Washing without shampoo?

[cammym]

Hi! I was wondering if anyone washes with only water sometimes? I feel like it might reduce the risk of buildup, and I'm thinking I may start using shampoo once every 3 or 4 washes, and the rest just water. Is there any reason not to do this? Thanks for any advice!

[greypsyche]

In my experience, water won't clean the natural oils out of your hair. Oily hair doesn't dread as fast although a little natural oil is good and healthy which is why it's better to only wash once a week or twice instead of everyday. What I do is use Dr. Bronners for regular washings as it doesn't leave any residue or build up (unless you have hard water in your area, more on that later) but for deep cleaning I use baking soda and an AVC rinse. I don't have a set schedule for washing but iIt's generally once or twice a week. The deep cleaning can be once a month if I'm getting my hair really dirty and I've been super active OR in winter maybe only one time in winter as it's not as humid and muggy I don't sweat as much and no pollen so much cleaner.

Now never use Dr. Bronners in a hard water area, it leaves your hair feeling like you used gel, so gross. I used it once in Utah when traveling and it made my hair feel gooey for days and slicked back it was gross.

So anyways, short answer...

Water doesn't really CLEAN hair unfortunately, it doesn't cut the oils. Oil never really mixes with water. If all you used was water I'm sure you'd end up with a very oily head possibly smelly head after a few weeks and that's my opinion but I'm fairly sure it's good and I'll stick by it.

[cammym]

Thanks! That makes sense. I've only been doing BS/ACV soaks every 3 months, but for the summer I may do them more often thanks again!

[lipstic]

If I might chime in...

Yes water will not 'clean' it will wash debris from your hair and when you are training your scalp to need less washing it helps a great deal.

There are many alternatives to what we call 'shampoo' and all have positives and negatives.

You also have to figure out what method of using them will work for you and your unique situation.

My methods are a little unconventional but work great for me...
Baking soda... sprinkle it in dry (until I look like my hair is grey... let it sit for 20min-1hr... jump in the tub add some water scrub it around and rinse, apply ACV mix and rinse again.

Dr bronners (diluted first) use just as I would regular shampoo rinse right after. I have hard water and have been using this for at least a year. I have even combed a couple dreads out just to make sure it wasn't leaving any residue.

Of course I should mention that before these methods I had begun to train my scalp to not need so many washes only 1-2 a week. When they were doing renovations I used water 'washes' to deal with the extra dust and particles.

[grassman]

Since the summer started I've been rinsing with just water every day or two then washing with shampoo once a week to week & a half.