new thread
Hi everybody,
I am curious if any of you guys or gals do not use conditioner. I washed my hair this morning and did not use conditioner. I did not notice any real difference in tangling, smoothness etc. The reason I decided to try it was because EdG. on the Long Hair Community says he does not use conditioner. He has hair to his knees. I couldn't imagine not using conditioner at that length. But I guess it just depends on the person and their hair type. I had read that if you wash your hair and afterward you don't notice tangling and have smoothness, you might not need conditioner.
I would welcome your opinions on this. Thanks guys!
Ted
It may depend on the "hardness' of the water you are using. Growing up and living in Missouri, I never needed conditioner. or if used it was very infrequently .due to the "soft" water of the area. When I visit, I am amazed at how my hair reacts to the local water, instantly becoming naturally silky. Here in AZ. We have "hard" water. and the need for a conditioner is nearly a daily thing. It alos depends on the Shampoo used ,and if it strips the baturall oils away from your hair. Remember when shamppos advertized a "squeaky clean" that was the loss of natural oils, which lead to tangling and breakage. Be aware of all this and adjust your needs accordingly. Your hair has a great body and shine, Ted.
Hi Jason,
Thanks a bunch for the reply. Very interesting points. We have very hard water here, but my hair seemed okay with no conditioner. I may try using less conditioner since my scalp seems to get oily if I use too much. I guess we just have to experiment. That's what makes it fun. Thanks a bunch for the compliments on my hair! I truly appreciate it! Your hair looks pretty snazzy as well I must say!
Ted
On one trip I had to shampoo my hair and had no conditioner to
use. (Our TSA doesn't let you bring liquids on planes and the
conditioners they have in hotels suck big time so I had to use
no conditioner. It made ocmbi9ng difficult and made detangling
much more difficult. I'll skip shampooing before I skip the conditoner.
Hi LHIA,
Thanks for your reply. I agree the conditioners in hotels suck. I would imagine using no conditioner at longer lengths would make combing more difficult. I also agree about skipping shampoo before conditioner. Some people even use conditioner only to wash. I am going to experiment with this to see what happens. Of course, my hair isn't even what I consider long yet. I have a long way to go.
Ted
The last time I used shampoo was about two months ago. I only use conditioner. (Head and shoulders classic clean conditioner).
So far i've been experimenting with using only conditioner and only using shampoo on very rare occasions.
I may have to try the Head and Shoulders conditioner you mention.
Ted
Hey Ted. I don't always use conditioner, actually. You know my hair type - my hair is fine, pretty straight, approximately at the shoulder-blades length. The scalp is oily so my head gets greasy pretty fast, although I don't actually need to wash my hair more than 3 times a week (when my hair was short I had to wash it everyday).
It depends mostly on the effect my shampoo gives to my hair. I'm currently experimenting with shampoo's trying to find something that will fit nice. All of them give different results. Some of them really tangle my hair making it to feel somewhat dry, so I just have to use conditioner in such occasions.
I don't move around much so I can't say anything on influence of the water, but in theory water matters alot.
Serge.
Hi Serge,
Thanks a bunch for your reply! That is interesting about the different shampoos having different results on your hair. When hair is short it can handle more frequent washing. As the hair gets longer the ends suffer more with frequent washing with shampoo. I think your hair type probably requires less conditioner.
I am also experimenting with different routines. I am going to try washing only with shampoo and see what happens. I don't notice much difference in smoothness. But I think my hair is less shiny without the conditioner. Also, my hair feels less heavy without the conditioner. I wash my hair every 3 days or so.
Take care and have a great weekend my friend!
Ted
Hi Serge,
Thanks a bunch for your reply! That is interesting about the different shampoos having different results on your hair. When hair is short it can handle more frequent washing. As the hair gets longer the ends suffer more with frequent washing with shampoo. I think your hair type probably requires less conditioner.
I am also experimenting with different routines. I am going to try washing only with shampoo and see what happens. I don't notice much difference in smoothness. But I think my hair is less shiny without the conditioner. Also, my hair feels less heavy without the conditioner. I wash my hair every 3 days or so.
