Have you ever questioned the necessity or wisdom of shampooing your hair on a regular basis? Is your hair dry, damaged, course, limp, frizzy, or all of the above? Then the no poo hair care method may be right for you! Emerging onto the scene of popular beauty culture, the no poo method is a natural way to keep your hair clean, healthy, and beautiful without the use of shampoo or conditioner. Shampoo strips the hair of natural protective oils and often contains harmful chemicals that can absorb into the scalp and bloodstream. The no poo method is all natural and involves substituting a baking soda solution for shampoo and apple cider vinegar for conditioner.
At first blush this may sound kind of gross. Stop shampooing? Won’t my hair get greasy and smelly? The truth is that when transitioning from shampoo to no poo, there can be an adjustment period when the hair will continue to overproduce sebum as it did when the the natural oils were being stripped from the follicles daily by sudsy shampoo. This transition period can last anywhere from a week to two months and may not occur at all with some people. If the no poo method is done properly, this temporary increase in oil production will end once your body catches on that there’s no need to produce that much sebum anymore.
So how exactly does the no poo method work? First, using a mixture of approximately one tablespoon baking soda and one cup of water, massage around the crown of your head, then follow with the part and back of the scalp. This baking soda/water mixture can be adjusted to whatever works best for you; everyone’s hair responds differently to different ratios. Rinse out the baking soda, and condition by pouring a one tablespoon apple cider vinegar/one cup water solution on the ends of your hair. Let this soak in for a minute before rinsing. If you have drier hair you can pour this over your entire head, and if your hair is extremely dry you can add honey to moisturize. Oily scalped people should only pour the vinegar/water solution on the ends, and those with extremely oily hair may wish to pour lemon juice over their scalp after conditioning. If you suffer from dandruff, try adding rosemary powder to the baking soda solution. If you would like, add a couple drops of essential oils as well for a nice after scent.
For those going the no poo route, I recommend investing in a natural boar bristle brush, which can be purchased from Amazon for between fifteen and twenty dollars. This will distribute natural oils all along the hair follicle, preventing a build-up of sebum at the part. If you experience bad transition symptoms, you may want to have a head scarf or washable hat handy to wear out and about until your scalp readjusts and you don’t look so greasy. The no poo method is especially beneficial for those with curly hair, as shampoo often distorts gorgeous ringlets into a frizzy nest.
The no poo method does not always agree with everyone, but for many it is a way to naturally and cost-effectively attain healthy, luscious hair when conventional hair care products failed.
For more information on the no poo method, throubleshooting tips, and alternative instructions, check out these links:
Going No Shampoo (No Poo Method)
No Poo Forums on LiveJournal
Using the No Shampoo Method
About The Author
I’ve been on the no-poo method for probably a year or so now, but instead of using the vinegar and the baking soda, I just mainly use raw eggs. I use the yoke for washing and the white for styling and it works great. I do occasionally use the bs or vinegar when I remember.
Anyway, my hair is much more curly and ‘alive’ (instead of droopy) when I use the no-poo and I dread! using shampoo now when we don’t have anything natural.
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Kate's reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 12:40 pm
I tried the raw egg/vinegar approach about a year ago and mixed it with a little baking soda now and again… but I had to give up after a while because my hair got so greasy and smelly it was disgusting! I haven’t tried the no-poo approach since then, but I’m gonna just about have to soon with the price of organic shampoo & conditioner! I think I just didn’t find the right solution for my hair last time around… but I’ve done so much more research now that I think I’ll have a better shot at it!
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I think we will try it……both my little girls have very curly hair, and especially the little one whose hair is extremely curly. Shampoos make it frizzy and so I have to pile on the conditioners….expensive! Let’s see how it works!!
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I have insanely wild hair, and I’ll just have to try this! Hopefully it works for my hair which my friends named “The Thing” haha! Thanks for the tip!
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Kate's reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Haha, right there with you, Caitlyn mae! My mom calls me cousin It because I have so much frizzy hair! ;)
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Caitlyn Mae's reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Haha Glad to know I’m not alone!
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I’ve been using this method for the past 2-3 months and love love LOVE it!! I used to have to wash my hair every 4 days for sure (it was greasy by day 2, but because my hair is so long and thick and takes forever to dry I would try to put it off as long as possible)now, I’ve gone over a WEEK without washing my hair! It’s great! Plus, my hair is so soft! It used to be very dry. Also, I’m all about being as natural as possibly so this is perfect.
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Thank you so much! I’ve been going about 1 week now with no shampoo (using baking soda and vinegar). My hair looks horrible when I use the shampoo compared to the all natural stuff. I love saving money, having prettier hair and doing natural things!
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I haven’t used much shampoo for a long time, and my hair is much curlier and less frizzy than it used to be. I’m going to try eliminating shampoo altogether now. We’ll see how it goes!
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The thing with using baking soda and vinegar is that you need soft water (for the baking soda). The baking soda doesn’t dissolve in hard water and it doesn’t work. Believe me, I tried. It wasn’t pretty.
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Kate's reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Interesting fact, Lisa! And good to know… I have moderately hard water, so I’ll have to watch out for this, maybe use distilled water to mix the solution.
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Thanks so much for the link to my video! I just love going No Poo and I can’t really image going back. It’s definitely frugal, for sure! :)
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Kate's reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 12:43 pm
You’re most welcome, Stephanie. I found your video incredibly helpful!
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It has been about a year or so since I last used shampoo. My hair is straight and quite greasy, I would have to wash every other day. Now I can go 3-4 days, brushing really does help distribute the oils.
