How Often Should Men Shampoo Hair?

 

Do you have an oily scalp or thinner hair and are wondering how often you should be shampooing your hair?

Well, it’s a concern we all have as you’ve all no doubt been told that it’s both important to shampoo your hair but to also not shampoo too much. But what does that actually mean?

Well, that’s what we’re here for!

In this article, we’re going to break it down so you can have a definitive answer on if you need to shampoo your hair and if so, how frequently you should apply it.

Now, if you’re wondering how to get the most from your shampoo when you wash your hair then check out our article on how to properly shampoo men’s hair.

Alternatively, you may be stuck on which shampoo to buy in the first place, in which case, you should have a look at our guide to the best shampoo for men.

So, now you’re up to speed let’s begin.

 

Do You Need To Wash Your Hair?

Well, yes you should still wash your hair. Your hair and scalp, like every other part of your body, get dirty and should be cleaned, both to look good and to avoid emitting an unpleasant smell around your colleagues.

Not washing your hair could also put you at risk for scalp buildup, which can lead to an excess of natural oils, making your hair appear greasy, as well as an itchy scalp and dandruff buildup.

A lot of different factors influence how often you may feel it necessary to wash your hair. Some men have oily hair and some do not. hair types also come into play here, some men have fine, straight hair, which makes oil appear more obvious, and others have thick wavy hair or curly hair, which doesn’t transport oil as effectively so these guys can maybe get away with skipping a shower for a few days.

While some men may feel comfortable washing their hair as infrequently as once a month, an occasional wash does need to happen. Beyond just looking greasy, hair traps moisture on the scalp, which can in some cases lead to infection.

 

Factors That Will Affect How Often You Wash Your Hair

Exercise

wash your hair after nearly every workout to ensure that your scalp doesn’t harbor sweat and bacteria that could cause irritation, infection, and blemishes. But, make sure you use a conditioner every time too to rehydrate.

Food Preparation

wash your hair nearly every day if you work around food to ensure that you don’t smell like a greasy kitchen and that you don’t look gross or dirty when people are trying to eat. Hygiene is important in the food industry and this includes your own personal hygiene.

Sunlight

Wash your hair if you’re exposed to dirt and sweat from being out in the sun. Make sure to wear a hat to protect your head and scalp from UV damage too as this can lead to all kinds of conditions.

Dandruff

wash your hair nearly every day using tea tree oil shampoo and use a dandruff treatment to stimulate the scalp and remove the dead skin and oil buildup that causes dandruff.

Balding or Thinning

wash two or three times per week to ensure that the scalp is getting the proper nutrients but to prevent breaking or damaging the existing strands.

Smoking

Some may say there’s n such thing as too much washing if you smoke. This can be true if you come into contact with a lot of non-smokers as the smell will linger in your hair and definitely be noticeable to them. Smoking doesn’t necessarily damage hair but the smell is especially difficult to get out of your hair and clothes so you may want to wash daily.

 

Why is Shampooing Every Day Bad?

It isn’t necessarily bad and for some people, it will be necessary as we’ve discussed above, however, shampoo shouldn’t be applied every day if you can help it although it will depend on your hair type.

The reason why though is because of the balance between shampoo and the oils necessary to maintain healthy hair. Every day the scalp produces nourishing oils that keep the hair from drying out. And while these oils aren’t affected by water and moisture they are affected by the shampoo.

The absence of healthy oils can dry your follicles out at their roots. That means excessive shampooing might keep your hair clean but it will potentially weaken it structurally in the process.

Men who use lots of hair products should be shampooing more. That’s because too much hair product can lead to clogged pores. Hence, the overuse of shampoo becomes a lesser of two evils whereas it combats the overuse of hair products.

 

Shampoo Types

Regular

This is the kind of shampoo for men without any additional hair grooming needs. If your hair and scalp are normal (not greasy or dry), then you’ll only need to get a regular shampoo.

Moisturizing Shampoo

A moisturizing shampoo helps dry hair retain its gloss and aesthetics. If you have curly hair, your hair regularly feels lifeless, or if you use a hair straightener or hair dryer frequently, then use a good moisturizing shampoo. 

Hair Thickening Shampoo

A hair-thickening shampoo artificially thickens the hair by swelling the hair shaft and by also depositing a fine layer on the shaft. The effect, however, is temporary and will last until you shampoo your hair again.

Chelating Shampoo

A chelating shampoo is also a “super cleansing” shampoo in the likes of a clarifying shampoo. However, the main use and benefit of chelating shampoos are that they remove the mineral build-up from showering/bathing with hard water.

Clarifying Shampoo

A clarifying shampoo is a “super cleansing” shampoo that is made to remove all accumulated product residue and dirt from your hair. The accumulation of product residue is very common among men as short hair encourages the depositing of residue on the scalp, which can be quite difficult to remove with most shampoos except with clarifying shampoos.

Hair Loss Shampoo

Hair loss shampoos aid in battling male pattern baldness. Hair loss shampoos contain several MPB fighting ingredients like tea tree oil, zinc, or ketoconazole, and such shampoos for hair loss should be combined with minoxidil for best results.

Shampoo for Dry Hair

Shampoos for dry hair are much stronger versions of moisturizing shampoos, and you’ll see on the product label that the shampoo is specifically for dry hair.

Shampoo for Oily Hair

Shampoo for oilier hair is designed to control the excess sebum that some people can produce in excess. This type of men’s shampoo is also great for summer when one is sweating more than usual. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Should guys shampoo their hair everyday?

Sebum protects our skin from over-drying, so you don’t want to over-strip it by washing it every day. Washing hair too frequently can have long-term effects such as thinning and hair strands becoming brittle so only wash when you feel your hair needs it. A general rule is every 2-3 days.

How often should men condition their hair?

You can use conditioner immediately after shampooing or on its own. The general recommendation is a few times per week, but you can use it daily. Common sense goes a long way. If your hair is superfine and prone to greasiness, condition less often.