Mom Question - Washing Your Hair....

I wash my hair once or twice a week. (I do bathe everyday!) I have really thick, wavy hair and if I wash it too much it gets so dry and brittle. I wash and condition my hair, put a little serum in it, and let it air dry. Then I straighten it and it looks great and shiny and I just have to comb it real quick in the morning but other than that I don't do anything to it till my next washing. It doesn't smell uncleaned but the fresh shampoo smell only last one day. The only time I ever wash a smell out is if I BBQ then it smells gross to me. I love paul mitchell shampoos, and I love mint/menthol shampoos I think they leave my hair super shiny.

I wash mine every other day, sometimes on the third day. My hair stylist told me it isn't good for the hair to be washed everyday. However, I usually plan my hair washing and styling around what I'm doing that week so it is nice and fresh if I have something more important than grocery shopping and doing errands.

Did you steal my hair?? LOL

Mine is about the same length, straight, and omg it gets oily (as well as my face). I SHOULD wash it every day, but I will at least do it every other day. I keep my hair in a ponytail all the time, and since it's been cold I've been wearing a ballcap everyday too haha

Im a stylist, and washing your hair is soooooo bad for your hair mama!! It strips the hair of your natural oils. I know your hair gets oily but your hair needs that to rebuild itself. The air is filled with nasty toxins thats horrible for your hair, not to mention eating habits, shampoo's just daily living put a big stress on your hair. I would stop washing your hair everyday, and get a dry shampoo. you can find one at a beauty store, doesnt need to be expensive, but they help keep your hair "clean looking". Or just get some baby poweder and rub it on your scalp. It absorbs all the oil. 2nd, I would get some prenatal vitamins, or vitamins that are strictly for hair and nails. They will help your hair grown and be healthier with more shine. 3rd get a volumizing shampoo, they really really help. And if you put a serum or oil in your hair after you wash only put it on the ends, if you put in on your roots they will get your hair oilier faster (if that makes sense) Also, dont use soooo much conditioner, and if you do dont put it on your roots! I literally wash my hair every four days. The first day I give myself a blow out or straighten it, which usually lasts me about 2 days if that, then I just wear a head band with it pulled back, for as long as I can pull it off, then I just wear a pony tail. But I dont use the dry shampoo until like the 3rd day. Try that and le tme know if it helps!!! BTW there are TONS of not so expensive hair stuff at rite aid and cvs, I would try garnier, those products tend to be pretty natural.!!!

I'm a stylist. I wash my hair daily also. Some people, especially those with ethnic hair or curly, thick hair can usually go several days without washing, and it's usually best to maintain those curls not to wash every day.

But for those of us blessed with an oilier scalp, there's not much you can do but wash! Try stretching it out for two days though, when you condition, don't get the scalp but do it on the hair and ends especially. That can help. Sometimes, over washing can actually cause more oil production. It's a vicious cycle so experiment to see what is best for your hair. Also, try using a very mild shampoo like Paul Mitchells Shampoo 1. For days you need more cleansing, you can use something heavier, but that is a very nice and gentle one.

There actually are dry shampoos you can use so you don't have to wash every day. Or, even using a small shake of baby powder on your roots or even astringent with a cotton ball can help absorb some oil if you want to skip a day of washing.

If you trim your hair a bit, and maybe even add in a few simple layers for texture, you can probably be able to style it a lot better, especially if you learn to round brush and use styling aides.

I think it really depends on your hair. I used to wash my hair every day because I felt I needed to in order to keep it nice. But then I could go every other day, and now I can go even 3 or 4 because my hair has become much dryer as I have aged. To style I spray a little water in it in the morning and then blow dry it. Sometimes I don't have to do much and in the summer I just walk out the door with it wet avoiding the blow dryer. A couple of clips in the right place will style it for me and I take them out before I go anywhere or get out of the car.

There is a danger here........it's embarrassing if you forget to remove the clips!

I am in your boat-i wash mine daily sometimes if I know i will be home or not going anywhwere exciting i skip a day, but it is disgusting-lol! I also use tea tree shampoo-it helps a bit. I tried the baby powder thing and it makes it feel even worse. L.:)

It really depend on what you are usuing to wash your hair with, when I run out of my Paul Mitchell Elixir shampoo and reach for the OTC stuff I HAVE to wash everyday AND it gets very weighted down. Try a good shampoo and light conditioner and you should be able to go every other day to every 2 days. Your hair wont hold curl because of the weight/build up probably coming from your regimen. I have noticed that I spend less on shampoo/conditioner when I buy a good brand.

