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Original poster

Anyone fancy joining me in a no poo hair trial?

51 replies

Squtternutbaush · 16/12/2014 10:08

My dull, straight, greasy hair and itchy reactions to shampoo is driving me mad and this was suggested to me.

I havent washed my hair since Saturday and feels greasy but doesn't look too bad if I tie it back so think I'll get some dry shampoo today and keep goinggoing but need some moral support that I'm not just a manky cow :o

OP posts:
Original poster
Squtternutbaush · 16/12/2014 10:35

Thanks Most Amused will check that out :)

OP posts:
GoodboyBindleFeatherstone · 16/12/2014 10:35

Are you sure you don't OP?

I know you'll probably think I'm being rude, but as a general rule people aren't the best judge of whether they smell or not! Unfortunately other people won't necessarily be honest if you ask them so it's best to rely on known facts, which in this case - unwashed hair smells.

Original poster
Squtternutbaush · 16/12/2014 10:37

I can't use anything fragrances anyway so I smell like me, I'm not turning myself into a huge itching scabby mess for others to think I smell nice Wink

OP posts:
alpacasosoftsnowgentlyfalling · 16/12/2014 10:37

If you haven't washed your hair since Saturday it will start to smell pretty soon.

Most you are washing your hair with a cleanser though - that's different to what the OP was proposing.

ItsGonnaBeCoolThisChristmas · 16/12/2014 10:38

I've just brought this "co-wash" stuff to use on the DD's very curly hair:

www.amazon.co.uk/Palmers-Formula-Co-Wash-Cleansing-Conditioner/dp/B00EDQWRQ2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418726222&sr=8-2&keywords=palmers+hair+products

Original poster
Squtternutbaush · 16/12/2014 10:39

There's variations of the no poo method, I'd happily take advice on different methods as I need to find something soon :(

OP posts:
MostAmused · 16/12/2014 10:42

Alpaca I just suggested it as a "version" of no poo. I also said that I wouldn't recommend only using water to wash it as it didn't work for me.

The usual definition (or rather what it most often refers to) of no poo is actually a bicarbonate soda and vinegar. I tried this method but didn't feel like my hair was getting healthier so switched to a different method.

slippermaiden · 16/12/2014 10:44

What about trying a shampoo from Neals yard? All organic and no harsh chemicals at all? Or a baby shampoo?

Fcukfifa · 16/12/2014 10:45

I've reads loads of threads on a site called hairdyeforum about co washing which I think stands for conditioner only.

It's where you kind of 'wash' your hair with a thin runny conditioner. And then condition again with a thicker conditioner. I think they check there are no 'cones' in them. (Any ingredient that has cone at the end, like silicone)

Have a look on there for more information.

ItsGonnaBeCoolThisChristmas · 16/12/2014 10:45

OP have you tried the Green People shampoo? They are very gentle, and the best shampoo ever IMO and they do a scent free one too. They are a little more expensive than other products but you only use a little so it lasts a long time. They someones have 3 for 2 offers at BigGreenSmiles online shop

www.greenpeople.co.uk/neutral-scent-free-shampoo-200ml

Butterpuff · 16/12/2014 10:47

I had a friend at school who didn't shampoo. She had the most beautiful long curly hair. Would never have been able to tell she only washed it in hot water no soap of any kind. I only knew as have the same type of hair and she suggested it to me as a way of eliminating frizz. No smell, no grease beautiful shiny curls. Have heard of lots of people trying it with success. I think the transition period from using shampoo all the time to not using it at all might be the only rough part. I think the idea is your natural hair oils coat your hair after a while as they are not stripped off by the poo leaving it glossy. When you wash just with hot water you wash off any muck that sticks to the oils.....so not that dissimilar to me using an oil to calm my frizz after washing.

mowglik · 16/12/2014 10:47

OP maybe you are better off posting on a hair forum about this, theres one i used to use called longhair forum i think, and loads of people did this and said it worked for them, and apparently your hair gets really shiny and full after some time.

I have no idea if it works but I've been losing hair probably in part due to over washing with sls shampoos and would love to join you but fear my thin hair would look even worse greasy :/ and am too vain to make it through the fugly phase

Inthedarkaboutfashion · 16/12/2014 10:51

hiphop the lady in that article was in a different article that I read. She'd yes her hair regularly using normal chemical dyes and was using some soap based products to wash her hair. She isn't a good advert for the no poo method.

mrsbabookaloo · 16/12/2014 10:51

The reactions on this thread are gobsmacking. People are so sure they're right, when their choices are just dictated by society's norms and reinforced by habit.

I can't offer any scientific opinion on whether your hair starts to clean itself if you don't wash it for months, but it's only THREE days since the OP washed her hair. She will not start to stink after three days.

