Revisiting no poo

[AprilBaby]

About two years ago we discussed the no shampoo method of hair cleaning. Basically it involves rinsing hair wit a cup of water and a tablespoon of baking soda and then rinsing with a cup of water and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. I did this for a while but then stopped because I felt my hair was getting stained slightly red by the ACV. At the time I had blonde highlights. Now my highlights are a bit grown out and my hair is reddish anyways. Lately it's felt really coated from shampoo and conditioner. My hairdresser made a paste from shampoo and baking soda and left it on for about 10 min to clarify my hair. Then she rinsed and added conditioner. I decided to try the no poo again and at week two now my hair feels soft and natural, no static even though it's 9 degrees. Is anyone else doing this or have you kept it up?

 

[momhappy]

No. It sounds very drying and wouldn't seem very cleansing either.
However, I add baking soda to my regular shampoo about once per week to clarify my hair. I have been doing that for years. I wouldn't skip my shampoo & conditioner though.

 

[ame]

Nope, it destroys my color and gives me epic rashes because it doesn't get my hair or scalp clean in a satisfactory manner for me. I stick to the shampoo and conditioners that work and I don't have reactions to.

 

[vintagelover229]

My hair is waist length and I tried it. My hair was difficult to brush (granted I brushed it wet and I'm finding that the longer my hair is the easier its to brush out dried.) when I was doing it.

I found that it worked just fine though I just needed the extra conditioner to get the brush though it. I know many people who have had success with it though. You can still make your own rinse if you need it-just dilute coconut oil or argan oil in some water and rinse with it.

It takes a good month to get the natural oils to produce at a normal rate since you no longer removing it with shampoo and conditioners though.

My DH only washes his hair with shampoo once maybe twice a month. It took a while to make him realize washing your hair daily is actually not the best for it when he saw how well my hair was doing and its LONG only washing once a week.

 

[lovebug1031]

About two years ago we discussed the no shampoo method of hair cleaning. Basically it involves rinsing hair wit a cup of water and a tablespoon of baking soda and then rinsing with a cup of water and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. I did this for a while but then stopped because I felt my hair was getting stained slightly red by the ACV. At the time I had blonde highlights. Now my highlights are a bit grown out and my hair is reddish anyways. Lately it's felt really coated from shampoo and conditioner. My hairdresser made a paste from shampoo and baking soda and left it on for about 10 min to clarify my hair. Then she rinsed and added conditioner. I decided to try the no poo again and at week two now my hair feels soft and natural, no static even though it's 9 degrees. Is anyone else doing this or have you kept it up?

i don't no-poo, but i do co-wash! I actually have very oily hair and it still works for me! I use Wen at the moment, but have used cheap=o VO5 and Suave! I may add in the baking soda and AVC once a week for clarifying, sounds nice!

 

[minousbijoux]

Live and learn.

 

[baby monster]

I use sulfate-free shampoo or co-wash. Works for my very thick, wavy hair. Haven't tried baking soda or AVC yet.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I have not tried this technique because I use Davines products and it is almost "not like washing" your hair anyway.

http://www.davines.com/en/about-davines/

cheers--Sharon

 

[momhappy]

What is the purpose of "cleaning" hair with baking soda and ACV? I understand that traditional shampoos can strip natural oils, etc., but hair gets dirty (it gets oily, it absorbs odors, etc.). I wouldn't rely on baking soda and/or ACV to clean my hair any more than I would rely on it to clean my body in the shower. If an individual needs/wants more natural ways to cleanse the hair, there are plenty of non-toxic/natural choices out there to get the job done. I guess that I just don't feel the need to get that basic when it comes to personal/hygiene and/or grooming routines.

 

[manderz]

I did no-poo for about 4 months, and a I couldn't get it right. It was either too dry, or too waxy and greasy. I've since switched back to shampoo and conditioner, and I'm currently using MUCH less shampoo, and my hair is happier.

 

[SMC]

i don't no-poo, but i do co-wash! I actually have very oily hair and it still works for me! I use Wen at the moment, but have used cheap=o VO5 and Suave! I may add in the baking soda and AVC once a week for clarifying, sounds nice!

Hey, how's WEN? I've always been curious about it. I have very fine and pretty thin hair that looks oily easily.

 

[KaeKae]

I've never tried the vinegar and baking soda method, but I do no-poo. I "wash" with Trader Joes Tingle Conditioner, scrubbing my scalp well, then rinsing it all out. Then I condition with more TJ Tingle. It works well for me.

