20 Day Hair Wash Cycle

Yup, you read that right! I'm going to break down all the details of how I go 20 days without washing my hair and not looking like I had just dunked my head in butter.

Before you think it, yes I'm still showering. What kind of crusty human being would I be if I didn't. But washing my hair that's a whole other story. Let's get into it.

I don't believe this.

Believe it sister, I have done this challenge multiple times and every time I come out stronger and going longer in between wash days. Now will 20 days forever be my normal wash cycle? Probably not but who knows.

It's hairstylist, Jasmine Rae's normal. That's who I learned it all from. At one point she even went a full 30 days and she didn't look in the least bit "dirty". I'll drop her info at the bottom of this blog!

Can anyone do it?

You want the honest answer? Heck yeah! Will it be easy for everyone to complete the full 20 days? Heck no. So why do it?

For me, I found her page after talking to a friend about postpartum hair loss. I'm complete transparency, as a hairstylist myself, I knew there wasn't much you could do about it. You basically just have to let it ride, keep taking your vitamins and be kind to you hair and scalp. That's where this challenge comes in. But it's not only for moms with postpartum hair loss it's for anyone. Thin hair, thick hair, fine hair, coarse hair, dog mom, human mom, single ladies, men. You get my point, literally anyone who wants to extend their shampoo days, see longer, stronger hair growth and promote a healthy scalp.

If you struggle with any of those above, hair loss, hair growth, hair sheen, dry scalp, oily scalp, etc. Then keep on reading!

What do I need to start?

I have very specific step-by-step / day-by-day story highlights on my Instagram. So swing over there if you want all the goodies.

Purchase the hair products HERE!

For me there are a few VERY important things. 1. A shower cap, nothing fancy, just something to keep the water/steam off your hair in the shower on non-wash days.

2. Wet brushes! The two absolute must haves are the Pro Shine Enhancer and the Pro Flex Dry brush (can be used on wet & dry hair + great in the shower). Then you can't go wrong having the traditional wet brush for when your hair is wet but the two above will be just fine and used the most!

3. Better hair ties. I love silk scrunchies & invisibobbles.

4. SALON QUALITY shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo and my FAVORITE hair oil. From a SALON or the site that makes it. No Marshall's, Target, Amazon, etc, you get the picture. I can't stress this enough! If you're lost, I have a link in my bio or above as well to purchase my favs!! BONUS points if you also add a clarifying shampoo to the line up!

That's it!! Not bad right!!

Alright, now let's break into the what to do's and how-tos.

Let's do it!

Maybe you can't go the full 20, but go as many days as you can. Then wash and repeat and try to go just one day longer each time. Keep doing that until you have finally reached your desired days of wash cycle.

Before you start the challenge, give your hair and scalp a good cleanse. Use a clarifying shampoo, then regular shampoo then condition your mids to ends.

Next and most importantly, dry your hair. At least your roots if you don't have time to do all of your hair. At least the roots. This will help your hair from drying flat to your head. It adds instant volume and will ultimately help the longevity of extending your shampoo cycle.

Also, if you get in the shower and happen to get your hairline wet or you just don't use a shower cap, be sure to dry your roots the same way!

Daily: BRUSH. Twice a day. Every day. Morning & night.

Use your pro shine enhancer to brush in small sections all over your scalp. Use firm pressure. This helps distribute and move the natural oils from your roots to your mids/ends. Plus brushing your scalp in sections helps to stimulate your hair follicles which promotes a healthy scalp and healthy hair growth! Next, grab your Pro Flex Dry brush and work your way from the bottom up. In small strokes, brush through your ends and work slowly up the hair shaft until you reach the roots. If you come across a knot, don't rip at it, start working through it in sections with small fast strokes then keep on moving.

Nightly: Same brush routine but be sure to either braid or pull your hair into a pony tail with a silk hair tie or invisibobbe to ensure less tension and no creasing on the hair.

Dry Shampoo: Add it when needed.

PRO TIP: apply dry shampoo at night the day before you would typically get oily.

For me, I know day 5 I'd wake up oily, so I add dry shampoo the night of day 4!

When applying dry shampoo, apply in one inch sections all around your head. Keep your elbow at a 90 degree angle to ensure you aren't too close to cause residue and to be sure of even distribution of product.

Then you let it put in work through the night.

If you try this, follow along on Instagram & let me know if this was helpful. Even better, if you were able to extend your wash days with this technique.

Jasmineraehairco is who I learned all of this from. Check her out here on Instagram!