How Often Should You Shampoo Short Hair?
Keeping short hair looking fresh can feel pretty simple—until you start wondering how often you actually need to wash it. Shampoo too often, and you risk drying things out. Not enough, and… well, things get a little too greasy. If you’re unsure where the balance lies, this quick guide will help you figure out the best routine for your hair type and lifestyle.
Let’s comb through it (pun absolutely intended).
The Short Answer for Short Hair
2 to 3 times a week is the sweet spot for most short-haired humans.
That’s it. No mystery. No 17-step routine involving unicorn tears and a lunar calendar. Just 2-3 washes a week, MAX!
But… this depends on a few things. Let’s break it down.
1. Your Scalp Is the Boss
Whether you’ve got a buzz cut, a pixie, a clean fade, or a classic scissor cut, your scalp type plays a starring role in your shampoo schedule:
Oily scalp? You might want to shampoo every other day. Short hair tends to show grease faster, especially if you’ve got fine strands.
Dry scalp? Scale it back. Washing too often strips your natural oils, so try just 2 times a week and use a cleanser that doesn’t have oil stripping ingredients. Sulfates and parabens are the enemy in most shampoos.
Normal scalp? Meaning you rarely have flakes or an abundance of grease. Hello, Goldilocks. Stick to 2–3 times a week and you’re golden.
2. Your Hair Texture Talks Back
Straight and fine? It’ll show oil fast. You might need more frequent washing, but don’t overdo it! If you wash with shampoo everyday, your scalp will start to OVERPRODUCE oil and will make you feel like a greasy mess at all times. It sounds counterintuitive but cutting back on your washes will eventually teach your scalp to produce those lovely (and healthy!) natural oils regularly and not too much.
Wavy or curly? These textures hide oil a little better. You can go longer between washes without looking like a greaseball. Be sure to moisturize your strands (not scalp) in between washes so your curls don’t get frizzy. Moisture is your friend and a lightweight hair oil will help a ton!
Coarse or kinky? You can usually stretch washes even further—once or twice a week might be your magic number. I’ve noticed a lot of people with this type of hair tend to get dry scalps because their hair can be thick and suffocating. Washing less and creating more air flow and circulation by using your fingertips in the shower to rinse and stimulate the scalp (with just water) will do wonders for your locks.
Short doesn’t mean one-size-fits-all. It just means you get VIP access to your scalps healthy and nourishing oils even more so than those with long hair. When you have longer hair, it’s harder to distribute the natural oils to the ends of your strands which help keep it moisturized. If you DO have hair that hangs below your ears, try this brush to help distribute oils and promote healthier hair without over-washing. This brush is on the pricier end, but it should last you a lifetime with proper care.
3. Your Lifestyle Matters (Yes, Gym Rats, I See You)
If you're sweating it out at the gym, working in a dusty environment, or rocking product-heavy styles daily, you might feel the need to wash more often. But even then, don’t be afraid to just rinse with water some days, or use a gentle co-wash (a conditioner that cleanses).
Dry shampoo is also your secret weapon. Short hair and dry shampoo are basically best friends. My favorite types of dry shampoos are in powder form so you’re not inhaling aerosol badness. If you want to get updates on something I’m developing to make finding a product like this WAY easier, subscribe to my future blog posts at the bottom of this page
4. Don’t Overdo It
More shampoo ≠ better hair. Over-washing can make your scalp freak out, producing more oil to compensate. It’s a vicious, sudsy cycle. Give your scalp a break now and then—it knows what it’s doing.
Bonus Tip: Keep It Fresh Between Washes
Rinse with just water on off days.
Use your fingertips (NOT NAILS) to gently rub the scalp and create more circulation.
Refresh with a little leave-in spray or a quick blast of cool air from your dryer.
Or hey, wear your favorite hat. Short hair + cool hat = unstoppable.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Rinse)
Most short-haired folks should shampoo 2–3 times a week. If you can stretch to once a week, eventually your scalp will be praising you.
Adjust based on your scalp type, hair texture, and lifestyle.
Don’t fear a little oil—your scalp’s just doing its thing. Our natural oils are here to help and protect, not make us miserable.
Less shampoo = healthier hair over time.
Find a shampoo and conditioner combo that doesn’t contain sulfates or parabens, no matter what type of hair you have.
Short hair is fun, freeing, and low-maintenance—so keep it that way! Skip the daily shampoo, give your scalp some space, and enjoy more good hair days with less fuss. I tell people that they should be moisturizing more than washing, because our strands get dried out from hats, towels, and pillowcase materials. Working some hair oil into the ends and letting your scalp do it’s thing naturally will take you so far in your hair journey!
Need help picking a good shampoo for your hair type? Or curious about styling tips that don’t require a salon degree? Just say the word—I’ve got recs, hacks, and product picks for days. The best way to get access to this info is to subscribe to these blog posts and keep up with my social media channels (YouTube & Instagram).
This post contains affiliate links to some of my favorite products that I recommend to make your hair journey less confusing. Currently, I’m in the process of developing a game changer to help you even further and create a one stop shop for all of your skin, hair, and scalp needs. If you want the latest and greatest updates on this secret project of mine as well as first dibs on these blog posts, be sure to subscribe to my mailing list by clicking the link below. Talk soon!
XOXO,
Andy Fischer
