Why I Stopped Using Shampoo

My hair is frizzy, coarse, dry, and ultimately-damaged. Or so it was, before I made the gutsy move to hack it off a few months ago. It was one of the best decisions that I had ever made! I did not realize how great a short do' would look-nor how much I would end up enjoying it.

I have decided to recently start growing my hair back out for the winter months. WOOHOO!

And with that, I have made a HUGE promise to myself (and my hair) that I would take the very best care of it since I abused it so much in the past.

I won't be using dye (at least not for a while), bleaching, flat ironing, curling, or SHAMPOO. 

Yeah, you read that correctly. It's called the "No-Poo" method.

I know what you are thinking: that is just so GROSS! Ummm not really. I will still be washing my hair-just with natural ingredients and not spending my money on chemical bullshit that only fucks my hair up even more

Even though I had cut my hair off and had been nourishing it with loads of conditioner, I was still having issues with:

• dandruff
• itchy, dry scalp
• scalp sores
• hair loss

Wtf, right?

Healthy hair starts at the scalp. So I started doing a little research. Little did I know, the shampoo that I was using was killing my hair.

Here is how:

1. Shampoo is a detergent. It cleans your hair thoroughly, yes, but it also completely strips your hair of the natural oils that nourish your scalp and that makes your strands happy & healthy! So what do we do? We use conditioner! However, no amount of conditioner can replace your natural oils. Your hair then feels weighed down and oily by tomorrow and then you feel the need to shampoo-again. But not only that-Would you believe it if I were to tell you that shampoo actually causes greasy hair? Your hair needs these oils that it produces in order to keep growing. If you're constantly washing your hair with shampoo, that shampoo is stripping your hair of those natural oils. Then what happens? Your hair tries to compensate by producing even more oils to replace what the shampoo has been stripping out. Think of it as a supply & demand thing: the more you shampoo, the more oils are created. This equals greasy hair.... and then you want to add a waxy condition on top of THAT??

Cosmetic companies LOVE this because it keeps you coming back for more resulting in $$$$ for them and damaged hair for you. Such a vicious (but clever) cycle. Luckily for them, not all of us made straight A's in Chemistry so we are unaware of what the chemicals are actually there for. Tsk, tsk....

2. Shampoo contains many harsh chemicals that you wouldn't even want to wash your dog with. However, the worst of the chemicals is one by the name of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate. This ingredient is found in pretty much every shampoo on the market (though they finally started making some shampoos sulfate-free, but there are other nasty chemicals that make up for the lack of it). The objective of this chemical is to produce a lather in the shampoo. Its responsible for the rich bubbly feel! Though it carries a low-moderate hazard to your health, it dries out your hair and is responsible for removing those precious natural scalp oils. In turn, you develop: dandruff, scalp sores, and an itchy and dry scalp! Hmmm..

3. Shampoo chemicals create buildup. This is also true for conditioners and other styling products such as gels, serums, etc. When build up occurs, you start noticing these dry patches all over your scalp, your hair looks lifeless, and may even start falling out. 

Soooo... if you aren't going to shampoo, how the hell are you going to wash your hair?

A very easy and natural method:

• Apple cider vinegar (white vinegar works well too)
• Baking soda 
• Water
• 2 Spray bottles

What to do:

1. Fill one spray bottle with 2 tablespoons of baking soda mixed with 1 cup of water and fill the other spray bottle with 3 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to store in your shower.
2. Rinse your hair thoroughly to begin.
3. When ready to use, spritz your hair, focusing around the roots and massage your scalp. This counts as your "shampooing" or washing phase. The baking soda cleanses your scalp & strands to remove any product build-up that has been left behind for some time.
4. Rinse the baking soda completely out.
5. Next, it's vinegar rinse time! 
6. Spritz your scalp to ends with the vinegar and let sit for 3 minutes.
7. Wash thoroughly.

The baking soda cleanses while the vinegar regulates the pH of your hair & scalp. Cool, right? 

Here are some benefits of going "No poo":

• More volume
• More shine
• Less frizz
• Less oil
• Safe for all hair types
• Fewer washes (woohoo!)
• Faster hair growth
• You'll save more money (hooray!)
• No damage to your hair (yipee!)

Now since my hair is SUPER curly and frizz prone, I won't be passing up my weekly coconut oil deep conditioning treatments-because, well, I don't have to-it's 100% natural! YAY!

Now, I have read that not everyone has the same experience with going "no poo." For me, this is probably going to work pretty well considering the last few days have gone very well. However, your hair has to transtion aka "get used to" what the heck you're putting into it. So it may become extremely dry.... or it may become extremely oily-just for a short period of time. Once this passes, I have heard that it is all golden.

Its Day #3 for me and my hair is feelings more vibrant, fluffier, and a whole lot healthier!

I will keep you all updated on how it goes! In the meantime, always always always check and research the products you choose to put onto (or into) your body! I realized that, as much as I care about what foods I choose for my body, I should be just as careful about what products that I wear on my body as well. After all, health is from all aspects of care!