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Original poster

Anyone tried to not wash their hair?

37 replies

Runnerbean · 25/07/2006 19:20

There was an article in the Daily Mail a couple of weeks ago about various women trying to go without washing their hair. I've heard before that eventually your hair 'cleans' itself and can become shiny and healthy as a result of foregoing detergents.
My dd and I have kept it up for 2 weeks but my hair just feels revolting at the moment.
My daughters hair however, is beautiful, soft and shiny.
Anyone else tried it and how long did you last?

OP posts:
Carmenere · 25/07/2006 19:23

My friend did it for about a year. It was clean and shiny but eventually when she wanted a cut she gave in. She kept it palited for the first couple of months iirc. Doesn't appeal to me tbh.

SecurMummy · 25/07/2006 19:25

I heard this years ago, my frend and I tried it - she lasted 10 days and I managed nearly 3 weeks - at wich point I think I had started to get dreadlocks and I smelled liek a chip shop (or worse ) so I gave up - it took me about a week of washing to get it clean again!

Having said that I have heard many success stories. THe only thing that I was told wa that if you use hair products (hairspray etc) then it wont work, and also it can come into trouble because of all the car fumes etc which your hair is not designed to cope with!

SSSandy · 25/07/2006 19:26

I know a woman who washes her hair once every 2 months she told me. She has very thick long curly haird which never looks greasy to me.

I don't wash my hair as much as I used to when it was a bob. I had to do it every day then and kind of flatten it with a brush and hairdryer, it isn't naturally straight. Now it's longer and I put it up a lot so needn't wash so often. Definitely wash at least once a week though and if I do sport, always wash my hair afterwards.

zippitippitoes · 25/07/2006 19:29

did you read this matthew parris and andrew marr don't wash their hair

SSSandy · 25/07/2006 19:43

where is it that they use urine to shampoo their hair? - It's somewhere in South America, in the Andes I think, I remember being told by a woman who'd travelled there, can't remember which country though.

Any takers?

CarolinaMoose · 25/07/2006 19:45

yes, my dad - his hair smells now and is dull rather than shiny.

He was inspired by the Andrew Marr thing.

At least my dad has hair - how would Marr know if he was washing his or not?

Original poster
Runnerbean · 25/07/2006 20:10

Talking about urine!
My osteopath recommended soaking your feet in it.
I used several contents of my ddds potty, (babys wee doesn't seem so bad!)
It was fantastic my feet were soft and clean!
Amazing!

No not for my hair though!
I rinse it through every morning in the shower then just scrape it back in a pony tail.

OP posts:
SecurMummy · 25/07/2006 20:13

Oh yes - and please don't do this if you smoke and intend going out in the rain....that has to be the worst smell in the world

schneebly · 25/07/2006 20:15

On the hair thing - the longest I have gone without washing it is a week and it was disgusting! Couldn't do it!

On the topic of urine and feet I remeember reading that you should pee on your feet in the shower as it is good for preventing/curing athletes foot!

expatinscotland · 25/07/2006 20:19

I had mine corn rowed once to go on a climbing expedition. Went 4 weeks w/o washing it, but it was cornrowed and up in a ponytail.

In this heat, I need to wash it daily. It's minging!

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 25/07/2006 20:24

dh hasn't used shampoo for years. he has lovely shiney non-smelly hair. and more of it than most of his contemporaries

Fastasleep · 25/07/2006 20:25

Is this why you chose your name then hatty?

Skribble · 25/07/2006 20:33

One way to do it is to gradually cut down the amount of shampoo you use and gradualy increase the time between washes, you can use a tiny amount and water it down each time until you get to nothing. Better than going cold turkey I think.

Original poster
Runnerbean · 25/07/2006 21:04

does anyone know of any natural alternatives to shampoo?

OP posts:
Skribble · 25/07/2006 21:09

Make your own ?

Pixel · 25/07/2006 21:10

People often comment on my son's lovely hair. Little do they know I only wash it every few months. He's only six though so things may change when he becomes a spotty teenager .

Securmummy, I know what you mean about smoke. When we had a pub one of the draymen stopped for a coffee and wafted his cigarette smoke all over me. I was on my way out to take ds on a playgroup trip and by the time I got there in the rain my hair absolutely reeked. I was mortified! Goodness knows what the other mums thought of me .

Mirage · 25/07/2006 21:11

Raw eggs Runnerbean,just don't use really hot water to rinse with or you will end up with scrambled egg in your hair.

jollyfolly · 25/07/2006 21:29

my brother claims not have washed his hair through out uni.... and to be fair it looked like it as well!!! it did not stink but did have an odour and whilst it was not filthy looking it certainly was not soft and shiney!... but then he is a boy and into climbing walking caving etc etc so i guess it used to get pretty grubby doing that, think his girl friend insisted he was it in the end.

SecurMummy · 26/07/2006 09:59

Pixel, it is quite bad isn't it!

Original poster
Runnerbean · 19/08/2006 21:07

It's been almost 6 weeks since I last used shampoo on my hair!
I'd like to report that my hair is full of life, soft, shiny, has actually gone a shade lighter, looks gorgeous and it doesn't smell!!

I rinse it through with hot water every morning and on occasion I have put raw egg in it, but absolutely no detergents.
I have to say I am amazed I thought it would just be revolting, my hair has always been dull, lank and lifeless despite washing it frequently.
My daughter has done the same and it is a beautiful blonde colour and is soft, shiny and bouncy!!

I thoroughly recommend it!!

OP posts:
Thomcat · 19/08/2006 21:14

That's brilliant Runnerbean.

Love the idea but not sure I can carry it through.

How did you disguise the greasiness inbetween the last wash and it starting to look ok?

at the feet thing btw, did you have to save the potty contents for a while and ... ohhh , not sure about that one, what's wrong with a bit of a foot scrub and moisturise?

themoon66 · 19/08/2006 21:39

I dont understand what the attraction with not washing your hair could possibly be. Would you do the same thing with your face, or feet?? Nooo. Hair picks up dirt and scalps get greasy.. just like any other bit of body.

Thomcat · 19/08/2006 21:44

You still run water through it, you just don't use shampoo

themoon66 · 19/08/2006 22:06

but stilll.... urgh. I can't help thinking 'mucky buggers'

Thomcat · 19/08/2006 22:07

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