Beauty Routine Calendar: Plan Your Care Schedule
Choose how often you exfoliate, use retinol, wash your hair, mask, do your nails and remove body hair to get a four-week calendar that spaces the…
Hair Wash Schedule Planner: Plan Your Wash Days
Choose your scalp type and hair texture to see how often to wash your hair, with adjustments for styling products, color and workouts, and a two-week calendar of wash days.
The hair wash schedule planner suggests how many days to leave between washes, and marks your wash days on a two-week calendar.
What this tool does
It starts from a table of intervals for each scalp type and hair texture, and then moves the interval by a day for three everyday reasons: styling products, color-treated hair and frequent workouts. The reasoning is listed under the calendar, so that you can see how the number was reached.
What you enter
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Scalp type | Oily, balanced or dry |
| Hair texture | Straight, wavy, curly or coily |
| Day of your next wash | A day of the week. The calendar starts there. |
| Sweaty workouts per week | A whole number from 0 to 14. Zero if left empty. |
| Color-treated or bleached | A box to tick |
| Styling products, dry shampoo or oils most days | A box to tick |
Starting intervals, in days between washes
| Scalp | Straight | Wavy | Curly | Coily |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oily | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Balanced | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Dry | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
An interval of 1 means washing every day.
How the result is worked out
The adjustments are applied in this order:
- Styling products most days: one day sooner, unless the interval is already one day.
- Color-treated hair: one day later, because each wash fades color. An oily scalp is not changed, because it still needs regular washing.
- Four or more sweaty workouts a week: one day sooner, if the interval is longer than two days.
The calendar then marks a wash on the first day and after every interval, for 14 days. The plan also suggests a clarifying shampoo about every four weeks, or every two weeks if you use styling products most days.
Messages you may see
- "Choose your scalp type.", "Choose your hair texture." and "Choose the day of your next wash." when a list is left on "Choose".
- "Sweaty workouts per week must be a whole number." for an entry such as 2.5.
- "Sweaty workouts per week must be between 0 and 14." for a number outside the limits.
How to use it
- Choose your scalp type and hair texture. The Hair Type Quiz helps if you are unsure.
- Choose the day you will next wash your hair.
- Enter your workouts and tick the boxes that apply.
- Select "Plan my wash days", and try the plan for two or three weeks.
Worked example
A balanced scalp and wavy hair start at 3 days. Styling products most days make it 2. Color-treated hair makes it 3 again. Five sweaty workouts a week make it 2. The result is "Wash every 2 days", which is 7 washes in two weeks, starting on the day you chose.
Limits and assumptions
The intervals are common starting points, not rules, and people differ widely. Move the interval by a day in either direction after a few weeks. A scalp that itches, flakes or smells needs washing more often, and flaking that does not improve should be seen by a doctor or dermatologist. How Often Should You Wash Your Hair? explains the reasoning in more detail.
Related on ArniSun
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad to wash your hair every day?
Not if your scalp is oily. An oily scalp with fine, straight hair often needs daily washing. Use a gentle shampoo, and condition the ends only.
What should I do after a workout on a day without a wash?
Rinse your scalp with water and condition the ends, or simply let the sweat dry and brush through. The planner reminds you of this in most plans that include workouts.
Does washing less often make hair less oily?
There is no good evidence that the scalp "learns" to make less oil. Wash as often as your scalp needs to feel clean and comfortable.