How Often Should You Wash Your Hair? A Hairdresser Explains

How often you “should” wash your hair is one of those questions that sounds simple—until you ask a room full of people and get a dozen different answers. A recent story, originally published by the Mirror, highlights a former hairdresser’s straightforward advice: for many people, using shampoo twice in a single wash can help hair feel cleaner for longer. It also reopens the wider, very UK-relevant conversation about wash frequency—because between hard water, busy commutes, workouts, and different hair textures, there’s no one-size-fits-all routine.

Rather than treating hair washing as a strict rule (daily vs weekly), it’s more useful to think in terms of your scalp’s oil production, your styling habits, and what’s building up on your lengths—like dry shampoo, hairspray, pollution, and even mineral deposits from water. Below, we break down what the “double shampoo” method actually does, who it may help most, and how to choose a wash schedule that keeps hair fresh without over-stripping it.

Why “double shampooing” is a salon staple

The Mirror piece centres on a former hairdresser’s tip to shampoo twice. In professional settings, this is a common approach: the first cleanse helps break down surface oil, sweat, and product build-up; the second cleanse focuses on properly cleaning the scalp and hair once the heavy lifting is done.

In real life, the difference is often noticeable in how your hair lathers and how your scalp feels afterwards. Many people find the first shampoo doesn’t foam much—especially if they’ve used dry shampoo, styling creams, or heavier oils. The second shampoo typically lathers more easily, which can be a sign you’re cleansing more effectively (though it’s not a perfect test, particularly with sulphate-free formulas that foam less).

• First shampoo: lifts oil, sweat, pollution, and styling residue; starts loosening build-up around the scalp.
• Second shampoo: gives a more thorough cleanse so hair feels lighter and stays fresher.
• Practical tweak: keep the first shampoo quick (20–30 seconds), then spend longer on the second (around 60 seconds), focusing on the scalp.

What you can do next: on your next wash day, try splitting your usual shampoo amount into two smaller cleanses rather than one big one—then see if your hair stays fresher into day two or three.

How often should you wash your hair in the UK?

Wash frequency is influenced by your scalp’s oil production (which is largely genetic and hormonal), but also by lifestyle and environment. In the UK, a few everyday factors can push people to wash more often: walking to the station in drizzle, wearing hats and hoods, gym classes, and air pollution in urban areas. Equally, central heating in winter can make some scalps feel drier, while summer humidity can make others feel oilier.

Many stylists recommend choosing a routine that keeps your scalp comfortable—clean but not tight, itchy, or flaky. The goal isn’t to “train” your scalp through discomfort; it’s to find a rhythm that suits your hair type and how you wear it.

• If your scalp gets oily quickly: washing every day or every other day can be perfectly reasonable, especially with a gentle shampoo and good conditioner placement.
• If your hair is dry, curly, coily, or textured: you may prefer fewer wash days to help retain moisture; cleansing can be weekly or every 7–10 days for some routines, depending on product use and comfort.
• If you use a lot of stylers or dry shampoo: you may need a more thorough wash (including double shampooing) to reset.

One useful benchmark: if your scalp feels greasy or uncomfortable and your style collapses noticeably, it’s probably time to cleanse. If your hair feels fine but your ends feel parched, the solution may be adjusting conditioner and styling—not necessarily washing less.

Getting the technique right: what matters more than timings

Even the “perfect” wash schedule won’t help if your technique works against you. For many people, issues blamed on “washing too much” actually come down to product placement, rinsing, and heat styling habits.

Try these salon-style best practices:

• Wet thoroughly first: give hair a full minute under water—this helps shampoo spread evenly.
• Focus shampoo on the scalp: massage with fingertips (not nails) around the hairline, crown, and nape.
• Let suds cleanse the lengths: avoid aggressively scrubbing ends; they’re usually drier and more fragile.
• Condition mid-lengths to ends: keep conditioner off the scalp if you get oily easily.
• Rinse properly: leftover product can mimic greasiness and weigh hair down.

If you’re using dry shampoo between washes, remember it’s not a “cleanser”—it’s an absorber. Overuse can leave a chalky build-up that makes hair dull and the scalp feel congested, which is where double shampooing can be especially helpful.

When “washing less” isn’t the answer (and when it is)

There’s a pervasive beauty myth that washing infrequently is always healthier. In practice, hair and scalp needs are more nuanced. Some people feel and look their best with more frequent washing; others do better spacing washes out. What matters is balancing cleanse and conditioning so your scalp stays comfortable and your lengths stay resilient.

Many hair professionals also point out that scalp comfort is a meaningful signal. If you’re experiencing persistent itching, soreness, or excessive flaking, it’s worth adjusting your routine and, if needed, speaking to a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist—especially if symptoms are ongoing.

For day-to-day improvements without drastic changes, consider small, measurable tweaks:

• Try double shampooing for one week and note how long hair stays fresh.
• Switch to a lighter conditioner if you’re washing frequently and hair feels weighed down.
• Add a clarifying wash occasionally if your hair is coated with product build-up (especially if you use dry shampoo often).
• Adjust your wash cadence with the seasons—your scalp may behave differently in winter vs summer.

Key Takeaways

• There’s no universal “right” wash frequency—your ideal routine depends on scalp oiliness, hair texture, lifestyle, and product build-up.
• Many hairdressers recommend shampooing twice: the first cleanse loosens oil and residue; the second cleans more thoroughly.
• Technique matters: shampoo the scalp, condition the lengths, and rinse well to avoid heaviness and false “grease”.
• Overusing dry shampoo can contribute to build-up—plan proper washes, not just top-ups.
• A practical next step: test double shampooing with smaller amounts for a week and track how long your hair feels fresh and light.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is washing your hair every day bad?
Not automatically. If your scalp gets oily quickly or you exercise often, daily washing can work well—especially with a gentle shampoo and conditioner applied only through the lengths.

What does shampooing twice actually do?
The first shampoo helps remove surface oil, sweat, and styling residue; the second is more effective at properly cleansing once the build-up is reduced. Many people find hair feels cleaner and stays fresher.

Should everyone double shampoo?
Not necessarily. If your hair is very dry, curly, or you use minimal styling products, one thorough cleanse may be enough. If you use dry shampoo, hairspray, or feel greasy quickly, double shampooing may help.

Why doesn’t my shampoo lather much the first time?
Heavy oils, dry shampoo, and styling products can reduce foaming. Water hardness and sulphate-free formulas can also lather less. Lather isn’t the only measure of cleansing, but many people see more foam on the second cleanse.

How can I make my hair stay cleaner for longer?
Focus shampoo on the scalp, rinse thoroughly, condition only mid-lengths to ends, and avoid overloading roots with styling products. If you rely on dry shampoo, schedule regular proper cleanses to prevent build-up.