Most of us never got a crash course in how to take care of our hair. We just grabbed whatever shampoo was in the shower, scrubbed it in every day, rinsed, and moved on. But at some point, maybe after noticing dry scalp flakes or hair that felt more like straw than silk, you probably asked yourself: Am I washing my hair too much? Or not enough? It's a fair question. It depends on your hair type, lifestyle, and even the kind of products you use.

Daily Washing: Necessary or Overkill?

Unless you've got an oil slick for a scalp or you're working up a sweat every day, you probably don't need to shampoo daily. In fact, you might be doing your hair more harm than good. Shampoo strips away dirt and oil, but it also strips away natural oils that keep your hair and scalp healthy. Wash too often and your scalp can go into panic mode, producing more oil to make up for what you're scrubbing away. It becomes a vicious cycle.

Know Your Hair

Your hair type has a lot to say about how often you should reach for that shampoo bottle:

Oily hair or scalp? You might need to wash every day or every other day and that's totally fine. Just avoid heavy shampoos with sulfates. Look for lightweight, clarifying formulas.

Curly, coily, or dry hair? You're better off washing just once or twice a week. Curly hair tends to be drier because scalp oils can't travel down the hair shaft as easily. Go with a hydrating shampoo, or even try co-washing (cleansing with conditioner) in between.

Straight or wavy, normal hair? You've got it easy. Two to three washes a week usually does the trick.
 

Your Lifestyle Matters Too

Let's say you work out hard, commute in a polluted city, or spend your weekends hiking, you'll probably want to wash more often. On the flip side, if your life is mostly desk-bound and your hair isn't feeling greasy, give it a rest. 

What About Styling Products?

Love your pomades, clays, or gels? They can build up and clog your scalp if you're not washing them out regularly. That doesn't mean daily shampooing is a must, ust make sure you're cleansing thoroughly when you do wash, and maybe throw in a clarifying shampoo once a week.

Trust Your Hair

At the end of the day, there's no hard-and-fast rule. The sweet spot for most guys is somewhere between two and four washes per week. But your hair will tell you what it needs if it looks limp, feels greasy, or your scalp is itchy, it's time for a cleanse. If it feels dry or frizzy, ease up.