How to Go a Week or More Without Washing Your Hair
With thin, fine hair, I used to have to wash every day to avoid that terrible, uncomfortable oiliness and the look of greasy hair. A day without washing, and I’d find myself having to shove on a hat and try to ignore it (ugh, I still hate that greasy feeling).
After years of this, I finally realized that everyday washing is an endless cycle of excess oil production, leading to the need for more and more washing. These days, I usually go at least a whole week without washing, and sometimes up to 10 days. What changed? I still have the same thin hair, but it’s way healthier now, and rarely looks oily these days. Here are 10 changes I made to go a week or more without washing my hair – and most of them work for any hair type.
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How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?
There’s no ideal schedule for washing your hair, but in general, going a week or more creates less buildup, less oil production, less exposure to harsh products and product residue, less stress to your scalp, and better overall scalp health. With a bit of “training” even, fine, dry hair (like mine) can go a full week or more, while thick or curly types may easily be able to go even longer.
If you’re frustrated by the way your hair feels without a frequent wash routine, it’s also good to know that frequent washing can also lead to further scalp oiliness, since the washing process and towel friction tends to encourage more oil production.
Natural oils matter, and frequent washing actually strips your hair of its natural oils, which can results in it producing extra oils, but can also lead to scalp dryness.
Plus, frequent washing also means frequent styling and manipulation, which causes stress to your hair. Brushing, applying hair products, and using a blow dryer and other heat style tools are good ways to cause breakage. Fewer washes means less manipulation, which not only means less stress, but also less oil buildup.
Watch Out for Toxic Shampoos and Conditioners
One of the most major changes that helped me go from washing every 1-2 days to every 7-10 days was to switch from toxic shampoos and conditioners to a safer option. Most commercial hair products are filled with toxins, preservatives, and synthetic fragrances that are not only bad for your hair and scalp, but for your health in general. Ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, and fragrances (found in most shampoos and conditioners) can leave a lot of buildup (chemicals, waxes, and silicone), mess with your scalp’s pH and natural oils, and more importantly, lead to health issues like hormone disruption, skin irritation and acne, and and infertility.
(Since these ingredients are in all sorts of household products, cosmetics, and cleaners – not just shampoo and conditioner – you may actually be exposed to a LOT more of them than you think.)
In many seasons, I’ve switched to a super easy DIY “shampoo and conditioner” made with baking soda and vinegar to restore my scalp’s pH, remove excess oil, and get rid of chemicals. The times I’ve used this have been when my hair has been the healthiest.
10 Tips to Go A Week or More Between Hair Washes
- Wear a hat or headband
- Take it one day at a time
- Avoid brushing and styling every day
- Keep it up for a day or two after washing
- Avoid heat products
- Keep it up at night
- Try a dry shampoo
- Switch to a non-toxic shampoo and conditioner
- Try water-only rinses
- Avoid very hot water
1. Wear a hat or headband.
The best way to start going longer between washes is to just do it. If you normally wash every day, choose a part of the week when you don’t have to look your very best, and throw on a hat or headband with a messy bun on the second day.
At first, your hair will feel greasy and oily, but after a week or two, it will get accustomed to the new routine.
2. Take it one day at a time.
It takes awhile for your hair to adjust to less washing, so don’t rush it. Going from washing every 2 days to washing every 10 days right away is going to be difficult. Instead, extend your wash frequency by one day at a time. Keep your 2-day, 3-day, or 4-day routine for a couple of weeks, then add an extra day.
Eventually, your hair will get used to less washing and it will be easy to have a consistent routine of going a week or more. But first, your hair needs time to restore your scalp’s balance and its own beneficial oils.
3. Avoid brushing and styling every day.
Hopefully, less washing means less brushing and styling, which also means less product buildup and scalp oil production. Brushing your hair stimulates scalp’s sebaceous glands, which then produces more oil and then in turn makes you feel like you have to wash your hair more often.
If possible, adapt your styling routine and choose hairstyles that will last for a couple of days or more with as little intervention as possible. Limit product to prevent buildup and promote better hair health. Less manipulation can go a long way in helping your hair to look less greasy in between each wash interval.
4. Keep it up for a day or two after washing.
I find that putting my hair up in french braids or another tight hairstyle for a day or two after washing tends to help a lot in extending wash days and reducing oiliness. Braiding tends to reduce the spread of oil, and it also keeps loose hair from rubbing on things and getting dirtier (especially true for long hair!). The later days of the wash cycle can be better for styling or keeping your hair down.
5. Avoid heat products.
Heat products, like hair dryers and straighteners, can strip the natural oils and cause dryness and breakage. Avoid these when possible, especially if your hair is on the drier side. The plus side of washing your hair less often is that heat products aren’t necessary as often, which aids in your hair’s overall health.
6. Keep it up at night.
Keeping your hair up in braids or a messy bun at night helps prevent it from rubbing on your pillow as much and picking up dirt and oils, which in turn helps it look nice for longer. Use a soft, thick hair tie to prevent kinks that might need to be straightened out. Some people also prefer to wear a silk scarf or bonnet at night.
7. Try a dry shampoo.
Between-wash habits like applying dry shampoo can be another great way to put washing off for a day by taming oily hair. Be sure to look for a product with natural ingredients like arrowroot and cornstarch, or make your own DIY dry shampoo.
8. Switch to a non-toxic shampoo and conditioner.
Switching to a non-toxic shampoo and conditioner really helped my hair by removing excess oils and decreasing buildup. I often use the baking soda and apple cider vinegar method, which makes a noticeable difference in making my hair less frizzy, less dry, and being able to extend washes.
For my kids, I like to use diluted castile soap to wash. I’ve also heard good things about Rowa Casa Organics but haven’t tried it myself.
9. Try water-only rinses.
If your hair’s feeling oily but you aren’t ready to go for another full wash yet, a quick water rinse can sometimes help to remove some of the oily look and extend your wash cycle another day or two.
10. Avoid very hot water.
Washing with really hot water strips the scalp of it’s natural oils, which in turn signals to your body to product more oil. It can also leave you with cuticle wear and a dry scalp. For best results, use lukewarm water to wash your hair, and consider a cold rinse at the end to help your hair keep it’s natural oils and boost its shine.
