How Long Should You Leave Shampoo in Your Hair? Tips for Shinier, Healthier Hair

Co-authored by Patrick Evan and Kyle Hall

Last Updated: November 30, 2022 References

When it comes to washing our hair, most of us think we’re pros. But there’s actually more to it than just shampoo, rinse, condition, rinse, especially if you want salon-level results. Shampooing your hair correctly is the first step toward getting clean, beautiful locks, and you might be wondering how long you should leave shampoo in your hair when you’re washing it (and how often you should be washing it in the first place). Don’t worry—we’ve answered all of your shampoo questions so you can keep your hair clean without sacrificing shine and softness.

Question 1 of 5:

How long should you shampoo your hair for?

Long enough to work the shampoo into your whole scalp. The important thing when you’re shampooing your hair isn’t how long you’re doing it for, but how thorough you’re being. The exact amount of time that takes can vary depending on how much hair you have and how dirty your hair is. The main thing you should focus on is working the shampoo into your entire scalp from front to back.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} That will help leave you with clean, bouncy, healthy-looking hair.
- Some shampoos may come with instructions to leave the product in your hair for a few minutes before rinsing it out. When in doubt, follow the instructions on the bottle.

Question 2 of 5:

What happens if you leave shampoo in your hair for too long?

It could end up irritating your scalp. Most shampoos aren’t meant to be left in your hair. They should be rinsed out right after you’re done lathering in the shower. If you’re tempted to let shampoo sit in your hair after you’re done washing it to get an extra squeaky clean feel, think twice—shampoos contain parabens, miranol, and other ingredients that can cause contact dermatitis (a red, itchy rash). A bad reaction like this is more likely to happen if the shampoo has time to sit on your skin.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}

Question 3 of 5:

How long should you leave dandruff shampoo in for?

At least 5 minutes. Unlike regular shampoos, dandruff shampoo actually needs to sit on your scalp so it has time to work its magic. After you’ve massaged the shampoo into your scalp (avoid your actual strands of hair since dandruff shampoo is too drying), wait at least 5 minutes before rinsing it out.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Patrick Evan
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 17 January 2019.}
- Experts recommend washing your hair with regular shampoo and conditioner after you’ve rinsed out the dandruff shampoo.
- Pro tip: If you have dry hair, coat it with coconut oil 30 minutes before you use your dandruff shampoo. It will help lock in moisture so the dandruff shampoo doesn’t dry your hair out more.^{[4]
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Question 4 of 5:

How do you properly shampoo your hair?

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Focus on cleaning your scalp rather than your hair. Shampoo is actually meant to be massaged into your scalp, not scrubbed into your hair. Working shampoo directly into your hair just causes friction and tangling, which definitely isn’t good for your locks. Instead, massage small amounts of shampoo into your scalp underneath your hair, working your way around your entire head. When you’re done, thoroughly rinse out all of the suds.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- Vigorous scrubbing, scratching, and kneading might feel nice on your scalp, but don’t do it! Always be gentle when you’re washing your hair so you don’t damage it or cause tangles.
- You don’t need to use a lot of shampoo to thoroughly clean your hair. Measure out an amount that’s about the size and volume of a single raspberry. That’s really all you need!^{[6]
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2
Don't rinse and repeat. You've probably seen shampoo before that says to "rinse and repeat" on the bottle. Fortunately for your wallet (and your busy mornings), there's no need to wash your hair twice in the shower. These instructions are usually just a marketing tactic that gets people to use and buy more product.^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source} One thorough shampooing is all your hair needs.
3
Always follow up with conditioner.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Patrick Evan
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 17 January 2019.} When you shampoo your hair, you’re stripping away oils that naturally condition it. To keep your hair healthy and manageable, those oils need to be replaced. That’s where conditioner comes in.^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Conditioner decreases static, increases shine, and improves the strength of your hair, among other things, so it’s a must in your hair washing routine.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- When you’re applying conditioner, focus on the ends of your hair. They’re usually the driest, and using conditioner near your roots can weigh your hair down.

Question 5 of 5:

How often should you wash your hair?

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It depends on your hair type. Everyone’s hair is different. Washing every day might work for some people, while washing once or twice a week may be better for others. In general, the thickness of your hair and the amount of oil your scalp produces are good indicators of how often you should be lathering up. Here are some general guidelines you can follow:^{[11]
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Expert Source

Patrick Evan
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 17 January 2019.}
- For fine, thin, or oily hair: shampoo every day or every other day.
- For medium-thick or dry hair: wash your hair every 2-3 days.
- For thick or curly hair: wash your hair 1-2 times a week.
EXPERT TIP

Patrick Evan
Professional Hair Stylist
Patrick Evan is the Owner of Patrick Evan Salon, a hair salon in San Francisco, California. He has been a hairstylist for over 25 years and is a Thermal Reconditioning Specialist, dedicated to transforming difficult curls and waves into sleek, straight hair. Patrick Evan Salon was rated the Best Hair Salon in San Francisco by Allure magazine, and Patrick's work has been featured in Woman’s Day, The Examiner, and 7x7.

Patrick Evan
Professional Hair Stylist

Generally, most people do not need to wash every day. Every other day or every third is what we recommend especially since the oil produced is needed to moisturize and protect your hair. When you’re washing your hair every day, you’re essentially signaling to your scalp to produce more oil.
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It also depends on your lifestyle. Working out a lot and sweating can make your hair dirtier faster. If you use a lot of products in your hair, it might get greasier faster than if you didn’t. Living in a highly polluted area can even cause your hair to get dirtier in between washes.^{[12]
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Research source} All of these things may mean you need to wash your hair more frequently. While your hair type definitely matters, experiment with how regularly you wash your hair to find what works best for your lifestyle.
- You may have heard that shampooing less frequently will cause your scalp to produce less oil, but that’s actually a myth! Oil production is controlled by your hormones, not how regularly you wash your hair.^{[13]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I know what shampoo suits my hair?

Patrick Evan
Professional Hair Stylist
Patrick Evan is the Owner of Patrick Evan Salon, a hair salon in San Francisco, California. He has been a hairstylist for over 25 years and is a Thermal Reconditioning Specialist, dedicated to transforming difficult curls and waves into sleek, straight hair. Patrick Evan Salon was rated the Best Hair Salon in San Francisco by Allure magazine, and Patrick's work has been featured in Woman’s Day, The Examiner, and 7x7.

Patrick Evan

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

The best way is to talk to your stylist! Sometimes people need moisture when they think they need protein, and vice-versa. Your stylist can best assess your hair’s needs.