 

[lknvrb4]

I tried it for about two weeks and my head looked like an oil spill. I have oily hair as it is and I work out and my head gets really sweaty as well, it just does not work for me. I did read however if you have hard water it is harder to do, which I have hard water so that may not have helped the situation.

 

[missy]

I tried the no poo and it just doesn't work for my scalp and hair. I usually use sulfate free shampoos though lately I have had a bit of a seb derm problem and am using prescription shampoos alternating with my sulfate free shampoos. It is frustrating dealing with all these changes that happen as one gets older as my dermatologist says it is more common as one gets older to have these issues. And I have to say it isn't proving easy to get under control though it is not an obvious problem. I have had to stop using coconut oil as a deep conditioner because that just aggravates seb derm.

 

[momhappy]

I think that this is one of those examples (the "no poo" thing) where people think that since it comes from your kitchen cabinets, then it must be healthy. Baking soda has lots of great uses, but I would not use it on my hair on a daily basis as it is known to be an alkaline irritant (it has a pH of 9), which means dry hair & scalp. If you Google shampoo recipes, you can find some alternatives that are hair/scalp-friendly.

 

[recordaras]

Hey, how's WEN? I've always been curious about it. I have very fine and pretty thin hair that looks oily easily.

Sorry to butt in, but I have that exact type of hair (fine and thin), and for me the cleansing conditioners did not work at all. Hair gets instantly weighed down and no matter how you blow dry the roots you just don't get any lift.
I also just recently figured out that ionic hair dryers are a no-no for that very same reason - the ions "smooth" the hair out, leaving it with no volume. So stuff that's beneficial for "normal" people sometimes does the exact opposite for my kind of hair, ugh.

 

[SMC]

Hey, how's WEN? I've always been curious about it. I have very fine and pretty thin hair that looks oily easily.

Sorry to butt in, but I have that exact type of hair (fine and thin), and for me the cleansing conditioners did not work at all. Hair gets instantly weighed down and no matter how you blow dry the roots you just don't get any lift.
I also just recently figured out that ionic hair dryers are a no-no for that very same reason - the ions "smooth" the hair out, leaving it with no volume. So stuff that's beneficial for "normal" people sometimes does the exact opposite for my kind of hair, ugh.

Oh, good to know. I guess I won't bother trying WEN then. Thank you!

 

[Kelinas]

Hey, how's WEN? I've always been curious about it. I have very fine and pretty thin hair that looks oily easily.

Sorry to butt in, but I have that exact type of hair (fine and thin), and for me the cleansing conditioners did not work at all. Hair gets instantly weighed down and no matter how you blow dry the roots you just don't get any lift.
I also just recently figured out that ionic hair dryers are a no-no for that very same reason - the ions "smooth" the hair out, leaving it with no volume. So stuff that's beneficial for "normal" people sometimes does the exact opposite for my kind of hair, ugh.

Oh, good to know. I guess I won't bother trying WEN then. Thank you!

I've posted this on the curly hair topic but I'll post it here :
Wen caused hair loss for me. It was horrible.
As for nopoo, never tried it. I can't stand the smell of vinegar. I do cowash though.
I use As I Am coconut cowash twice a week; joico kpak once a week; suave as a rinse out and gvp as a leave in.
My dh thinks my hair routine is insane. I kind of agree, but my hair has become unbelievably healthy since I stopped poo-ing.

 

[momhappy]

HI:

I have not tried this technique because I use Davines products and it is almost "not like washing" your hair anyway.

http://www.davines.com/en/about-davines/

cheers--Sharon

After I read your post, I went to the Davines web site. I realized that my new salon sells these products, so I stopped by today and purchased the volume shampoo & conditioner and the volumizing spray. I'm excited to try them out!

 

[lovebug1031]

i don't no-poo, but i do co-wash! I actually have very oily hair and it still works for me! I use Wen at the moment, but have used cheap=o VO5 and Suave! I may add in the baking soda and AVC once a week for clarifying, sounds nice!

Hey, how's WEN? I've always been curious about it. I have very fine and pretty thin hair that looks oily easily.

i like it - but the trick was finding the right formula for my hair...i use FAR less pumps than they recommend (5 for my ear length hair) and add water to make it "foam" let it sit for half my shower then repeat and rinse again really well just prior to getting out. since i've been using it i don't get crazy static in the winter and very few tangles. i still need to wash daily, but like the overall look of my hair better

EDIT: I also have fine, thin, oily hair

 

[lovebug1031]

I think that this is one of those examples (the "no poo" thing) where people think that since it comes from your kitchen cabinets, then it must be healthy. Baking soda has lots of great uses, but I would not use it on my hair on a daily basis as it is known to be an alkaline irritant (it has a pH of 9), which means dry hair & scalp. If you Google shampoo recipes, you can find some alternatives that are hair/scalp-friendly.

