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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How often do you wash your hair?

225 replies

ForeverWaitingInForParcels · 12/04/2022 10:11

Frankie Bridge has said on Instagram that she's now gone 4 days without washing her hair.

I wash mine once a week - is everyone else doing it every day?! AIBU to think 4 days is nothing?

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 12/04/2022 11:55

I used to do it every day pre covid.
Now it's usually a out 4 times a week depending on when I'm in the office.
If I'm not going anywhere I'll just have an all over flannel wash rather than a shower, but shower at least every other day.

saggyhairyass · 12/04/2022 11:58

Every 2-3 days. I have greasy roots but dry, frizzy ends. Combination hair! Not coloured, but quick thick & course. It's currently in a grown out bob. After air-drying for a couple of hours, I put in a tiny bit of heat protection spray and blow-dry. If I don't, it looks terrible.

I think if your hair is long you can get away with much more, because it's easy to scrape into a ponytail or bun. In my current state, I can put a hat or scarf on.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 12/04/2022 12:00

every other day as it is very fine and lank, it looks dreadful if I don't. Although I do occasionally resort to Batiste if I CBA to wash it Blush

AChocolateOrangeaday · 12/04/2022 12:00

@theemmadilemma I could have written your post.

Our former and current hair washing habits are identical!

TheOrigRights · 12/04/2022 12:02

All the fecking time!
I do a lot of sport so even if my hair isn't a sweaty, tangly mess I will always wet it and at least run some conditioner through it so my head gets a wash and I can get a comb through.

I probably spend more time with my hair wet than dry (it's long and thick).

Elphame · 12/04/2022 12:05

Why can't you wash it in the shower like you did when it was short?

Speaking for myself, the water just doesn't get through to the roots, most of it just rolls off. My hair is simply too thick and long.

Once it finally does get wet I have even more trouble rinsing the shampoo out! If I use a sink then almost all the basinful of water disappears into my hair ( and I'm not joking either!). The bath is my only option.

CounsellorTroi · 12/04/2022 12:08

@5128gap

Don't you other weekly washers find your hair gets physically dirty though, marks pillow cases, looks darker if blonde, smells a bit of cooking? Not judging, as I wash weekly, but have all these issues, which I dislike. Any tips for keeping it 'clean'?
No I don’t. My hair is thick, slightly dry and coarse. I keep styling products to a minimum, bit of L’Oreal Extraordinary Oil before blow drying and that’s it.
maddening · 12/04/2022 12:10

Daily, my hair is super fine (the only skinny thing about me unfortunately 🤣🤣) and looks awful without being washed.

LittleDidSheKnow · 12/04/2022 12:10

I run everyday and jump in the shower while I'm still sweaty! I rinse hair with water and use a tiny amount of conditioner daily. Once or twice a week I'll use a little shampoo.
My DD has just returned from long time travelling in far flung place and now doesn't wash or condition at all, just rinses with water. Her hair looks great and definitely doesn't smell.

I agree with PPs that the more you wash the more you need to.

CrunchyCarrot · 12/04/2022 12:24

The more frequently you wash it, the shorter the length between washes will get over time. I used to wash mine once a week when in my 20s, but over the years this went to every other day by the time I was 40! Fast forward to back injury in my 50s, no way on earth to wash myself (let alone my hair) every day. Had to resort to miserable standing washes for many months. Hair of course was awfully greasy to begin with but over the months it improved and now I only need to wash it every 5 days.

fruitorveg · 12/04/2022 12:25

Every 6/7 days. Used to be everyday until I had kids and then just didn't have the time

Notadramallama · 12/04/2022 12:29

every day - the same as the rest of me. My hair gets just as dirty as everything else.

AnyCakeButBattenburg · 12/04/2022 12:30

every day. I like to wash my hair when I have a shower every mornng.

LadyJaneHall · 12/04/2022 12:36

I wash mine every 3 days. I have tried leaving it longer and doing it more often. It looks better washed daily but I can't be bothered. My hair is very fine and lank and looks much better on the day I wash it. I wish I had thicker, drier hair that would last longer.

5128gap · 12/04/2022 12:40

@HistoricMoment

To the PP who asked about how to keep hair clean when you wash once a week : Do you live in an area with a lot of air pollution? I wash weekly and the water doesn't come off particularly dirty. I have white pillow cases and they don't look dirty at the end of a week. Maybe it's to do with the dirt and dust in the air where you live? I brush my hair twice a day and regularly wash my hair brush in the dish washer, I also put on a head scarf when I'm cooking smelly stuff, don't know how much of a difference that makes!
Unfortunately, I do. I have to travel via train to a major city for work too. I wear a hood in the winter, but not an option all year round. I can't really brush my hair either as it's wavy/curly so ends up a huge ball of frizz. The scarf for cooking is a good Idea.
5128gap · 12/04/2022 12:43

[quote incognitoforthisone]@5128gap I wash my hair every day and so does my DP, and we get discolouration on pillow cases, so I don't think it's dirty hair that makes that happen. I used to think maybe it was skincare products but DP doesn't use any!

My theory is that it's just something to do with the chemistry of different people's sweat/oil, which is a bit gross, but just one of those things I suppose. Some makeup also tends to change colour slightly on some people (including me) because of the way it reacts with their natural skin oils, but on others it doesn't happen, so I suppose it's similar with the pillowcase thing?![/quote]
Interesting. I have bought myself a silk sleep bonnet to protect my hair and the pillows from each other now!

Nelliephant1 · 12/04/2022 12:44

Only at the hairdressers when I get my colour done so probably once every six weeks or so.

Maireas · 12/04/2022 12:45

Every day. I like the feel of a clean scalp and I like shiny hair

VapeVamp12 · 12/04/2022 12:45

Twice a week. Used to be every other day but since I got extensions I have to really dry it properly and add product so I have to plan it more!

TheOldLadyOfThreadneedleStreet · 12/04/2022 12:47

About twice a week. As an older teen it was daily, but has slowly got longer between washes. Just at menopause now, and it’s definitely looking good and feeling good (I hare it when it feels greasy, or itchy scalp) for longer and longer - another menopause benefit!

spidersenses · 12/04/2022 12:49

Medication means I have really oily hair. I try to do it every other day, but to be honest I really need to do it every day. Day 2 is gross. I only get away with it as I work from home.

ForeverLooking · 12/04/2022 12:55

Everyday. I go to the gym daily and sweat to beetroot face level, so I'd have greasy stinky hair if I left it!

Plutoisaplanet · 12/04/2022 12:56

@VerifiedBot2351

Every day otherwise I feel gross.
This
catfunk · 12/04/2022 12:57

Every 2/3 days here. Have to tie it up after 2nd day. Get an itchy scalp on day 3....
Fair or curly people seem to veg away with it a lot longer !

mydogisthebest · 12/04/2022 12:59

Every day in the shower. I wash my face and body every day so why would I not wash my hair?

It's very short now so easy but even when it was long I washed it every day

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