How I Went From Washing My Hair Daily to Twice a Week

If you’re hoping to wash your hair less often, this article is for you! In this post, I’m sharing how I transitioned from washing my hair daily to now only washing it once every 4ish days with NO need for dry shampoo. Let’s get into these hair care tips to reduce greasy hair!

Every Mama, sister, or friend I know would love to find a hair care routine that allows them to wash their hair less. Wouldn’t you? Let’s get into!

The first thing to note is that this is going to take time. I’ve been working on this for about 5 years now! It was around 2019 that I decided to try and get a longer shelf life out of each hair wash. I remember in college moving to every other day. (In high school I washed it pretty much every single day). I got two great days out of a hair wash but by day 3 it was not looking great. By the end of college, I had moved to every 3 days.

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I was stuck there for quite a while. I think I kept my 3 day routine for about 2-3 years. Then, I slowly started experimenting with 4 days. Now, I wash every 4 or 5 days depending on what I have going on. I am hoping to eventually get an entire week between washes but I know it will probably still take a bit longer.

How to Gradually Wash your Hair Less and Less

Everyone is looking for some magical solution and the reality is this – for your hair to start producing less excess oils and less often, it just has to get used to being washed less.

If you wash your hair every day, try switching to every other day. After it has gotten fully used to that and your hair still looks great by day 2, extend it further by adding another day between washes, so you’re washing it every three days, and gradually increase from there. Over time, your scalp will just automatically adjust and produce less oil, reducing the need for frequent washing.

There are however some things to help along the way. By following these tips you’ll be well on your best way to starting the process of washing your hair less! Without having such oily hair you can say goodbye to daily washing.

1. Find Up-Do Hairstyles

One tip to help you wash your hair less often is to find updo hairstyles that you feel confident in. You’ll need these for those “last” days when you’re stretching out your wash schedule. For instance, if you usually wash your hair every two days and want to start washing it every three days, you’ll need some go-to updo styles like buns, ponytails, or braids for day three.

This is because at first, day 3 (or whatever day you are trying to add on) your hair is probably not going to look great down. It’s much easier to look put together with slightly dirty hair if it’s in a bun or a ponytail away from your face.

These styles can help manage any greasiness and make your hair look polished and put together while you’re training it to go longer between washes. Having a few reliable updos will make the transition smoother and help you feel more confident on those extra days.

2. Use Dry Shampoo ONLY on the “Add-On” Days

While you’re in maintenance mode (you aren’t actively trying to add-on any more days between washing, just maintaining the current schedule) you actually don’t need to use dry shampoo. I’ve trained my hair NOT to expect it, so I don’t use any because it doesn’t need any.

However, when I decide I want to try adding on time between washes (let’s say I decide to go 6 or 7 days which would be long for me) then I will use dry shampoo ONLY on the 6th or 7th day. This will hide the grease on those days (since it is probably going to show at first) but still not train your hair to expect dry shampoo all of the time. In my experience, this helps it to produce less oil overall. Living Proof Dry Shampoo by far is the best I’ve ever used.

3. Avoid Shower Moisture with a Cap

Another helpful tip is to use a tight shower cap or a towel wrap to keep your hair completely dry when you shower. Because yes, even though we aren’t washing our hair everyday anymore PLEASE still shower everyday. Lol! This is crucial for maintaining your style and preventing any moisture from making your hair look greasy or frizzy.

Any moisture will add frizz and humidity which you don’t want touching your hair while you are preserving a wash. A good, snug-fitting shower cap creates a seal that keeps every drop of water out. Alternatively, you can use a towel wrap to cover your hair securely. This will help reduce the number of times you need to wash!

4. Pick a High Quality Shampoo/Conditioner (Silicone Free)

This is the number one thing that I think has helped my hair health. In 2020 I switched from drugstore traditional shampoos and conditioner to a silicone free and high quality hair care products. I’ve been using it consistently since then and have not bought another brand since! The MONAT Volumizing duo is what I’ve swore by faithfully for the past 4 years. Yes, it is quite pricey. But the shampoo bottle lasts me around 6 months and the conditioner even longer than that. Plus, it gives me such a good wash.

