YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How often do you wash your hair?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: How often do you wash your hair? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:03:27 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair/page/2#post-269892 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:48:26 +0000 Anonymous 269892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Every day to every other day. Since reading your comments I've tried washing with conditioner only most of the week and am amazed at how well that works. I just bought some expensive sulfate free products from my stylist and hope they will keep the flakiness away. I need to check for sodium. Maya, thank you for your great explanation. I found it very helpful. Marley on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair/page/2#post-269881 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:28:30 +0000 Marley 269881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Every 2 - 3 days - depending on weather and how much I have sweat from exercise! Generally speaking, the longer I go between washings the better my hair looks and the easier it is to style. LOVE that! Bianca on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair/page/2#post-269798 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:57:43 +0000 Bianca 269798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Every other day....sometimes longer if I'm just staying home w/the kids. Also I have a Keritin treatment in my hair to keep it looking sleek and combat frizzyness. Washing less protects my investment. Also been using Lorel's sulfate free shampoos. Seems to be working! Good luck! Velma on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair/page/2#post-269714 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:32:22 +0000 Velma 269714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Every other day now that it is shorter--every third day when it was past my shoulders. anne on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269709 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:28:26 +0000 anne 269709@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Every second day Lisa on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269698 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:13:13 +0000 Lisa 269698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wash every other day and sometimes push to two days. I use a dry powder shampoo to tide me over on non washing days. Maya on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269618 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 06:03:29 +0000 Maya 269618@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Medusa, this is a pretty thorough guide. Even if you're not interested in growing your hair waist length or you don't have curly hair, I find that reading up on long/curly hair care is pretty informative. Those girls know their stuff! <a href="http://www.longhaircommunity.com/archive/showthread.php?t=34009" rel="nofollow">http://www.longhaircommunity.c.....hp?t=34009</a> It's important to go silicone-free too if you go sulfate free. While silicones aren't inherently bad, they build up without sulfates to wash them out, so it's an all or nothing deal. I stopped using my former shampoo and conditioner when I realized that despite being sulfate free, the conditioner still had silicones that were crusting up on my hair :\ You will find a lot of these products at Whole Body (Whole Foods' personal care store). I am technically not 100% sulfate free. I use Tresemme Naturals, which makes a low sulfate shampoo and a silicone free conditioner. I'm not naive enough to think that they are actually natural products, but that isn't important to me. It might be to you, though. Since I don't wash my hair with shampoo every day anyway (instead opting to wash with conditioner), using a low sulfate shampoo every now and then doesn't cause too much disturbance. In the end, it's less expensive than most 100% sulfate-free products with no real difference in performance as long as I only use the shampoo sparingly. Typically I only use it once a week to wash out the coconut oil/olive oil blend I leave in my hair. When you wash with conditioner, you have to be more thorough. Conditioners do have cleansing agents, but they aren't as harsh (which is the point). So get used to spending a few extra minutes really massaging and working it in to loosen all the dirt and grease. It might still require an adjustment period though. For my body wash, I use Burt's Bees rosemary mint body wash. Before this, my skin was VERY scaly, itchy, and dry, and since making this change I cannot tell you how much better it is. I still need to apply a body cream after I shower, but it's not the end of the world if I forget (whereas before I'd be clawing at my skin all day). I still feel squeaky clean and it has a nice refreshing scent. Also be aware that sulfate free products don't lather, which is fine, because lathering really has no benefit. They are also thinner, since sulfates act as a thickener. Hope that helps. Kari on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269615 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:28:42 +0000 Kari 269615@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Medusa, Maya will know more than I do, but I have heard that some Bumble & Bumble shampoo products don't have sulfates. Kari on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269612 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:27:26 +0000 Kari 269612@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I could basically copy Tricia's response verbatim. Short, straight hair with a tendency to get oily. When my hair is shorter I don't even need to use conditioner. (I use conditioner every day at this time of year when my hair is hovering near to chin length and the air is so darn dry. Other times of the year I can go every other day without conditioner, but MUST use shampoo.) The other issue, besides my scalp getting oily and flaky if I go more than a day without washing, is that the skin on my face around my hairline REALLY freaks out when my hair is unwashed. Blackouts and breakouts galore - not a pretty sight. medusa on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269526 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 01:52:33 +0000 medusa 269526@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What an interesting thread. I love hearing the range of different responses. Maya - can you give some examples of hair & skin products that don't have sulfates? Aida on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269458 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:01:54 +0000 Aida 269458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have fine, thin, curly hair which doesn't see a lot of product (mousse 1/3 of the time) and I wash every 2-4 days depending on hair condition. I also wash lightly along the hair line every day. I've been slowly working my way to this, and I'll second the others who've said it takes some time to get your hair used to it; I started back in March and it didn't really feel "good" until August, but I'm just really slow :) EDIT: It took about 1 month for my hair to adjust, and until August for it to become baby soft. EDIT 2: My hair is also naturally oily, so coupled with being fine it does take some management to not wash daily. I use a dry shampoo powder on days 3 & 4 usually. Isabel on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269455 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 23:50:31 +0000 Isabel 269455@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also wash every 3-4 days ( in the summer though sometimes it HAS to be every day ). I also use powder shampoo if I need it in between and I also spritz with water or a hair moisturizer and blow dry to reshape as needed. I hadn't heard of just washing with conditioner. I will have to try that. I actually use WEN my Chaz Dean which is a cleansing moisturizer without surfactants. catgirl on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269414 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 21:37:52 +0000 catgirl 269414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Until I got this perm, I used to wash every day, which was a