new thread
For those who don't already know, I stopped using shampoo exactly two weeks ago, as an experiment. The goal was to see what effects not using shampoo would and would not have on my hair, and to spread word of the results.
Well, ever since a week and 2 days ago, my hair has been about the same, and I'm assuming that the results will stay the same. That is why I feel at liberty to make a conclusive statement.
First, I'd just like to note that my hair feels and looks a lot healthier. It doesn't have that "dry fluff" look it would have after using shampoo alone, nor does it look too shiny like it would after using conditioner.
As a note, I know that the cells that are present in the hair are dead; but the hair itself is a fine structure which requires care, your hair is used to express who you are and what you do, your hair protects your head from impact and harmful UV rays, and your hair regulates your body's heat. Therefore--it being a relatively complex and functional structure of the body--I speak of hair as if it were a live part of the body, like we often speak of the epidermis of the skin or lens in our eyes.
Second, my hair is a lot more controlable than before. It stays parted where I part it and it combs pretty well. It stays put pretty good too: It neither flies around everywhere nor does it stay perfectly still and immobile.
Finally, I'd like to state that, though things went quite well, my hair did itch a _little_ more than usual. I just do something that's somewhat like what Bill said. I just comb through my hair with my fingers at the itchy spot. Also, even though everyone else was perfectly OK with it, my mom kept telling me to get my hair cut, and used my slightly more oily hair as another reason why I should. My brother and friends like it just fine.
Just remember if you want to try this at all, though, that 1) I live in the midwest, 2) I never use conditioners, gels, hairdriers, etc., 3) my hairs still pretty short (half a foot), 4) I wear my hair parted, straight, and relatively flat, 3) everyone's hair is a little different.
I have a few questions, if anyone'd like to answer them:
How many of you tried something like this, and how did it go?
Cola tried this. How did it go for you, Cola?
How does this work with longer hair?
Thanks,
Jesse
I began the same experiment when Jesse did and washed my hair yesterday. Until then, I had only rinsed in hot water nightly. I noticed the same effects minus the increased itching. The color was much richer, held shape better, and it did not smell. I would be comfortable going for longer periods without washing if it weren't for conditions at work (airborne dirt, grease, chemicals, ect) that can buildup in my hair. The one major difference I noticed was that when I did finally wash again with shampoo, the results were much nicer looking than they were when I was washing every other day or two. I believe washing that frequently was stripping too much out of my hair and by washing it once a week, I will maintain a comfortable balance between natural oils and cleanliness.
I'm curious, did you not wash at all or did you just use warm water? I've thought of trying to limit the number of times I wash my hair, usually I wash it every morning because I have straight thick oily hair and I'm not going for the grunge look. I might just try every other day or so to start off with.
I washed it in water still. Warmer water for oily hair, colder water for drier hair.
of course, I also shampooed 4 days into it.
I skipped one more shampoo and I was done for. Had to wash my hair.
Beginning to think I'm a neat freak now...
At least, not for that reason alone. You're doing things your way. You just like washing the oil out of your hair, while I use it to my advantage.
Well, I still haven't used shampoo since I started, and now my hair is pretty used to it. In fact, using warm water can sometimes make my hair dry.