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Most men wash their hair on autopilot. A few small changes, like how much shampoo you use, where you put conditioner and how often you wash, make hair easier to style and help with an oily, dry or flaky scalp.
This guide explains the basics step by step and links to our buying guides for shampoo and conditioner, leave-in conditioner, dry shampoo and scalp massagers.
Quick answer: most men do well washing two or three times a week with lukewarm water: massage a coin-sized amount of shampoo into the scalp, rinse, condition the mid-lengths and ends for a minute or two, and rinse again. Wash more often if your scalp gets oily or you sweat a lot.
How often should men wash their hair?
| Your scalp or hair | How often to shampoo | Between washes |
|---|---|---|
| Oily scalp, fine hair | Daily or every other day | Dry shampoo if needed |
| Normal | 2 to 3 times a week | Rinse with water |
| Dry scalp or thick hair | 1 to 2 times a week | Rinse; leave-in on ends |
| Curly or coily hair | Once a week or less | Co-wash or rinse; leave-in |
| Very short hair or buzz cut | Every day or two, with a mild shampoo | Not needed |
| After the gym | Rinse or wash as needed | Dry shampoo for a quick refresh |
Let your scalp guide you: if it feels greasy or itchy, wash a little more often; if hair feels dry or rough, a little less. Our daily hair care routine for men covers the rest of the day.
Step 1: shampoo the scalp
- Wet your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water. Very hot water dries out the scalp and hair.
- Use a coin-sized amount of shampoo. More for long or thick hair. Lather it in your hands first.
- Massage the scalp with your fingertips. Not your nails. Focus on the scalp, where oil and buildup are; the lather cleans the lengths as you rinse.
- Rinse until the water runs clear. Leftover shampoo can leave hair dull and the scalp itchy.
A soft silicone scalp massager helps work shampoo into the scalp and lift buildup.
Step 2: condition the ends
- Squeeze out excess water. Conditioner works better on hair that is not dripping.
- Apply to the mid-lengths and ends. These are the driest parts. Keep it off the roots if your scalp is oily.
- Leave it for one to two minutes. Comb it through with your fingers to detangle.
- Rinse thoroughly. Finish with cooler water if you like.
Very short hair may not need conditioner. Anything longer than a buzz cut usually benefits. See our shampoo and conditioner guide.
Step 3: dry and protect
- Pat or squeeze with a towel. Rubbing roughly causes frizz and breakage.
- Add a leave-in if your hair is dry, frizzy or curly. A few sprays or a pea-sized amount on the ends. See our leave-in conditioner guide.
- Style as usual. For styling steps, see our guide to styling men’s hair.
Between washes
On non-wash days, a rinse with water is often enough. If your roots get greasy by the afternoon or after the gym, a few sprays of dry shampoo at the roots absorb oil. Do not use dry shampoo for days in a row without washing; it builds up on the scalp.
Common scalp problems
| Problem | Likely cause | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Greasy roots by midday | Oily scalp, infrequent washing | Wash more often, lighter conditioner on ends only |
| Flakes | Dry scalp or dandruff | Anti-dandruff shampoo; see a doctor if it persists |
| Itchy scalp | Buildup, harsh shampoo, dryness | Clarifying wash once a week, gentler shampoo |
| Dull, heavy hair | Product buildup | Clarifying shampoo once a week |
| Dry, frizzy hair | Over-washing, hot water | Wash less, use conditioner and a leave-in |
For dandruff and itchy scalps, see our scalp care and dandruff guide. For curly hair, our curly hair products for men covers gentler routines.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using body wash or bar soap on your hair.
- Washing with very hot water.
- Scrubbing with your nails.
- Putting conditioner on an oily scalp.
- Not rinsing well.
- Relying on dry shampoo instead of washing.
Products for every step
These picks come from our detailed buying guides, where each product is compared on its Amazon listing, features and buyer ratings. We have not tested them hands-on. Follow the links to the full comparisons for ratings, pros and cons.
1. American Crew Daily Cleansing Shampoo
Our everyday shampoo pick for men.
Full comparison: best shampoo and conditioner for men
2. American Crew Daily Moisturizing Conditioner
The matching conditioner from our shampoo guide.
Full comparison: best shampoo and conditioner for men
3. Head and Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
A widely available anti-dandruff shampoo from our shampoo guide.
Full comparison: best shampoo and conditioner for men
4. Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two (Clarifying)
A clarifying shampoo for men who use clay, pomade or wax most days.
Full comparison: best shampoo and conditioner for men
5. HEETA Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush
Our top scalp massager pick, with more than 150,000 ratings.
Full comparison: best scalp massager for men
6. Paul Mitchell The Conditioner (Leave-In)
Our top leave-in conditioner pick for most hair types.
Full comparison: best leave-in conditioner for men
7. Batiste Sweat Activated Dry Shampoo
Our top dry shampoo pick, made for refreshing hair after a workout.
Full comparison: best dry shampoo for men
Related guides
- Best shampoo and conditioner for men
- Best leave-in conditioner for men
- Best dry shampoo for men
- Best scalp massager for men
- Best scalp care and dandruff products
- Daily hair care routine for men
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad to wash your hair every day?
Not if your scalp is oily or you sweat a lot; use a mild shampoo. If hair feels dry or rough, wash less often.
Do men need conditioner?
If your hair is longer than a buzz cut, conditioner makes it softer, easier to style and less prone to breakage.
Should I shampoo twice?
Usually once is enough. A second wash can help if you use heavy products or have not washed for several days.
Hot or cold water for washing hair?
Lukewarm is best. A cooler final rinse is fine if you like it.
Can I use body wash on my hair?
It is not ideal. Body wash and soap can leave hair rough and the scalp dry. Use a shampoo.
How do I know if I have dandruff or a dry scalp?
Dandruff flakes are often larger and oily-looking; dry scalp flakes are small and dry. If an anti-dandruff shampoo does not help, see a doctor or dermatologist.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product picks come from our buying guides, which compare each product using its Amazon listing and buyer ratings; we have not tested them hands-on.
