11. Tip: Be patient. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Contrary To What Our Mothers Said, Washing Your Hair Every Day May Not Be Necessary

Con: No more bubbles.

229
Blow drying hair

The no-poo movement is simply that: not using shampoo. You can be moderate (and use a cleansing conditioner several times a week) or go to the extreme (not even getting your hair wet).

Over a year ago I transitioned to somewhere in between and I LOVE it. Here's the 14 struggles when you start, the reasons it's awesome, and tips on how to succeed!

1. Con: The phasing-in period.

https://www.facebook.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=009192B672DD3C3FD06EC37D2639

The phasing-into-no-poo period includes a couple of weeks of greasy hair. There's just no way around this. Your hair is needing to acclimate to its natural oil production after being stripped of its oils every 1-2 days, and it's going to overproduce for a while.

2. Con: No more bubbles.

I no longer got the decadent experience of luxuriating in a lather of sensual bubbles. Maybe it's just the association with how shampoo is marketed as gorgeous models revel in a sea of shampoo bubbles, but I emotionally missed shampoo.

3. Con: No more instant silky.

https://www.facebook.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=

You no longer have an instant way to make your hair silky and smooth for that special night out. With shampoo, you wash, dry, and you are great--without it, your hair tends to be a little flatter. There are definitely still days when I miss the instant pick-me-up of shampoo. My hair is naturally wavy, but after a day or two it pulls flat, so this was definitely noticeable on me.

4. Pro: Saves shower time.

https://www.facebook.com/womenwithendometriosis/photos/bc.AbqzASCjFQwvSKgD0TqYl_

However, when I started, I quickly began enjoying some of the benefits. No-poo saves so much time in the shower itself. Not only am I not shampooing every (other) day, I'm only getting my hair wet twice a week at most.

5. Pro:  Saves life time.

https://www.facebook.com/shopnicolenoire/photos/bc.AboSIG4U7qDLQjlRWcJzE-dnNOLL32VS_XFRiyCfBtucmiiycmEjIX5EPnTDEXYwSRqGoXw5tdYbt_YRnPxZctMcFX8o

I no longer have to wash my hair for the rest of my LIFE. Getting my hair wet and washing it easily took 10-15 extra minutes each time--HAVING to wash it and get it wet four+ times a week is a whole extra hour+ of time I can now sleep in, make a smoothie, or do anything I want.

6. Pro: My hair is healthier.

https://www.facebook.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=5B1634EE9AB351EDAF158DACDA

Once my hair acclimated to its natural oils, it was more moisturized and soft. My scalp was also far happier now that I wasn't washing it with shampoo and hot water.

7. Pro: You never have to worry about dirty hair.

https://www.facebook.com/2177768025831372/photos/bc.AbqX7i_lf8XCs3b-_TyEeHaCfYaSY19P1d40Vl4tSodysGDBus5FlkjLTPBCItItxhKdTiGpABIjhRMZqweFQSwmpax-

I never have to worry about unexpectedly going out with dirty hair. My hair is never dirty! If I go 1 day or 6 days without getting it wet, it makes no difference. It looks great.

8. Pro: Save money on shampoo.

https://www.facebook.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=7EFB5C8DE7D30722DE013A2EA073BEAF776C0354&thid=OIP.ZrzC0lM0W7M-

I'm only buying conditioner now, not shampoo too, so I cut my bill in half.

9. Pro: Save money on hair dye.

https://www.facebook.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=9F0DEE2FD20E42C91E847F0629F76F5B62F55FB3&thid=OIP.IdxR_ld1MFVE14R0oQU8SwDcE

If you dye your hair, the color will last a lot longer when you're not shampooing.

10. Tip: Accept greasy hair for a bit.

https://www.facebook.com/limelighthair13/photos/bc.AbrBc7yW2cJiL2-BX3486VwzRjxhjxNcbduo2X2HjZX3FVZ2UofwcEYBz6T8XeNmDWOzPxDJgkAsxxCgk6VEahcS2TyVbnRGnm0T-

To successfully transition to no-poo, just accept your hair will look oily for a while. Use dry shampoo sparingly as necessary, use hats, tie hair back, use headbands, etc. You can use baking soda to more naturally cleanse your hair (I've done this and it works great. Be forewarned: it will make your hair feel quite coarse.)

