How often should you actually be washing your hair? Stylists share advice

The subject has been long up for debate, but how often should we actually wash our hair? Do you wash yours once a week? Every morning? Every night? Or just whenever you think it needs cleaned?

People often argue over how often you should actually be washing your hair, but many factors can contribute to this age-old discussion. Your hair type, environment and age can all impact how often you need to clean your hair.

Experts have shared their advice on how to determine how frequently you should be washing your hair. Here's everything you should know about washing your luscious locks.

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How often should you wash your hair?

The more you wash, style or touch your hair, the more you activate the oil glands in your scalp.

“You should only really wash your hair once every three or four days,” says Lana Del Rey’s personal stylist Anna Cofone.

“Then you should make sure you’re using a mask at least once a week.”

Recent research from haircare brand Philip Kingsley shows that 45 per cent of women say they shampoo two to three times a week, and 21 per cent every other day. Only one in 10 women said they wash their hair on a daily basis.

“Your hair texture can impact how oily your scalp is,” explains trichologist and owner of Philip Kingsley, Anabel Kingsley.

“Those with finer textured hair tend to have more hairs per centimetre on their head than those with thicker, coarser or coiled hair textures – and therefore more oil glands producing more sebum.”

“This is the reason those with fine hair often feel their hair gets greasy quickly, and they feel the need to wash it daily to avoid the appearance of flat, limp roots.

“If you have medium textured hair, try to shampoo daily to every other day. Ideally coarser and curly hair textures should leave no more than three days between shampoos", added the hair expert.

Signs you’re washing your hair too much- or not enough

We all find ourselves having a bad hair day from time to time, and while lots of factors can contribute to hair problems, you might find that you're simply washing it too much.

“Over-washing makes your hair dry, brittle and lack shine,” says Paul Mitchell‘s technical educator, Victoria Panting.

“The scalp feels tight or flaky and may become irritated, you’ll also see increased split ends or breakage, especially for chemically treated hair.”

When it comes to the opposite mistake of under-washing your hair, there are signs beyond your hair just looking more oily than it should.

The expert says: “Hair will look greasy, dull and lifeless, and the scalp feels itchy or has visible residue build-up, and you may see an increase in shedding.”

“Your scalp is also a living tissue; it sweats, produces oils and sheds skin cells,” says Kingsley.

“You wouldn’t leave more than three days between washing your face, and you apply the same thinking to your hair and scalp.

“If you don’t wash your hair often enough, it can lead to a build-up of dirt, dead skin cells, oil and hair products, making your hair greasier. Your hair and scalp need to be clean and healthy to produce optimal hair growth and this also helps to prevent scalp issues from occurring.”

How to maintain good hair while exercising

Exercising can lead us to want to wash our hair more often, and it's essential to have a set hair-care routine if you're an avid gym-goer.

“On the days when you are planning a high-intensity workout, align this with your hair-washing days,” says Suzie McGill, artistic director at Rainbow Room International.

“Sweat can build up on your scalp, mixing with natural oils and product residue, potentially leading to scalp irritation and clogged hair follicles if not cleaned properly after a heavy sweat-inducing workout.”

If you work out every day, McGill suggests using dry shampoo on less intense workout days to absorb any oil and keep the hair looking fresh.

How to wash your hair like a pro

But now that you know how often to wash your hair, you need to ensure you're doing it correctly.

“The correct way to wash hair is to wet the hair fully, then use a targeted shampoo and clean the scalp thoroughly for two minutes,” says Kingsley.

“Rinse with water and then apply a conditioner to the ends before rinsing again.

“Shampooing is really only about cleansing the scalp. Don’t scrub your hair when you shampoo or pile it on top of your head – you will only tangle your hair.

“Let the suds run down the lengths of your hair as this is enough to remove daily dirt. Using too much shampoo can cause dull hair,” explains Kingsley.

“You only need to use a 50p piece size of shampoo and massage gently, adding more water to increase the lather. Rinse and then rinse again.

“My favourite way to wash the hair – particularly for fine, frizzy or dehydrated hair – is to put a bit of conditioner through the ends first,” says London-based hair specialist Tatiana Karelina.

“Then apply shampoo to the scalp only and massage gently. Rinse and, if needed, put a little bit more conditioner on the ends only, not the roots, then rinse thoroughly and avoid leaving products on for too long.”

Following these expert tips will ensure you maintain healthy looking and feeling hair.

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