I haven't washed my hair with shampoo for about 6 months. I condition it once or twice a week. I've noticed without shampoo it doesn't seem to be as full/thick (although since my hair is naturally fine it's never been as thick as others). Do you think my hair deserves a good shampooing?
Hey DBD, your hair looks fantastic. Stopping the use of shampoo has worked out very well for you. I see no reason to start using it again. If you were to start again, it may dry your hair out, at this point, having not used it for 6 months. My advice is to stick with the water and conditioner, it works very well for you.
Scott
I may try this myself.
Hey Quester, this works well for many people. Water only works on my beard well, but not on my head hair. Good luck, I hope it works out for you.
Scott
This is what I do, since growing out (27 months),I have never used shampoo, only water then condition once a week.
No grease, no itching, no smell (except a nice tallow / fleece aroma), no flaky scalp.
Have you ever read the ingredients to most shampoo's? DavidN might understand them but I certainly don't.
~ Dave
And your results are spectacular. People with shaggy or curly hair benefit most from the water only routine. I use this method on my beard, and my beard has a tallow fleece aroma just like you describe.
Scott
Scott, Its one of my most favourite smells too, every time my hair falls across my face I smell it and always think "mmmm thats a lovely smell". Its so natural.
People that have got close to my hair or hugged me for example have never said it was an unpleasant smell, I like to think if they ever smelt it anywhere else they would be reminded of me.
However somebody with already longish hair that stops washing with shampoo would probably go through a period of greasy/oily smelling hair before the body's natural cleaning mechanism kicked in.
Another thing my hair does as I don't fiddle with it much and only ever finger comb, it naturally dreadlocks itself, which I like and it falls out again when conditioned.
I don't see any reason to mess with the natural mechanisms of the body, and my hair is soft and clean with no split ends and despite its look very few knots.
~ Dave
Very interesting indeed. about 5 years ago even before I started growing my hair. I was getting a little thin on top right behind the hair line. I heard about this shampoo and conditioner called Nioxin for thinning hair. It was mildly expensive and could only be obtained online. My hair did stop thinning. Im not sure if it was finished thinning anyway or that I could attribute it to the shampoo and conditioner. I have used the stuff since then. The only problem was my hair was really starting to get dry and tangled easy, so I have been trying neutrogena products that someone reccomended. I am now thinking about what you guys are saying and forgo shampoo completely and just use water and maybe a leave in conditioner such as neutrogena triple moisture.I think I will try and see whAT The results will be. I just hope I don't start thinning again :)
Nice Braid!
Well, I guess, if you want to have fluffy hair, shampoo is the way to go...me, I'll go with the less tangly w/ happier scalp I get from water only. I find, if I want it to be a bit fluffier, washing two days in a row, with warmer water will work, but without any unpleasant aftereffects. Likely, a very dilute shampoo won't mess up your scalp's adjustment, if you want one time fluffy hair.
Anyway. Water Only for about two years now. Hair smells fine to me (girlfriend says it smells great) and looks pretty damned good. If I go well past my washing routine, yes, the "hairy" smell gets stronger. Interestingly, if I've been out exercising (hiking/backpacking/trailwork) with my hair up (pony scrub), the sweat actually cuts the smell, and makes the next wash easier and more effective.
Preen, then wash...easy routine, and if it keeps the scalp happy, well, I'm glad not to be dealing with flakes and buildup all the time. Wash routine is to use a strong spray that penetrates my hair and plays over the scalp (feels sooo good!)...do that twice and finish with a vinegar rinse, rinse that mostly out, wrap in a microfiber towel, air dry. As long as I keep up with the splits, the detangle is easy.
The braid looks really good! Even with thinner hair, you can still pull it off quite well. Keep it growing! =)
-James
Your hair by your scalp looks extremely oily.
Put conditioner on the length of your hair, then shampoo just the scalp. This is what I do with very good results. I shampoo every other day.
For good health, your scalp needs cleansing. And I think you'll like the non-oily look.