How Often Should You Shampoo Grey Hair?

How Often Should You Shampoo Grey Hair?

By Manhattan Grey

Understanding how often to wash grey hair is essential for maintaining its vibrance, softness, and health—especially if you also rock curls. Because grey hair produces less natural oils (sebum) than pigmented strands, it can dry out faster, making your wash routine all the more important for keeping dryness and wiriness at bay.

The Ideal Shampoo Frequency

Most hair care experts agree that shampooing grey hair about 2 to 3 times per week allows for the right balance: enough cleansing to refresh your scalp without stripping essential moisture. Grey hair is naturally more fragile, so less is often more when it comes to washing.

Tailoring Wash Days to Your Hair Type

Not all grey hair is the same, and that’s especially true for those with curl patterns and varying levels of density. Consider your individual hair texture, scalp condition, and hydration needs to fine-tune your routine. Here's a quick guide:

  • Normal scalp & density: 2–3 washes per week is typically ideal.
  • Oily or fine hair: You may need to wash daily or every other day.
  • Coarse, curly, or high-density hair: You can often go longer between washes—once a week or even less often.

Support Your Wash Routine

Grey hair thrives when moisture is prioritized. Pair your shampoo days with a nourishing conditioner to replenish hydration, and don’t forget to incorporate weekly moisture masks or clarifying treatments to tackle buildup and replenish softness. If you use purple shampoo to brighten your grey and reduce brassiness, limit its use to once or twice a week to avoid over-drying.

And remember: apply shampoo primarily to your scalp where oil buildup occurs, gently letting the lather rinse through the hair lengths. It’s a subtle but effective way to reduce fiber damage while keeping your curls and coils intact.

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Manhattan Grey is a line of premium moisture products formulated for textured grey hair. Our signature products are a lightweight pomade and hydration oil help to eliminate dryness, prevent breakage, and sooth itching. It’s also safe to use on our skin and facial hair.

We are committed to giving our customers, who have been largely overlooked by the beauty and personal care industry, a product experience that offers premium hair care products uniquely blended to address the challenges of grey or greying hair.

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