How Often Should You Shampoo Your Hair?

Lately, there’s lots of talk about the when and why of shampooing your hair. While much of this can come down to preference, hair type, and more – our founder, Maria McCool, is here to voice her thoughts on all things shampooing. She’s talking the benefits of washing your hair on a regular basis, the ins and outs of different hair types, and her expertise on scalp care.

The Benefits of Daily Shampooing

Shampooing your hair every day ensures that your hair and scalp are free of dirt, oils, and product build-up. Ultimately, the choice to shampoo your hair daily or not really has to do with how your hair reacts to it and how you like your hair to be. People think that daily shampooing is bad, but it’s really not! Back in the day, hair dressers would suggest that people skip daily shampoos so as not to ruin their color. That’s largely because the quality of shampoo available wasn’t as high as it is now. Shampoos used to be harsher on the hair and strip the color. Now, there are so many shampoo and conditioner options that are exfoliating and hydrating to the scalp and hair while totally preserving any color treatments. You should think about hair shampooing your hair the way you think about performing your skincare routine - you clean your skin every day, so why wouldn’t you clean your scalp and hair?

Which Hair Types Benefit Most?

Generally speaking, oily hair types, hair that uses a lot of product, and aging hair benefit the most from shampooing their hair daily. However, all hair types can benefit from daily shampoos if they so choose! It is not inherently bad for your hair by any means. I have clients who always say their hair is better on the second or third day after shampooing, which is completely fine - I believe everyone should do what works for them! But I know just as many clients who prefer their hair when it’s cleaned daily. I’ll also add that as we age, we need the conditioning for our hair to look youthful and healthy. I find if I don’t shampoo my hair daily, it’s the same as me not putting moisturizer on. My scalp becomes scaly and my hair looks dry, whereas when I shampoo and condition, my hair becomes silky and healthy-looking again.

Maria’s Major Takeaways

Don’t be afraid of shampooing every day! Technically speaking, it is the better thing for your hair. Not shampooing your hair can cause problems with the pores on your scalp and negatively affect hair growth and hair quality. Your scalp has to be manipulated to get the blood flowing to feed the bulb of the hair and promote proper growth. When you skip shampoos for days and days, it’s not better for the overall health of the hair. That being said, if you really feel your hair is better on the second or third day, then go for it! I just want to make sure people know that shampooing on the daily is very much a good choice too!