At the end of December, I read this status on Unmistakably Food’s Facebook page:
At risk of grossing you out, I’m excited to say that I no longer have to wash my hair! October 25th was the last day I used shampoo. I transitioned using baking soda and liquid castille soap, but I didn’t like how either of them left my hair. Baking soda left it too greasy and castille soap left it too dry; however they were enough to get me through the transition period. One day I just realized that my hair was adjusting and I stopped washing it altogether. Two weeks later, my hair is grease-free and happy and I just rinse it with water once a week. Believe it or not, I’ve learned that hair is cleaner when it is not washed because the natural oils produced by the scalp are anti-bacterial.
I’ve been ‘poo-free since August, using only baking soda and apple cider vinegar with great results. My hair has been much less oily and easier to manage.
But, you know, I’ve always wondered what people did to wash their hair before the 20th century. Laura Ingalls didn’t have shampoo or even baking soda and ACV! And moreover, the frugal side of me says, “While baking soda and ACV is cheap, there’s not a thing that’s cheaper than NOTHING.”
So I decided to do a little New Years experiment.
Since New Years, I’ve begun, what I call, “water-washing.”
No shampoo, no conditioner, no baking soda, no apple cider vinegar, no nothing.
So far, I’m enjoying the experiment! My hair seems to have good and bad days, and I’ve heard it can take up to two months to adjust. I’m hoping it will take me less time because I’ve been doing no ‘poo for a while.
For the first week, I had to rinse it daily so that it didn’t get too oily, but in the last few days, I’ve been able to do every other day.
It doesn’t look bad, and I’ve actually been able to not use antifrizz or any mousse/gel on it.
I dealt with a little flakiness in the first few days, but I fixed that by scrubbing my scalp well while in the shower. Some days, my hair feels a bit dry and coarse, but it’s not every day. And I’ve noticed that I have less split ends.
Another thing, is that you’d only want to do water-washing with filtered or soft water. I have a Berkey water shower filter, which removes or reduces chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, microorganisms, scale and water-soluble heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and iron, as well as kills and inhibits the growth of bacteria, algae, and fungi.
I’ll be posting my updates via Facebook in the next few months, and I’ll write a follow up post sometime in the future! Have you tried only washing with water? How did you fare?
Facebook Updates
#1 – 12/28/2012
#2 – 12/28/2012
#3 – 12/29/2012
#4 – 12/29/2012 (Photo)
#5 – 01/03/2013
#6 – 01/07/2013
#7 – 01/13/2013 (Photo)
#8 – 01/16/2013
#9 – 01/21/2013
#10 – 01/29/2013
#11 – 02/03/2013 (Photo)
#12 – 02/05/2013
Beyond no ‘poo: Water-Washing UPDATE
Featured on Party Wave Wednesday and Thank Your Body Thursday.
It sounds kinda gross doesn’t it, not washing your hair with shampoo let alone nothing at all! But it really is the best thing ever for your hair. I was an every day kinda girl, I just felt really dirty if I didn’t wash my hair with shampoo (concrap I now call it because it is the greatest ‘sham’ of the century, the stuff is utter crap (poo) setiously!!). But honestly, just washing with water, my hair has never looked & felt better and is in great condition. I will never go back to shampoo ever again. Ever.
http://www.partyheads.com.au
Hi :) I’ve just found this article, it seems so great to try !!! Please, tell me do you use hot water or warm water at the beginning and do some kind of massage and later you just rinse it with cold water? Or maybe the temperature isn’t so important? Do you think it’s possible to really do it once a week? I know, i know, you have just written so, just curious, because it seems so fantastic!!! :)))) Regards, Anna
Forgot to ask about the hard water… Here where I live the water isn’t really that good, so maybe it’s a good idea to boil it before using on my hair? What do you suggest?
It’s possible to do it once a week, but you have to work up to that point. :) I would suggest getting a filter because boiling still won’t remove sediment. Good luck!