Washing hair every 3 days

MissNomer

Hi everyone

I'm trying to stop washing my hair so often on the recommendation of my hairdresser.

I currently wash it every other day which isn't too bad, but as I have quasi-permanent dye in it, it washes out quite quickly and I need to get it redone too often, which costs a lot of money and isn't good for my hair. As my hair is quite fine, it gets heat damaged quite easily from the hairdryer, plus it's very long (past my bra strap now) and it's quite a hassle to wash and dry it.

So the logical thing is to try to stretch it to washing every third day, but the problem is that my hair is very very oily, so it starts to look disgusting on the third day. I can't stand the feeling of dirty hair, so it's really bothering me already. When freshly washed and blow dried, my hair looks thick and healthy, but on days 2 and 3 it looks thin and lank. Is it actually true that my hair will 'get used to' not being washed as often as stop producing so much oil? Because I can't stand this dirty hair feeling...makes me feel horrible all day! The ends are actually quite dry, it's just the roots that are greasy.

And BTW, I hate dry shampoo so that's not really an option. Help!

Stench Blossoms

I don't really think there's anything else you could use/do. Your hair eventually will get used to only being washed every 3 days and won't produce so much oil but I think that takes a few months.

Why do you hate dry shampoo? I think it's brilliant.

MissNomer

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

I don't really think there's anything else you could use/do. Your hair eventually will get used to only being washed every 3 days and won't produce so much oil but I think that takes a few months.

Why do you hate dry shampoo? I think it's brilliant.

Hate the idea of putting all those chemicals on my scalp, hate the smell of it, hate that it often leaves white marks or flakes that look like dandruff. Maybe I need to find a good dry shampoo but not a massive fan!

shalalala

In a while it will start behaving better for yhr second and third day. Before I washed my hair every day, now sometimes I can make it to three.

I rarely use dry shampoo, only if it is really bad, then I use it at night and sleep on it, by the morning my hair looks fresher.

Also on the second or third day I tie my hair up which works well.

I also tend to sleep in a plat. This is less oils from my face going on to my hair. If it is really bad and I dont have time to wash and dry it, I wash only the front section. Freshens it up quite a bit

ShazGV

I really get where you're coming from, my hair is dyed red & I'm trying to wash it less now too! I think finding the right dry shampoo will really help. I used to not like using them either, but part of it was not using it properly. Spray a little, rub it in. Don't spray loads at once. If you can get your hands on it, the Dove dry shampoo is my favourite. It's not as chalky as some others but I find it hard to get it where I live! You can find it in Boots in Jervis though if you're in or around Dublin.

I'd also second what shalalala said about spraying it the night before. Or spray it in the second day, even if your hair is still feeling ok. Try to get it on before your hair starts to get really greasy if you can - preventing the oils from taking over is easier than trying to reverse the takeover once it's happened!

on_my_oe

It's a case of dragging it out, and eventually your hair will get used to it. Also where possible, try to avoid fiddling with it, which encourages your scalp to produce more oils eg scratching, brushing 100x etc

I usually wash mine every four days, mainly because it's long and thick but also I have a sensitive scalp, and the only shampoo that doesn't annoy my skin smells vile

Blingy

I have managed to go about every 4 days now for washing my hair. At first it was awful but it definitely works If you have the patience to persevere. I will usually use a dry shampoo to get me through the last day before washing. I also shampoo twice when I do wash and think it makes a difference.

Meangadh

I can't stand dry shampoo either OP, it drives my scalp absolutely crazy and I'm just in agony needing to scratch it all the time. It does dry up any greasy roots but it dries everything else up too to the point where it feels like I'm allergic to it. I'm itchy even thinking about it!

As said already, your hair will get used to it but in the meantime definitely avoid touching your hair (especially at the roots) and tie it back going to bed. Make sure if you use any products like serum etc that they only go on the ends.

Bored_lad

Op firstly its going to take a while for your hair to get used to it so just stick with it.

I know many people think thst brushing your hair is going to make it more oily but using a boar bristle brush will actually help. It distributes the oil throughout your hair so that the scalp and roots aren't extremely oily and the rest of your hair dry.

I dye my hair also but I still wash it min every 2 days. I do the dye myself and my hairdresser thinks my hair is in great condition so I don't mind.
If I was paying the hairdresser to re dye it every 3-4 weeks yeah it'd be expensive!
Eating junk makes my hair more oily more quickly also, so if you're really desperate, you could look at diet

retro:electro

What colour hair have you? If you haven't already maybe you could try adding a few highlights? Just a small few. when I was blonder my hair never got greasy as highlights tend to dry it out but now I'm brown and I've to wash it every second day. Am considering adding a few highlights and hope it helps in counteracting the greasyness.

Dark Phoenix

i had same problem Op and now can go 2-3 days without washing.

Find a shampoo that suits you firstly as some will leave your hair really greasy. Secondly only apply conditioner from mid to ends as you dont need it on the roots and that contributes to the grease.

I find if I use protein treatments to strengthen my hair it stops it being as greasy. Also applying a semi permanemnt home colour to my hair does the trick if its getting lank.

I use dry shampoo on the days I dont wash mine - batiste is the one I use as it doesnt make my hair itchy.