If you’ve ever felt like you have to wash your hair every day (or every other day), I’m here to tell you: it doesn’t have to be that way.

A few years ago, I was washing my hair every 2-3 days. Sometimes even more. It felt greasy fast, wouldn’t hold volume, and I was constantly reaching for dry shampoo. Fast forward to now, and I’m washing my hair about once every 7-10 days.

No, this didn’t happen overnight. Yes, it’s actually possible. And no, your hair isn’t “broken” if you’re not there yet.

This is all about hair training, slowly teaching your scalp to produce less oil and your strands to need less frequent washing over time.

Let me walk you through exactly how I trained my hair to last 7-10 between washes.

First Things First: This Is a Process

Everyone’s hair is different. Texture, thickness, oil production, lifestyle, workouts, and hormones all play a role. Some people can stretch wash days quickly. Others need more time. Both are normal.

If you’re washing every day right now, don’t aim for 10 days immediately. Start small.

Think:

• Every day → every other day
• Every other day → every 3 days
• Every 3 days → every 4-5 days
• And slowly build from there

Progress over perfection.

Dry Shampoo Is Your Best Friend

If you’re hair training, dry shampoo is non-negotiable!

It will carry you through the awkward in-between phase when your hair isn’t “dirty” but definitely isn’t “fresh”, and is something I still use in my routine even years deep into the process. My best tip is to use it early and not just when your hair already looks greasy. I usually apply it before bed or first thing in the morning.

My favorites depend on what my hair needs:

• Bare for everyday refresh
• Brunette for no white cast
• Sweat Activated for post-workout days
• Volumizing when I want extra lift

Pro tip: Let it sit for a minute (or 5), then brush it through. Don’t immediately touch it after spraying. If you have time in the morning I suggest spraying the dry shampoo onto your natural part and roots but then also pulling your hair back into a loose bun and spraying the underside of your hair all the way around. I call this “marinating” in dry shampoo.

Accessories = Secret Weapon

Whether you’re working from home or running errands, accessories are everything to help prolong the wash days.

After the dry shampoo effect is no longer working, it might be time to pull in the big guns to get at least 1 or 2 more days out of your current hair wash. Hats, headbands, clips, slicked-back buns, these will extend your wash days more than you think. Some days, my hair is only “acceptable” because it’s in a chic clip. If it looks intentional, it works.

Invest in a Silk Pillowcase

This one is huge. Cotton pillowcases absorb oil and product, then transfer it right back onto your hair and skin. It’s basically a nightly oil swap.

Silk (or satin if you’re on a budget):

• Helps prevent breakage
• Reduces frizz
• Keeps oils from transferring
• Is better for your skin too

It’s one of the easiest upgrades you can make for better hair!

Cut Back on Heat (As Much As You Can)

When you’re hair training, healthy hair matters.

That means:

• Less blow drying
• Less curling
• Less straightening

I try to only fully style my hair on wash day. After that, I let it be. Maybe I’ll refresh with a little wave here and there, but I’m not restyling every day.

The goal is to let your hair rest so it can regulate oil better.

Style Smart on Wash Day

Wash day matters more than you think. If your hair looks good on Day 1, it’s much easier to stretch it to Day 4, 5, and beyond. Think of wash day as prep day.

This is when I:

• Let me hair air dry to 80% and then blow out my hair with a round brush
• Add volume
• Set the foundation with a tighter curl (or style of choice) than I might want on day 3. The idea is to think about a style that can last you all 4 or 5 days (or even longer)

My Go-To Hair Training Essentials

A major tip is to just be patient with the “in-between” phase. There will be days when your hair feels… questionable. Not cute. Not fresh. Not terrible. Just… there. That’s normal. That’s where dry shampoo, accessories, and consistency come in. Stick with it and your scalp will adjust.

Here’s what I truly rely on:

• Boar bristle brush (to distribute oils and cause less breakage)
• Silk pillowcase (also linking a satin version here)
• Dry shampoo rotation (this one is my daily go to)
• Hair clips, cloth headbands, hats

Simple, but effective.

Final Thoughts

Hair training isn’t about being “perfect.” It’s about learning what works for your hair.

You don’t have to aim for 10 days. Even going from every other day to every 4 days is a win. I can tell you that years after hair training my own hair, I can go close to 4 or 5 days before my hair starts to get greasy aka before I even have to use dry shampoo. So while yes it is a process, I promise it’s worth it to not have to wash your hair as often.

Less washing means:

• Healthier hair
• Less breakage
• Better color retention
• Less heat damage
• More time saved

And honestly? Once you get there, you’ll never want to go back. If you’re starting your hair training journey, I’m cheering you on. Promise it’s worth it!!