Hair washing habits can vary quite a bit from person to person. Some people wash their hair every day, while others can go multiple days between washes. On average, most people tend to wash their hair every 2-3 days. However, some can stretch it out much longer than that. Let’s take a closer look at how long people really go without washing their hair.
Daily Hair Washing
There are some people who wash their hair every single day. This includes people with very oily hair that tends to get greasy and limp fast. It also includes people who use lots of hair products like gels, mousses, sprays, etc. The products can build up on the scalp and hair, so daily washing is needed to keep hair fresh and clean.
Daily hair washing is more common among women, especially younger women. A survey found that about 28% of women wash their hair daily. Only 15% of men wash their hair daily. So while daily washing does occur, it’s not the norm for most people.
Washing Hair Every Other Day
Washing hair every other day, or every 2 days, is very common. It allows enough time between washes for the scalp’s natural oils to spread down the hair shaft. This prevents the hair from getting too dried out from frequent washing. It also helps limit oil production so hair doesn’t get too greasy between washes.
According to surveys, about 45% of women and 31% of men wash their hair every 2 days. So you can see that this is a pretty popular hair washing schedule for many people. It provides a nice balance between keeping hair clean but not over-washing.
Washing Hair Twice a Week
Washing hair twice a week, or every 3-4 days, starts to get into the territory of less frequent hair washing. It’s common among people with dry hair that is prone to getting dried out. By spreading out washes, it allows more time for the scalp’s natural oils to moisturize the hair.
Many people also find that their hair gets less oily and needs less frequent washing after switching to a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates can stimulate more oil production. So removing them allows the scalp to normalize and produce less oil over time.
About 15% of women and 20% of men wash their hair twice a week on average. So while not as common as daily or every other day washing, twice weekly is still a fairly popular schedule.
Washing Hair Once a Week
Washing hair only once a week starts to get into the territory of infrequent hair washing. The people who wash their hair once a week typically have very dry hair. Their scalp and hair do not produce much oil at all. So they can go longer between washes without their hair getting too oily or dirty.
Other people who wash their hair weekly do so because they are trying to train their hair to get used to less frequent washing. It can take time for the scalp to adjust and start producing less oil. So they slowly stretch out time between washes over several weeks.
Only about 5% of women and 8% of men wash their hair once per week. So while not very common, weekly washing does work well for some people.
Washing Hair Every 10-14 Days
Washing hair every 10-14 days is very infrequent hair washing. Very few people wash their hair this infrequently. Those that do likely have extremely dry, coarse hair that requires a lot of oil to stay moisturized. Their scalp and hair produce very little oil naturally.
Some people also try to train their hair and scalp to adapt to less frequent washing. They slowly stretch the time between washes over months. But it takes time for hair to adjust to such an infrequent washing schedule. It can take months of transition time.
Only around 2% of people wash their hair every 10-14 days on average. So it’s quite uncommon but can work for some people.
Washing Hair Less Than Every 14 Days
Washing hair less than every 14 days is highly unusual. Very few people go this long between hair washes. However, there are some people who can go several weeks or longer without washing their hair.
This includes people with African American hair textures as well as certain other ethnic backgrounds. Their very coiled, kinky hair does not require as frequent washing. The coils prevent oil from spreading down hair shafts as quickly. So hair stays clean longer.
Other people who wash their hair less than every 2 weeks have trained their scalp and hair to adapt. They slowly stretched out washes over many months. Their hair has learned to stay balanced with very infrequent washing.
No surveys track how many people wash their hair less than every 2 weeks. But it’s safe to say the number is very small, likely less than 1% of people.
Reasons People Can Go Longer Between Hair Washes
As you can see, hair washing frequency varies quite a bit from person to person. Some of the key factors that allow people to go longer between washing their hair include:
- Naturally dry hair – Doesn’t get oily fast so can go longer between washes.
- Coarse, thick, or curly hair – Retains less oil so stays cleaner longer.