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My stylist told me not to wash my hair everyday. But I do not have fine or oily hair - It is thick and straight. Since I switched to every-other-day a year or two ago, I have noticed my hair is healthier and easier to style.

I wash my hair every 2 or 3 days. By the third day I do wear it up in a bun or a pony tail. Do you wash your scalp well? Washing your hair and not your scalp is like brushing your teeth and not your gums and tongue. It does not "stimulate the oil glands". I think you also need a different cut. Do you have a blunt cut? It it doesn't have any texture or layers it is harder to style sometimes. I style it nicely after I wash it (blow dryer, round brush, sometimes flat iron). If I had a job I would probably make sure to wash every other day as I did before having my son.

I used to wash daily but not since I found the "dry shampoo" products. I use it the day after I've styled my hair. Sometimes I can even get two days out of it. You spray it in and brush your hair and voila you have non oily, fresh smelling hair. I particurlary like the Rockaholic by TIGI. Try it! It's about $20.00 a can, but it lasts for a few months and to me it's worth not having to blow dry and style every day!

I have a friend who has fine oily hair. She gets a soft body perm to keep it from looking oily after a day. She washes her hair ever other day or so. I have dry hair and don't wash it but a couple of times per week. It doesn't look dirty since it's still.....fluffy looking.

I saw a commercial yesterday on TV about a new item, maybe Tressemme or Fructis? A new line of dry shampoos and otehr hair cleaning items for non hair-washing days. I think I had seen it at Walmart. You might try a beauty supply store too. Walmart would be cheaper to try a new products that may or may not look nice when used.

My hairdresser "made" me quit washing mine every day. She said it is way too hard on it! I shower daily, but only wash it every other day.
I have long hair and one thing I have to remember to do is keep my fingers out of it. So the first day it's washed I try to wear it up, at least on the sides. It helps me to keep from running fingers through it, etc. to keep it out of my face.
At night before the second day I take a tiny bit of baby powder and put in my hair at the part and scalp of the bang area. It helps it to not be greasy looking.

I have to wash mine daily. If I don't it gets oily and stringy. Sometimes I will go a day without washing it on the weekend but I have to wear it up in a ponytail if I do that so it doesn't look quite as bad.

I have ringlets. If I'm wearing my hair curly, I wash it every morning (otw it becomes a tangled mess - dreadlock tangled- in 2 days... it also becomes a lions mane... will stand out several inches from my head. :P wild woman of borneo just doesn't fly... think Einstein but worse... I'm caucasian and it just looks BAD).

If I'm blowing it out straight I can go 3 days before it even *starts* to get oily (takes about 2 weeks to get as oily as my best friends hair gets in 12 hours)... but I usually have to wash it every other day... because if I work out, the sweat pops the curls right back out and it becomes 80's "big" type hair (curls actually need product to shape into curls, unless you hit the genetic jackpot).

If you want to wash your hair less, start off slow. This is a process that you hair will get used to. You hair is producing that much oil because it has to right now - you are washing away the natural oils everyday, thus making it produce more. start by going every other day. On your off days, you might want to don a ponytail, while you are getting used to it. After a few weeks, you will notice less oil on your off days and you can move to every three days. Your hair will adjust to what you are doing to it.

I wash my hair every other day (occasionally even third day). I don't have oily hair so it is not a problem for me. My hair is straight and about shoulder length, I usually don't do anything except brush it and tuck it behind my ears. I am a SAHM of 4 kids so I have to keep my hair pretty low maintenance. I have never used it so I can't give personal experiences, but I do know they make a dry shampoo that many people use to clean up a little oiliness on "off" days. Maybe look into something like that. I know they say shampooing every day can be hard on your hair.

I wash my hair about 2 times a week.
My hair does not get oily. I don't have oily hair. And it doesn't get stink.
So I go according to my hair.
My hair is layered and naturally has slight waves and is thick. I actually don't even have to brush it with a brush. It doesn't get tangled.

Sometimes, over washing can cause problems too. Which I read in a magazine once.

Do you use shampoo for oily hair?
When washing as well, to prevent the ends from drying out... just concentrate on the scalp area. Wash gently. No need to white-knuckle it while washing. That can also make the ends damaged/dry.
If you notice at hair salons, they wash the hair very gently with their hands. They don't rough up the scalp/hair too much, just to wash it. And it still gets clean.

When you apply conditioner, keep it to the ends of hair. Not the scalp. Since you tend to get a little oily there.

