Giving up shampoo doesn't mean you have to give up showers or washing your hair. Instead of shampoo, people who've adopted this hair care technique use baking soda followed by apple cider vinegar, or only use conditioner. You can even buy products off the shelf that cleanse your hair but are technically not shampoo.
One variable that you can play with is frequency. For some, cleansing once or twice a week might be ideal. Others might need to cleanse even less. Ultimately it comes down to finding the right balance and rhythm for your scalp once it has adjusted to the new method.
While it might be tempting to jump into the no-poo method because of its popularity, the reality is that the no-poo method does long-term damage to your scalp and hair.
The answer is no, not really. Hair is self-cleaning up to a point, but even if you don't use shampoo, following the No-Poo trend is just as time-consuming because ideally you have to thoroughly rinse the hair at least once a day to get rid of the everyday dirt and dust it will pick up.
No poo will work better for some people than others, but it's relatively low risk if you want to give it a try.
Depending on your hair type, you can wait three to five days between washes, and we've got the scoop on how to survive the process while you're waiting for sebum production to slow down. We'll admit, the first two weeks are the most difficult, but after about week four, you should see a significant difference.
What Is the No-Poo Method? The no-poo method is a hair-cleansing technique that removes shampoo from the equation, says Geeta Yadav, MD, a dermatologist in Toronto. Instead of using shampoo, followers of the practice use alternatives such as apple cider vinegar, a cleansing conditioner, or just plain water.
Incorporate the pre-poo step in your hair care regimen as often as needed. It might be every time you wash your hair or once every two weeks depending on your hair type.
The process of pre-shampooing is simple and doesn't take too much time. Since it occurs before shampooing and conditioning, you'll apply the pre-poo product to dry hair. This allows the product to coat your strands and lock in moisture before you wet your hair.
A pre-poo is usually applied to dry hair. However, you can lightly mist your hair with some warm water before applying, if you prefer. You may find this works better if you have low porosity hair. The aim is not to wet the hair completely, but to dampen to hydrate.
For cleansers, you have two options: Low-Poo and No-Poo. Low-Poo is a low lather cleanser, so if you have finer curls or feel like your hair is getting oily fast, Low-Poo is the perfect choice for you. If you struggle with moisture, No-Poo should be your pick.
No-Poo isn't for everyone, and that's totally okay! We recommend using No-Poo if you have curly or super curly hair and if you're okay with your cleanser not lathering. Some people prefer to have their cleanser provide a bit of lather which is why we offer our Low-Poo as well!
Fortunately, you can actually train your hair to reduce its oil production. When you develop a routine that eliminates daily washing, your hair “learns” it won't be losing those useful oils so often.
Those with fine or thin hair, however, may find their hair looks greasy after just one day. It's all to do with the amount of oil your scalp produces, as well as how well your hair can carry that oil.
Lifestyle and diet changes to fix oily hair
Your diet should consist of foods rich in vitamin B, especially B2 and B6. It is believed that these components in your diet can help keep your sebum production in control. So, consider adding foods like leafy vegetables, pulses, and seaweed.
If you've got super straight hair: The no-poo method is a go for straight hair, but with one caveat: "If you have really, really fine hair you should stay away," says Dorsey. "Super straight hair I would stay away from it."
Going a long time without washing your hair can cause a buildup of a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia on your scalp. Over time, this leads to a layer of dead skin cells that shed from your head in the form of oily, yellow-ish dandruff flakes. Dandruff can also make your scalp red, scaly, and itchy.
The short answer is probably not. While we recommend doing what feels best for your own needs, it is also important to consider long and short term effects. For those with thinning hair, you may notice that it is easier for oil to transfer throughout your head due to the strand structure and lack of volume.
The average person loses 50 to 100 hairs a day, but it really depends on length and thickness of the hair. People with shorter or thinner hair appear to shed less. On days when people with long or thick hair wash it, they could shed between 150 and 200 hairs.
You can use different hair products as a pre-poo, including hair masks, conditioners, oils, aloe vera gel, or DIYs. Penetrating oils such as coconut oil are the most effective.
Pre-poos are treatments that go on your hair and scalp before you cleanse and condition. They come in a million varieties—think: masks, oils, scrubs, DIYs—and they can do everything from detangling and moisturizing to clarifying and soothing. The main goal of a pre-poo?
Add Some Heat. After you have finished applying your pre-poo treatment to all sections, time to add some heat. You may choose to use a plastic shower cap alone, with a hooded dryer, or a hair steamer.