Washing hair without shampoo

nappentass

FWIW - I've had very sensitive skin and now never use shampoo or conditioner, I use the same product for my body, face & scalp.
I suspect that product derived from petro-chemicals are my problem.
After much trial and error I have found & now will only use Liz Earle or L'Occitane as they don't irritate me, they are all supposed to be from natural plant sources

HTH
Jill

Bunnie1982

I have awful problems with itchy scalp, I tried Johnsons Baby Camomile and it worked wonders.

hennagirl

I went the no shampoo route but found my scalp got really itchy with not washing it. I then tried soapnut powder - availble from asian grocers called aritha powder but found that too messy. I then started to go for the co-wash - conditioner only wash and have been doing this for about six months. I wash with conditioner about twice a week and wet hair everyday in shower. Approx fortnightly, I wash it with Boots Naked Detox (SLS free) to cut down build up. Have found this works well - hair is soft and curlier, no itchy or dry scalp.

Also stop using SLS stuff on kids and use Horns N Halo stuff (use the shower gel myself too). Have noticed less dry skin and don't have that stretchy feeling after a shower.

judyjetson

JoeyEmma wrote: »

I am trying and avoid shampoo with sls- it makes my hair dry, strips my color and makes my scalp tight. I tried naked shampoo as rec'd on this board & my hair went into a matted mess.
I only use shampoo evry other time I wash. The rest of the time I do conditioner only washes. It leaves my hair softer and more shiny. I also avoid conditioner with silicones such as dimethicone as they leave gunky build up in my hair.

I found that was a problem when using sls-free shampoos, especially the Naked ones. Because they don't have the same foaming action, you need to use more than you would normally with ordinary shampoos - I think Naked actually recommend a palm full, but I'm happy to be corrected on that.

I've also found that nine times out of ten I need conditioner after using sls-free shampoos as well, not because it feels dry but to get rid of the inevitable tangles.

BallandChain

I've done a conditioner only wash yesterday with Tesco coconut conditioner. I put a load in my hair, rubbed my scalp really good, left in for a couple of minutes and thoroughly rinsed it through. I was surprised as my hair didn't have that greasy feel as I put a lot of conditioner in as it said to do that on the link Geri1965 posted.

I'll post it again to save people looking for the link:

http://www.haarkram.e-something.de/a...s/co_wash.html

Thanks Geri, I've saved this to my favourites. On that link there is another link on the highlighted word 'interview' on the second line. I've read it, really interesting and saved that to favourites too, lol.

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/helthrpt/stories/s2015.htm

I've decided to just wash my hair every other day so my skin doesn't dry out the same. Today my hair feels slightly greasy, but no different that it usually would if I had skipped a day washing it with shampoo. I'm going to keep with the conditioner only wash and see how it goes. My forehead was very dry after just using the Tesco coconut conditioner so once that is used up I'm going to try Simple conditioner that I've just bought and see if that is more agreeable.

Always_Harassed

Tried the Superdrug Organic shampoo and although the itch is reduced it is still not away and have been getting red inflamation on my arms and neck. So am going to look into the sls link and try some of the sls free products. Did a google search about it and it is quite frightening the poisons that are being sold to us as glamour products.

JoeyEmma

Update- I tried samypure sulfate free shampoo (£3.99 at superdrug). Used it last night and thought it was so much better than naked from boots, I didn't get that matted feeling at all. My hair feels properly clean but not stripped. Didn't buy the conditioner because it was loaded with silicones.

Badger_Lady

I haven't used shampoo for about 9 months now... I had long straight hair to begin with, usually heat-straightened, and it took a while to settle down initially but was fine eventually.

Over Yule, I had it permed and layered - I've been rinsing it very regularly since, and did have a go with a bit of conditioner (but decided that was weighing my new curls down too much), and it looks great - I sometimes use curlbooster or hair sprays but they rinse out easily without shampoo.

The only problem I sometimes get is with dandruff, in which case I rub a small amount of soda bicarbonate on my scalp when rinsing. And - bear with me here! - it does help to sleep on a satin pillowcase, much less drying than cotton.

KittyBoo_2

I'd love to go without washing my hair but even if I leave it for one day it looks a right state.
I have shoulder length curly hair and when I get up it looks like candy floss.
It only settles down once I've washed it.
Also, I don't feel clean unless its washed.
I'm off work at the moment and am tempted to give it a go for a few days just to see what it looks like.

Badger_Lady

Kitty boo - a few days won't do it, it'll just be minging! Takes a few weeks to get it in check... best advice is hats / bandanas (I saw one girl who did it with a turban, but that's not exactly subtle!)