I want to switch to no poo

[zeldagirl7491]

Recently I reduced shampooing to twice a week. But my whole family is very interested in getting all the way to no shampoo ever. So for those of you who are 'no poo' people, what do you do for dandruff control? Or what about odor? (especially in summer time)?

My family and I would really appreciate any information you can provide. :)

[curlylocks85]

Once I went to no shampoo, I stopped having dandruff problems. I am not sure what you mean about an odor, but the conditioner and deep conditioning treatments I use smell really good. :)

[duckish]

The conditioner I use to wash my scalp is Giovanni's Triple Tea Tree, and tea tree's a very good oil for scalp itchies. I really rub it into my scalp and if my dandruff has been bad, I finish up with a good head scratch and let the conditioner sit for a few minutes before rinsing. (I use a different conditioner for my length.)

I've also had most of my itchies go away with regular henna use. My scalp honestly seems to like it better than my hair does!

[Cholera]

Are you talking about no-poo as in Conditioner Only, or no-poo as in Water Only? I've been COing for a few days now, and there's no smell that I wouldn't normally have with shampoo (you know, conditioner smell).

[nuxa]

Are you talking about no-poo as in Conditioner Only, or no-poo as in Water Only?

I was about to ask that! personaly I have been COing (Conditioner Only) for several months with no probles with dandruff nor smell.
Jut to get you started on both methods there are 2 threads that are very usefull on these matters:
For CO wash: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=2898&highlight=conditoner

For WO wash: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=3412&highlight=water

Hope I helped ;)

[bumblebums]

I do not use any commercial products on my hair, and I do not have dandruff. When my scalp gets smelly, I wash it.

Depending on what you and your family want to do, there are many many different methods of washing your hair without products. This includes Indian herbs (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=3), Western herbs (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=134), BS/ACV (http://babyslime.livejournal.com/174054.html), and alternative washes such as egg yolk.

[Thinthondiel]

I did WO for about 8 months, but it stopped working for me for some reason. But when I started doing WO, my dandruff disappeared (I suspect I just had a dry, flaky scalp, not actually dandruff). And there was no smell apart from maybe a week or so during my transition phase. :shrug:

[countryhopper]

I've no poo/ no products since Nov 1 '09.

I just use dilluted (1 tablespoon baking soda to maybe 1 cup warm water) to scrub my scalp with. I follow up with a tea rinse (many people do a vinegar rinse, but that makes my hair greasy).

I only need to wash twice a week now. If I do WO, I have to do it every other day.

It took my scalp about 2 weeks to get over the greasy transition period. During that time, I used an egg to get rid of the excess waxies/greasies.

I LOVE NO POOOOOO! My hair got much more manegable, and i discovered a bit of wave.

THe key to no poo is to try different things. Everybody does it different ways to suite their specific needs, and all ways are ok. You just need to experiment to see what's right for you.

[zeldagirl7491]

Are you talking about no-poo as in Conditioner Only, or no-poo as in Water Only? I've been COing for a few days now, and there's no smell that I wouldn't normally have with shampoo (you know, conditioner smell).

Either one. I was interested in both water only and conditioner only.

[zeldagirl7491]

Thank you everyone! :)
There is so much advice for me to consider:D

[barbararla]

I wash my scalp with water and I can tell you my hair does not smell or have dandruff. I now wash once a week and it actually looks healthier and better than it did before. I just use conditioner on the rest of my hair (from ears down). I looked on here and found a really good massage technique I started using. I bookmarked this post on the water-only washing method that explains the massage technique. This is what works for me...Maybe it might help you too.

http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=50999

[Oskimosa]

I wash my scalp with water and I can tell you my hair does not smell or have dandruff. I now wash once a week and it actually looks healthier and better than it did before. I just use conditioner on the rest of my hair (from ears down). I looked on here and found a really good massage technique I started using. I bookmarked this post on the water-only washing method that explains the massage technique. This is what works for me...Maybe it might help you too.

http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=50999

Mine doesn't smell either and I while I do use poo, I use a variation of castile soap which is quite a gentle cleanser. And I used to have to wash my hair once or twice a day because of oily scalp!!

When you switch from detergents, it may take a while but your sebum (oil from your scalp) will change its production and may even start to smell different (less sour). You stop stripping your scalp of oils and your scalp no longer has to produce so much. That's why people mention having a period of greasy hair, because your scalp has to get used to the new routine. Might take a week or a few months, it just depends. Stick with it a while to really see if it will work for you.

[zeldagirl7491]

Just an update of my 'no poo' quest.
I decided to try the 'WO' method. So far I am about 1 full week into it. My results so far are: a disgustin, dirty, mess. But I know that it will be this way for a while. Once my new BBB brush arrives, it will be much easier to distribute the extra oil.
As for my scalp, it has pretty much completely stopped itching since I gave up shampoo. :D yay.

[Oskimosa]

Yes, it will be a while before your scalp adjusts. Don't be afraid to use some conditioner to "wash" your hair now and then. You may have to wean yourself off of it rather than go cold turkey. As for the BBB, make sure you completely detangle and comb first... as some of us learn the hard way.... :p

[zeldagirl7491]

That is definitely something to consider.
haha yes, I did a bit of reading before I bought the brush. Good thing I did too. I don't even want to know how I would have brushed with it before I researched.