If you are in Cape Town, Durban, Jo’burg, or anywhere under the South African sun, your haircare routine needs to account for more than just style. Heat, humidity, sun exposure, and sweat (hopefully from the gym, not just from walking in summer heat) all play a part. Finding the right wash frequency and products can protect your scalp, keep your hair looking fresh, and prevent issues like dandruff or breakage.
Why It Matters
If you don’t wash your hair often enough, oil and product buildup can lead to scalp issues like dandruff, inflammation, and even infections. This is according to board-certified dermatologist and hair restoration specialist Dr. Paul Rose, MD. This buildup can also make hair harder to manage and reduce the effectiveness of medicated scalp treatments. Not to mention, it’ll start to stink. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should default to washing every day either.
READ MORE: Here’s Why Washing Your Hair Less Won’t Prevent Hair Loss
According to celebrity hairstylist and founder of AROVE, Michael Dueñas, washing your hair too often—especially with harsh, sulphate heavy shampoos—can strip away natural oils. This leads to dryness, irritation, flaking, and a damaged scalp barrier. This can trigger a cycle where your scalp overproduces oil to compensate. As a result, it feels greasy and prompts even more washing.
Over time, this dries out the hair, making it brittle, prone to breakage, and giving the appearance of thinning or stunted growth, he says. The key to all of this is balance. Specifically, you must find the right balance for your hair type and lifestyle. Because of South Africa’s varied climates, from coastal humidity to inland heat, many men end up leaning too far one way or the other.
General Guideline for Washing Frequency
Here is a good baseline for most men:
- Normal or slightly oily hair with moderate activity: 2 to 3 times per week
- Heavy sweating from gym, outdoor work, or humid weather: possibly daily or every other day
- Dry, coarse, textured, or curly hair: once per week or less to avoid dryness
READ MORE: Effective Ways to Tackle a Receding Hairline
Also, if your scalp feels greasy, starts to itch, or your hair feels weighed down, that is your signal it is time for a wash. Conditioning after shampooing is key, especially when washing more often, to keep strands and scalp moisturised.
How Hair Type and Lifestyle Make a Difference
- Thick, coarse, curly, or textured hair tends to be drier. Over washing can lead to brittleness and breakage. Less frequent washes combined with richer conditioners or oils work best.
- Fine, straight, or oily hair shows grease sooner. More frequent washes may be needed, using gentler shampoos or those made for oily scalps.
- Scalp conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, or psoriasis may require washing three to four times per week with specialised shampoos. Ingredients like zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole help. Letting the shampoo sit on the scalp for a few minutes improves results.
What Are the Best Shampoos to Use?
Sweet, now you know how often to wash your hair, but what shampoo should you use to do it? Thankfully, the answer is a bit more flexible.
The Woolworths Sulphate Free Smoothing Shampoo is a solid everyday choice for men who want a gentle cleanse that leaves hair soft and manageable without stripping natural oils. If you are looking for a 2-in-1 option, Paul Mitchell Mitch Double Hitter Shampoo & Conditioner saves time while still giving a thorough wash and lightweight conditioning.
For guys with oily hair or prone to scalp build up, The Body Shop Tea Tree Purifying & Balancing Shampoo helps cut through grease and refresh the scalp with a cooling finish. Another reliable pick is Head & Shoulders Classic Clean, which fights dandruff while leaving hair feeling fresh.
If you struggle with dry or textured hair, SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo is packed with natural oils that help lock in hydration and reduce breakage. And for men who want a barbershop staple, American Crew Daily Shampoo remains a go-to, keeping the scalp balanced and hair ready for styling.
The best approach is to match your shampoo to your hair type and lifestyle. Whether you need a sulphate free formula, dandruff control, or a moisture boost, there is an option easily available in South Africa to keep your hair and scalp in top shape.
This article by Sean Zucker was originally published on Men’s Health US – additional reporting and products added by the Men’s Health SA team.