that's what the AVC is for, to counteract the alkaline! many people use this method and swear by it! the sulfates and cones in most hair products aren't really great for your hair

 

[momhappy]

^Yes, I am aware that sulfates, silicones, etc. in hair products can sometimes be unhealthy. However, just because ingredients are "natural" doesn't necessarily mean that they are "healthy." I don't think that the daily use of baking soda and/or ACV would be good for my hair. I suppose it could work for some people, but for me, the risks (of damage to my hair) outweigh the benefits of even trying it. I utilize all kind of products for personal hygiene/grooming (things like soap, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) and I really don't see shampoo/conditioner as being any different. I try to purchase shampoos/conditioners that lack sulfates and other harsh chemicals, but for the most part, the hair products that I buy, are beneficial to my hair. I think that if "no poo" works for someone - great! I'm just not willing to go that route.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I have not tried this technique because I use Davines products and it is almost "not like washing" your hair anyway.

http://www.davines.com/en/about-davines/

cheers--Sharon

After I read your post, I went to the Davines web site. I realized that my new salon sells these products, so I stopped by today and purchased the volume shampoo & conditioner and the volumizing spray. I'm excited to try them out!

HI:

MH, let me know what you think. My sista and I search the universe for the ultimate hair products--LOL. Nothing is perfect, but these are extremely gently products, and with no preservatives, you have to use them before they "turn"! I like their philosophy. FWIW, neither my sister and I found the volumizing mousse "superior" to other products we've used, and would not buy it again.

cheers--Sharon

 

[momhappy]

^I'll let you know, Sharon

 

[AprilBaby]

I'm not doing it to be all natural. I have a pixie cut and shampoo leaves my hair dry and conditioner makes it feel icky. For me I can do the no poo and it leaves my hair soft and nice for three days without washing. I rinse with hot water in between. The ACV does not smell as it dries.

 

[momhappy]

Well, my first shampoo/conditioner with my new Davines products was not good. It left my hair very flat, silky, and difficult to manage (my hair was sort of fly-away with dry ends). I'm not liking it so far, but maybe it will get better???? I'm feeling thankful that my salon has a return policy on products

 

[canuk-gal]

Well, my first shampoo/conditioner with my new Davines products was not good. It left my hair very flat, silky, and difficult to manage (my hair was sort of fly-away with dry ends). I'm not liking it so far, but maybe it will get better???? I'm feeling thankful that my salon has a return policy on products

HI:

Well....I am not surprised. If detergent/chemicals in products are drying, that provides "body". But you won't get that in Davines. I love the natural silky feeling you describe, so I won't give up on it. Yet I alternate with other color "support" products because I like a choice. (and dry=volume!)

 

[momhappy]

^I don't equate dry hair to voluminous hair. Dry hair is essentially unhealthy hair. With the right products, I can get a little bit of body/volume in my hair even when it's healthy/soft/conditioned properly. I'm used to not having much volume (in general) because of my hair type. Last night, the Davines products that I used made my hair feel flat/lifeless and dry/frizzy on the ends. It was also full of static electricity, which may or may not have had anything to do with the Davines. I'm going to give the shampoo/conditioner one more try, although not tonight because I'm going out for dinner again and don't want to deal with yet another horribly bad hair night

 

[canuk-gal]

^I don't equate dry hair to voluminous hair. Dry hair is essentially unhealthy hair. With the right products, I can get a little bit of body/volume in my hair even when it's healthy/soft/conditioned properly. I'm used to not having much volume (in general) because of my hair type. Last night, the Davines products that I used made my hair feel flat/lifeless and dry/frizzy on the ends. It was also full of static electricity, which may or may not have had anything to do with the Davines. I'm going to give the shampoo/conditioner one more try, although not tonight because I'm going out for dinner again and don't want to deal with yet another horribly bad hair night

HI:

I use dry shampoos and powders to provide the feel and appearance dry hair--so unlike you when my hair is "dry" I have volume. And of course when it is damaged--but that is from my days of yore.

At any rate, good luck on your hair! Bad hair days = (sorry for any thread hijack)

cheers--Sharon

 

[Jennifer W]

I use conditioner only once a day, then shampoo once a week. I've been doing this for around a year now, and my hair looks better than before I started by quite a long way. I've found that it depends on the brand of the conditioner though. I like Pantene classic. Most of the others seem to leave it greasy looking. When I do shampoo, I use a shampoo designed for Afro-Caribbean hair, which is also perfect for red hair.