How Often Should You Wash Your Hair? A Guide by Hair Type, Lifestyle & Scalp Needs

Wondering how often you should wash your hair? You’re not alone—it’s one of the most searched hair care questions on Google. Every time you Google it, you get a different answer. Some say wash daily, others say once a week—and then there’s that friend who hasn’t shampooed since 2020. So what’s the actual truth?

Spoiler alert: how often you should wash your hair depends on your hair type, texture, scalp condition, and daily habits. Let’s break it all down, and help you build your perfect wash schedule (with the help of XMONDO favorites, of course).

Why Washing Matters (But Over-Washing Hurts)

Washing your hair does more than just make it smell amazing. It helps remove impurities like sweat, dirt, and product buildup that can clog follicles or weigh hair down. But overdoing it? That’s where things can go sideways.

Overwashing strips your scalp’s natural oils, which are actually there to protect your strands. The key is finding that sweet spot—clean enough to avoid buildup, but not so clean you fry your cuticle.

Washing your hair removes:

• Dirt and pollution
• Product buildup
• Sweat and excess oil

But overwashing can lead to:

• Dry, brittle ends
  
• Frizz and dullness
  
• A scalp that overproduces oil to make up for the imbalance
  

The goal: a clean, healthy scalp and balanced strands.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair By Hair Type

Your hair type plays a huge role in how often you should wash. Different textures absorb and distribute oil differently, meaning straight hair gets greasy faster, while curlier hair can go longer between washes.

1. Straight Hair: 2-3x a Week

Straight hair allows oil to glide down the shaft quickly, which means it can start looking greasy just a day or two after washing. But that doesn’t mean you need to shampoo daily—doing so might actually make it greasier over time.

Product tip:

• Use a lightweight hydration shampoo that doesn’t weigh your hair down
• Use a dry shampoo in between washes

2. Wavy Hair: 2-3x a Week 

Wavy hair sits between straight and curly, which means it can get oily, frizzy, or both depending on how you treat it. The goal here is to cleanse without stripping and boost hydration on non-wash days.

Product Tip:

• Similar to straight hair you’ll need a hydrating shampoo and conditioner but you’ll want one that will enhance your natural wave pattern
• Use a lightweight revival mist and wave oil to tame frizz on no-wash days

3. Curly Hair: 1-2x a Week

Curly hair naturally needs more moisture and less cleansing. Its spiral shape makes it harder for oils to travel from scalp to ends, so washing too often can lead to breakage, frizz, and dull curls.

Product tip:

• Same tip here, use a wave enhancing, hydrating shampoo and conditioner
• For deep hydration, try a weekly hair mask
  
  

4. Coily Hair: Every 7-10 Days

Coily hair is the driest and most delicate of all textures, which means frequent shampooing can quickly zap its moisture. Gentle cleansing and a strong moisture routine are your best friends.

Product tip:

• Be sure to stick to shampoo and conditioners that gently cleanses without sulfates
• Use a leave-in cream and seal with a hydrating smoothing oil

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair If You Work Out?

If you’re sweating daily, you might be tempted to shampoo just as often—but that’s not always necessary. Sweat itself doesn’t damage hair, but it can cause buildup and odor if left unaddressed. The trick is learning how to refresh without stripping.

Instead of a full shampoo every time:

• Rinse with water or co-wash to remove sweat
• Use dry shampoo to absorb oil at the roots
• Depending on your hair type, restyle with a foam or styling tool. Make sure you use (heat) protection!

Signs You’re Washing Too Often

Yes, your hair can be too clean. If you’re shampooing too frequently, your scalp may start freaking out and overproducing oil to make up for lost moisture. The result? Dry hair and a greasy-feeling scalp—truly the worst combo.

Common signs of overwashing:

• Dry, itchy, or irritated scalp
• Hair that feels rough or brittle
• Faded color, especially with dyed hair
  More oil than usual at the roots

Signs You're Not Washing Enough

On the flip side, skipping too many wash days can also cause issues—especially if you’re heavy-handed with styling products or sweat a lot. Buildup can block follicles, weigh your hair down, and even lead to scalp irritation.

Watch for these signs:

• Flat or greasy roots
• Itchy scalp or flakes
• Product buildup on the scalp or strands
• Curls that aren’t bouncing like they used to

Wash Day Tips: What You Should Be Doing

You’ve got your schedule down—but how you wash matters just as much as when. The wrong water temp, product placement, or drying method can leave your hair stressed even on wash day.

Pro-approved wash tips:

• Use warm water to cleanse gently (hot water = damage)
• Focus shampoo on your scalp to remove oil and buildup
• Focus conditioner on the ends to moisturize and protect
• Rinse thoroughly to avoid buildup
• Use a microfiber towel to prevent frizz
• Always follow with a leave-in conditioner and heat protectant if styling

TL;DR: How Often Should I Wash My Hair?

 

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