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.
You might even be seen as dirty or unhygienic. If you stop using shampoo and conditioner and the styling products and only wash your hair with water, the sebum your scalp produces can finally spread down your hair and protect and condition it.
As it turns out, “washing” your hair with just water helps to get rid of dirt and grime without eliminating your hair's beneficial supply of sebum. Here's how to wash hair without shampoo using just water: Wet hair with warm water. Hot water might be your preferred shower temperature but it can damage your tresses.
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.)
Sleeping with wet hair and scalp can cause scalp issues, such as flakes, irritation, itchiness, or even fungal and bacterial infections. It may lead to skin concerns such as scalp and hairline pimples, or even "fungal acne."
"The average individual can typically go 2 to 3 days without shampooing their hair. However, if your hair is visibly oily, you may not want to wait that long," she says. "Usually, you can go longer without washing your hair when your hair is styled up, but no one should ever go more than 14 days."
Dandruff
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 no-poo method can mean cleansing with only water or with shampoo alternatives like coconut oil, baking soda, or apple cider vinegar.
It's crucial to wash your hair after applying oil, otherwise residue will weigh down water-based products (such as leave-in treatments) so they can't penetrate your hair. This may also make your scalp look oily and unkempt. In fact, it's a good idea to wash your hair after using any product that coats the strands.
Many beauty experts say that it's okay to skip your hair washing after a workout. Rinsing with water may be enough. In addition to saving time, skipping your post-workout hair washing every once in a while can actually be beneficial for your scalp health.
Let's be clear though: by wetting your hair, we don't meanwashing it. We simply mean rinsing natural hair either in the shower or spritzing water over your hair. Washing natural hair with shampoo everyday is not recommended, as this can dry the hair out significantly and cause stress to curls.
If you want to fix frizzy hair without washing, you need a product that works on dry hair. Comb one whole pump of Almost Everything Cream through your mid-lengths and ends using your fingers. This will again, smooth frizz, as well hydrate dry ends and give your hair a healthy sheen.
Not washing the hair regularly with shampoo has certain advantages like cost and time saving, reduced exposure to chemicals, and less risk of hair damage. However, it may increase the risk of scalp irritation and infections due to the buildup of sebum, dirt, and sweat.
The most common cause of smelly scalp is a buildup of skin cells, sweat and sebum (body oils). Smelly scalp can also result from: Bacteria: The mix of bacteria and sweat on your scalp can cause an unpleasant odor. Fungus: Fungus on your skin can lead to dandruff and a smelly scalp.
"Shampooing is topical and hair growth is systemic, meaning that the act of not shampooing will not affect or prolong the growth phase of the hair growth cycle," she told me. Worse still, Kingsley suggests that abstaining from regular shampooing could actually do more harm than good.
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.
Yes, there is no harm in washing hair daily with plain treated water but prefer cold water. You need to check for excess chlorine or bleach in water which may cause dryness and split ends on repeated exposure.
“Not shampooing enough will only make your dandruff worse — it causes more oil and dead skin cells to accumulate on your scalp, which the yeast and fungi just continue to feed on,” warns Beverly Hills dermatologist Stuart H.
It should only be slightly damp, and definitely not completely wet. Sleeping with completely wet hair damages the follicle and causes breakage, so you'll want to blast it with the hairdryer to dry out 70 per cent of your hair, or let it naturally dry till it's just a little damp,” says Sabanayagam.
The best way to dry your hair is to let it air dry under the fan as much as possible. However, some experts believe combining air and blow-drying is healthier than just air drying. It is good to let your hair air-dry seventy percent of the way and then blow-dry till they become dry ultimately.