Hair & Beard Care
How Often Should Men Wash Their Hair? A Schedule by Hair Type
Short answer: Most men should shampoo somewhere between every day and once a week, depending on hair type. Fine, straight hair and oily scalps look and feel best with daily or every-other-day shampoo, while thick, curly and coily hair often does better with a wash every 5 to 10 days and plain water rinses in between. Heavy sweating, daily product and dandruff all push the schedule toward more frequent washing.
Why there is no single right number
The right washing frequency depends on how fast your scalp produces oil and how easily that oil travels down the hair shaft. Sebum slides quickly down a straight, fine strand, so it looks greasy within a day. On a tight curl the same oil barely moves past the root, which leaves the ends dry even when the scalp is oily.
That is why the American Academy of Dermatology suggests daily shampoo for oily or straight hair, and for dry, textured, curly or thick hair, shampoo only when needed, at least once every 2 to 3 weeks. Most men land somewhere between those two ends of the range.
A washing schedule by hair type
Use the table below as a starting point, then adjust for a week or two based on how your scalp feels on day two. Itch, visible flakes or a waxy feel at the roots all mean you should wash sooner. Straw-like ends or a tight, dry scalp mean you are washing more than your hair wants.
| Hair type | Shampoo | Between washes |
|---|---|---|
| Fine, straight, oily scalp | Every day or every second day | Nothing needed |
| Medium or wavy | 2 to 3 times a week | Water rinse after the gym |
| Thick or coarse | Twice a week | Rinse and condition |
| Curly | Once or twice a week | Rinse, conditioner, leave-in |
| Coily or kinky | Every 7 to 10 days | Water, leave-in, light oil on ends |
How short hair and a fresh fade change things
Very short hair gets greasy faster to the eye, because there is no length to hide the shine on the scalp. A skin fade or buzz cut also exposes more skin to sweat and sunscreen, so many men with short cuts shampoo more often than they did with longer hair, and that is fine as long as the scalp is not tight or flaky.
Short hair also dries in minutes, which makes a quick daily wash painless. If you wear a skin fade with bare sides, a gentle shampoo on the top and a splash of water over the faded area is usually enough on most days.
What a rinse-only day does for you
A rinse-only day means wetting your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water, massaging the scalp with your fingertips for a minute, and skipping shampoo. Water alone moves sweat, salt and loose flakes without stripping the oil that curly and coily hair needs.
Rinse days work well after a morning run, a hockey practice or a hot Mississauga afternoon when your hair is sweaty but not dirty. Follow with conditioner on the lengths if your hair is longer than a few centimetres.
- Use lukewarm, not hot, water; hot water dries the scalp.
- Rub with fingertips, never nails.
- Rinse for a full minute so sweat actually leaves the roots.
- Pat dry with a towel instead of rubbing.
Signs your scalp needs a different schedule
Your scalp tells you quickly when the routine is wrong. Greasy roots by lunchtime, a smell after workouts or product that will not rinse out point to washing more. Tight skin, itch after every wash and hair that feels brittle point to washing less or using a milder formula.
Persistent white or yellow flakes are a separate problem; our guide on how to get rid of dandruff covers medicated shampoos. If itch or redness continues after you change your routine, or you notice patches, sores or unusual shedding, see a doctor or dermatologist rather than guessing.
Washing hair the right way when you do shampoo
Put shampoo on the scalp, where oil and dead skin build up, and let the lather run through the lengths as you rinse. Rubbing shampoo into the ends dries them without cleaning anything that needed cleaning.
Rinse until the hair squeaks slightly between your fingers, because leftover shampoo can irritate the scalp. Then condition the lengths; our page on whether men need conditioner explains how much and where. When you come in for a cut, the hair wash included with every service at Markcutit is a good chance to ask us which routine fits your texture.
How often should men wash their hair: common questions
Is it bad to wash your hair every day as a man?
Not if your hair is fine, straight or oily and your scalp feels comfortable. Daily washing becomes a problem only when it leaves the scalp tight or itchy, or the ends dry and frizzy.
Does hair get used to not being washed?
There is little good evidence that skipping shampoo trains the scalp to make less oil. Stretching washes can still feel better if a harsh shampoo was drying you out before.
Should I wash my hair after every workout?
Rinse after every sweaty session, but shampoo only when your schedule calls for it. Water removes most sweat, and a full shampoo every time can dry curly or coarse hair.
How often should I wash my hair if I use pomade or clay?
Oil-based products and heavy clays build up, so most men who style daily need shampoo at least every second day. Water-based products rinse more easily and allow longer gaps.
