I probably shampoo the unit once a week. I condition the unit about three times a week. I am more of a 5 ash then 6 ash. Right now there is not much sun where i am right now. I just checked my shampoo and one of the ingredients is sodium laureth sulfate. In my conditioner there are hydrolized wheat protien and cetyl alcohol which i am not sure if they are bad for the hair or not.