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How often do you wash your hair?

(129 Posts)
LaCrepescule Sun 06-Aug-23 09:03:51

I’m almost 66 and am lucky to have a head of thick hair (I have a chin-length bob with a fringe.) But I HATE the process of washing, drying and styling; it takes me the best part of an hour. I’ve started leaving 4 days between washes as it doesn’t seem dirty but I know frequent washing is the norm these days. When I was young I only washed it once a week! How often do you wash your hair?

Mizuna Sun 06-Aug-23 10:33:05

Once a week, simply because by day 3 or 4 it begins to look how I want it, and to behave. I have my paternal grandmother's thick, wavy frizzy hair and it's now shoulder length. I use dry shampoo in between washes, recommended by my hairdresser. Works a treat.

Oldnproud Sun 06-Aug-23 10:33:59

Same here, MaizieD.

My main excuse is that I have really thick hair which soaks up water like a sponge, so takes ages to dry, even with a hairdryer. Without the hairdryer, it can take a whole morning to dry.
I have to admit that I'm driven by environmental reasons too: I think it's a waste of both water and electricity to wash anything until it actually needs it.

BigBertha1 Sun 06-Aug-23 10:35:39

Abo9ut 2 to 3 days unless I'm going somewhere fabulous (usually not) or if I' windswept on the golf course with hat/visor hair- the usual for me. I only do one shampoo, always condition and use styling spray.

SusieB50 Sun 06-Aug-23 10:39:51

2-3 times a week depending on the weather and what I’m doing. My hair is the bane of my life.I have a chin length layered bob ,very dry fine hair but lots of it and wavy in the wrong places! Damp weather makes it frizz so it’s been a battle this summer…

keepcalmandcavachon Sun 06-Aug-23 11:21:56

Sooo envious of those of you with curly/wavy locks, looks good long or short . Need to keep eating my crusts....

henetha Sun 06-Aug-23 11:23:49

Twice a week, usually. That seems to suit it.

Nell8 Sun 06-Aug-23 11:25:16

Twice a week usually. It gets greasy and flat under my sunhats in summer especially when I'm toiling in the garden.

My Scottish granny lived in a but and ben cottage on an island, without electricity and running water. She dressed head to toe in black and relied on a big red bar of Lifebuoy carbolic soap for personal hygiene! I can see her now, plonking a sooty kettle on the black range, her grey hair scraped back in a tight bun. Everyone and everything in that little house smelled kippered from the smoky fire!

coco12 Sun 06-Aug-23 11:28:13

Two or three times. It's quite over processed, dyed every 4 weeks and straightened daily so I try to leave it until 3rd day but often don't make it that long

Ailidh Sun 06-Aug-23 11:32:05

I'm daily too. I have old lady thin and sparse hair - and have had for 68 years, sadly.

25Avalon Sun 06-Aug-23 11:35:34

Once a week or less if it doesn’t need it. I always thought washing your hair too often was bad for it. When I was young it was so greasy I did do it it every 2 days.

1summer Sun 06-Aug-23 11:43:43

Every other day, but I only really like it after washing. My hair is very straight, thin and a tendency to greasiness.

I have recently swapped to using parben/sulphate free shampoo bars but they seem to make my hair greasier than ever!

Bea65 Sun 06-Aug-23 12:09:44

Every 7-10 days…I have dry hair and told your hair looks good- am taken aback as the style looks better when left 7 days plus

grandtanteJE65 Sun 06-Aug-23 12:36:37

Once every ten days or so - I always have done so, having always been taught that washing your hair every day is extremely bad for your hair and scalp.

I stopped using a hair-dryer about forty years ago, It only takes me waistlong hair about an hour to dry, so I wash it in the evening.

nanna8 Sun 06-Aug-23 12:40:08

I have very thick curly hair and if I wash it more than two or three times a week in Winter it gets very dry. I don’t use shampoo anymore, just conditioner, because of the dryness. In Summer I wash it every other day, especially if I go swimming.

NotSpaghetti Sun 06-Aug-23 13:06:45

I'm another who washes hair daily.
Mine is long and I don't style it - or even use a hairdryer. I comb it, generally run a curling "product" through it with my fingers and then leave it.
It takes about 2 or 3 mins once out of the shower - and very quick to wash.

I would hate to have to spend more than 5 mins on it to be honest.

Blossoming Sun 06-Aug-23 13:14:16

About once a week as recommended by a consultant dermatologist. I don’t use shampoo, just conditioner, and the water only just warm.

Whiff Sun 06-Aug-23 13:53:56

Due to disability I sit on a shower chair and find showering and getting drying exhausting. So only shower on a Sunday morning and wash my hair but always condition it . Getting it cut shorter on Wednesday as it's shoulder length and getting harder to do as it's thick.

FlexibleFriend Sun 06-Aug-23 13:57:27

I have very short hair so it's washed whenever I shower, so once a day as a rule. I sweat a lot especially my head so would wash it daily anyway. I towel dry it and run my hands through it, job done.

SachaMac Sun 06-Aug-23 14:02:48

I have a medium length bob and wash it every other day unless I’m going out somewhere. It’s always been quite fine and straight but there was plenty of it, it now seems to be getting thinner so can look a mess if I don’t wash & style it. The upside is it doesn’t‘t take too long to dry. I sometimes give it a blast with dry shampoo if I haven’t got time to wash & dry it.

AreWeThereYet Sun 06-Aug-23 14:07:02

Every 4-5 days, depending on what I am doing. Have long, thick, curly hair that takes forever to air dry so usually wash it in the evening.

HeavenLeigh Sun 06-Aug-23 14:10:29

Twice a week, I have a poker straight Bob and it takes me around 10 mins to wash and blow dry it, I have it cut every six weeks. Don’t use any styling brushes just blow dry turn my head upside down to dry no mousse either or hairspray. I couldn’t be bothered to be faffing about, I have a good cut though so very little is needed, fine hair texture,.

marta74 Sun 06-Aug-23 14:17:43

Wash my hair every 2-3 days. Used to be thick,but much thinner now .Unable to blow dry properly due to a Humeral Fracture. Unable to lift my right arm. It is a nightmare, plus i have seemed to have developed a double crown.

Daddima Sun 06-Aug-23 14:24:40

I used to wash it every two days, but, following massive doses of steroids a few years ago, once every ten days is sufficient.
One of my former colleagues used to wash hers once a month. It always looked perfect, and she said she felt she was best washing it about two weeks before a special occasion. We were jealous!

glammagran Sun 06-Aug-23 14:28:44

In my youth I had long, greasy hair so washed it daily. Now it’s shoulder length but I only wash it every 3-4 days as it has become drier (and thinner) with age.

Skydancer Sun 06-Aug-23 14:35:12

SuzieB50 mine sounds the same as yours. When washed and left to dry on its own it curls in some places and sticks out in others. After using my straighteners it looks as I want it. But the merest hint of damp weather or rain and it looks absolutely wild and awful. I have had a running battle with it all my life and would give my eye teeth for poker-straight hair. Apart from anything else, straight hair is youthful.