Dermatologists generally don’t give one strict rule for everyone — instead, they recommend tailoring how often you wash your hair based on your hair type, scalp condition, lifestyle and personal needs. But here are the main expert-backed guidelines you’ll see from dermatologists and skin-health specialists:
🧴 General Dermatologist Recommendations
-
Most people don’t need daily shampooing — many dermatologists suggest washing about 2–3 times per week for normal hair and scalps.
-
Some experts suggest a flexible baseline of 2–4 washes per week, adjusting up or down based on how your scalp feels.
-
People with very dry, thick, curly, or coily hair often wash less frequently (e.g., once a week or even every 10 days) to avoid stripping natural oils.
-
Those with oily scalps, fine hair, or who sweat a lot (like with daily workouts) may need to wash more often — potentially every day or every other day.
🤔 Why Frequency Varies
Dermatologists emphasize that natural scalp oils (sebum) are healthy — they protect hair and skin. Washing too often with harsh shampoos can strip these oils and lead to dryness, irritation, frizz or breakage, especially in dry or curly hair.
At the same time, not washing enough can let oil, sweat, dirt and product build-up accumulate, which for some people can cause itchiness, odor, and scalp discomfort.
🧠 Simple Rules Dermatologists Often Use
Here’s a rough rule of thumb that many dermatologists follow:
✅ Oily scalp / fine hair: Wash every day or every other day
✅ Normal scalp / straight or wavy hair: Wash 2–3 times per week
✅ Dry scalp / curly or coily hair: Wash once a week or even less
(Plus adjust if you sweat daily or use lots of styling products.)
👂 Listen to Your Scalp
Dermatologists often say the best indicator is how your scalp feels:
-
Greasy, tight, itchy, or smelly = time to wash
-
Dry, flaky, brittle or frizzy soon after washing = you may be washing too much
-
Feels balanced and comfortable between washes = frequency likely just right
If you’re unsure, a dermatologist can assess your scalp and recommend a personalized washing schedule — especially if you have scalp conditions like dandruff, psoriasis, eczema or seborrheic dermatitis.