Investigating the No-Shampoo Trend
More and more often women are swearing off commercial styling products to help protect their hair. Natural remedies and organic products are becoming all the rage, especially for people that have fine hair that is easily damaged. Some people are even taking this a step further and opting to stop using commercial shampoo and conditioner altogether. To be clear, the “no-poo” trend does not mean women are not washing their hair.
They have just weaned themselves away from using shampoo to keep their tresses clean and healthy. The arguments for this method seem to vary, but the popularity of the idea is definitely on the rise.
But is it safe and healthy to completely avoid using shampoo and hair care products?
Why Are Women Dropping Shampoo?
There are a number of health-based and environmental reasons that are fueling the no shampoo movement.
1st --Commercial shampoos can be too harsh and strip away the natural oils your hair needs to stay healthy. This can cause your hair to become brittle, frizzy and more prone to damage.
2nd--Overusing commercial products means that chemicals and wax will build up on your hair which can make it look dull and flat.
3rd--These chemicals can also build up on your scalp which can make it hard for your hair to grow and can lead to dandruff.
Some environmentalists are against the use of commercial hair care products that are heavy on artificial ingredients because of the potential impact on the environment.
All of these chemicals are washed down the drain when you rinse your hair and go down the drain, this is dangerous if it builds up.
So What are These Women Using Instead?
People are giving up shampoo, but they aren’t giving up bathing so they’ve looked into different products they can use to keep their hair clean.
Fact-- Most women who have given up on shampoo are not washing their hair every day. A quick rinse while you shower is enough to wash away dirt and dust that can collect on the hair
Fact-- When your hair needs a boost, a mixture of baking soda and water can help to clear away the buildup that accumulates on hair.
Fact-- Hair is naturally acidic, so every few weeks a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water can be used to clear away buildup on the scalp and keep the hair looking shiny.
The right diet also plays a role in keeping your hair healthy . Getting plenty of protein and B vitamins will help your body grow thick and healthy hair.
Increasing your intake of healthy fats like avocado or coconut oil is also helpful. Some women are applying these directly to the hair every month to encourage shiny hair growth.
But is it Healthy?
The jury is still out on the no shampoo movement, but there are some strong claims on either side.
Note 1--Those that swear by this method claim that their hair is fuller than ever before. They also note that their scalp is flake free.
Note 2-- Women with very oily hair say that they cannot keep this under control without commercial shampoo. This results in a gross, greasy look that irritates their scalp and skin.
No matter what side of the argument you are on, it will take a few weeks for your scalp and hair to get used to your commercial shampoo-less routine. You should expect to have a few ‘bad hair days’ where your hair looks unkempt before you can determine whether or not this treatment is effective.