PITA because I'd have to take the time to dry it or get a frozen head. Now I find I can go three days without washing and my hair still looks great, with no styling. HAPPY! Auburn on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269412 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 21:29:06 +0000 Auburn 269412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ With my extremely thick, wavy and fairly long hair, I try to go as long as possible between hair washings. Usually that means 3-4 days but occasionally I'll go 5. But, let's be honest, by day 5, things aren't so pretty--my hair is in a ponytail and my scalp starts to feel a bit itchy and flaky. Days 2-3 are when things look the best. Cilleena on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269401 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 21:15:37 +0000 Cilleena 269401@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm, I wash my hair daily. I get oily in my hair line and I like to get hairstyling product off my hair before I go to bed. I will get "pimples" on my scalp and in the hair line behind my ears and on my neck. Weird, because I actually tend to be a little dry. It is horrible for my hair color though. Strips it right out. Maybe I should try just rinsing my hair well and then using a tiny bit of conditioner. Jenava on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269400 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 20:52:38 +0000 Jenava 269400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wash every other day. On days I don't wash I use dry shampoo in my fringe. I have dry skin, and my scalp would dry out terribly if I washed every day, even if it was without shampoo. I will have to look into this no-sulfate madness... Maya on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269351 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:15:18 +0000 Maya 269351@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Your hair will feel funky when you start washing it less or only wash it with conditioner. You can't judge by just skipping one day, and that's where most people trip up. They think if they go one day without washing and it feels greasy, that they should just go back to washing every day. Your hair and scalp are used to being scrubbed raw, so naturally it will take some time to adjust. It all depends whether or not you're willing to go through that adjustment period. I'm less concerned with the frequency of washing my hair than I am with what I use to wash it. My hair and skin are so much better off without sulfates. It doesn't matter if I wash every day because I am no longer using detergent in my hair. LeahJanes on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269338 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:46:40 +0000 LeahJanes 269338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Every 3rd day if I can manage it, the gym usually has other ideas though - and when I do wash it's sulfate free. Dry shampoo is my best friend - it gives my hair such a lift that it looks a million times better on the non wash days. All textured and voluminous. Less washing is better imo. My hair is much healthier now than when I used to wash every day. Desmo April on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269310 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:33:01 +0000 Desmo April 269310@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wash with conditioner everyday and shampoo it maybe once a week. I started this mainly to preserve my color. I use a semi-permanant tint and the constant shampooing was stripping the color out really fast. Now my color lasts and my hair looks great. marianna on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269296 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:15:17 +0000 marianna 269296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Every day. I feel unclean and unpolished if I don't wash my hair daily. Mo on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269294 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:04:38 +0000 Mo 269294@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Every 2nd or 3rd day unless I've gotten really sweaty exercising. I do wash just the bangs and hairline every time I shower, though. I just pile it up in a bun on my head and clip it and just wash around the front hairline. I use cheap 2in1 shampoo/conditioner combos and then add a heavier moisturizing conditioner, avoiding the roots. I'm not much of a product gal, so I don't have that icky, sticky feeling of day old gunk in my hair. bj1111 on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269261 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:39:05 +0000 bj1111 269261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ the older i get, the drier my hair becomes. i used to have to wash almost daily. now, i get away with every 2nd or 3rd day. and i've started using conditioner to maintain moisture. of course, when i'm having one of *those* weeks, that 2-3 day gap can streeeeetch out quite a bit! Beth on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269252 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:17:36 +0000 Beth 269252@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Every other day. teri on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269250 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:16:42 +0000 teri 269250@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ about every 3 days londonkiwi (now back in NZ) on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269248 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:12:57 +0000 londonkiwi (now back in NZ) 269248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Pregnancy has done lovely things to my hair (shiny, full and frizz free), but horrible things to my skin (dry and flaky), so I am washing it about twice a week using a shampoo for dry sensitive skin on my scalp and a shampoo for removing product on the ends. I use a leave in conditioner. Barbara on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269244 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:10:02 +0000 Barbara 269244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wash my hair every day using a gentle moisturizing shampoo and conditioner: Neutrogena Triple Moisture. It's fantastic for all-year use - great for dried out summer hair and equally nice for dry winter scalp. Queen Mum on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269240 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:07:15 +0000 Queen Mum 269240@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ every other day... sometimes I can even go for the third day. My hair actually does much better on day 2 or 3. On day 1 it is too clean to behave well. Tricia on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269236 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:04:49 +0000 Tricia 269236@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have to do it every day. I've tried skipping a day and I just feel gross by the end. But I have very straight hair and a tendency to oily scalp, so that's why. I know people with dry/curly hair can and should go a lot longer. Polly (thunalata) on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269232 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 13:56:33 +0000 Polly (thunalata) 269232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Daily. I have short hair and don't do anything else to it (no product, blow drying etc). I have used the same shampoo for about 15 years now - about every 5 years it seems to go dry and strange and I go onto baby shampoo for about a month then it seems to be fine again. I think it suits my hair fine. shana on "How often do you wash your hair?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-often-do-you-wash-your-hair#post-269229 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 13:49:40 +0000 shana 269229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wash my hair every other day, sometimes on day 3 in the winter. Any longer and I start to get a headache! Since I blow it out, it would be too much work to do it every day. If we are having a humid summer or I am somewhere especially humid (like India or Florida), I wear my hair curly in which case I have to at least wet it down every day.