Washing and conditioning
How often to wash for your hair type, how to shampoo and condition properly, what deep conditioners, co-washing and clarifying do, and simple routines you can copy.
Washing is the foundation of every hair routine. Shampoo cleans the scalp; conditioner smooths and protects the lengths. Getting the balance right for your hair type makes styling easier and reduces breakage.
How often should you wash?
There is no single right answer. It depends mostly on how oily your scalp gets, your hair texture, your activity level and how your hair feels.
| Hair and scalp | Typical washing frequency |
|---|---|
| Fine, straight, oily scalp | Daily or every other day |
| Medium, wavy | Every 2 to 3 days |
| Curly | Every 3 to 7 days |
| Coily and tightly textured | Often every 1 to 2 weeks, as the American Academy of Dermatology notes for this hair type |
| Gray or chemically treated | Often less frequently; this hair can be drier |
Wash more often if your scalp is itchy, flaky or oily, or after heavy sweating.
How to shampoo
- Wet hair thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Focus shampoo on the scalp, massaging with your fingertips, not nails.
- Let the lather rinse through the lengths. That is enough to clean them; scrubbing the ends dries them out.
- Rinse completely. Leftover shampoo can leave hair dull and scalp itchy.
How to condition
- Squeeze excess water from your hair.
- Apply conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends, where hair is oldest and driest. Keep it off the scalp if you get oily or flat roots.
- Detangle gently with fingers or a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends and working up.
- Leave on for the time on the label, then rinse.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using conditioner after every shampoo unless you use a 2-in-1 product.
Types of cleansers and conditioners
| Product | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Regular shampoo | Removes oil, sweat and product | Most people |
| Sulfate-free shampoo | Gentler cleansing | Dry, curly, color-treated hair |
| Clarifying shampoo | Removes heavy buildup | Occasional use, every few weeks |
| Co-wash (cleansing conditioner) | Very gentle cleansing | Dry curly and coily hair between shampoos |
| Rinse-out conditioner | Smooths, detangles | Everyone |
| Deep conditioner or mask | Richer, longer treatment | Dry, damaged or high-porosity hair, weekly or so |
| Leave-in conditioner | Light conditioning left in | Curly, coily, frizzy hair, before styling |
Water temperature
Very hot water can strip natural oils from the scalp and leave it dry. Lukewarm water is a good default. A final cooler rinse feels refreshing, though claims that it "seals the cuticle" in a meaningful way are not well supported.
Sample routines
Fine, straight hair: shampoo every 1 to 2 days, light conditioner on ends only, lightweight heat protectant before blow-drying.
Wavy or curly hair: sulfate-free shampoo every few days, conditioner with gentle detangling in the shower, leave-in plus curl cream or gel, air-dry or diffuse.
Coily hair: shampoo or co-wash every 1 to 2 weeks, deep condition, detangle in sections, apply leave-in, then seal with an oil or butter. See protective styles.
If your hair suddenly feels coated or limp, try a clarifying wash once, then go back to your usual routine. Scalp concerns are covered in scalp care.