The "No Poo" method of cleansing hair is exactly what it sounds like. You stop using shampoo completely and let your own hair's oils nourish and condition the hair. It's something that people have done for hundreds of years. You have to keep in mind that having unlimited water supply and mass produced perfumed soaps is kind of a new thing, when you think about our history of getting clean. Forty years ago women would never have thought of washing their hair everyday, and in the early 20th century women only washed their hair every 3-4 weeks. The main reason we shampoo daily is because it's what is culturally acceptable and because there are lots of companies that want to sell us their products.
You really have to be careful in today's market place when purchasing cosmetics of any kind. Most products are not regulated at all and contain damaging chemicals. (Although, shampoo is not as worrisome because hair doesn't absorb chemicals in to the body and shampoo is washed out promptly.) It's important to know what is in your bottles though. Even essential oils, herbs and plant extracts can be harmful if not used correctly. My advice is to choose products that contain few ingredients and are manufactured by responsible companies. We are so used to just purchasing without thinking and that needs to stop because there are too many people not looking out for our good, but looking to their own greed. You can check the website cosmeticdatabase.com for well studied reports on products in the market place. I will also include a list of reputable companies that I use at the end of this post.
There are actually very few hair products you need to use. Your natural hair oils can keep your hair conditioned and styled. But "No Poo" is a really rough transition and it isn't for everyone. The first 6 weeks your hair goes through a detox phase (it might be called something else officially but detox is what I call it). This is because the scalp has been stripped of it's natural oils for so long that it will "catch up" when you stop using the cleanser. Some folks will have a harder time with this than others. If you can make it through this heavy oil production time you will be rewarded. Your hair will have unbelievable shine and body.
Here's how it goes:
Mix a Tablespoon of Baking Soda and water until it forms a paste. Scrub in to the scalp with the balls of your fingers(no nails!). Massage well and let sit for a few minutes.Rinse.
Next add 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to a cup of water. Pour this over the hair ends. Leave one for a few minutes and rinse.
*Please note that you may not like your scalp smell. It might be strong in the beginning. You can spray lavender or peppermint oil to help this. Both oils are great for scalp health.
*It's really important to brush your hair dry with a natural bristle brush(unless you are vegan or concerned about animal rights then use a synthetic bristle that is as close to a natural bristle as possible). Start at the scalp and pull through the hair. Do this 100 times just like your Grandma told you to. This helps to spread your natural hair oils throughout the hair strands.
*If you are a work out queen and worry about sweat, don't worry about sweat. Rinse your hair after a work out with warm water and gently massage the scalp. Sweat and oil are two different things.
Here are some companies I respect and like to use:
More to come but now I'm tired!
Good Luck!
Mary- Thanks for the post. I generally use this method (some variations at times... and, as Carra taught me, I do use just like one drop of shampoo with the baking soda, to lather it up), and when I'm in a good routine I only have to wash my hair once a week (the other times I shower, I just rinse it with water). I don't use the vinegar that often. When it's short, I don't even brush it. Oh, and for people who are afraid to go without shampoo, trying it at the same time as a really short hair cut might be the way to go (worked for me!). Because then your hair feels less dirty, and just rinsing it with water usually makes it look fresh again.
ReplyDeleteI also saw something in a book about curly hair that said to use only conditioner, and use it on your scalp, not just the ends. What do you know about that?