How to Go Longer Between Hair Washes: 11+ Tips & Tricks
Let’s be honest. Washing and drying your mane every day takes a lot of time - not to mention the wear and tear on your hair and scalp! How do some people go three days or more between washes and still look amazing?
If bypassing the washing process for that long leaves you with limp, oily, unmanageable locks, you’re not alone. The good news is, with a few simple changes to your routine, you can go longer between hair washes, too. Here’s what you need to know!
Why Would You Want to Wash Your Hair Less Often?
Washing your hair too frequently can lead to dryness, which leaves your hair more prone to breakage and split ends. Harsh cleansers used in some shampoos remove the natural oils that nourish and protect your hair and scalp. They can also cause your hair color to fade faster.
Much like the skin on your face, overwashing with harsh cleansers can trigger the production of more oil, requiring you to wash your hair more often. It can also have the opposite effect on your scalp, leading to dryness and irritation.
Washing your hair less often also means less blow drying and heat styling. Heat is not only damaging to the hair, but the entire process also takes a lot of time. Skipping daily washes minimizes hair damage and saves time, as well as shampoo, conditioner, and other hair products - meaning you’ll save money, too.
How Long Can You Go Between Hair Washes?
The answer to this question will be different for everyone, depending on your hair type and texture. Those with fine, thin hair may need to wash every 2-3 days, while those with thick, curly hair can often go much longer. It will take some experimenting to figure out what works best for you.
How to Go Longer Between Hair Washes
Here are our top 11 tips and tricks for training your hair to go longer between washes and keeping it looking fresh for as long as possible.
Allow Your Hair to Get Oily Between Washes
No one likes the look of greasy hair, but training your hair to go longer between washes means washing it less often. In other words, you’ll have to let it get a bit oilier than usual for a while. The good news is, it’s totally worth it! Think of this time as a transition period.
Washing your hair less often means your scalp will produce less oil, but it’s a process that takes some time. If you’ve been washing daily, try going every other day. At first, you’ll notice that your hair gets really greasy between washes, but as your scalp rebalances, it will be less and less.
Eventually move to every third day and so on. Over time you’ll be able to go longer and longer before your hair looks greasy, and it will be stronger and healthier, too.
Use a Scalp Treatment
When your scalp microbiome is out of balance, your scalp can begin to overproduce or underproduce oils, leaving your hair either dry and flaky or weighed down and greasy. Using a scalp treatment can address this issue from the root, keeping the scalp hydrated and nourished, while also rebalancing the microbiome. As a result, your oil production will slowly begin to regulate itself.
Learn How to Style Day 3+ Hair
Oily hair can be harder to style, but there are ways to camouflage the oiliness. Try French braids, a high ponytail with a headband, a messy bun, a sleek low bun, or a glossy ponytail. These styles are all ideal for hiding the fact that your hair is due for a wash.
Rethink Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo gets a bad rap for leaving a white cast, but if you use it correctly, it does a good job of soaking up excess oil and adding volume at the roots. And it’s much less drying to your scalp and hair than conventional shampoo!
The trick is to apply dry shampoo to your roots before bed and let it work its magic overnight. Brush it out in the morning to leave your hair fresh and full of volume - without any white cast! Only use it when you need it to avoid buildup - once or twice at most between washes.
Choose a Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Many shampoos contain sulfates, which are harsh cleansers that strip the hair of natural oils and leave it brittle and dry. They can also be very irritating and drying to the scalp, triggering the production of excess oil to compensate for the dryness.
A sulfate-free shampoo, like our Honey-Infused Hair Wash, will cleanse your hair gently without over-drying. It’s just as effective at cleaning the hair, but much more gentle, with natural ingredients like Mirasalehi honey that actually nourish the hair and support the scalp’s natural moisture balance.
Use The Right Conditioner
When you want your hair to last longer between washes, choosing the right conditioner is key. Our Honey-Infused Conditioner nourishes and hydrates the hair without weighing it down or adding excess oil. Avoid your roots and focus the conditioner on your mid-lengths and ends.
Double Wash Your Hair
Shampooing twice would be too much if you were washing daily. But when your goal is to go as long as possible between washes, double washing is the best way to ensure that your hair is truly clean so it stays fresh for as long as possible. The first wash will remove oil and product buildup. The second one completes the cleansing process.
Brush with a Soft Bristle Brush
Using a soft bristle brush on your hair between washes will distribute the natural oils more evenly throughout the lengths of your hair than a regular hairbrush or comb. This is ideal for preventing the greasy roots and dry ends situation that can be a problem for day 3+ hair.
Give Your Ends Some Extra TLC Between Washes
Shampooing less often also means conditioning less often which can lead to frizzy, dry ends. Be sure to condition your hair from the mid-shaft to the ends with Honey-Infused Leave-In Conditioner between washes.
A drop or two of Honey-Infused Hair Oil distributed through the ends is ideal for reducing frizz and adding shine if your hair becomes dull or unmanageable. It’s a great way to go longer between washes without sacrificing manageability and shine.
Take the Time to Blow Dry
Restyling your hair between washes will be easier if you take the time to blow dry on wash days. A good blowout will leave your hair bouncy and full of volume, which will help to disguise oily roots for longer, too.
Always use a heat protectant and hair primer before you blow dry. Our Propolis-Infused Heat Protecting Spray is ideal for protecting the hair against heat and UV damage. Follow with our Propolis Infused Polishing Primer to speed blow dry time, add workable hold, and create a barrier against humidity.
Prep Your Hair Before Bed
There’s no point in taking the time to blow dry and style your hair if you’re just going to flatten it in your sleep. Refreshing your style every morning will also be easier if you prep your hair before bed.
We suggest putting your hair up in a loose, high ponytail with a satin scrunchie that won’t leave any marks or kinks. Or, you can also twist it into a messy bun for added volume or braid it to add beachy waves or loose curls without heat.
Some Final Tips
We know it’s easier said than done but try to touch your hair as little as possible between washes. When you’re constantly touching your hair, you’re transferring dirt and oil from your hands to your hair. Teaching yourself to touch your hair less will keep it looking fresher longer.
And if you’re concerned about keeping your hair smelling fresh between washes, consider our Honey-Infused Hair Perfume. Infused with the floral notes of the Mirsalehi Bee Garden, it’s formulated to refresh and scent the hair while adding moisture and shine.
