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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to not want to wash my hair every day?

75 replies

KnoxValentine · 18/08/2018 16:28

I have extremely oily skin and my hair gets greasy quickly, by bed time it’ll be greasy. I’ve tried loads of shampoos I’ve tried going days without washing for my hair to get used to it and change but it’s hideous. I currently wash it every other day, and it’s too greasy to wear down on day 2. Dry shampoo doesn’t really make it any better. I want to be able to wash my hair at least every other day and not look like I’ve washed it with olive oil. Do you guys have any shampoo suggestions.

OP posts:

loubeylou68smellsofreindeerpoo · 18/08/2018 20:34

Oh and a clear shampoo as the creamy ones usually have moisturiser/oils in them, if you need to use a leave in conditioner on the ends

Pebblespony · 18/08/2018 20:37

Great thread. I'm the same. Have to wash it in the evening; flat, greasy, pancake hair come morning.

Stuckforthefourthtime · 18/08/2018 20:56

I'm the same. Spent ages trying to 'train' hair and it was bollocks! Didn't matter if I was sulfate free, silicon free, washing every 3 days or whatever, still oily. The best thing for me has been full head highlights, they dry it out enough that I can wear it down two days in a row.

Also, so much is chemical - during one of my pregnancies I suddenly was able to go 3-4 days between washes. People who have a different profile just don't always get it.

On a practical note, I find that blow drying properly on day 1 makes day 2 better. Then I use dry shampoo before bed on day 1, and day 2 I can at least wear it up. Some of the threads on here say that Alberto Apple Balsam (v v cheap too!) is a great shampoo, Ive been nervous because of my colour. In your situation I'm not surprised that you're looking for answers, hope you find one.

acatcalledjohn · 18/08/2018 21:08

I feel your pain, OP. I have naturally very dry, frizz prone hair, a mix of curly and wavy, teamed with a greasy scalp (and t-zone). I switched to co-washing at the start of the year and you know what: I don't just wash my hair less often, it also looks considerably less greasy at the roots. Because like you freshly washed hair in the morning had awful greasy roots by the evening.

I do use a silicon/sulfate/paraben free shampoo (Body Shop Rainforest Moisture) approx once every 7-10 days because I live in a very hard water area, and in between I'll wash with conditioner only.

Even if your hair is not curly, the curly girl method (or specifically the care you take with the ingredients of hair products) may well suit your scalp. You just have to avoid certain ingredients. For me it has worked for my curls, but the difference it's made to my scalp has really surprised me.

woodywoo2 · 18/08/2018 21:16

I wash mine twice a week, it very rarely looks greasy as it's very thick.

katielouise3 · 18/08/2018 21:17

Not ANOTHER one of these?!

Moominfan · 18/08/2018 21:20

I wash every third or fourth day but have curly hair that's very dry. If I washed it every day it would be a mess. Don't dry my hair either just stick it in a bun or plait when wet and let it naturally dry.

MarcieBluebell · 18/08/2018 21:29

I watches this science programme about hair and static causing shampoos are the worst. If you choose a very 'drying out' shampoo it may feel like your scalp is thoroughly clean so will last longer but actually there is more static attracting dirt in the greese.

A change of tact might be trying a less harsh shampoo for a few weeks and see if your hair can get used to it. I use wella fusion shampoo and can do three days. It took a while but not my hair doesn't feel as greasy. I think it takes a bit of experimentation.

Abra1de · 18/08/2018 21:36

Have it highlighted and use a cheap shampoo with teatree in it is my advice.

cobblett36 · 19/08/2018 13:43

Have you tried shampooing twice, and only conditioning your ends? My hair is the same and when I was doing hairdressing at college I learnt how to wash hair properly which has helped.

I know it takes a few minutes longer, but the first shampoo cleans all of the oils off of your scalp, the second treats the hair. Avoiding putting conditioner on your scalp helps to prevent oils building up there as well. When it comes to rinsing your conditioner out make sure your hair is squeaky clean, not soft. If it feels silky and soft it's still full of product which builds up over time, your hair should feel slightly rough if you wriggle it between your fingers.

Natural shampoo and conditioner like LUSH as others have mentioned are perfect too, they have no chemicals/glues/silicone in that also cause most scalp issues. I recommend Rehab shampoo and Veganism conditioner from LUSH, my hair is exactly the same and this is the only routine that works. Ran out at the minute so I'm washing daily. Try to avoid touching/scratching your scalp as that stimulates oils.