- Sulfate-free shampoo – Causes less oil production so hair gets less oily.
- Not using hair products – No buildup of products on scalp and hair.
- Hard water – Mineral deposits absorb oil so hair stays cleaner.
- Dry climate – Hair gets less oily in dry vs. humid climates.
- Scalp training – Over time, the scalp adapts to produce less oil.
So while most people wash their hair every 2-3 days on average, some can stretch that out based on their hair type, styling habits, and environment. But it takes time for both the scalp and hair to transition to less frequent washing in many cases.
Potential Drawbacks of Infrequent Hair Washing
While less frequent hair washing can work well for some people, there are also some potential drawbacks:
- Hair or scalp odor – Infrequent washing can cause odor from dirt, sweat, and oil buildup.
- Greasy, limp hair – Scalp oil weighs hair down without regular washing.
- Dandruff – Oil buildup exacerbates dandruff for some people.
- Itchy scalp – Oil and product buildup can irritate the scalp.
- Hair loss – Oil and dirt block follicles, potentially impeding new growth.
- Acne – Excess oil transfer can clog facial pores leading to acne.
So some adjustment is required to avoid potential issues that can come with infrequent washing. It also won’t work well for some people with very fine, oily hair or sensitive skin and scalp.
Tips for Training Hair to Need Less Frequent Washing
Some people wish to train their scalp and hair to adapt to less frequent washing. This transition takes patience and time in most cases. Here are some tips to help the process:
- Start slowly – Stretch washes by only 1 extra day at first, then gradually increase.
- Use dry shampoo – Spray it on oily roots between washes to absorb oil.
- Switch to sulfate-free – Sulfate-free shampoo causes less oil production.
- Use less conditioner – Only use on ends to avoid residue on scalp.
- Brush thoroughly – Distribute oils along hair to avoid excess on scalp.
- Adjust styling – Try low-maintenance styles like buns during transition.
- Get trims – Remove split ends so oil can travel down shaft better.
With some patience, most people can train their hair to adapt to less frequent washing. Some may never be able to go more than a few days. But trying some of these tips can help maximize time between washes.
General Tips for Less Frequent Hair Washing
Here are some other tips for maintaining healthier hair when you wash it less often:
- Use dry shampoo between washes.
- Rinse with water or conditioner only to refresh hair.
- Wear hair up/covered outdoors to avoid dirt.
- Shampoo once, condition more to avoid residue.
- Focus shampoo only on scalp, not lengths.
- Let hair air dry to avoid damage from heat styling.
- Get regular trims to keep ends healthy.
- Use gentle, sulfate-free shampoos.
- Brush hair thoroughly to distribute oils.
Making some minor adjustments to your hair care routine and styling can make a big difference. You’ll get the benefits of less frequent washing without as many potential drawbacks.
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?
So how often should you really be washing your hair? Here are some general guidelines:
- Oily hair – Every 1-2 days
- Normal hair – Every 2-3 days
- Dry hair – Every 3-4 days
- Coarse, curly hair – Every 4-7 days
- Coiled, kinky hair – Every 7-14 days
But you also have to take into account your hair type, scalp health, product use, and environmental factors. The best schedule is what works for your unique hair situation.
If you’re currently washing daily but want to wash less, gradually stretch out your washes. Your scalp and hair need time to adjust. And pay attention to your hair’s condition. Scalp health should be the priority.
Conclusion
Hair washing frequency varies greatly based on hair type, scalp health, styling habits, and personal preference. On average, most people wash their hair every 2-3 days. But some stretch that out to once a week or even once every 2 weeks.
Infrequent washing works well for some due to dry hair, training the scalp, or certain hair types. But it can take time for the scalp and hair to adjust. There are also some potential drawbacks to be aware of.
Finding the right hair washing schedule takes some experimentation. Focus on keeping your scalp and hair healthy above all else. With some minor adjustments, you can likely maximize time between washes if less frequent washing is your goal.