Hair Washing Advice
How and how often should you wash your hair?
A recent TikTok has gone viral, after actress Amanda Seyfried reacted in disgust when an interviewer revealed she hadn’t washed her hair in nearly two weeks.
Gaining over 750k views, fans flooded the comments to share their opinions on how often you should be washing your hair.
With one user sharing that “I do a week to 11 days, it’s good for your hair!”, and another commenting how they’d “love to go 2 weeks, I need my hair washed after 2 days.”*
With Google searches for ‘how often to wash your hair’ surging by 116% in the past month alone*, Shark Beauty reveal how often you should be washing your hair, as well as tips for washing your hair.
How often you should actually be washing your hair
How often you should wash your hair is one of the most highly debated topics in the beauty industry, with some people swearing by leaving it as long as possible between wash days, while others insist they need to wash their hair every day.
To weigh in on the debate, we reveal the truth behind how often we need to wash our hair.
“As a general rule of thumb, it’s advisable not to go any longer than five or six days without washing your hair. This is because the build-up of oil can lead your hair follicles to become clogged, which, over time, can contribute to impaired hair growth.
“On the other hand, washing your hair too frequently can strip the scalp of its natural oils, causing it to become dry and brittle, therefore more prone to breakage.
“Washing your hair every two to three days is the sweet spot for many people. However, the amount of time you should go between washes largely depends on a variety of factors that you should consider before figuring out your hair washing schedule.”
Three factors that should shape your wash-day schedule
1. Hair type
Determining your hair type is the first step to perfecting your hair-wash routine, as texture and density play a major role in determining wash frequency.
Those with fine hair may find oil builds up more quickly, meaning they benefit from washing more frequently.
In contrast, thicker or coarser hair types often retain moisture better and can typically go longer between washes without appearing greasy. Over-washing these hair types can strip away natural oils that help maintain shine and strength.
2. Product usage
Styling products such as hairspray, mousse or gels can build up on the scalp over time. If you regularly use heavy styling products, you may need to wash your hair more frequently to prevent residue build-up and irritation.
3. Lifestyle habits
Lifestyle habits also play a role in how often you need to wash your hair, with those who live an active lifestyle often needing to wash their hair more frequently. Sweat can also clog up your scalp, so regular exercise, as well as environmental factors such as pollution, dust and grime, particularly for those living in cities, can mean hair needs cleansing more often.
The ultimate hair washing routine, according to hair experts
While there’s plenty of advice circulating online, washing your hair properly doesn’t always need to be complicated. In fact, making a few simple adjustments to the way you wash your hair can make a big difference to how clean and healthy it feels.
With Google searches for ‘hair washing routine’ spiking by 128% in the past month alone*, we reveal how to correctly wash your hair, in just four steps.
1. Ensure the hair is fully saturated with water
One of the main mistakes individuals make when it comes to washing their hair starts at the beginning of their routines.
Hair should be completely soaked from root to tip before shampoo is applied, as this helps to loosen dirt, oil and product build-up on the scalp. If the hair isn’t properly wet, shampoo won’t lather as effectively, and it can be harder to distribute the product evenly.
2. Remove oil and product buildup with the first shampoo
Start by focusing on the scalp, where oil and product build-up accumulate most. Lather shampoo between your hands first before applying, then massage gently into the scalp to help remove impurities and stimulate circulation.
3. The second shampoo cleanses the hair
The second cleanse should focus on refreshing the hair itself. Shampoo should be concentrated on the upper half rather than the lengths.
4. Add moisture with conditioning products
Always follow with a conditioner or hair mask to restore moisture. Conditioner typically works quickly and should be left on for at least three minutes, while thicker or damaged hair may benefit from longer treatments. Deep conditioning masks usually require 10–30 minutes to deliver maximum hydration.
Three expert tips for extending the time between hair washes
If you’re trying to stretch the time between wash days, [Named Expert] shares a few simple tips that can help:
1. Clean your hairbrush regularly
Hairbrushes collect oil, product residue and dust, which can then transfer back into freshly washed hair, so it’s important to make sure they are cleaned at least once every 1 or 2 weeks.
To easily clean your hairbrushes, start by removing the loose hair with a comb or tweezers. Then, simply soak the brushes in warm water with shampoo for at least five minutes and leave to air-dry.
2. Use dry shampoo
While dry shampoo is not a substitute for proper hair washing, and overuse can lead to excess buildup residue on the scalp, it can be an easy way to refresh between washes by helping to absorb excess oil at the roots.
3. Use exfoliating or clarifying treatments
Exfoliating shampoos or scalp serums can help remove build-up and excess oil. However, these should generally be used no more than once a week to avoid over-stripping the hair.
Methodology
*GLIMPSE Google Trends Search Data - correct as of 11/03/2026
*https://www.tiktok.com/@sassybynamee/video/7612760256535334166?_r=1&_t=ZN-94P71PimlhG