For a less expensive option (but still an investment) I would try this shampoo and conditioner pair by Living Proof. It’s silicone free, sulfate free, phthalate free, paraben free, and formaldehyde free. I’ve never tried it, but it looks to be up to par and has everything I’d look for in a good quality option.

Other styling products I use are the Monat Volumizing Spray and Blow Out cream. But again, I feel like picking the right shampoo is what is truly important for healthy hair.

5. Take the Time to Blow Dry

I really don’t know why, but if I let my hair air dry by about day 3 it’s looking pretty oily. If I take the time to use a hair dryer (I use this blow dry brush and LOVE it for giving me straight hair) then I don’t have that issue at all. I would definitely recommend drying your hair if you hoping to wait the absolutely longest amount of time possible before washing it again. Just remember, dry hair is easier to style, too!

6. Use a Silk Pillowcase

Another great tip is to switch to a silk pillowcase. Silk is much gentler on your hair compared to cotton, so it reduces friction and helps prevent breakage. That’s a good thing! Plus, it keeps your hair smoother and less frizzy while you sleep. By using a silk pillowcase, your hairstyle stays fresh longer, and you can go more days without washing. It’s a simple change that can make a big difference in how your hair looks and feels.

7. Allow your Hair to Get Greasy – How to Hide the Grease

The idea is to actually let your hair get a bit greasy before washing it again, which is easier to do when you don’t have a lot of social plans. Over time, your hair will adjust to the less frequent washing and produce less oil. However, you’ll need to be prepared to deal with an oily scalp on those weeks you add an extra day between washes before you start seeing results. It’s all about committing to the process and being patient.

During each new transition stage (each time you add a new day) you’ll need some ways to hide the grease on the last day. Here are a few things I do to sometimes even go a whole week between washes.

First, hats are your best friend. Throw a ball cap on and keep your hair in a pony. Or, plan it to fall on a day you are mostly staying home anyways and can just rock the grease in your own home. Headbands are also handy! Jump on the latest trends and utilize the slicked back low bun hairstyle or use a claw clip. Use your personal preference to find new styles! Of course, longer hair is a bit easier to put into braids and ponies.

Benefits of Washing Your Hair Less

There are SO many benefits to eventually training your hair to needing less weekly washes. Here are a few of the motivating benefits for me. Personally, the amount of time I save each week by reducing the amount of times I blow dry my hair and have to then straighten or curl it is enough of a reason for me. Any hair type can benefit from this!

1. It Saves Time

The first benefit to washing you hair is saving SO much time. Washing your hair less often can really save you a lot of time each week. Think about all the minutes you spend in the shower, plus the extra time blow drying and styling. By cutting down on hair washes, you can get some of that time back. Imagine having more free moments in your day for things you actually enjoy or just relaxing without the rush of daily hair routines! This was honestly the motivation for me to train my hair to need less washes. Blow drying your hair is just such a time killer.

2. Less Heat from Styling Tools Means Healthier Hair

Washing your hair less often can make it healthier. I had actually reached a point where I was blow drying or straightening my hair daily and I could actually smell the burnt smell on my hair. When you cut down on washes, you don’t have to blow dry, straighten, or curl as much, which means less heat damage. Over time, you’ll notice stronger hair (I sure did – but it took about a full year).

Your hair can stay healthier and shinier without all that daily wear and tear of constant heat. Over time, you’ll notice your hair looking and feeling much better. You might find you have fewer split ends and less breakage since you hair will get more of a rest.

3. Saves Money on Shampoo and Products

Washing my hair less often has saved me a lot of money on shampoo, conditioner, and other hair products. I decided to invest in a really high quality shampoo, which was a bit pricey at first. But now, one bottle lasts me about six months! Instead of buying multiple cheap bottles more often, I’m actually saving money in the long run. It’s been great for my budget and my hair care routine.

Final Thoughts

Ending your daily shampooing routine can save you time and money while making your hair healthier. Those are pretty good reasons to me to stop washing your hair on a daily basis.

It might take a bit to get used to the new routine, but the benefits are worth it. With a few changes and some patience, you can enjoy all the perks of washing your hair less frequently and keep it looking great. Stick with it, and you’ll see how much better your hair can be with a little extra care! You’ll be amazed at the reduction of your scalp’s oil production.