How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

Ask ten people how often they wash their hair and you'll get ten different answers. Some swear by a daily shampoo, others stretch it to once a week. The truth is that there's no single right number. How often you should wash your hair depends on your hair type, your scalp, how much product you use and how active you are. Here's how to find your ideal wash day rhythm, plus a simple routine that keeps hair clean, soft and easy to style in between.

Why wash frequency matters

Your scalp makes natural oil (sebum) that keeps hair soft and protected. Wash too often with a harsh shampoo and you strip that oil away, which can leave lengths dry, frizzy and prone to breakage. Wash too rarely and oil, sweat and styling product build up at the roots, so hair looks flat and the scalp can feel itchy or heavy. The goal is balance: wash often enough to keep the scalp feeling clean and fresh, gently enough that the lengths keep their moisture.

How often to wash, by hair type

Fine or thin-looking hair: every day or every other day. Oil travels quickly down fine strands, so roots go flat fast. A gentle, sulfate-free shampoo makes frequent washing kinder to your hair.
Medium, straight or wavy hair: every 2 to 3 days. Most people with this hair type can skip a day or two with the help of a quick refresh.
Thick or coarse hair: 2 to 3 times a week. Thicker strands take longer to look oily and benefit from keeping more of their natural oil.
Curly and coily hair: once a week, or every 5 to 10 days. Curls are naturally drier because oil has a harder time traveling down each coil. Many curly routines use a mid-week co-wash or a scalp-only rinse instead of a full shampoo.
Color-treated or chemically processed hair: 2 to 3 times a week with a sulfate-free shampoo, to help color stay bright and keep fragile hair soft.

A folded towel, wide-tooth wooden comb, rosemary and mint leaves and a glass bowl of water on a marble bathroom counter

A simple wash day routine

Detangle first. Gently comb through dry or damp hair with a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends. Fewer knots now means less pulling later.
Wet hair completely with lukewarm water. Very hot water can dry out the scalp and lengths.
Shampoo the scalp, not the lengths. Massage a small amount into the roots with your fingertips for about a minute. The suds that rinse through will clean the rest. If you use a lot of product, wash a second time.
Condition the mid-lengths and ends. Leave it on for 2 to 3 minutes, then rinse with cool water to help smooth the cuticle.
Treat once a week. Swap your conditioner for a hair mask on one wash day a week for extra softness and shine.
Blot, don't rub. Squeeze water out with a soft towel or cotton T-shirt instead of rubbing, which roughs up the hair and causes frizz.

Choosing the right shampoo for your wash schedule

If you wash often, the shampoo you choose matters even more. A gentle formula that cleans without stripping lets you wash as often as you need to:

Washing daily with fine hair? The Energizing Sulfate-Free Shampoo is gentle enough for frequent use and leaves the scalp feeling cool and refreshed.
Want a deeper clean on product-heavy days? The Biotin & Pea Peptide Shampoo has a richer lather that lifts buildup and adds body to flat roots.
Dry, frizzy or color-treated hair? The Pomegranate Sulfate-Free Smoothing Shampoo cleans gently and leaves hair smoother.

L'emarie Energizing Sulfate-Free Shampoo, 9.8 oz.
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Follow any of them with the Strengthening Conditioner, and add the Nutritive Repair Hair Mask once a week.

Signs you're washing too often (or not often enough)

Too often: your lengths feel dry, rough or straw-like, ends split easily, you see more frizz than usual, or your scalp feels tight right after washing.

Not often enough: roots look greasy or flat by midday, your scalp feels itchy or heavy, styles won't hold, or you notice flakes of product buildup.

Your lifestyle counts too. If you work out, sweat a lot or live in a humid climate, you'll likely need to wash more often than the guide above. Heavy use of dry shampoo, gels or oils also means you'll want a thorough cleanse at least once a week.

How to stretch time between washes

Refresh the roots. A light mist of a scalp spray like our Scalp & Hair Serum Spray leaves the scalp feeling fresh on in-between days.
Protect hair at night. A satin pillowcase or bonnet reduces friction, frizz and flattened roots.
Keep hands off. Touching your hair through the day moves oil from your fingers to your roots.
Try a style that works with second-day hair, like a low bun, braid or claw clip.

Shop the routine: Energizing Sulfate-Free Shampoo · Biotin & Pea Peptide Shampoo · Strengthening Conditioner · Nutritive Repair Hair Mask

Frequently asked questions

Is it bad to wash your hair every day?

Not if you use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and focus it on the scalp. Daily washing suits fine or oily hair and people who work out often. If your ends feel dry, condition them every time and add a weekly mask.

Can I train my hair to need fewer washes?

Many people find their roots feel less oily when they stop over-stripping the scalp with harsh shampoos. Try adding one extra day between washes at a time and use a refresh spray or a style that suits second-day hair.

Should I shampoo twice?

If you use a lot of styling product, dry shampoo or oil, a second wash gives a deeper clean. Otherwise, once is usually enough.

How often should I wash curly hair?

Most curly and coily hair does best with a full wash once a week, or every 5 to 10 days, with a co-wash or scalp-only rinse in between.

Should I wash my hair after working out?

If you sweat a lot, rinse your scalp with water or do a quick gentle shampoo to keep it feeling fresh. You don't always need a full wash and condition.