Great question—this is one of those things people argue about endlessly, and dermatologists are pretty clear on the answer: there is no single “correct” schedule. How often you should wash your hair depends on your scalp, hair type, and lifestyle, not the calendar.
Here’s what dermatologists generally recommend 👇
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?
🧴 Oily scalp
Every day or every other day
- Your scalp produces excess sebum
- Waiting too long can cause itchiness, dandruff, and buildup
- Daily washing does not damage hair if you use a gentle shampoo
🌿 Normal scalp
Every 2–3 days
- Enough to remove oil and product buildup
- Keeps scalp balanced without over-drying
🌵 Dry or sensitive scalp
Every 3–4 days (or longer)
- Washing too often can strip natural oils
- Look for moisturizing or sulfate-free shampoos
🌀 Curly, coily, or textured hair
Once a week (sometimes less)
- Natural oils don’t travel down curls easily
- Over-washing leads to dryness and frizz
🏃 Active lifestyle / sweating a lot
- Wash as needed, even daily
- Sweat itself isn’t harmful, but buildup can irritate the scalp
- Gentle or clarifying shampoo once weekly helps
🧑🦳 Aging hair
- Oil production decreases with age
- Many dermatologists recommend less frequent washing plus conditioning
Signs you’re washing too often
- Dry, itchy scalp
- Brittle or frizzy hair
- Hair feels squeaky-clean but lifeless
Signs you’re not washing enough
- Greasy roots
- Scalp odor or itching
- Dandruff or flakes
- Hair feels heavy or dull
Dermatologists agree on this:
🧠 Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp.
If your scalp feels comfortable—not itchy, not greasy—your routine is working.
Bottom line
It’s not “every two days” or “every four days.”
It’s whenever your scalp needs it.
If you want, tell me:
- Your hair type (straight, curly, fine, thick)
- Your scalp (oily, dry, sensitive)
- Whether you color your hair
I can give you a personalized wash schedule that actually makes your hair look better 💆♀️✨
