Nixing the shampoo has been said to help balance out how much oil your scalp produces. While, initially, it leaves the hair looking oily, if the method is done correctly, over the long run it should balance out oil production. However, this was NOT the case for my hair. Here’s why the ‘no poo’ method isn’t so good for hair, and what better alternatives can be used to promote hair and scalp health.
It’s been highly recommended by those who follow the natural health and wellness lifestyle that ‘no poo’ is the way to go, but is it really good for hair?
What do I mean by “no poo?”
Am I referring to people’s bowel movements?
Thankfully, no. It has nothing to do with IBS.
‘No poo’ refers to no shampoo. Those who follow a ‘no poo’ hair regime simply opt not to use shampoo, and instead switch to baking soda as a wash.
It’s generally recommended that you use diluted baking soda as the shampoo, and follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse (which kind of acts like a conditioner, giving hair back its shine).
Before we get started in learning about better alternatives to the ‘no poo’ method – if you like what you’re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!!
Why No Poo is No Good
Baking soda seems to be the perfect choice for a shampoo as it’s a great cleanser, but when you use it for long periods of time, you start to see why it’s not the best option for hair care.
When starting out on the no poo method, most of us love it; it’s so quick and easy to do, leaves hair clean, and even adds a little volume.
But as time goes on, the flaws start to appear; hair becomes dry, split ends and breakage appear, build-up happens…
Our once luscious locks have been reduced to unmanageable dreads.
I’m overexaggerating here, no dreadlocks appear, but hair does lose it’s once healthy look.
Why does this happen?
Changes to the Natural pH of Hair
Your hair’s natural pH is between 4.5-5.5, so it’s a little acidic. Whereas baking soda has a pH of 9, making it way more alkaline and differing immensely from hair.
By repeatedly washing hair with such an alkalised solution, you force hair to drastically change its natural state, leading to problems like frizzy, dry, damaged hair.
The apple cider vinegar rinse which follows the baking soda wash is meant to help restore some of the acidity to hair, however, a lot of people don’t properly dilute and balance the solutions in order to restore proper pH. Also, it’s no easy feat trying to ensure each strand of hair has been evenly covered from top to bottom, so some sections of hair might be missed.
Baking soda is also very abrasive, and can cause damage to hair overtime, resulting in dry hair full of split ends.
Natural Oils are Stripped from Hair
The alkalinity and coarseness of baking soda makes it an excellent tool for getting things clean, but it also strips away the natural oils that coat and protect hair.
These oils protect the hair and scalp, keeping them moisturised. Each individual is different and will produce varying amounts of oil to coat their hair and scalp.
Once you find a hair care routine that works for you, your hair can often rebalance itself, becoming less oily or less dry.
Some alternatives to the no poo method include:
- Making your own natural shampoo. This is my favourite recipe that I’ve been using for a while now and it actually works. It cleans hair and doesn’t leave it looking dry, brittle, or frizzy.
- Hair detox shampoo. When switching from a conventional shampoo to a natural one, there may be a bit of an adjustment period while your hair gets used to the new hair care regime. To help speed up the process, using a natural hair detox shampoo may help hair follicles shed their coating, taking in more moisture and adjusting to the new natural shampoo a little faster.
- Making your own dry shampoo. This is by far my favourite shampoo to use on my hair. I can go a whole week only washing my hair once when I use this dry shampoo! It can be adjusted to suit any hair colour, too.
- Shampoo bars. Since this post I’ve switched to using the St Clements scented shampoo bar for oily hair by Ethique. I got the recommendation off Ethically Kate, and it’s been absolutely terrific! These bars work really well in cleaning my hair (even after doing a coconut oil hair mask), are all-natural, and plastic-free! Plus, I’ve found the bars last way longer than my homemade shampoos (I used to have to make a fresh batch of shampoo every week, now, this bar lasts me about one an a half months!). You can also make a homemade version using one of the many recipes available online.
Everyone’s hair is different, and so will respond differently to various hair care methods. If no poo didn’t work for you, that’s okay, there are SO MANY natural hair care recommendations out there, it’s just about trialling a few to find out what works best for your hair. Experiment, have fun with it.
As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post.
What hair care routine have you adopted? Do you have other suggestions for natural hair care options or even some recipes to try out? Share in the comments below.
Lots of love,
🖤 Vanessa
Sources:
Wells, Katie. (January 8, 2019). The Hidden Problem with “No Poo†(And What to Do Instead). Wellness Mama. Retrieved from https://wellnessmama.com/147654/no-poo-problem/
Dr. Mercola. (January 16, 2016). Is the ‘No Shampoo’ Trend Healthy or Harmful?. Mercola. Retrieved from https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/01/16/ditching-shampoo.aspx
Smith, Camelia. (March 7, 2019). The Ugly Side Of No Poo Low Poo Methods And How To Get It Right. Botox for Hair. Retrieved from https://www.botoxforhair.net/clarifying-shampoos/no-poo-low-poo/
Norris, Taylor. (September 27, 2017). What Is No Poo, How Does It Work, and Should You Try It?. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/no-poo#candidate
Why No ‘Poo Didn’t Work For Me. Traditional Cooking School. Retrieved from https://traditionalcookingschool.com/health-and-nutrition/why-no-poo-didnt-work-for-me/
Goldstone, Penny. (May 22, 2020). I’ve been trying the no poo method during the lockdown. Marie Claire. Retrieved from https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/beauty/hair/no-poo-method-698751
Layton, Vanessa. (September 2, 2015). What to Do When ‘No Poo’ Isn’t Working For You. Hello Natural Living. Retrieved from https://www.hellonaturalliving.com/what-to-do-when-no-poo-isnt-working-for-you/
2 Comments
It’s a shame your hair had to be battered by baking soda for so long. I don’t know why “No Poo” is instantly associated with baking soda, which is a harsh and aggressive cleaning agent. I would never put that stuff in my hair.
I wash with water only and have reached a balance where the hair / scalp take care of themselves. It might not work for everybody, but I think it should be – as the most natural option possible – the first option for people to try. Don’t add anything until it’s clear that something else is needed.
That’s so wonderful you found such great success in using only water. I tried to reset my hair by not washing it for three months, just using water too, and it just stayed oily and greasy the whole time, so I went back to using a homemade shampoo. I think it works best on shorter hair from what I’ve heard.