Should You Double Shampoo Your Hair? Here’s What You Need To Know

By Jessie Amato & Powered By L’Oreal Professional Products Division
Update Date: 31 Mar 2022

Shampooing is a ritual we’ve been doing our entire lives yet, we still have a ton of questions about it. How often should we shampoo? Does using the matching shampoo and conditioner really make a difference? Can I get away with washing my hair once a week with my hair texture?

We can go on and on, but if there’s one simple thing about shampooing that we see the most confusion about, it’s the age-old rinse, lather, repeat rule—or, as some call it, double shampooing.

Wondering if double shampooing is actually the key to achieving better hair? If you’re a single lather kind of gal, here’s what you need to know about this stylist-approved technique.

What is double shampooing?

Stumped on what exactly double shampooing is? If you’ve ever sat at the shampoo bowl at the salon, you might notice that stylists typically double (or sometimes triple) lather your strands. Want to mimic this step at home? It’s simple. Once you fully rinse the first lather from your strands, you simply repeat this step with another round of shampoo.

What Does Double Shampooing Do To Your Hair?

If you’re looking to double shampoo your mane, then it’s helpful to know what it does to your hair. Does double shampooing work? Long story short, double shampooing serves as an ultimate hair reset for when your strands need some extra TLC.

“Double shampooing can be really beneficial to reset the hair,” says Tranese Lewis at Sunstone Spa in Southern California. “It cleanses the hair thoroughly, removing product and oil build up.”

Let’s say you attended a wedding and had your hair done with lots of hair sprays and gels, then you might want to consider double shampooing to fully remove the remaining product.

Is it good to double shampoo?

What exactly are the benefits of double shampooing? Think about all the product build-up, dirt, and oil your strands accumulate between washes. If you want to remove all of that build up and achieve squeaky clean strands, one lather might not be enough. That’s where double shampooing comes in.

The first round essentially rids build up and residue from the hair, while the second will actually cleanse and nourish your strands. If you’re someone who goes three or more days between shampoos, your hair might need a deeper cleaning—which is why double shampooing would be an essential step for you.

How Often Should You Double Shampoo Your Hair?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to double shampooing. The benefits of double shampooing really depend on the individual and their hair goals.

“Shampooing is based on hair type, lifestyle and scalp condition, and it’s good to remember that there is no one size fits all. Be sure to use correct shampoo for your hair care needs.”

Whether double shampooing curly hair, fine hair, or wavy hair, consult with your stylist to figure out a regimen that is best for you.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t double shampoo?

If you do a quick Google search on the topic of double shampooing, you’ll find quite a few opinions on the subject. As with all things in hair care, certain hair types can benefit from double shampooing while others might not. If you’re dealing with dry, damaged, or chemically treated hair, your strands are likely already fragile, and too much shampooing can make them feel even more so. If you’re a big believer in the benefits of double shampooing, however, try using a moisturizing formula.

Thinking double shampooing might not be for you? Here’s another way to remove excess oil and product build-up from your strands. Once a week or so, swap out your regular shampoo for a clarifying formula.

Our Favorite Shampoos To Double Shampoo With

Total Results Moisture Me Rich Shampoo

A lightweight moisturizing shampoo for dry hair.

Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo

A clarifying, shine-boosting shampoo.

Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo

A balancing shampoo for oily hair and roots.

Serie Expert Metal Detox Shampoo

A sulfate-free anti-metal cleansing shampoo that revitalizes color-treated hair.

Color Last Shampoo

AROMASCIENCE® Gentle Shampoo for Colored Hair.

Nanoworks Gold Shampoo

A rich, sulfate-free shampoo that cleanses and renews dull, aging color-treated hair.

Muroto Volume Shampoo for Fine Hair

A volumizing shampoo for fine hair.

Ultimate Reset Shampoo

Gently cleanses hair. Strengthens. Restores hair. Lightweight.

Genesis Bain Hydra-Fortifiant Fortifying Shampoo for Weakened Hair

A fortifying gel shampoo for weakened hair.

Moisture Fusion Moisture Rich Shampoo

A moisturizing shampoo for detangling strands and increasing manageability.

Now that you know all there is about double shampooing, you can shop all of our favorite shampoo formulas at Hair.com.