Shampoo How Often?

Hi, all. I frequented this board five or six years ago, when there was only ONE forum. It's nice to see a thriving, online, long-hair community. :)

My hair is currently just above my bra strap (that point of reference only girls can use!), highlighted, and slightly layered. I'm growing out my bangs, which isn't terrible because my hair is wavy.

I have lots of very fine hair that gets oily at the roots quickly. This prompts me to wash it more than I'd like--usually daily or every other day. I've heard, especially from European influences, that this is too much for the hair. How many of you shampoo daily?

Several Europeans I have met tell me they don't shampoo their hair at /all/, but sort of maintain it in a macrobiotic fashion, where the hair cleans itself naturally. They say when you stop shampooing, your hair gets very greasy for a few weeks and then balances itself out and looks great--because nature never intended for us to use detergents on it.

(Nature probably never intended for us to use deodorant or lipstick, either, but I'm not stopping that.)

I'd dismiss this idea as revolting, except these people all have truly phenomenal hair that looks, feels, and smells great. Does anyone here know someone who doesn't shampoo at all?

Sorry to make a comeback with such a bizarre question. ;)

Hi Ally !! Welcome back It's great to "see" you here again.

Good to hear your hair is happy and... long

About 5 years ago I was washing my hair twice a week, I think. Now, I wash it once a week. Admittedly, by the last day or so it's getting kinda grungy but I don't mind because that day is all about getting sweaty doing chores, anyway... or reading/posting messages here.

Very interesting about the Europeans you've met who never wash their hair. I'm vaguely aware that some Americans do this too, some of whom wash their hair with conditioner only.

If you're interested in stretching the amount of time between hair washings... just increase the interval a little at a time, and "plateau" at that interval until your hair gets used to it and produces less oil. I believe that for daily-washers, their scalps have become physiologically accustomed to producing lots of oil, to replace what is so frequently stripped away. So you wash your hair "daily or every other day." Resolve to stick to every other day. Soon enough (even within a week or two) your scalp will become accustomed to the every-other-day cleaning, and your hair will begin to be less oily just before washing. Then, try to go for 3 times per week... this is all just a suggestion, of course. If you try it, let us know how it works for you.

I shampoo twice a week, thats all.

I wash my hair once a week but i also rinse it with cold water everyday or every second day or else the hair gets grungy and greasy!! if you are going to wash it once a week at least just rinse it with water when it starts to get oily or it will just look and feel really dirty! I didnt know this at first when i was starting to grow long hair and wanting to know what was best for it and i just left it and by the end of the week my hair was so oily and just smelt so unclean!! lol