With the no-poo method, your hair is still being cleansed, just not with shampoo, therefore eliminating the risk of stripping away those natural oils. Ultimately, it ensures that the hair and scalp are balanced and healthier.
Many people who have tried the no-poo method for several months note that their hair becomes thinner and falls outmuch more than their usual shedding. If you ever use heat styling appliances, the damage will happen even faster.
Instead of using shampoo on the daily after you've got all sweaty, simply use the water-only method and then use an alternative shampoo once or twice a week. Your hair will be relieved after being used to all that washing with conventional shampoo.
According to stylist Rosi Fernandez, director of Ananda Ferdi it is not advisable to go for more than a week without washing hair, as follicles become clogged and do not get oxygenated," she explains.
For the average person, every other day, or every 2 to 3 days, without washing is generally fine. “There is no blanket recommendation. If hair is visibly oily, scalp is itching, or there's flaking due to dirt,” those are signs it's time to shampoo, Goh says.
Prolonged periods of not washing can cause cause buildup on the scalp, damaging hair and even impeding its ability to grow, Lamb said. Grime from dirt, oil and hair product can show up within four to six days for people with finer, straighter hair.
“Your scalp is so used to being stripped of its natural oils and subsequently working to produce more oil to replenish them, so it takes a few weeks for the scalp to recalibrate,” Riley says. During this time, you may experience excess oil in your hair and scalp as they work hard to regulate sebum (oil) production.
Water is effective at washing away dirt, dust, and other water-soluble debris from the hair and scalp without stripping the hair of this sebum. However, Mamelak notes that if there are other oils in the hair (from a haircare or styling product, for example), a good portion of these will be left behind as well.
Hair Washing Frequency and Tips
“I recommend washing your hair two to three times a week,” Dr. Icecreamwala says. “If your hair is dry, you may only want to wash it twice a week. If it is on the oilier side, every other day is recommended.”
Use dry shampoo and use it right
Make sure you do these: wait a few minutes before brushing and styling, hold and spray at least six inches away from your hair, and give your hair one to two days rest from dry shampoo. Spritz away and blow dry! You'll be amazed at how fresh your hair looks after that.
In fact, when you don't wash your hair enough, you allow oils and dirt to build up on your scalp and clog your pores, paving the way for actual hair loss. That's why finding the perfect frequency for your shampooing schedule is the key to caring for your scalp and avoiding hair loss.
No poo routines that don't clean adequately can actually make your scalp irritated. Oil that builds up on the scalp changes and becomes oxidized- breaking down into substances that not only smell bad but may also make your scalp itchy or flaky.
It's normal for your hair to look slightly thin when it's wet. This is because the tens of thousands of strands of hair on your head tend to clump together when exposed to moisture, resulting in a larger gap between each group of hairs that reveals more of your scalp.
No-poo is not for everyone. It doesn't make sense. But a lot of people dive deep instead of letting their scalps adjust. And no-poo is quite a different situation than "shampooing less frequently", or using gentler and more natural shampoo.
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.
Shampoo and Greasy Hair
Once you stop using shampoo on a regular basis, as the theory goes, oil production slows down and you naturally produce less. (You may experience a few greasy days or weeks of "transition period," proponents say, but eventually, your body finds balance again.)
Not Washing Enough
Not shampooing enough can build up oils (sebum) on your scalp and lead to a smell. If you have an oily scalp or super thin hair, consider washing your hair with a mild shampoo every two days to keep the sebum levels in check.
Not washing your hair regularly can make the scalp flaky and lead to dandruff. It will make you feel itchy and you can also get rashes on your scalp. “You can develop major dandruff problem if you don't wash your hair for 1 or 2 weeks,” she warned.
People with oily hair or who use hair care products daily should consider washing their hair once every 1–2 days. People with dry hair can wash their hair less frequently. Those with textured or coily hair should only wash it once every 1–2 weeks.
Another leading cause of an itchy scalp is dirty hair. If you don't wash your hair regularly enough – dirt, oil, and product build-up can cause your scalp to become itchy and irritated. When your hair is too dirty, it can also lead to unwanted bacteria, sometimes turning into dandruff and other scalp problems.