It’s the age-old question: How often should you wash your hair, really" Back in the day, we wouldn’t dream of going a whole 24 hours without some shampoo, but then we started hearing that it is bad to wash your hair every day?and there are even people out there who can make their blow-out last a whole week. So what’s the deal"
We’ve always known we need to wash our hair regularly, but it’s so hard to decipher what “regularly” actually means. We consulted hair experts for the ultimate hair washing intel.
MORE: How to Wash Your Hair (Yes, It Really Matters)
Hair Type Matters
Is there a good rule of thumb for the magic number of days you can go without washing your hair" Really, it depends on your hair type. Hair that’s thicker and curlier can go without a wash for longer than fine hair. How processed your hair is will also come into play because the oils in your scalp don’t travel down the hair shaft as quickly in hair that’s coarse, curly, or processed as it does for gals with fine hair, says Marlene Montanez of Latest Hairstyles. For this reason, curly hair types should be especially careful not to wash hair too frequently?and avoid shampoos with harsh sulfates, which strip the hair of the natural oils. You can consider a co-wash (using a conditioner instead of shampoo) or use a sulfate-free shampoo if washing more than twice a week, says Jane Nyachiro of hair brand Jirano.
Lifestyle also plays a p...