
- A color treatment that’s fading too fast
Any of these sound familiar? You might benefit from washing less often. Or at the very least, consider adjusting how you’re washing and what products you’re using.
Finding Your Hair-Washing Middle Ground
Understanding Your Hair Profile Makes All the Difference
When I’m consulting clients at the Rossano Ferretti HairSpa in Park Hyatt New York, one of the first things I assess is their hair profile. It gives us a foundation to create a care routine that truly suits their unique needs-not just what’s trending or what a product label might suggest.
Here’s how different hair profiles can influence your ideal wash schedule:
– Fine vs. Thick Hair
Fine hair generally gets oily faster. The scalp’s natural oils move quickly along finer strands, which can make hair look limp or greasy in just a day or two. If this sounds like you, washing every other day or every third day may work best along with a lightweight, balanced shampoo.
Thick hair, especially when paired with higher density, tends to stay fresher longer. The oils take more time to travel from roots to ends, so you can often extend the time between washes without any issue.
Tip: Not sure what hair type you have? Learn more in our guide to understanding hair type and texture.
– Curly or Coily Hair
Curly and coily hair textures are typically more dry by nature. The shape of the hair strand makes it harder for sebum (your scalp’s natural oil) to coat the hair evenly. As a result, over washing curls can easily strip away what little moisture they naturally have.
For most curls, washing once a week or even less can help retain moisture, reduce frizz, and keep your curl pattern defined. In between washes, a light leave-in or hydrating mist can help keep things soft and manageable.
– Color-Treated or Chemically Processed Hair
If your hair has been colored, bleached, permed, or chemically straightened, it’s likely more porous. That means it absorbs and loses moisture more quickly, making it prone to dryness and breakage. It also fades faster when washed too often.
To protect your hair’s tone and integrity, try to space out your washes as much as possible.
When you do shampoo:
- Use a gentle, sulfate-free formula that’s safe for color-treated hair
- Use your color-specific shampoo as needed, alternating with your regular gentle shampoo to preserve pigment and prevent over-stripping
- Follow with a deeply nourishing conditioner
- Rinse with cooler water to help lock in tone and boost shine
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What’s Your Lifestyle Like?
Your daily routine matters more than you might think. If you’re someone who works out often, spends time outdoors, or tends to sweat a lot, your hair might need washing more frequently just to keep it feeling clean.
In contrast, if your days are more low-key – for example, working indoors or having minimal physical activity – you can probably go longer between washes without any issue.
At the salon, I always ask new clients about their routine. Not just how often they wash, but how they style their hair, how often they exercise, even how frequently they touch their scalp. All of these details help us figure out a routine that actually fits their lifestyle.
And What About Your Environment?
This speaks for itself, really. If you often find yourself in environments where there is a lot of dust and/or toxins in the air, then you’ll need to wash your hair more regularly. If you’re not exposed to much dirt, you may be able to go up to a week without a proper shampoo wash! Seasonal shifts also matter. Hair can get oilier in summer and drier in winter, so it’s worth adjusting your wash frequency throughout the year.
What Type of Shampoo Do You Use?
Even the best routine can be thrown off by the wrong shampoo. If you’re using a product that’s too harsh for your scalp or full of stripping agents, you might end up in a cycle where your hair feels greasy faster, leading you to wash even more often.
Instead, look for gentle, sulfate-free shampoos. You want something that cleans without being aggressive, ideally with ingredients that nourish the scalp as much as they cleanse it. Think aloe vera, chamomile, lightweight plant oils, or mild botanicals. A good shampoo should leave your hair feeling soft and balanced, not squeaky or dry.
Tip: Not all shampoos are the same. Find out how to choose the right one for your hair type.
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How to Keep Hair Looking Clean and Fresh In Between Washes?
If you’re trying to wash your hair less often but still want to keep it looking fresh, here are a few tricks I often recommend to my clients:
- Dry shampoo is your friend – use it at the roots on days you skip a wash
- Sleep on silk pillowcases-they help reduce oil transfer and frizz
- Avoid over-touching your hair-your hands carry oils and dirt
- Put your hair up when needed-low buns or braids are great low-maintenance styles
- Clean your hairbrush regularly-this one is easy to overlook but makes a huge difference
Final Thoughts from Jan
At the end of the day, your hair is unique, and so is your ideal routine. What works for someone else may not work for you. The key is listening to your hair, noticing how it feels and looks, and making adjustments from there. If you’re ever unsure, ask your stylist. At Rossano Ferretti HairSpa in Park Hyatt New York, we work with all kinds of hair types, and we love helping clients find the balance that keeps their hair looking and feeling its best. Find a Rossano Ferretti HairSpa near you. Sometimes, a small tweak to your routine makes all the difference.
