Why Washing Your Hair Less Won’t Prevent Hair Loss

Our expert trichologist, Jane Mayhead provides her professional comments to Men’s Health on how often men should wash their hair.

Hair washing cycles will differ between individuals with some washing every day and others washing every other day, or once a week. There is a common fear that washing your hair too much could lead to hair loss which is not the case.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

Jane Mayhead, trichologist at Harley Street’s The Private Clinic, says men should wash their hair at least once every three days, but ‘it depends on your hair type and how much exercise you’re doing’.

Any less can impact your scalp health, she adds. ‘Remember you are also washing your scalp, which is skin and needs caring for just like any other skin on your body.’

Ideally, Mayhead recommends shampooing every other day, and as a minimum wetting your hair daily (with water that’s not too hot) to maintain a healthy level of sebum (your hair’s natural oils) and PH balance.

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Why Hair Type Matters

For those with afro hair, Mayhead suggests shampooing just once a week ‘as you do not want to dry out your scalp or the hair’ and using oils before washing to protect the hair follicles.

If you have thicker hair – and by that, Mayhead means the thickness of the individual hairs rather than the amount of hair you have – you can get away with washing less often. ‘Men with very thick and curly hair will have more surface for sebum to spread so they will need to wash it less,’ she says. ‘You could try twice a week and see what your hair looks like. Stress and hormones can influence secretions.’

Fine Hair

If you have fine hair, you should aim to shampoo daily to prevent the build-up of oils, which will make it look greasy, says Mayhead. ‘I would recommend looking for a volumising shampoo,’ she adds. ‘These products help to give fine strands a lift and can add to a feeling of more hair.’

Afro Hair

While there’s more than one type of afro hair, as a general rule, Mayhead suggests not washing your hair every day and using a sulphate-free shampoo, ‘which will clean your hair without stripping it of its oils’.

Applying a silicone-free conditioner will also help to moisturise the hair to help stop breakages’. Mayhead also advises against using styling tools and to use oils before washing in order to protect and lubricate your hair.

Hair Loss

Hair loss can often feel like you’re fighting a losing battle. While thickening shampoos won’t treat your symptoms, they can help you to achieve a fuller-looking head of hair in the short-term. ‘Thickening shampoos actually increase the size of your hair strands temporarily, helping to disguise signs of thinning,’ says Mayhead.

For a longer-term solution that has the potential to actually stimulate new hair growth, it’s worth exploring topical treatments like Minoxidil.

Long Hair

Long-haired gents, should go for something moisturising, strengthening and also sulphate-free, says Mayhead. This will ‘help to clean your hair gently but also maintain the natural oil and PH balance’.

Dandruff Prone Hair

If you’re looking to remedy flaking and itching in particular, ‘find a product that is clarifying to remove impurities and excess oil from the scalp’, says Mayhead.