Hair washing is the act of keeping hair clean by washing it with shampoo or other detergent products and water. Hair conditioner may also be used to improve hair's texture and manageability. Two-in-one shampoos, which have both detergent and conditioning components, are now commonly also used as a replacement for shampoo and conditioner.

The scalp releases organic oil to lubricate hair follicles. Over time this oil traps dirt, dust, as well as larger particles, which some view as unhygenic and aesthetically unappealing both visually and to touch.

To remove the dirt and dust from the hair, some people apply a surfactant, most usually shampoo, but sometimes soap to their hair and lather the surfactant with water. The surfactant is rinsed out with water along with the freed dirt and dust it bonds to. This is done semi-regularly to prevent regular accumulation of hair dirt to become so large as to become noticable.

There are also dry shampoos, which are powders which remove grease from the hair by soaking it up prior to being combed out.

Washing hair too often can irritate the scalp by removing too much of the protective oil.

By culture

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Certain cultures dictate hair washing at various frequencies from daily to monthly.

• Yudu is a Korean festival that involves washing hair to wash away bad luck.
• Ghusl is an Islamic act that dictates how the hair should be washed.

Of course, there is no actual biological need to wash hair. However, hair-washing appears to be a near universal culturally-sanctioned hygenic practice. Contrary to popular rumour, all hairstyles can be washed; for example, Rastafarians can and do wash their dreadlocks.

See also

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• Hair care
• Personal grooming

Hairdressing | Hygiene