For you girls who live in the country and have hard/well water, here is what I do. Bring 1 quart of water to a boil. Turn off heat and add 1/4 cup baking soda. It will really foam up so make sure your pot is big enough. Give it a little stir just to make sure all the soda dissolved and let it sit until cooled. I store it in old shampoo bottles, which makes it really easy to squirt onto your hair. The vinegar rinse is like conditioner, it makes my hair feel so soft and smooth! Using herb infused vinegar is very nice as well. Also a cool/cold finishing rinse makes a HUGE difference!
I mainly started using no shampoo because I hated putting all those chemicals on my head, and the healthy shampoos were so expensive. Thank you for this article!
~ FaithAnn
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[...] Continue reading… [...]
I tried no-poo a while back. I really did like it. I used absolutely no-poo, and just store bought conditioner. I’ll have to try this method as I have curly hair. =)
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I think that I might have to start doing the no shampoo method. My hair is horribly frizzy and my sisters have nick named me “Medusa.” I have use the really expensive shampoo to make it not greasy and manageable. Conditioner is something that I have to use a dollop of the size of a tomato to actually get it to work. I will try the no poo method and maybe even write a post about it:)
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I am going to try this!!
I quit using conditioners and few months ago and do different oils on my hair when I get out of the shower – and my hair is so soft and easy to brush.
I do have wavy hair and it is also very thick, which makes it difficult sometimes, but after using the oils it is much better.
So we’ll see what this does!!!
Thanks for the ideas.
Sarah
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I am on no-poo since three years. I have an allergy that gives me all kind of infections in my face-skin when I use soap, shampoo, conditioner, make up, deodorant, all kind of food and all kind of medicines. So, I was forced to go no-poo! But it realy is a relieve! I have not so thick, straight long hair and it is mostly greazy when my period is on its way. But I just use the warm water method, and I end with a cold rinse. Than I use the vinegar to rinse and make it soft. Yes, you smell like a sour thing! But as soon as it is all dried, you have soft and fresh hair.
I think that this method is very handy, specialy when you have long hair that can put into an updo or ponytail or so when it gets a bit greazy.
By the way; my transition time was about a year, and when I wasn’t forced by my allergies, I would probably got back to shampoo! But it was worth the trouble!
Good luck with no-poo for you all and also; you save the planet by not using shampoo (a nice thing too!)
Greetings from the Netherlands, mama lieveheersbeestje.
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Enjoyed reading this! I updated the links on my post where you commented….Thanks for visiting and commenting!
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I am going to try this “no-poo” thing. I have very curly and thick hair, but it also gets very frizzy! I was wondering though what should I use to style my hair? I usualy use mousse but I know that has alot of bad stuff in it too. Thank you for this artical! I have been looking for something to help with the friz!
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Here is info on homemade mousse and it DOES work! :)
http://aponderingheart.com/blog/?p=2670
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Thank you! That sounds very good! Do you know how it compares to store mousses? I mean with how much is needed for the same amount of hold. Im a little nervous about trying it. It sounds a little weird to be putting eggs in your hair, but I know it is better for me and my hair. So I will try it. Thank you.
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Well, using the egg in general made my curls much more ‘bouncy’ and using the egg-mousse made them firm but not droopy or heavy. I love it. It holds very well. I use an entire egg when I do my hair…. the yoke for a wash and the white for the mousse. When you first add the egg in it won’t be ‘crunchy’ until it dries a bit. My sister couldn’t stand the thought of egg in her hair either, but honestly its just like any other natural product you use and it is used in professional hair treatment for damaged hair.
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Greetings,
Thank you for posting this!
I am going to try doing this. I have tried it before, with not to good results…but I give it another go, :) I would love to be able to do my hair care in this way.
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Kate's reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Go for it, Brielle! I too have tried it before with awful results, but I’m trying it again, and so far it’s working amazingly well. I recommend the 1tbs baking soda to 1 cup water ratio… same with the vinegar. = )
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Several years ago I tried a ton of ‘no-poo’ methods, including vinegar and egg. None of them worked and my hair was insanely oily and icky. I also tried using plain organic castile liquid soap – it was even worse! Made my hair dry and sticky. So – I found an organic shampoo that I really like (basically the only ingredient is various herbal oils).
I hadn’t heard about using baking soda until now. I’ve tried it a couple of times int he past weeks and found it works really well! I was surprised! It makes the hair quite shiny and non-oily! cool! So – I’ll probably be doing that during the weeks when we are at home and saving my expensive organic shampoo for ‘going to town’ :^)
thanks for sharing!
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I have tried no-poo method twice, longest trying period lasted 3-4 months and ended when my husband kindly commented that my hair looks … not-so-nice :)
I don’t know why it doesn’t work. I have dry splitting ends and greasy scalp when using no-poo and I had to wash my hair more often than using normal shampoo. Now I’m back using local brand of natural shampoo and conditioner and back in my usual rhythm: every 4-5 days. Maybe it is our naturally very soft water or my hair type or minerals in water. I noticed in our three week trip to Eastern Europe that my hair went wild and dry there no matter what I did or used.
Although I gave up no-poo method, I still use all natural products to boost up my hair: coconut cream and honey and oils.
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I’m gonna do the no-poo contest but I don’t have a blog to sign up with, so I will sign up in the comments, if thats alright.
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[...] in the No-Poo Challenge over at Feelin’ Feminine and read my recent Beautiful You article on the no-poo method for help starting out. I’ll let you know how it goes for me this time, and I hope you will [...]
[...] actually decided to try the no-poo method shortly before Feelin Feminine announced a No-Poo challenge for it’s readers. Basically, the [...]