I tried this, years ago, since I have natural ( a.k.a. afro, no relaxer ) African American hair. It did not agree with me. Some swear by it and I have seen beautiful hair that thrives on it. I just do better with shampooing regularly. I do however "co-wash" daily when I choose to wear my hair in its naturally coily state ( instead of a blowdry + flat iron or wet set ), but I still shampoo every four days to start with a fresh canvas. My hair styles better and my scalp is happier when I shampoo every few days.
On a side note I am on a hair forum where someone is experimenting with using only rosewater, apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, and her natural hair oil ( sebum ) only. It is very interesting and I see how it works in theory. Her hair looks good but I am just not sure I could get into getting use to the smell ( which she says is just "earthy" once you adjust to it ) and the fact that you have to go pretty basic as far as styles are concerned. She lets the oil build up for awhile and brushes it down the length of her hair. She only washes with the apple cider vinegar, moisturizes with the rosewater, and styles with the aloe vera. Refreshingly simple. I am not that simple, but maybe someone else could benefit from her approach.
hahaha even-though i don't have African American hair i still love the hair techniques used like buku knots for example and braid outs so I read allot of natural hair forums, iv herd allot of girls on some of the websites use Bentonite clay hair masks instead off 'no-poo' method, they say it worked better for their hair typeiv used the bentonite clay hair mask on my and loved it, so maybe that would be something you want to give a try
![]()
I've got a friend who does the no-poo method and I only wash twice a week and am working down to once a week. I'm going to test the no-poo metmethod this summer![]()
Did you mean bantu knots? If so, I love setting my hair with those for waves. I'm happy with shampoo. I've tried the clay cleansing and was not fond of it. There are some horrible traditional shampoos, but I just stick to simple and gentle and have no adverse effects. I use hot oil treatments to actually do most of the cleansing and balance my oil level. So shampoo is more about cleansing off the excess oil and refreshing my scalp. I think of the hot oil treatment as kind of like cold cream for my hair, except it's warm, and shampoo as toner, if that makes sense.
hahaha i like the comparison of the cold cream and the hot oil treatment!hahaha im really glad to hear that the hot oil keeps the shampoo from drying your hair and keeps it healthy!
and yes haha Bantu haha im a horrid speller haha thank goodness for spell check hahahahaha :P
I've no pooed for about a year and a half. I went from washing my hair every other day to washing my hair once a week with baking soda and doing a water-only wash once a week (when I remember). I was trying to get to the point where my hair would not need the second water only wash, but I could never stretch it far enough.
Progress: Going from being able to "hear a pin drop" to "can you hear me now?"