Take care and have a great weekend my friend!
Ted
I've found that if I don't use conditioner my hair is much more difficult to detangle. I finger comb the hair to get out the tangles, skipping the conditioner makes that much more difficult.
I may see a definite need for conditioner when my hair gets considerably longer. Right now I have hardly any problem detangling. When I do my final rinse in cold water the hair becomes smoother.
Ted
I'll second the notion that water quality plays a big part in how much you might need conditioner. Hard water typically consists of high levels of calcium and magnesium which cause soap to be less effective and leaves behind a scum. Hair washed in hard water tends to look dull and dry and will tend tangle more easily. Conditioners and the use of ACV rinses will tend to negate the effects of hard water. Oddly enough, very soft water can be problematic too as it can leave your hair looking flat and lifeless. In this case a volumizing conditioner can be used negate the effects.
Since water quality can vary widely from city to city, there will always be a great variance on what works best. Even what has typically worked well for you in the past can change if the quality of water you're using changes.
--Dale
Hm. Just found a map of hardness of water in Ukraine. Looks like we have a very hard water here, >21 dH.
Probably, this replies the question why it's so hard to wash hair with natural shampoos (they're the only ones that give me any tangles) and so much easier to do it with more aggresive ones.
Serge.
Hi Ted,
The only time I washed my hair without conditioning afterwards was when I first started using the henna in my hair.Henna has the consistency, of say, mashed potatoes so after its been on for many hours I would rinse it out and possibly just shampoo it.Now mind you I just washed and conditioned my hair the night before so I'm sure this had an effect.Anyway I noticed my hair being very dry for the next couple days.So now I don't wash my hair the night before and after I rinse out the henna I do shampoo and condition afterwards.Other than that I always do both as I feel my hair would be too dry otherwise.Hope this helps.Cheers.
Mârk
Hi Mark,
Thanks a bunch for your reply! Those are interesting points you make about the henna. I have never used henna, so can't comment on that. Your hair looks awesome with it though! I will probably go back and forth between conditioner and no conditioner and see how it goes.
Take care of yourself and have a wonderful weekend my friend!
Ted
Hi everybody,
Here is a pic I took this morning of the day after washing with no conditioner.
Ted
Hi Ted.
One of the things we have to be aware of, is the following:
Shampoo is a detergent for hair. Since its a detergent, it containts products that are very harsh for your hair. The main function of shampoo is get rid of the oil.
So after washing with shampoo, if you don't apply conditioner, your hair will be dry. It may not feel bad, but eventually will dry out. That's why conditioner is so important when you wash your hair. Because shampoo gets rid of ALL the oil in your hair - and we all know than natural oils are good for hair health and growth-.
In other words, a way to avoid getting your hair too dry after washing with champo (detergent) is a MUST to condition.
You will find different points of view, people with really straight hair will tell you they don't need conditioner because their hair is naturally conditioned. They tend to have greasy hair (that's why their hair is fine and straight).
People with dry hair tend to have poofy hair and for those whose hair is poofy, not straight, not fine, conditioning is a MUST they can't avoid.
I am one of those and I can't imagine not using conditioner. I actually co wash and have been doing this for the last 6 months -or prolly more- and my hair has gotten better and better.
I would suggest you try this, it works amazingly and because of the type of hair that you have, I am sure it will work for you as well. You might not see results after the first co wash but you will after the first month probably.
Hi Dave,
I apologize for the delayed response! You make excellent points. I tried the co washing routine, but found my scalp became too oily. Even though my hair is not stick straight and is thick, I don't notice much difference when I don't use conditioner. I have started to use less shampoo and conditioner. After the first day following a wash my hair's oils seem to make my hair smooth again. Right now I am only washing about every 3 days. But I am going to keep experimenting.
Have a great week my friend!
Ted
Hello Ted,
I do not use conditioner.
I washed my hair this morning and did not use conditioner. I did not notice any real difference in tangling, smoothness etc.[...]
It will vary from person to person, diet/lifestyle also play a role. I use no shampoo or conditioner. Raw kombucha once a month, and a light oil as it's drying.Plant-Based diet for the win!
