Wash long hair every day?
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Category: Long Hair Happenings
Forum Name: Long Hair Support
Forum Description: Growing it long takes commitment and support.
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=523
Printed Date: July 28 2025 at 5:32am
Topic: Wash long hair every day?
Posted By: SuperGrover
Subject: Wash long hair every day?
Date Posted: April 06 2003 at 6:32pm
I know I've read that you shouldn't wash long hair every day because it's drying to the hair and causes split ends, etc.
But my bra-strap-length hair seems to look its best when I wash it every day. If I skip a day, I get a greasy scalp. The ends don't seem to mind too much. I do let my hair air dry. Unfortunately, when I'm working, this means going to bed with wet hair.
I'm trying to grow my hair to waist length. Does anyone else with long hair have advice for me? Should I keep washing it every day?
------------- "Hair is a part of you. It is not a part of me, because I am a frog." - Kermit the Frog on Sesame Street1b/N/ii ~ ??"/27"/32"
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Replies:
Posted By: Lady Maria
Date Posted: April 06 2003 at 7:18pm
When I wore my hair long, I was like you, I usually washed it every day. I love having clean hair and being clean.
If it doesn't seem to be hurting your hair any and your hair looks better when clean, why not wash it daily, or at least fairly often? Each person's hair is different and maybe your hair is ok with washing it that often.
I would be interested from hearing from one of our "hair experts/beauticians" on this board concerning this topic.
------------- Lady Maria
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Posted By: Isla Q.
Date Posted: April 07 2003 at 5:31am
Well, I'm no "expert" but I like to wash my hair (bra-strap length) everyday too. And I've had no problems with this. My hair looks just fine.
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Posted By: Lyris
Date Posted: April 07 2003 at 7:10am
Hi Grover (cute icon!) I would recommend using a shampoo with minimal conditioning agents on your scalp and giong easy on the shampoo for your ends. I'd also recommend a lightweight leave-in conditioner for the last couple inches of hair. It doesn't sound like you're too hard on the length of your end since you just let it air-dry (you're lucky it can look good without heat styling!) but a little conditioner can keep the ends in the best possible shape, as they will age as your hair grows longer. Good luck!
------------- Look for beauty, and you will find no intelligence. Look for intelligence and you will find both.Proud member of the Cult of All Soft
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Posted By: SuperGrover
Date Posted: April 07 2003 at 12:14pm
Thanks! Can you recommend a good light weight leave-in? The ones I've tried weigh my hair down too much, or make it stringy. I know it's important to use a teeny amount.
I like Frizz-Ease Serum. It's not exactly a conditioner, but it does keep my hair from getting too tangly. :)
------------- "Hair is a part of you. It is not a part of me, because I am a frog." - Kermit the Frog on Sesame Street1b/N/ii ~ ??"/27"/32"
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Posted By: uzma
Date Posted: April 07 2003 at 12:40pm
Hi SuperGrover
Just a little bit of advice if you are going to wash every day:
(1) dilute your shampoo 2 parts water to one part poo
(2) use a small glob of Phyto 7 as a leave-in, applying it on damp hair
(3) take preventative action by applying a very little bit of shea butter on your ends when the hhair is dry
Best wishes
Uzma
------------- Uzi
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Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: April 13 2003 at 9:05pm
If you want to experment with washing your hair less frequently than once a day, here's an idea.
I'll assume you're presently washing it at about the same time every day... approximately every 24 hours.
I don't know what your life schedule is like, but if your schedule permits, you could gradually increase the interval. Let's say, to 36 hours. For example, Friday morning 8:00 am, Saturday evening 8:00 pm, Monday morning at 8:00 am, Tuesday evening at 8:00 pm, and so on... at first your scalp will be a bit greasy during the last hours BUT your scalp will probably get used to being washed less often and after some transitional period of time (depends on the person) it will begin to produce less sebum.
If that works, and if you're interested in increasing the interval between washes to once every two days, you could experiment with that too, and see if that works also.
I've done this successfully. I know lots of other people who have long hair and don't wash their hair every day, and it isn't dirty or gross. Like me, their scalps just became acclimated to the less-frequent applications of shampoo, and get greasy more slowly.
Let us know if you try this little experiment, and how well it works for you. Good luck.

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Posted By: SuperGrover
Date Posted: April 13 2003 at 9:53pm
Hi Dave!
Thanks for the reply. That's an interesting idea. I do freelance work, so lately I've been working a few weeks here and there, with a week off every month or two. This past week I was off...which explains my insane number of posts this past week - lots of time on my hands! Anyway, I did wash it like every 36 hours or so, and you're right. Already my scalp seems to have adjusted.
Unfortunately, when I AM working, I usually work in Manhattan and commute, which means leaving early in the morning. Which makes morning showers pretty much impossible, because I let my hair air dry, and it would never be dry in time. So while I'm working, I think I'll follow Uzma's advice and also try to wash it early enough in the evening so it is dry by bedtime. Sleeping on wet hair sucks, and it can't be good for it.
Thanks everyone for your responses! Traci
------------- "Hair is a part of you. It is not a part of me, because I am a frog." - Kermit the Frog on Sesame Street1b/N/ii ~ ??"/27"/32"
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