Maybe too, since your hair is straight and past your shoulders, You might consider making it above the shoulders instead. Not short or anything. But, longer hair, it can make the hair just hang with no body, because of the extra weight of the hair. Sometimes, making the hair a tad shorter, can add more body/bounce to the hair.

all the best,
Susan

When I was younger and used a ton of 'product' on my hair (hair spray, gel, mousse) I would wash it daily. Now that I am older and my skin/hair is dryer, I wash it a whole lot less or it would be like straw! (Additionally, in this weather it is static-y!) It is easy to manage because I always wear it up.

I wash my hair daily because if I don't I just don't feel as fresh and clean. I have LONG hair and it get frizzy and unmanageable very easily. This helps to keep it clean and the way I like it. I can then wear it however I want.

M

Every 2-3 days, otherwise, my hair would feel and look like straw. I don't use a 'smell good' type of shampoo (Infusium isn't a 'pretty' smelling shampoo) so the smell isn't an issue for me. I have long hair, so I can wear my hair several different ways - so I don't worry about the style either.

I use baby powder between washings. It keeps the oil problem down and it smells nice :) I take a few shakes of the bottle into my hands, flip my head upside-down and run it around my scalp. Hope that helps!

I wash my hair 3 to 4 times a week. Definitly not every day. I get it done once a week at the shop and it lasts for 2 or 3 days. then I wash it every other day till I go back to the shop again. My hair doesn't get oily. If your having that problem you might want to maybe not use the conditioner or try a different one.

Well I used to have oily hair everyday and I would have to wash it. I found a chemical free shampoo that I can wash my hair every other day. My hair does not get oily or unmanageable till day 3. I am glad I can get up and just go. Hope this helps would love to tell you about all the 100% Natural Products that I found and get to use.

I'm in your boat, I feel like my hair is a limp, oily mess if I don't wash it everyday. I am also one of those people who can't get going without a shower in the morning so I guess it doesn't matter to me so much, although it would be great to get up, get dressed and go.

I take a shower every morning so i can wake up. Since i'm in there i go ahead and shampoo. I also hate washing my face unless i'm in the shower and all wet, so i wash my face every morning too. I guess i can't quite picture people saying they are clean if they don't get in the shower, what are they doing? sponge bathing or lounging in the tub? or are they getting their hair wet and just not shampooing??? if you style it one day and then sleep on it, doesn't it turn into a tangled flat mess?

I usually wash my hair about every other day, I shower every day but just rinse my hair out. I dont work where I have to actually see the public so usually it is just pulled in a pony or a braid.

I wash once a day sometimes twice a day depending on my activity for that day.My hair is cut short there is no hair on my neck,I used to have long thick hair down to my booty but I feel in love with short styles now with 3 kids & a hubby it is so easy to do & manage but it requires me to get a hair cut once a month plus now I dye my hair.I love to feel fresh & clean I can't go anywhere without showering...

Depends. Summer = daily. Winter time I can get away with every other or every two. Seems like if I have styled it I can get that extra day with modifications like a headband or clipping my bangs back. There used to be a refresher spray by aveda that helped me stretch the time if I sprayed at the roots that helped my scalp feel fresh and hair smell nice but that is discontinued. I make one of my own now that functions nearly as well for my fine hair. I also find the less I wash after time there is less oil build up.

I have curly hair and I don't wash my hair everyday. But I do get it wet everyday. My hair is easier to style when it's wet. I wash my hair about 2/3 times a week. Depending on my activities. Every other day when I start working out more :p

But my hair doesn't look greasy, and the products I use - gel and sometimes hairspray usually smell good.

I think it really depends on your type of hair. Some hair needs to be washed daily, others doesn't. I wash mine every other day cause if I do it daily, it dries it out. Your hair may need the daily, or it could just be "used" to being washed daily. Don't know if you have the patience to give it a break and go every other day for an extended period to see what happens. It might be product related, too. I don't think hair is supposed to smell. If it absorbs other odors (like cigarette smoke), then yes - definitely wash, but it shouldn't smell bad if it's not washed daily.

Good luck, hope it works out.

Mine gets washed every 4-5 days.
I found that when I stopped washing it all the time it actually produced less oil.
My hair has a natural wave to it and I have to use an anti friz stuff on it I have to use less when I don't wash it as often.
I use the GF anti dandriff shampoo and the pro V med to think conditioner.

In the winter I only wash my hair every other day - other wise tends to dry out too much. I use a straightener to get rid of the bed head! I also try to have a couple different kinds of shampoo and rotate every couple of weeks. Although some brands I feel like I could still wash everyday - so I might try the tip to not scrub it and just let it sit to do it's job!