I wash my hair once a week. I am a completely normal, functioning, non-smelly member of society. It starts to feel like it needs a wash...just before I wash it. It may not clean itself, but I think that the more you wash your hair, the more oil it produces to counterbalance the shampoo's oil-stripping properties. Therefore, the more you wash your hair, the more you need to wash it. This is only my opinion, I am not offering it as fact.

gaggiagirl · 16/12/2014 11:03

goodboy they just use hot water, they don't smell, they.all have very thick slightly frizzy hair but it seems to work for them. I think dm uses a vinegar rinse occasionally. Don't get me wrong in the first fortnight of their experiment they had greasy stinky hair but its all come good now.

TinkerbellaPan · 16/12/2014 11:34

I cowash. And I don't have smelly hair... Hmm I've co washed for more than 4 years, and am regularly told by colleagues and friends that they love my hair.

So much ignorance here about no poo.

However, you can't just stop washing and just condition your hair. That really won't work! No poo isn't "don't clean your hair" it's "clean your hair without SLS shampoo". Also, most conditioners contain silicones that will build up on the hair without SLS to remove them, hence why you cowash with a silicone free conditioner.

When it comes down to it, it is science. What dissolves oil and grease? Oil.

I can get my hair squeaky clean washing with conditioner, and I clean it twice a week.

Worth visiting hair care sites as they'll have more info. In the curly world, cowashing is IMO very much the norm, so sites like naturally curly and british curlies have loads of info. You won't get a good response here, because the site isn't specialist enough.

Chandon · 16/12/2014 12:07

if hair "self cleans" does the body self clean?

I once lived with a flatmate who believed this. He also stopped washing his clothes. We was very very stinky, but he said he's stopped noticing the smell himself. He only started washing again after 2 years.

I think there is a tendency for people to over process themselves, too much aggressive soap and products are used. Neither do I think it is necessary to wash and shampoo every day.

But to never use any shampoo or soap on any part of the body, including the head, leads to stinkiness. But as was the case with my flatmate, you don't smell your own smell.

Naicecuppatea · 16/12/2014 12:21

Be careful, as suffering with hair loss myself, I have read a lot about it, and if you don't use a shampoo or a good method to break down and remove the sebum/grease/dirt, your hair follicles can get clogged. Meaning a possible increase in hair loss as hair is unable to grow properly.

TinkerbellaPan · 16/12/2014 12:38

Yes, I agree you need to do lots of research. And although i cowash, i can not comprehend water washing! It strikes me as similar to washing clothes without detergent...

Each to their own really, I would recommend cowashing. I have thick, full hair I am proud of. With shampoo, my curls are fluffier and I suffer terrible flyaways.

There's always going to be someone who promotes each type of cleansing, you just have to find the one that works for you. Our hair and scalps are all different, so you can collect anecdotal data til the cows come home, but you won't know if it works for you til you try it!

And find someone who's very honest and ask them if you smell... Grin

velourvoyageur · 16/12/2014 12:46

The reasoning is that by not washing you train your scalp not to produce as much oil right? Okay that I might be able to swallow, if you're having some sort of reaction to shampoo and your scalp doesn't like it. However nothing's going to magically shift the layer of dirt that builds up while your scalp adjusts. Washing it with some sort of detergent is the only thing that will.

For me it wouldn't work anyway- dermatitis would build up and up until my follicles would get choked and then oh no, massive hair loss.

Think it may suit a very small number of people whose scalp is perfectly in check with their environment and don't have any hormonal or other issues.

Hiphopopotamus · 16/12/2014 16:43

inthedark I've also read quite a few articles on the woman, and bought her book on the no poo method. Nowhere has she said that she uses chemical dyes (her hair actually looks henna dyed to me) and her book has a lot of useful info on going no poo. I'm not sure why you think she's not a good advocate for the method?

TeaAddict235 · 16/12/2014 22:26

squatternut, I'm interested, but my scalp in the past couldn't go past 2 weeks without itching the living daylights out of me Shock

Try using a silicone free conditioner as they have mild surfactants in them that gently cleanse the scalp and hair.
Thanks

goodasitgets · 17/12/2014 01:46

I don't use shampoo. Use a thin conditioner as a "wash" and really work it in, especially on my scalp. Then I condition with maybe a decent few handfuls of another conditioner
I have v dry hair that's mega curly, it doesn't ever go greasy but I exercise a lot so I wash it probably more than it needs

Redglitter · 17/12/2014 01:54

I couldn't wash my hair for about a week or so due to illness. After about day 5 my head stopped itching but it felt manky. my pillow cases had big head sized marks on them and my hair was stinking. I almost cried when I got to wash it

NutellaStraightFromTheJar · 17/12/2014 02:37

I have never tried it, but there is lots of good information here:
babyslime.livejournal.com/174054.html
Alternatively, I find Aussie mega shampoo is the only one which leaves my hair feeling squeaky clean and not greasy.