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Original poster

Has anybody tried giving up using shampoo?

67 replies

FrannyandZooey · 21/02/2006 09:23

I have heard several times that if you stop using shampoo, your hair adjusts and becomes less greasy, and that the natural oils give it shine and it looks more healthier. Has anyone tried this? Do you just rinse it in water instead? And how long does it take to stop looking hideously greasy?

OP posts:
zippitippitoes · 21/02/2006 09:25

is this the hair is naturally self cleaning theory?

Gloworm · 21/02/2006 09:28

yesrs ago I stopped using shampoo for ages, I just soaked it in the bath or shower. As far as I remember my hair was OK, no difference between with or without shampoo.
My hair is naturally dry though, not greasy.

SleepyJess · 21/02/2006 09:30

Would you go without conditioner too though?? my hair is yuk without having been conditioned!

zippitippitoes · 21/02/2006 09:31

I think the true self cleaning is not washing it at all even with water and after 3 months it is supposedly naturally shiny and healthy (may include not brushing or combing too)

but i would be interested if anyone has ahcieved this

Gloworm · 21/02/2006 09:33

if you stopped everything...shampoo/water/brush etc....would your hair not start to get very dreadlock-y?

SleepyJess · 21/02/2006 09:39

Ewww... and smelly.. from pollution.. and cooking smells... yuk!

zippitippitoes · 21/02/2006 09:39

I think it is only feasible if you have very short hair!

the only people I've known do it have been dread locky hippy types and I can't say that it looked shiny but i suppose it works for dogs

JennyLee · 21/02/2006 09:51

Don't do it my husband used to belive that his hair was fine being washed by just hotwater, -10 years ago! he thought that, I put him right.

It goes lank and greasy and stringy and foul and smells of everything you come into contact with. Human need shampoo lol
unless you have some stuff to wash it with like herbal stuff or bicarbonate of soda, but that would basically be like using shampoo

Original poster
FrannyandZooey · 21/02/2006 10:48

I can't imagine not washing it at all - I mean you would want to rinse it just to get the dust and dirt out. I am sort of half heartedly trying it so I will let you know how it goes

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 21/02/2006 10:57

oh dear god no.

Original poster
FrannyandZooey · 21/02/2006 10:58

LOL now I deliberately hid this away in 'Health' so none of you style queens would see it and be appalled.

OP posts:
cod · 21/02/2006 10:59

Message withdrawn

harpsichordcarrier · 21/02/2006 11:01
Kidstrack2 · 21/02/2006 11:03

someone on here had an incident with carex hand soap maybe we could use that!

expatinscotland · 21/02/2006 11:04

anyone tried giving up washing at all?

Kidstrack2 · 21/02/2006 11:06

i read some crappy mag in doc surgery few weeks ago and a lady hadn't had her hair washed for 12yrs? and she didn't wash her kids hair either, anyway the magazine offered to wash and cut it for her it, was way down her bum, it certainly looked a lot healthier and the expert doing her hair said it didn't smell one bit because she brushed it every day! anyone else read that too

expatinscotland · 21/02/2006 11:08

Um, no, i hadn't read that. And I think having hair past your bum when you're over a certain age is just yuk. Not washing your kids' hair, tho? Bet they're the reason why no one can get rid of their nits and lice at the school they attend.

Tinker · 21/02/2006 11:08

My baby hasn't had any shampoo yet, looks fine.

LadySherlockofLGJ · 21/02/2006 11:10

Not wash your hair..............

Stuff and nonsense, I am afraid.

Kidstrack2 · 21/02/2006 11:11

while i was posting that i was scared that she is a mn

jellyjelly · 21/02/2006 11:15

I read the piece in the magazine as well but i think it was 14 years and she hadnt washed it but did brush it everyday and would rinse it after swimming. I thought it was a bit gross really but each to their own and she did say it didnt smell.

Kidstrack2 · 21/02/2006 11:17

thanks jelly wasn't sure if it was 12 or 14

LadySherlockofLGJ · 21/02/2006 11:18

OMG

Just googled unwashed hair images, look what I found..
Wash your hair or you could end up looking like this

LeahE · 21/02/2006 11:28

They did feature a woman doing this on Bodymatters (medical programme on the BBC back in the (?) early 80s) - paid her not to wash her hair for months and keep a video diary. It was truly gross for the first couple of months (she took to wearing a turban to cover it up) but after some time (6 months or so) it had indeed settled down and looked (and apparently smelled) fine.

And that was on the telly so it must be true...

I could never deal with the first few months, though.

SleepyJess · 21/02/2006 11:35

LGJ I fell for that! have not fallen for it for AGES!!!!