11. Tip: Be patient.

https://www.facebook.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=84E22EE0E4737E17280771558EFF8FD06A13F4D7&thid=OIP.itHWs00SNtxMMvQe

Your hair's been stripped of its natural oils for a while; it's going to over-produce oil because that's what it thinks you need. Give it time to acclimate to your new lifestyle.

12. Tip: Use a cleansing conditioner.

https://www.facebook.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=7CF3E8AF07589C0F082116885160E9267A937DCA&thid=OIP.OFEbReN5vKBhLHDoS1F_lAHa=

To ease the transition, you can start by replacing your shampoo with cleansing conditioner, and then phase the cleansing conditioner to once a week or less.

13. Tip: Regular conditioner is your friend.

https://www.facebook.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=68D5B1B05C8C7AF5EB8DED7043B6736ADCD29B7E&thid=OIP.VIaQBEKJ7kfXu9OwwMvKmA

Use your regular conditioner as usual! I love my Garnier Triple Nutrition: it makes my hair super soft.

14. Tip:  Level-up with dry hair.

https://www.facebook.com/sheneedsa/photos/bc.

Once you're comfortable in your no-poo lifestyle, go longer between getting your hair and scalp wet at all. I only get my hair wet once or twice a week when I want to have really nice hair. In between, if a day comes up when I want my hair to look wavy but it hasn't been wet in a while (and has dragged out all the wave), I scrunch it with cool water from the sink, put it up in a bun, and an hour later it's back to its normal waviness.

I LOVE not shampooing my hair. It's saved me so much time, makes my lifestyle so much easier and feels healthier for my hair (and my wallet). Definitely one of the best changes I've made in my daily routine.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

5 Things To Do That Are Better Than Writing A Paper

Don't waste your time trying to write that paper when there are so many more interesting things you could be doing.

9729
computer keyboard
Unsplash

Writing a paper is never fun and is rarely rewarding. The writer's block, the page requirement, be specific, but don’t summarize, make sure you fixed any grammatical errors, did you even use spellcheck? and analyze, analyze, analyze.

Papers can be a major pain. They take up so much time and effort that by the end of the process you hate yourself and you hate the professor for making life so difficult. Questions of your existence start roaming in your mind. Am I even cut out for college if I can’t write a single paper? Am I even capable of taking care of myself if I lack the energy to open my laptop and start typing?

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons Why Sisters Are The Best

Who could be a better friend than your own sister?

5835
sisters
Taylor Hooper

I can barely remember back when I was the only child. Most would say it’s because it is extremely difficult to remember things as a toddler but I would say it's because I was bored until my sister came along. My mother always says how important the "sister bond" is and with every year that passes I realize how right she is. Instead of writing a novel about all of the wonderful things there are about having a sister I decided to list a few of them instead.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Adult

You're gonna make it after all.

6155
how to adult
Twitter

It is the time of our lives that we are beginning to enter the adult world and most of us, if not all of us, have no idea what we are doing. It's like starting a video game, but skipping the tutorial. We're all just running around aimlessly hoping we accidentally do something right that moves us along the right path. Now that graduation has just happened, or is right around the corner for some of us, it's time to start thinking about how we are going to take care of ourselves once we are on our own.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

7 Signs You're A Starbucks Addict

I'll be the first one to admit I'm addicted to Starbucks.

3861
drinking coffee
Tumblr

If you’re anything like me, you love a good cup of coffee. My coffee always comes from Starbucks; I refuse to drink it from anywhere else. Over the years, it’s become one of my biggest addictions. So, if you are aware that you’re a Starbucks addict as well, or maybe you need to check to see if you’re an addict, here are seven ways to tell.

Keep Reading...Show less
people  in library
Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash

College involves a whirlwind of emotions, whether it’s from the stress of an assignment (or twenty), or from fighting with your roommate. It can be overwhelming at times and it’s important to take a step a back and calmly think things over. Maybe gain some perspective. The following aren’t foolproof tips and may not apply to you, but I was able to find success with them (hope you do too!)

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments