How Often Should I Wash My Hair?
It’s one of the most common hair questions there is — and the honest answer is that there’s no single number that works for everyone. How often you should wash your hair depends on your hair type, your scalp, your lifestyle and what you put in it. Here’s a clear guide from the team at Wisteria Avenue in Abingdon to help you find the right routine for you.
Your hair type matters most
The biggest factor is simply the hair you’ve got. Finer, straighter hair tends to show oil quickly — the natural oils from your scalp travel down the hair easily, so it can look greasy within a day or two and may need washing more often. Thicker, curlier or coarser hair holds onto moisture and oil differently; it often looks and feels better with less frequent washing, and over-washing can leave it dry. Neither is better or worse — they just need different routines.
Lifestyle plays a part
What you do day to day makes a real difference. If you’re active, exercising regularly or working up a sweat, your hair will need washing more often simply to keep it feeling fresh. A more sedentary routine, or colder weather, usually means you can comfortably go longer between washes. It’s worth adjusting with the seasons and with how busy you are, rather than sticking rigidly to one schedule.
Your products and styling
The products you use also affect how often you need to wash. Heavier styling products — gels, mousses, strong hairsprays — build up over time, and that build-up needs washing out to keep hair looking its best. If you use a lot of product, you’ll likely need to wash more frequently than someone who uses very little.
Can you wash your hair too often?
Yes — and it’s worth knowing. Washing very frequently, especially with harsh or stripping shampoos, can remove too much of your hair’s natural oil. Ironically, that can leave the scalp producing even more oil to compensate, so hair gets greasy faster — a cycle that’s easy to fall into. If your hair feels dry or your scalp feels tight, washing slightly less often, or switching to a gentler shampoo, often helps. Our honest take on whether expensive shampoos are worth it is useful if you’re reviewing what you use.
Finding your routine
The best approach is to pay attention to your own hair rather than chase a fixed rule. Most people land somewhere between every day and every few days — the right answer is whatever keeps your hair looking and feeling good without drying it out. If you’re not sure, or your hair has changed, your stylist can give you a steer based on your hair type and any colour or treatments you have.
Ask us at your next appointment in Abingdon
If you’d like advice on a washing routine that suits your hair — or the right products to go with it — just ask when you’re in. Book in at Wisteria Avenue, and have a look at our price list to see what’s involved.
