Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

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?

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.

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.

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.

Riverwalk Sun 06-Aug-23 10:31:47

About twice a week - it's poker straight, layered bob, and I have to dry it with the Babyliss rotating brush to get some lift. Dries quickly, thank goodness, as I find it a bit of a chore.

I'm envious of you pixies - tried a few years ago and it wasn't a good look as I don't have a pixie face!

nadateturbe Sun 06-Aug-23 10:29:51

granfromafar

Daily for me too, in the shower. Quick blow-dry afterwards. If I don't, it sticks out all over the place, not a good look!,

This.

Callistemon21 Sun 06-Aug-23 10:28:05

LaCrepescule

I used to have short hair and it was much easier to deal with (washed it every 3 days and just blasted it dry). I do like a longer style though and it’s actually very well cut but as my hair is thick, course and naturally wavy it’s not as easy. Envious of those who just wash and go!

Envious of those who just wash and go!
Oh, me too, LaCrepescule

Short, longer (not long these days) it's a daily fight whether I wash it or not.

MaizieD Sun 06-Aug-23 10:22:54

Once a week if possible. Perhaps less if I'm going somewhere where I want to look a bit more presentable. In the interval I use a shower cap.

I've been strongly influenced for many years by the belief that it's really not good for hair to be washed daily (backed up by my hairdresser) and it's not environmentally sound.

LaCrepescule Sun 06-Aug-23 10:13:13

The trend seems to be you can wash it less if it’s thick. My hair is also dry and never feels greasy. Perhaps every 4 days is sensible for me, I just couldn’t face it this morning when it was due it’s 3 day wash!

BlueBelle Sun 06-Aug-23 10:05:43

downtoearth that’s me exactly, every morning in the shower, short pixie cut, quick dry bit of wax and off to go lucky i ve got fairly thick hair. I couldn’t not wash my hair
Every 5 weeks a quick trim at the hairdressers £17 and good to go

Redhead56 Sun 06-Aug-23 10:03:07

My hair was cut last month it’s now a short layered bob and curly. I wash it once a week and scrunch it til it's dry. I was recommended to use sea salt spray rather than hair spray it does enhance the natural curl.

dogsmother Sun 06-Aug-23 09:53:34

Lacres I had the same hair as you until around four weeks ago. I’ve gone full on pixie washed daily it’s the easiest, tidiest and actually has taken years off……

granfromafar Sun 06-Aug-23 09:47:53

Daily for me too, in the shower. Quick blow-dry afterwards. If I don't, it sticks out all over the place, not a good look!,

Sidelined Sun 06-Aug-23 09:41:49

Every day. My hair is the bane of my life😩

hollysteers Sun 06-Aug-23 09:41:37

Well I’m quite the slut😁here. About once a week and I’d go longer if I could. It’s thinner now, (used to be as thick as a horse’s tail) and shoulder length, often tied back. In fact it’s easier to cope with after a couple of days.

Maybe it’s because I’m a fire sign, but I keep away from water as much as possible lol and hate standing under the shower to do it. I kneel over the side of the bath and shower separately.
Plus my late mother would be horrified as I often wash it late at night, put a towel on the pillow and let it dry overnight.

TerriBull Sun 06-Aug-23 09:38:49

I used to be a wash hair every day person, I felt it was necessary when my hair used to be greasy, but that is no longer the case. I will happily leave it 3 days or so, unless I'm going out. It takes me maybe half an hour to style it, a bit of a fag, I use a heated brush which does a great job on my chin length bob, almost salon standard, I wouldn't be without it.

Jaxjacky Sun 06-Aug-23 09:37:42

Every 5/6 days shower wash, condition, towel dry then leave. Chin length layered bob with fringe, quite thick with a wave, takes no time at all.

Auntieflo Sun 06-Aug-23 09:36:33

Once a week. Now that is a bit longer,I find it doesn't need washing so frequently.

Witzend Sun 06-Aug-23 09:33:10

Every 2 days, occasionally 3. It just doesn’t look as nice if I leave it any longer. Very fine hair that was greasy when I was younger. Was also a lot thicker, though still not bad. Drying doesn’t take long, but I have to use the hairdryer or it looks like the Wild Woman of Doom.

tanith Sun 06-Aug-23 09:33:04

Twice a week my hair is long now and curlyish sometimes I air dry it or sometimes use my hot air brush. I’ll wear it up sometimes.

Fleurpepper Sun 06-Aug-23 09:30:47

Every 3 days, and I just wash, tussle and go.

Grandma70s Sun 06-Aug-23 09:27:23

Every other day ideally, but it sometimes is left for a day longer if I am unlikely to be seen by anyone. Ear-length wavy-ish hair with a fringe. I just leave it to dry naturally, encouraging it to turn under a bit. I do own a hair dryer, but never use it.

LaCrepescule Sun 06-Aug-23 09:22:25

I used to have short hair and it was much easier to deal with (washed it every 3 days and just blasted it dry). I do like a longer style though and it’s actually very well cut but as my hair is thick, course and naturally wavy it’s not as easy. Envious of those who just wash and go!

downtoearth Sun 06-Aug-23 09:16:10

Everyday under the shower short pixie needs a quick wash every day,5 mins to dry quick ruffle with the fingers and a blob of wax am hot to trot.

Ilovecheese Sun 06-Aug-23 09:15:46

sounds to me like you need a better cut. I also have thick hair in a chin length bob with a fringe. I wash it every day, because our shower directs the water straight down so I can't avoid it, but I just blast it dry with the hairdryer, turn the sides under with a round brush and the rest just sort of falls into place because the hairdresser did such a good job.

crazyH Sun 06-Aug-23 09:15:14

Btw I’m just a wash and go - towel and a quick blow dry. No styling etc - mine is a straight, slightly layered bob.