It sounds like you and I have VERY different hair types. If I were to wash my hair everyday if you be so dry that it would be impossible to deal with. I have very thick, slightly wavy hair so it needs time to let the natural oils build up, and it actually looks better when it has been a few days since I've washed it. So... to honestly (and somewhat embarrassedly) answer your question, I wash my hair once a week. As I stated previously, I actually think my hairstle improves as my hair goes through the week without being washed. Here's the weird part though- I workout pretty hard (3-4 serious cardio sessions and 1 90 minutes power yoga classes each week). You'd think my hair would smell hideous after all the sweat piling up, but my finance (and even strangers who who stand close to me) often tell me that my hair smells wonderful AFTER several days of workouts and no hair washing. I get asked not infrequently what kind of shampoo I use because my hair smells so good. How wack is that?

Anyway, I am going in for my first ever Brazilian Blowout treatment tomorrow (so excited) and am hoping that this will mean I can wash my hair more often because it will be straighten and more silky after the application of all that keratin.

My mom used to have hair like you describe yours, and she washed it every other day. Now she wears hats and wigs out in public and goes bald with us at home (breast cancer).

My hair has changed in the last few years. It used to be that if I washed my hair more often than every three or four days, it would get dry and fly-away. Now if I don't wash it at least every three days (and that's pushing it--usually have to wear my hair up the third day), I look like a greaser.

*sigh*

Do what you need to do-- it has nothing to do with anybody else, everybody's hair is different. Your hair might need washing every day. Mine certainly does.

I wash my hair 1-2 times per week. I have wavy blonde hair. I used to wash it every day (before kids!), and it would look oily by the second day. Now after years of only washing 1-2 times per week, it looks much better the second and third day after I wash it. However I almost always wear it in a ponytail, and I doubt that it smells nice....

it's really got more to do with the type of hair you have. it sounds like you have naturally oily hair. it probably looks great freshly washed/dried, silky and clean. mine doesn't, it has a lot of curl/wave that tends to make it really dry and frizzy after a shower, no matter what kind of product i put on it (honestly, they don't ever seem to work, then if i put more on, it gets oily, but still frizzy. explain that to me!?) my best bet is to wash the night before, sleep on it wet, then straighten the next morning. and hope to god to avoid cowlicks :) if i want to wear it curly i have to wash it same day and put product on it, either gel or mousse. that style does not go two days. unfortunately, while many swear by washing every other day or whatever - not everyone can get away with it. some with oilier hair just have to wash more often. sorry!

I read an article by the top earning salon in our metro area. The owner said to put the shampoo on your head and then leave it sit there for a few minutes to do it's job. Do not scrub. Scrubbing gets the oils going.

I started doing this and my hair gradually produced less oil. I now go about a week between shampoos and it doesn't smell or look oily in any way. This is better for your hair too, btw.

Skip the scrubbing and your scalp will do the rest.

I have to do every other day. I rarely do every day. I have relatively fine hair with lots of body to it so it does get oily somewhat quickly as it has no dryness to it even after washing it and blow drying. I used to have to do every day, but I actually stopped and switched to every other day and started to find that it did not get really oily till day 3 (but when it does get oily it's like all at once grossness of oil). I usually just pull my hair back on the second day or use a headband or some other type accessory on the second day.

Gosh, I HAVE to wash my hair everyday. I have yet to know a person with as oily as skin as I have. I hate it. It grosses me out. If I ever DON'T get to shower (and wash my hair) one day, it looks like its damp. gross.

side story: I love camping/hiking. Went on a hiking trip for 5 days straight. couldn't shower and the water in the streams were ice cold (our water bottles froze)- couldn't "rinse" UUUUUUGGGHHH- my hair was straight up nasty!

My hair is the same and I wash my everyday because I don't like the "oily feel". My hair stylist gets on to me for washing it daily. She washes her hair every 2 to 3 days. Also, try putting a little baby powder at the roots to absorb some oil - just make sure you rub it in well and don't leave white powder spots in your hair!

Yes, everyone's hair is different. But, I do agree, if you wash everyday, then typically the hair gets oilier. I go everyother day...and when weekend comes around, it's like getting a free day. =) Suave Clairifying shampoo is pretty good and cheap! Good luck!

There is no way I'd have time to wash my hair everyday. So, I go two to three days between washings. I have long hair, about to my bra strap.

I wash my hair on day one, roller brush it with a round brush in sections, then set it is velcro rollers (find them at any Wal Mart). I leave the rollers in for a few hours (I do this all at night), then take them out right before bed. My hair is big and poofy and curly then. By the time I wake up the next day, it looks fab since it has calmed down. Then, the next day, I clip back just the bangs like in a bump on the top of my head and leave the rest down, so long as there is still enough curl left. Then, day three, ponytail. Day four - wash it all over again!

