Written by Brandon Topp

Whether you're sparking up a fresh pre-roll or hitting the bong with friends, one thing’s for sure — the smell of weed loves to stick around. And one of the sneakiest places it hides? Your hair.

The good news: it’s not permanent.

The not-so-good news: Depending on a few factors, it might stick around longer than you’d like.

Let's take a look at how weed odor stays in your hair and what to do about it.

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Table of Contents

• Why the Cannabis Smoke Smell Lingers in Hair

• How Long the Smell of Weed Lasts

• Factors That Make the Smell Stick Around

• How to Get Weed Smell Out of Hair

• Does Hair Type Matter?

• Can Others Smell It on You?

• Preventing the Smell Before It Starts

• Final Thoughts

Why Weed Smell Lingers in Hair

When you light up flower — whether it's a blunt, bowl, joint, or bong — you’re releasing smoke full of aromatic compounds called terpenes.

These are what give cannabis its distinct smell. They’re oily, sticky, and clingy. And because hair is porous and often has natural oils, it tends to absorb smells easily.

If you’re smoking indoors or in a tight space, the smoke can swirl around and coat your hair in that unmistakable skunky scent.

Even just standing near someone else who’s blazing can leave a lingering cloud on your strands.

How Long the Smell Lasts

On average, the strong scent of weed can stay in your hair for a few hours up to an entire day — depending on the situation.

• Light exposure (like one quick hit outside): The smell might only linger for an hour or two.

• Heavier exposure (like hotboxing): You might smell it in your hair until you wash it — even 24 hours later.

If your hair is long, thick, or hasn’t been washed in a day or two, it might hold the scent longer.

Factors That Make the Smell Stick Around

A few things can affect how long the scent stays:

• Hair type and texture: Coarser or curlier hair may hold onto smells longer due to more surface area and density.

• Hair length: More hair = more space for the smell to cling to.

• Environmental factors: Smoking cannabis in enclosed spaces without proper ventilation will leave more smoke residue on you. While some stoners light up scented candles or use air fresheners to hide the smell, this doesn't keep it out of your hair and clothes.

• Hair products: Oils, sprays, and gels can sometimes trap scents — or help block them, depending on what you’re using.

• Frequency: If you’re blazing multiple times a day, you might notice the scent building up over time.

How to Get Weed Smell Out of Hair

If you’ve got somewhere to be and don’t want to carry that cannabis cloud with you, here are a few tips:

• Shampoo and condition: The most effective way to remove weed smell is a full wash with a good shampoo. Anything with clarifying ingredients (like tea tree or charcoal) can help during a quick shower.

• Dry shampoo: A solid quick fix — especially if it’s scented. It can help mask or neutralize light odors.

• Hair perfume or body mist: Spray a bit into your hair (not too close). It won’t fully remove the smell, but it can help cover it up.

• Hair dryer: Sometimes airing it out can help. Use a hair dryer on a cool setting to blow the scent out if you can’t wash right away.

• Natural remedies: Some swear by rinsing hair with diluted apple cider vinegar or baking soda and water. These can help neutralize odors, but always follow up with conditioner — they can be drying.

Does Hair Type Matter?

Yes, hair type does play a role.

• Curly and coily hair: Tends to hold onto scent longer because it traps more air and smoke between strands.

• Straight and fine hair: May release scent more quickly but can still absorb smoke if it’s oily or hasn’t been washed recently.

• Oily hair: Holds onto terpenes and smoke particles more easily than freshly washed hair.

Your personal hair care routine also factors in — folks who use heavy products or don’t wash daily may notice lingering smells more often.

Can Others Smell It on You?

If the smell is fresh or strong, definitely. People with a sharp nose can often pick up the scent, especially if you're indoors or in close quarters.

Things like wind, fresh air, or wearing a hoodie can help mask it a bit — but your hair tends to be a dead giveaway. Especially if it’s long or worn down.

And don’t forget: even if you can’t smell it anymore, others might still catch a whiff. Our noses get used to scents we’re around all the time (that’s called olfactory fatigue), so play it safe if you’re trying to keep things low-key.

Preventing the Smell Before It Starts

The easiest way to avoid lingering cannabis scent in your hair? Block it before it has a chance to stick.

Try this:

• Tie it back: Keeping your hair in a bun or ponytail limits its exposure to smoke.

• Wear an outer layer: Covering your hair adds a solid layer of protection.

• Smoke outside: Ventilation is everything. The more open air, the less likely smoke will settle into your strands. Don't smoke in an enclosed space if you want to avoid the strong smell of weed.

• Use a scarf or silk wrap: Especially for longer sessions — these help minimize scent transfer and are easy to toss in the wash after.

• Use odor-absorbing products: If you're smoking inside, using an air purifier or a carbon filter during cannabis use can be helpful to get rid of the smell.

If you’re using flower regularly and don’t want the smell in your hair at all, you could also consider switching it up with vapes or edibles instead. Our THCa flower, Delta-8, and Delta-9 gummies offer options for every kind of vibe — minus the cloud.

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Weed smell in your hair isn’t forever — but it can hang out longer than you’d expect. How long it lasts depends on your hair type, environment, and how much smoke you’re dealing with.

A quick wash is usually all it takes, but having a few tricks up your sleeve (or under your beanie) never hurts.

At Mood, we’re all about helping you enjoy your cannabis your way — with or without the telltale scent. Whether you’re lighting up our smooth THCa pre-rolls or floating through the day with a Delta-9 gummy, we’ve got options that work for your lifestyle.