But when changing a hair-washing/conditioning regimen, the scalp can take a little while to adjust to the change
Best of fortunes on your journey!
That "Ball" Guy
Plant-Based diet for the win!
But when changing a hair-washing/conditioning regimen, the scalp can take a little while to adjust to the change
Hi "Ball Guy",
Thanks a bunch for your reply! I agree about the diet being involved with the health of the hair. A plant based diet is probably good, but in Texas we love our beef! I do eat quite a few vegetables also. My hair isn't even very long yet, so I will probably change my routine again in the future.
Hope you have a great week my friend!
Ted
I don't use conditioner, but I also don't use shampoo. I use Braggs organic apple cider vinegar twice a week. (I add rosemary and mint to it). it works wonderfully. My hair has never been softer.
Hi Jarvis,
Thanks for the reply! I think maybe your routine works well because it seems so simple. Not sure if it would work for me since my hair is nothing like yours. I may experiment with this though.
Have a great week my friend!
Ted
Thanks! I should have started this year's ago. I just fill up a bottle 2 parts water, one part vinegar. Right now I'm experimenting with different things. My current concoction is the diluted vinegar with a few rosemary and mint sprigs thrown in. The rosemary and mint definitely help to make my hair stronger and softer. I also haven't gotten any tangles that
would stop a brush some I started doing this.
At first I thought that it would have to refrigerate the mix because of the spices, but the ACV basically pickles them, so it's not needed.
The only problem some people might have is the smell. It doesn't bother me, but these are 3 fairly strong odors and the mix is... interesting to say the least.
I'll keep the board posted on how my experimentation goes.
Jarvis
Very interesting Jarvis! I may have to check into this. Sounds like a good routine. I look forward to your future reports.
Ted
I agree with this totally Ken! I have been using a lot less shampoo than conditioner lately.
Ted
A splash of diluted shampoo, then conditioner on the length...not much of either, but more conditioner. Worth it for the lubrication and easier detangling.
Hi Trolleypup,
I don't think I can grow my hair as long as yours! As much as I would love to! I would imagine your hair needs more oiling on the ends than shampooing and conditioning. Of course, more conditioning.
I must say you, Scott and Ed G. definitely inspire me to keep growing longer! One of these days I shall join your ranks! Well, maybe!
Hope your week is going great my friend! Take care of yourself!
Ted
For that past several months i've used conditioner only and skipped the shampoo.
My hair looks better with shampoo and condtioner but i'm concerned about the damage the shampoo might do to the hair. Does shampoo damage hair?
I thought I read some posts on here that contend it does damage hair.
Hello there Mr. Long Hair in Albany,
For years I have been following the same basic hair care routine that works well for me:
1) shampoo with warm water once or twice a week, massaging the lathering suds gently but vigorously to stimulate and clean my scalp, letting the lather flow down over the lower end of my hair;
2) rinsing very thoroughly with warm water to get all of the shampoo out, then applying lots of conditioner into the lower half of my mane;
3) the final rinse I do with lots & lots of cooler water (according to folks who have gone through Cosmotology School training, cooler water helps to close the hair cuticles, keeping the moisture in better.
I also do the following weekly hair care rituals:
1) when my hair is dry (but my scalp might feel a bit itchy after a few days), I brush my hair with long repetitious strokes until my scalp starts to pleasantly tingle, causing the blood to flow & nourish the scalp and hair roots... which also helps to distribute the natural scalp oils on down the hair shaft;
2) on shampooing day(s), I usually apply a small amount of beneficial oil (usually for me, I prefer just plain ordinary olive oil) on my hair ends, massaging the oil into the lower half of my mane.
For me, the above hair care routines and rituals have worked really well, my hair being very soft & smooth-feeling, with a minimal amount of split ends (my hair being belt-length).
But what works for one person may not necessarily work for another -- some people have extremely oily scalps and/or hair; while others are on the opposite extreme of being very very dry.... So you have to find what works best for you.
"End of Sermon!" (LOL)
- Ken in San Francisco