MeyMary · 19/08/2018 13:53

Has the OP said why she wants to have her hair down on the second day?

My hair doesn't get greasy quickly but I occasionally wake up and realise that I should have washed it a day earlier. I tend to braid it - dutch plait(s) starting at the front of the head - on these days and put it up in a ponytail or bun...

lindyhopy · 19/08/2018 13:57

My hair is the same. I don't mind the washing every day part but it's the blow drying and styling that I dread. The only thing that helps me is being on the pill. I am currently pregnant and could go a whole week without washing and it still doesn't feel greasy. Dreading going back to the grease and daily washes.

AbsentmindedWoman · 19/08/2018 14:32

But how do you go 3 or 4 or more days if you exercise regularly? Then it doesn't work?

AbsentmindedWoman · 19/08/2018 14:34

Also, I find my hair feels far filthier in London than anywhere else. So where you live counts too!

MardAsSnails · 19/08/2018 14:37

I changed to l’occitane shampoo
And conditioner.

I also went through 2-3 months of looking a bit gross with greasy hair to break the cycle. It’s now 3 days without washing - first morning down, second morning down but straighteners through it. Third day tied back but not greasy looking but not bouncy enough to be down.

Roxers · 19/08/2018 15:08

To those with hair that gets greasy quickly; do you get spots on your chest and shoulders too?

seeingdouble2 · 19/08/2018 15:08

Total sympathy for the greasy hair girls here, in the same boat never can find a solution. Wash in the evening by morning it looks like I haven't bothered! Going to try @DeadDoorpost suggestion, on offer at the moment so worth a shot.

Sidneythecam · 19/08/2018 15:12

I have thick, long, wavy hair

I have to wash it every day

I've used everything on it - from cheap Poundland Vosene to expensive Aveeno shampoo and everything in between

I have a super powerful shower, I rinse it to within an inch of its life and go easy on the conditioner

It's been bleached, left natural - you name it

I tried the leaving it to break the grease cycle. I looked homeless

I wash my hair every morning. I bought a Dyson hairdryer to make life a bit easier

I've long since came to terms with the fact my hair will be forever washed daily

It breaks my heart

MeyMary · 19/08/2018 15:12

@AbsentmindedWoman

I could probably go for a week if I didn't exercise, garden or bike...

I did however get greasy hair much quicker when I had a hairstyle with short, face framing layers. (They're now long, face [neck?] framing layers...)

I need to be able to get all hair out of my face, especially when I exercise / do sweaty things...

MadameGazelleIsMyHomegirl · 19/08/2018 15:21

I have really greasy hair. I’ve tried everything! But recently discovered Urtekram Rasul shampoo- it’s a mud shampoo and the only one I’ve ever found which allows me to wash every other day.

Original poster

KnoxValentine · 19/08/2018 15:53

@MeyMary I have such thick, unruly hair that takes forever to dry and style it would be nice to not have to do that every day. It's very time consuming. I also prefer it down.

OP posts:

Original poster

KnoxValentine · 19/08/2018 15:54

@MadameGazelleIsMyHomegirl I'll look into it thank you!

OP posts:

OrdinaryGirl · 19/08/2018 16:01

I had this problem. Oily, straight, limp, fine hair. Trying different products didn't fix it.

What fixed it was getting it permed once a year (ish) and then blow drying it straight then GHDing it. I only need to wash it twice a week now and dry shampoo keeps it looking nice.
I know it seems counterintuitive and faffy but it works. It can just be tricky to find salons that have decent perming expertise for long hair. I've been going to the same lady for years now.

CandidaAlbicans · 19/08/2018 18:43

OP, you say you have extremely oily skin so have you looked into the cause of this? Sebum production is regulated by hormones, and when I had a similar problem in my youth when on the pill the GP changed my medication to ones that didn't make me so oily. Obviously, I'm not suggesting you go on the pill, but if you were already on it perhaps mention it to the GP?

ToPlanZ · 19/08/2018 18:57

I've always had an issue with my hair getting greasy within 24 hours. Drove me nuts. After trying every shampoo under the sun, including ones that were really expensive I was advised by someone with the same issue to try L'Oréal kids shampoo. Didn't think it would work but it was dead cheap so thought why not. Now I can go for a few days. Difference is astonishing. All I can think is that the milder formulation doesn't encourage sebum production. Might be worth a go.

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