A person washing their curly hair under running water. A person washing their curly hair under running water.

How Often Should You Wash Curly Hair?

The short answer: wash fine curly hair daily or every other day, medium-thick curly hair every two to three days, and thick or coarse curly hair about once a week. Curly hair thrives on its natural oils, so shampooing too often strips them and dries hair out, while washing too rarely leaves curls limp and greasy. Let how your hair feels fine-tune the schedule, and use the texture guide below.

Woman with wet, fine curly hair.

Fine Curly Hair

Wash fine curly hair daily or every other day. A little natural oil goes a long way on finer textures, so frequent gentle washing prevents curls and waves from going heavy or limp. Use a gentle sulfate-free formula like Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Shampoo and always follow with conditioner to replenish moisture.

Medium-Thick Curly Hair

Wash medium-thick curly hair every two to three days. A small amount of natural oil enhances this texture. If curls fall flat after sleeping or exercising, revive them between washes with a curl refresher spray, or simply rinse with water and massage the scalp. Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Conditioner, with macadamia, jojoba, and coconut oils, suits this hair type.

Woman washing medium-thick curly hair.
Woman with thick, curly hair, hands on her head.

Thick or Coarse Curly Hair

Wash thick or coarse curly hair about once a week. This curl type is the driest, so going longer between washes retains natural oils. Between washes, refresh with a multi-use curl oil, a curl refresher spray, or a leave-in like Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Curl Air Dry Cream.

Once you've determined your ideal shampooing frequency, follow this hair care routine to make the most of your curly hair.

Frequency of Cleansing Curly Hair Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you wash curly hair?

It depends on texture: fine curls daily or every other day, medium-thick curls every two to three days, thick or coarse curls about once a week. Adjust based on whether hair feels greasy or dry.

What happens if you wash curly hair too often?

Frequent shampooing strips the natural oils curly hair depends on, leaving curls dry and frizz-prone. Use a sulfate-free shampoo like Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Shampoo to cleanse without stripping.

How do I refresh curls between washes?

Mist curls with water or a curl refresher spray and scrunch, or rinse with water and massage the scalp without shampooing.

Does wash frequency change with the weather or workouts?

Yes. Sweat and humidity can shorten the interval. After workouts, a water rinse and scalp massage often substitutes for a full wash.

Should I use conditioner every time I wash curly hair?

Yes. Every wash should end with conditioner to replenish the moisture shampooing removes. Follow with a leave-in for added hydration between washes.