How Often Should You Shampoo Your Hair?

Knowing how often we should shampoo our hair is a key ingredient in the realm of healthy hair care. And many of us may feel a little lost when it comes to the best shampoo regimen.

The secret to healthy hair is actually a network of tips and tricks, especially as we get older and experience changes in our hair texture and density. Do you have a dry scalp? Or perhaps you experience build-up if you aren’t washing your hair every day. Maybe you are struggling with getting the perfect balance of the best hydrating shampoos that don’t leave you with oily hair. 

Better Not Younger is here to guide you in embracing your healthiest hair ever as you age confidently. Our Better Hair Quiz can get you started on the right track to determine what products work best for your hair texture.

As unique as we all are, knowing how often we should shampoo our hair relies on determining what other aspects go into healthy hair care and our individual hair needs. This means that knowing how many times a week you should wash your hair depends on several factors — which we will explore below.

Why Does Hair Type Matter When Shampooing Your Hair?

Not all hair requires the same kind of care. Our hair care routines can end up being as unique as our fingerprints! How we care for and shampoo our hair will depend on various factors.

There are several hair types: straight, wavy, kinky, and curly. Even within each one of those hair types are three subcategories each for an even more detailed definition. At a glance, those three subcategories relate to thin hair or fine hair, medium hair, and thick hair strands. 

Those with thick, dense hair do not need the same products as those with thin hair. The same can be said about washing frequency. Those with thick hair tend to produce less oil and sebum, and thicker, denser hair often looks less oily. People with less oily hair only need to wash their hair occasionally. Also, less shampoo is needed when washing with thicker and less oily hair. 

Curly hair and kinky hair types need to take special care when washing their hair. Those who have curly or kinky hair may notice that their coily strands get dry when being subject to overwashing.

Some people with kinky and curly hair may benefit from the no-poo method or co-washing. Many shampoos and conditioners work best for those who don curly hair. You can opt for hydrating shampoos without weighing down your curls. 

Those with thinner, finer hair will likely need to wash it more. This is because their hair texture can look visibly greasy more quickly than their thick-tressed sisters. A more frequent shampooing routine is also important for those who produce excess oil and have an oily scalp. 

Is It Okay To Shampoo My Hair Every Day?

A default assumption is that we should wash our hair daily. While it’s more than a good idea to shower or bathe every day, hair washing daily isn’t necessary. 

In fact, daily hair washing can sometimes do more harm than good. Having clean hair is always a goal, but too much of a good thing is definitely possible as far as how often you should shampoo your hair goes.

Frequent washing of our hair can lead to it becoming dried out. Dryness and frizz can lead to breakage, and we want to steer clear of that! We become more susceptible to dry hair as we get older. If your hair is aging, it likely needs proper moisturizing. Not only can washing your hair daily dry it out more but using the wrong shampoo can make it worse.

Overusing clarifying shampoo can also lead to a dry scalp, weakening our hair or even bringing about dandruff. Keeping some of our natural oils when we wash our hair is important for our scalp and hair health.

Is Shampooing Once a Week Enough?

Shampooing frequency is not an exact science. The frequency of shampooing is largely a preference, although considerations should be made to maximize the health of your hair!

Testing it out is the best way to gauge how frequently you want or should be washing your hair. Try going a day without washing your hair to feel and see if your hair becomes overly oily. If your hair feels greasier than you’re comfortable with or is visibly weighed down by oil, you may want to wash more frequently. 

A good alternative to the harsh surfactants found in many shampoos could be to implement dry shampoo into your hair care routine — to get yourself through no-wash days. Spreading out the time between washes can be done slowly, week by week. 

This could be as simple as removing one day of shampooing from your routine as the weeks pass. Your scalp will begin to regulate to your new shampoo routine, and the oil production will even out on its own. 

There are no real issues with shampooing once a week. If you work out or get your hair dirtier than usual, washing is a good idea. If you use many styling products and experience build-up, shampoo away! To prevent your hair from becoming dry from shampoo, you’ll want to focus on your scalp and only lather up your hair shaft when necessary.

Shampoos and Hair Products That Can Be Used Daily

You can go without washing your hair daily fairly easily. But if you’re not comfortable giving up that routine or need to wash your hair frequently due to other factors, there are options! 

No matter how often you choose to shampoo your hair, elect for shampoos and conditioners with hydration in mind — especially for those experiencing the hair changes that come with aging.

A good daily shampoo will be lightweight and not dry your hair out. Cleaning hair can be tricky, and shampoos are not one size fits all! Your best bet is to go for a shampoo made for your hair type and your specific needs. 

If you have a sensitive scalp or need something hypoallergenic, our Full Transparency Pure Revitalizing Shampoo is perfect for you. With aging hair in mind, you can be sure this shampoo will take care of you the way you need it to, gently. 

Full Transparency carefully cleans and adds luster using plant-based ingredients. Our naturally derived plant ingredients include yuzu, which can support strong strands. Even chia seeds come into play to support natural moisture and offer minerals such as protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc.

Shampooing more frequently may be required for those with fine, straight, or oily hair. Our Wake Up Call Volumizing Shampoo was made specifically for that purpose. This volumizing shampoo is designed to take care of delicate, thin hair while providing volume and strength. 

Wake Up Call uses ingredients like hops, a natural moisturizer. We’ve harnessed the power of bamboo to support moisture retention, making it an effective shampoo for thin hair. Followed up with our Wake Up Call Volumizing Conditioner, you won’t have to worry about how often you shampoo your hair. You can shampoo your hair freely without worrying about it getting drier.

All of Better Not Younger’s Shampoos, Conditioners, and Masques are sulfate-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, safe for color-treated hair, and formulated to be used as often as you see fit.

Conclusion

Figuring out how often you should wash your hair has a few factors to consider. Your hair type, hair texture, activity level, and the number of styling products you use will all be aspects to remember when it comes to shampooing frequency.

With a few things to check off, you can figure out whether you should wash daily or not. If you do need to wash daily, we have great options for aging hair needing a gentle hand.

Better Not Younger is here to support you in aging better, with confidence. 

Sources:

Shampooing and the ‘No Poo’ Method | University of Texas

A Comment on the Science of Hair Aging | PMC

Physiology, Sebaceous Glands | NCBI Bookshelf

Chia Seeds | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health