Shampoo - I believe it is Useless

[Beuford]

When I say shampoo, I don't mean some natural herbs and oils, which I haven't tried, I mean commercial product that you buy at the store.

It seems to have been almost 3 months since I last shampooed my hair. I haven't noticed much difference. The dandruff in my hair has since slightly reduced though that might not be the cause of not using shampoo as 3 months is a significant time. I'd say that most people would think that it would have gotten worse, and that my hair would be all dirty and greasy. Well, it's not.

The story I read - and I read this from many different sources - was that at if you don't shampoo your hair, after about 8 weeks it will start to clean itself. Before that, it will be greasy because the natural oils in your scalp over compensate at first and too much is created, but after that it will even out. Supposedly the shampoo effects your natural scalp oils and stops them from working properly.

So I thought it sounded believable enough, and I like trying new things, so what harm could be done with not shampooing my hair for a few months? Most people at this stage I've mentioned it to have reacted with things like "ew" or "gross".

I never notice my hair getting considerably greasy, except after a shower until it dries, and it has not been dirty at all. One thing I do notice though is my hair is always at least semi decent in the morning. If I had shampooed the night before and then slept on it, I'd often wake up with bad hair.

I don't use conditioner either. You don't need conditioner if you don't use shampoo, as it really only is to replace the oils taken away with shampoo, or something along those lines.

I'll probably never use shampoo again. I should also mention that my hair is probably only 15cm at the longest. Has anyone else tried this before?

[elastigirl]

i ahvnt used shampoo for years,and i dont use it on my kids.

[aelle]

A friend of mine swears this also applies to soap (she just showers with water, daily), but most people won't get past the overcompensating stage.
Using natural cosmetics is a pleasure for me so I won't be giving up shampoo or soap any day soon, but congrats on your discovery.

If some readers want to give up commercial shampoo and try a milder version of this, google No 'Poo for homemade recipes based on baking soda and apple cier vinegar that won't damage your hair.

[Michelle]

I use an organic shampoo made of rosemary or chestnuts once or twice a week. It is a nice smell. Even that, I assume is unnecessary. I certainly wouldn't use any popular brands.

[Dimond]

There's a lot of people into water-only washing for hair and body or other natural forms of washing. I have difficult super curly (yet beautiful ) hair so currently it does need maintenance, though using chemical-free products and being raw has improved the texture. I use the conditioner-only method every few days. I use to need to do my hair daily, so it's a big improvement. Someday I hope to do water-only. I have instructions for the conditioner-only method below, if anyone is interested. Conditioner is way better for your hair than shampoo, regardless of which products you use.

Conditioner-Only Method

[ginkgo]

I did not know that that happens with everyone. I thought that it is like that with me since I have such a good diet.

[Dreamline]

I could try this on vacation and see if I get gross.

Jennifer

[lovelyn]

I have super curly too and I find that shampoo dries it out too much. I just use water and baking soda to wash and apple cider vinegar as a rinse.

My husband is a water only person and I love to make fun of him because of it, but his hair seems fine. It's not oily and he doesn't smell. He has Rosacea and it's gone away since he's started doing water only. It's been about a year now.