The routine of shampooing and conditioning hair every day is a regular for most people, but what one might not know is that the cycle of “wash, rinse, and repeat” is actually doing more damage to hair than it is helping it.

Every time hair is washed, not only is it being cleansed of dirt and grime, but also of its natural oils and nutrients that are needed for the hair and scalp to protect itself and stay hydrated. A great comparison to washing hair everyday is that it is similar to washing hands too often in the winter. The skin dries out and can crack and break, just like hair can when it’s been mistreated excessively.

But what is one supposed to do when hair becomes greasy and gross? Well, the main reason hair gets greasy is because the scalp is producing more of its natural oil to try and compensate for its loss of what was stripped. Simply enough, the less hair is washed, the less oil will be produced, and the longer it will take for it to look greasy and unmanageable.

While it can take time to wean the hair off its everyday routine, the magnificent product of dry shampoo can be used to soak up any excess oil and freshen up the look. It’s a simple spray or powder than can be applied to the roots of hair and makes it look cleaner without actually going through the process of washing it. Dry shampoo can also give your hair more volume and texture.

There are so many benefits to reap from in terms of not washing hair, but at the top of the list is healthier, shinier, and happier hair. It will grow faster and stronger, and break much less.

If hair has been dyed, every time it is washed the color will become duller and start to fade away. Not washing the hair as often will cause the dye to last longer and stay vibrant.

Unwashed hair is also desired for updos and braids. Freshly washed hair lacks texture and grip, which will cause styles to fall apart and not last throughout the day.

Hair washing can also take a chunk of getting ready time with blow drying and styling in the mix. If hair doesn’t get washed, shower time gets cut down, and so does styling time.

Of course, cutting out hair washing completely isn’t realistic for most people. When it must be washed, apply shampoo only to the scalp and conditioner only to the ends. The shampoo will cleanse the rest of the hair on the way down when it’s rinsed, and applying conditioner to the roots will only make hair oilier.

It is best recommended to wean oneself off of showering each day, by beginning with every other day. After a few weeks of this, push it back to every two days, and if it works out well, possibly only twice weekly. 

When it comes to washing hair, the benefits of not washing everyday outweigh the benefits of washing. Give it a break, let it heal, and bask in the luscious locks that will grow.