Giving up shampoo doesn't mean you have to give up showers or washing your hair. Instead of shampoo, people who've adopted this hair care technique use baking soda followed by apple cider vinegar, or only use conditioner. You can even buy products off the shelf that cleanse your hair but are technically not shampoo.
It can take up to six weeks of not using shampoo to see the main benefits of the movement. Your hair may be greasy, to begin with, but this should settle down after some time. Your hair may not smell as fancy as it used to, but it will still be clean.
The no-poo method involves forgoing shampoo containing detergents that strip your hair of its natural oils. Your hair won't smell, because you're still cleansing it. Research the best shampoo alternatives for you: water only, conditioner only, coconut oil, ACV and baking soda, or a no-poo product.
“Since switching to the no-poo method several years ago, my hair isn't a tangled, frizzy mess—now, it's softer and smoother, and my natural curls are bouncier and glossier.” Like many no-pooers, Bobak uses apple cider vinegar in place of shampoo every three to four weeks.
The answer is no, not really. Hair is self-cleaning up to a point, but even if you don't use shampoo, following the No-Poo trend is just as time-consuming because ideally you have to thoroughly rinse the hair at least once a day to get rid of the everyday dirt and dust it will pick up.
The short answer is probably not. While we recommend doing what feels best for your own needs, it is also important to consider long and short term effects. For those with thinning hair, you may notice that it is easier for oil to transfer throughout your head due to the strand structure and lack of volume.
Instead of shampoo, people who've adopted this hair care technique use baking soda followed by apple cider vinegar, or only use conditioner. You can even buy products off the shelf that cleanse your hair but are technically not shampoo.
Going a long time without washing your hair can cause a buildup of a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia on your scalp. Over time, this leads to a layer of dead skin cells that shed from your head in the form of oily, yellow-ish dandruff flakes. Dandruff can also make your scalp red, scaly, and itchy.
Prolonged periods of not washing can cause cause buildup on the scalp, damaging hair and even impeding its ability to grow, Lamb said. Grime from dirt, oil and hair product can show up within four to six days for people with finer, straighter hair.
She advises that after two to three months of the same routine, your hair will eventually adjust. But for many people with naturally curly or coily hair textures, daily washing is already a thing of the past.
Massage the scalp with Warm water washes. You use the warmth of the water to help encourage the scalp oils to move down the hair. If you do some scritching and preening under a warm shower and give it a good rinse it works like a very gentle shampoo. My experience– hot water cleansing work really well for me.
If you've got super straight hair: The no-poo method is a go for straight hair, but with one caveat: "If you have really, really fine hair you should stay away," says Dorsey. "Super straight hair I would stay away from it."
Water is effective at washing away dirt, dust, and other water-soluble debris from the hair and scalp without stripping the hair of this sebum. However, Mamelak notes that if there are other oils in the hair (from a haircare or styling product, for example), a good portion of these will be left behind as well.
Depending on your hair type, you can wait three to five days between washes, and we've got the scoop on how to survive the process while you're waiting for sebum production to slow down. We'll admit, the first two weeks are the most difficult, but after about week four, you should see a significant difference.
Chekuri, the main advantage of no-poo is that it's much easier on your hair. For people who have sensitive skin or find themselves allergic to ingredients commonly used in shampoo, cleansing without shampoo can save a lot of irritation and itching while at the same time improving their scalp's overall health.
It may sound counterproductive, but a shower every day could be bad for your skin. Some dermatologists only recommend a shower every other day, or two to three times a week. Many people hit the shower at least once a day, either in the morning or at night before bed.
"If your skin tends not to be dry, you could extend it to every other day or so." If you take it from a certified germ expert, though, you can skip showering for as long as you wish.
Natural Hair
Even though natural black hair is dry, the build-up of debris can make it feel greasy if not washed regularly. You should ideally wash your natural black hair once every seven to fourteen days. Use a mild cleansing shampoo and a gentle conditioner.
When you don't wash your hair, oils may accumulate on your scalp. This can cause odor on the scalp and hair. If you use hair care products, these can also build up on your scalp and create odors, even if the products themselves smell good.
When your hair is too dirty, it can also lead to unwanted bacteria, sometimes turning into dandruff and other scalp problems. If you find your scalp quite itchy and your hair greasy, it might be time for a hair and scalp detox.
Try this: Use dry shampoo before your hair gets greasy. Apply dry shampoo in your hair before you go to bed and allow it to stay overnight. This allows the dry shampoo to soak up the natural oils your hair produces while you sleep and you will be able to brush it out in the morning.
The process of pre-shampooing is simple and doesn't take too much time. Since it occurs before shampooing and conditioning, you'll apply the pre-poo product to dry hair. This allows the product to coat your strands and lock in moisture before you wet your hair.
First, stop washing your hair every day and gradually add days between washes. If you need to rinse your hair daily, use cool water to preserve oils. At some point, your scalp will get used to this routine and you will achieve less greasy hair. Then, scrub well with warm water every 7-10 days.
We recommend using No-Poo if you have curly or super curly hair and if you're okay with your cleanser not lathering. Some people prefer to have their cleanser provide a bit of lather which is why we offer our Low-Poo as well! Low-Poo and No-Poo can be used interchangeably just depending on what your preferences are.