New to no poo.. Need advice

[doggyhog]

Hello! I am new to not using shampoo but not new to the long hair community. I currently have hair that is somewhere between TB and BCL hair. It is thick, wavy, and has a mind of its own. :razz: I like to think that I take pretty great care of it.. I very rarely use heat, and usually have it braided or up in a bun. I have stopped using shampoo in the past few days and I'm just using conditioner, so far I'm pleased with the results but I also feel super overwhelmed because I don't really know what I'm doing haaha. I just have a few questions...

1. Is it normal for my hair to feel a little greasy? And how long should this last? I was only washing my hair once or twice a week before I stopped using shampoo, so I am used to not washing it very regularly. But my roots are greasy than normal.. I'm guessing this is just my scalp figuring out to do with its natural oils?

2. I have read good things about people using baking soda/apple cider vinegar… but also bad things about that. I've done vinegar rinses before with good results, but I'm curious to know if anyone here has used baking soda…

Any other advice or links to articles to read would be appreciated!

[doggyhog]

Hopefully these pictures work. The first one is when it was wet and combed out, just before a trim. And the second is the day after my first no poo wash.. My wave pattern is a little funky cause I went to sleep when my hair was still wet. haha

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7706/17113544946_d4f1a054ca.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/s5goFL)image (https://flic.kr/p/s5goFL) by doggyhog (https://www.flickr.com/people/27047566@N07/), on Flickr
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7694/17139491735_9ed94fc1a0.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/s7ynLc)image (https://flic.kr/p/s7ynLc) by doggyhog (https://www.flickr.com/people/27047566@N07/), on Flickr

[meteor]

Your hair is absolutely gorgeous! :applause I love that beautiful ombre, too! :D

1. About the greasies, it's really up to you - some people prefer the sleeker look, others like it poofier... If you feel like you are consistently getting greasier hair than you'd like, you could sometimes clarify or do CWC instead of CO.
I believe, many people on CO-routines still need to clarify once in a while.
Also, you might want to consider scalp-only washes with diluted shampoo in-between full CO-washes:
- partial scalp-only wash with hair bunned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VBOVM-dHlc
- full scalp-only wash with hair braided (from 1:30): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwREj8Kadlo


2. Diluted acidic rinses are great at helping restore pH to lower, more acidic value and they help counteract some mineral deposits in hard water, so I do recommend them. But baking soda is very alkaline. I'd much rather use shampoo instead, which is made specifically with hair's needs in mind and is in the acidic range, which is hair-friendly and scalp-friendly.
Here is an interesting experiment with microscopic pictures of hair washed with baking soda and ACV: http://www.thenaturalhavenbloom.com/2014/07/can-you-wash-your-hair-with-baking-soda.html

[jeanniet]

Over the years many, many people here have tried baking soda, and I can only think of one person who stuck with it long term (can't remember who it is now!). Most give up after a few washes because it trashes their hair. I've used it to clarify in a pinch, but with very, very little BS (like 1/4 teaspoon), and it's worked fine, but as a regular wash, no way.

If you're changing your wash method, it's normal for your scalp to adjust. You can wash more often if you need to, or just wait it out. The first few times I tried CO, I didn't like how my hair felt at all and stopped doing it. After a few years of various wash methods and getting used to the feel of hair that wasn't stripped by shampoo, I went back to CO and love it. My scalp has adjusted and so have I. Your hair looks great, btw!

[sarah.j.xx]

I don't have any advice to offer, as I don't know much about the no poo method. The only reason as to why I am here is to say oh my goodness! Your hair is gorgeous!!! :o :flower: :o

[Panth]

I would go through those good/bad baking soda posts again. Take note of hair length. Take note of hair type (e.g. does the user have thick, coarse, straight, nigh-indestructible hair?). Take note of how long they used it successfully.

As jeanniet said, there are very few if any people who can use it successfully long-term. Those few that do tend to have a very resiliant hairtype and fairly short hair that they maintain that length. Baking soda is very alkaline and most definitely will cause major damage when used long-term. Whilst following it up with a vinegar (or other acidic) rinse will normalise the scalp pH and thus lessen the likelihood of completely wrecking the scalp's protective acid mantle, it will not undo the chemical damage of repeated washing with a strong alkali. Also, as the post meteor linked to shows, it doesn't necessary clean that well either.

Vinegar rinses, however, are great (if used at a sufficiently dilute concentration). You're talking about 1 teaspoon per large tumbler of water. The worst they'll do is nothing. The best: improved shine, happier scalp and a mild anti-mineral-build-up action.

[lapushka]

Maybe you could ask these questions on the CO-washing thread. Maybe you'd get more answers there, as there are lots of people there with the experience of CO-washing. Just trying to help. :)

Maybe you need to let the conditioner soak in a little longer, or maybe massage it on your head more. Maybe it's the type of conditioner? It could be many things.

Personally, I'm not for baking soda. I find it's really abrasive and not something to use on hair.