Hi- You said your hair gets oily if you don't wash it everyday. (I wash mine every other day unless I get sweaty due to the heat in the summer.) Here's a website to go to if you want to read about why someone's hair gets greasy from washing it daily.

http://www.suite101.com/content/why-washing-hair-every-da...

My hair is thick and wavy with oily roots and dry ends, so washing everyday doesn't work well for me. I use baby power on my ends - take a little in my hands and rub into the roots (not too much or you have white hair!). Brush through. You can get scented baby powder from natural health stores too. Then I have a spray bottle of water and use that to wet my hair so the ends don't look so dry from the powder. The whole process only takes 3 minutes and my hair looks great (usually better than freshly washed) and smells good too!

Go "no-poo" !!

I wash it every other day with baking soda. I have very oily hair and when I was using 'normal' shampoos I would *have* to wash it every single day or it was just gross! But now I can go 2 or sometimes 3 or 4 days without a wash.

Basically I just put a few teaspoons of baking soda into a squirt bottle and mix in about 1-2 cups of water. Shake it well and rub it through my hair in the shower, starting at the scalp then rinse REALLY well. Doing this I *have* to use conditioner, but ONLY on the bottom half of the hair (or it gets oiler faster).

Give it a try. It works great and is WAY cheaper than fancy shampoos!

wash your hair with boiled eggs and mayonaise. it will help your hair get the oil out of your hair. i promise. ! :)

I have fine, naturally oily hair. I have to wash my hair every day, or it's unmanageable. I've tried baby powder and other tactics, and nothing ever seems to work. As far as I'm concerned, some people just have a more oily scalp than others, and there isn't much more that you can do except wash it daily.

Well, I have very short hair. I USED to wash it every other day, but lately I've noticed it smells like dirty hair when I don't wash it every day, tehehe. Since it tends to be dry, often times in the shower I just put conditioner in it and skip the wash.
Nobody likes smelly hair!

:)

on the day that you don't wash, try just using the blow dryer on your hair without even wetting it first. works pretty well for me!

Not everyone's hair is the same - some need to shampoo more often than others.

If I wash mine every day, it gets dry. As for my style, it's short and styling it consists of rubbing a towel over my head, combing out the tangles, and walking out of the bathroom.

I couldn't tell you what my hair smells like if my life depended on it, and people don't generally come up and sniff my head, so I don't worry about it.

Dry shampoo.......I love it. and sometimes a cool ponytail every second day...clarifying shampoo on the weekends if I have used dry shampoo more than once during the week.

I wash mine about every other day. Personally I just don't care enough or have the time to wash it every day! *LAUGH* Really mine gets a little oily between washes but I couldn't really care less. I've heard people putting talcum powder in their hair to keep the oil down. Mine is pretty straight, and right at my shoulders but it's a little fluffier than I would like it to be, so I don't mind when mine goes limp between washes. I also don't use a hair dryer (again to keep the fluff down) or a curling/flat iron usually, unless I'm going out for the evening or something.

I wash my hair every other day, because my hair tends to get dried out if I wash it too often. My shampoo lasts until two days and still smells good. I do have to restyle my hair but I curl it once and brush it. My hair does have a natural wave so my style holds pretty good, and I spray it with hair spary.

My hair is exactly like yours. Honestly, if I didn't wash mine everyday, I'd go nuts. It smells, falls even more limp than normal, and I just feel yucky. The oily scalp is a world of it's own. I've pulled my hair back into a clip or ponytail, but it still looks greasy and I feel self-conscious, like I don't look like I take care of myself.

I know people who wash their hair a couple times a week but they have dry hair, so frequent washing isn't necessary for them. Wish I could do that! :-)

Sorry I don't have any advice but I can relate to you. I just wash daily and figure it's better to spend a few extra minutes in the shower than to not feel complete for the rest of the day.

i have to wash mine twice and daily if i dont shampoo it twice it gets oily you just get used to it

I do not even always shower every day! :) No time for it. I do shower anytime after I workout, though, but even then do not wash my hair every day. If I'm in the shower I'll rinse it really well and wash it at least every other day. My hair is usually very short, I prefer less than 2 or 3 inches on the top (girlie boys' cut if you will), so sometimes I get it damp in the morning, towel it, and shake it. I never style it except to keep it from standing upright.

I wash mine every other day. I tend to get oily on the scalp with drier ends. I have found that to get myself looking presentable on my "off" day I use a dry shampoo. I like Tresseme Dry Shampoo. It smells great, and works well. It has a clay base to absorb the extra oil and you leave it in one minute then brush it out.

I do mine every other day, the second day it starts to get oily but is easier to style. I never have to worry about smell after only 1 day.