How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

When it comes to your hair health, you may be damaging it without ever realizing it. Shampooing your hair leaves you feeling squeaky clean, but did you know you could be overwashing your hair, leaving your hair brittle and weak? Shampooing your hair less often could be the key to unlocking your healthiest hair yet. Keep reading to find out how often you should shampoo your hair, how long you should wait between hair washes, tips on extending the time between washes with Batiste™ Dry Shampoo, and cute hairstyles to get you through the week!

How Many Times Should You Wash Your Hair in a Week?

A tale as old as time - you have an event this weekend, but if you wash your hair tonight, it’ll be dirty by then. So, when do you wash your hair, and how often should you wash your hair? While there’s no official answer as to how many times you should wash your hair in a week, it’s recommended that you wash twice a week or less if your hair is chemically treated. If you have extremely textured or coarse hair, washing less often is recommended. You may want to wash your hair more often if you excessively sweat during activity or exercise, but generally, you can wash your hair every 2-3 days to best protect your hair follicles from getting damaged.

To extend the days between washes, spray Batiste™ Dry Shampoo at the roots of your hair to absorb oil and dirt. Prevent unwanted white residue by using a colored dry shampoo like Batiste™ Hint of Color, tailored for the brightest blondes to the darkest brunettes. Batiste™ Hint of Color blends into your roots while removing oils for a seamless transformation for your hair.

Is it Bad to Wash Your Hair Every Day?

For most people, washing your hair every day or too frequently can be excessive and lead to a dry, itchy scalp. Overwashing your hair can also dry out your hair strands, leading to breakage, split ends, and, in the worst case, hair loss. It is best to consider your hair texture, porosity, and scalp health when determining how many times a week to wash your hair. While it is recommended that you wash your hair every 2-3 days, you may want to wash your hair more often if you have an oily scalp or active lifestyle.

The ”Co-wash” Method has become a popular alternative for washing your hair throughout the week and can be beneficial for those with dry, coarse, coily, or textured hair that dries out. Co-washing has also been referred to as the “no-poo” method since you don’t add shampoo to your hair. If you’re unfamiliar, co-washing is a deep hydration method that involves wetting your hair and only using conditioner (hence the co in co-wash). Co-washing provides deep hydration to your locks and skips removing the oils from your roots, making co-washing a great option for anyone that suffers from breakage.

Woman combing her dry, damaged hair while looking at it.

Signs You May be Overwashing Your Hair

You may spend time meticulously choosing your shampoo and conditioner combo, maybe even a bonding treatment or hair mask to throw into the mix once a week, but you could be ruining your hair by overwashing. Here are some signs that you may be washing your hair too much:

Dryness and Frizz: If you notice that your hair is dry and frizzy, even after conditioning, it could be a sign that you're washing your hair too often.
Scalp Irritation: If you experience an itchy, red, or flaky scalp, it could be a sign of overwashing. Frequent washing can strip your scalp of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.
Greasiness: Contrary to popular belief, washing your hair too often can make it greasier. This is because your scalp overproduces oil to compensate for the natural oils removed during washing.
Dullness: Overwashing can also cause your hair to look dull and lifeless, as it removes the natural oils that give hair its shine.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it might be a good idea to cut back on how often you're washing your hair and see if that helps.

How to Refresh Your Hair Between Washes

Trying to resist the urge to wash your hair is no easy feat, but dry shampoo can make it a little easier. You can extend the days between your hair washes by using a dry shampoo to absorb excess oils. It’s important to note that dry shampoo is not the same as shampooing your hair in the shower, but it can give your hairstyle a much-needed boost on day 2 or 3. Batiste™ Dry Shampoo comes in a variety of formulas tailored to your hair needs, from taming frizz or removing oil to add volume. All you have to do to boost your ’do is shake your bottle, spray at your roots, and then massage in.

You can also get your dry shampoo working while you sleep with the Batiste™ Overnight Deep Cleanse Dry Shampoo. This nighttime formula removes impurities that build up during the day so you can wake up and go in the morning! You can even take your overnight routine to the next level by adding the Batiste™ Overnight Leave-in Hair Mask to give your strands some extra TLC.

Easy Hairstyles for Greasy Hair

Even when your hair isn’t freshly washed, you still want to feel good stepping out of the house. For those in-between days before your next shampoo, try these quick and cute hairstyles for dirty hair – you may even find a new favorite look!

Two thick French braids displayed at the back of the head.

1. French Braids

French braids are a classic hairstyle that makes a great day 3 hairstyle. Braids tend to stay put better when your hair is a little dirty, making them the perfect hairstyle to carry you through your week. French braids can be worn in a variety of styles, including as a single braid down the back, as two braids on either side of the head, or as a crown braid that wraps around the head. Choose the style that speaks to you and get to braiding! You may even need to find some more braid styles if you find you really gravitate towards this hairstyle.

2. Slicked Back Bun

Slicked-back buns lean into the look of greasy hair and make it hidden in public. A slicked-back bun a la the 90s is all the rage these days, and you have likely seen it on magazine covers as much as you’ve seen it on Instagram. The sleek and chic sophistication of a slicked-back bun has become popular for its ease of styling and easy wearability. From grocery shopping, to weddings, to running around the low bun has your back. It is best executed with a wax stick to slick back any flyaways, but hair gel or hairspray can be just as good.

3. Hair Scarf

You say lazy, we say efficient. Either way, throwing on a hair scarf is a quick and easy way to hide your day 3 hair, especially if you don’t have a lot of time to get ready. Plus, a hair scarf is a great way to accessorize and match your outfit. Crocheted or silk, printed or woven, there’s bound to be a head scarf that speaks to you. An extra styling hack: sleep with your hair in braids to achieve a messy beachy wave in the morning and really lean into the Boho look!

Keep Your Hair Fresh All Week with Batiste™

When it comes to extending your hairstyle through the week, Batiste™ Dry Shampoo is the product for the job! From a quick spritz to a post-workout full refresh, Batiste™ Dry Shampoos’ many formulas have the solution for your hair. For more information on using Batiste™ products to create your dream hair, check out these articles: