Hitched on Health: Ditching the Shampoo

I haven't washed my hair in a month.

Let me rephrase that so you don't plug your nose when you see me next: I haven't washed my hair with shampoo for a month.

It has officially been one whole month since I ditched the shampoo and conditioner to go "poo-free". Yes, I shower and "wash" my hair, just not with stuff that comes out of a bottle! I absolutely love the results I have seen so far and I never imagined how amazing my hair could feel. Want to know more?

What is"no-poo"?
No-poo is going part-time or full-time shampoo-free! People do it for a variety of reasons, the main one being to restore their body's natural oil production so that their hair is less greasy between washings. Others do it to reduce exposure to lurking toxins and chemicals in shampoo. Some extreme people only use water to wash their hair (crazy!). The standard "no-poo" method for washing your hair is to do a "shampoo" scrub of baking soda/water on the scalp to lift grease, remove odors, and exfoliate the scalp followed by a vinegar or apple cider vinegar "conditioner" rinse that clarifies, softens, and gives the hair a lustrous shine. Simple household ingredients that are cheap, gentle on the hair and scalp, environmentally friendly, and all natural!

Why did you do it?
Firstly I knew that anything hippy-ish, DIY, and natural would be right up my creative alley! I suffered from terrible dandruff before I was pregnant. Pregnancy cleared it up but then it returned with a vengeance around 4 months postpartum. I was looking for a natural way to control it because in the past special shampoos, topical steroids, and even essential oils failed to keep it at bay. In addition, my hair was getting increasingly greasy between washings and I had much less time to wash my hair with a baby to take care of. I was looking for something that would allow me to go longer between hair-washings without the grease build up.

Any drawbacks?
For some people it might take a month or two to see results. For others, their hair might get really greasy before it starts to get better. This is typically seen with people whose hair has undergone years of "shampoo abuse" or in people who have a high oil production in response to "over-shampooing". Another drawback is traveling with your baking soda and vinegar concoctions can be challenging. And then there is the group of people who might really miss the foamy frothy feeling of scrubbing shampoo into their hair because the no-poo method doesn't get you those soapy suds.

What does your shower routine look like?
I will wash my hair 2-4 times a week depending on how sweaty I get and if I am swimming. For the "shampoo" I put a 1/4 cup of baking soda in a small cup before I step in the shower. I add water until it is a bit thinner than a paste and can be poured. I pour it over different parts of my scalp and exfoliate for 30 seconds or so, focusing on any spots that were greasy. For the vinegar "conditioner" I have done two methods that I like. I have used a spray bottle and an old honey bear container (one you spray on, one you pour over). Both ways you mix equal parts water and vinegar in your container and apply to your entire head of hair, working from the roots to the tips. I personally leave it in for about 2 minutes but it can also be rinsed out right away. Rinse out then finish with a cold rinse to seal in the shine. Be careful! The vinegar can sting your eyes or any cuts if you aren't paying attention. NOTE: if you do not rinse the vinegar out thoroughly you will smell like a salad.

Any results so far?
Amazing results people! Better than expected! My dandruff is nearly gone, my hair shines so much more, my hair feels thicker, and most impressively the roots stay clean and less greasy between washings. I have gone up to 5 days between washings and only at the end was it getting a little bad and grease ball. I can really feel the difference and my hair feels so much healthier. The natural, protective oils on my scalp are a whole lot happier and I can tell it is a bit more in balance that before when I was using shampoo regularly.

New healthy hair! 3 days without "washing"

No flakes!

Final Thoughts
I am really glad that I embarked on this hippy hair adventure. I have received so many benefits and am very pleased with my new hair! Early on I made the decision to forgo shampoo for Caleb and instead just use water and maybe twice a month a gentle castile soap on his head and body. All those chemicals I saw as unnecessary and I knew that a baby's oil is super protective for their skin. I wish I had decided to to the same for myself sooner! For anyone who is crunchy curious and is interested in trying it out I would say go for it! You don't really have anything to lose and the worst that could happen is you go back to using regular shampoo. The best that could happen is you pay a fraction of the cost for hair that will make celebrities envious and put Pantene commercials to shame. In the future I can see myself using traditional shampoo occasionally if I am traveling, need to get something yucky (like baby food) out of it, or I am getting my hair cut at a salon. This adventure has been so fun and I am excited to share it with more people!

Picture Gallery

Since some of you skip all text in my blog and will only look at pictures of Caleb, here ya go! Eat your hear out on this chubby cuteness!