Conditioner only?

8 years ago

Does anyone continue this.......I know there was a discussion about skipping shampoo and using only conditioner. How is that working for you?

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ntt_hou

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I'm reviving this thread to report result of my experience with No-poo treatment for my hair.

First of all, here's the reason why I decided to use this treatment. For years, I've had real dried scalp condition, aka: scalp psoriasis. From time to time, I had used oil treatment which reduced the condition for a few days but it all came back and never went away. I even tried to change different shampoos which some helped and some made it worse. I knew that the cause of it was from using shampoo & conditioner but didn't quite know specific ingredients that caused it.

So, when I read here about the No-poo treatment, I gave it a try. After the first 2-3 treatments, my hair was much softer, no dry scalp flakes. It felt like the baking soda and white distilled vinegar mixtures were gentle enough on my scalp and hair to continue using them. My hair was a bit dull and frizzy, and my scalp itched quite a bit. I knew that I had to give it time for my scalp and hair to adjust to the new treatments. So, I patiently waited. At the same time, I used a few drops of coconut oil on my scalp to ease out the itching. However, coconut oil was heavy no matter how little I used it. It made my hair very oily and heavy. So, I stopped using the coconut oil.

After 3 months or so, my hair began to fall a lot more than the usual. It was enough to alarm me quite a bit. So, I went back to research some more online. I found out that the ph balance of distilled white vinegar was too low for hair so, I switched over to organic apple cider vinegar (using Braggs). ACD ph balance is higher and a better match for our hair ph balance. At the same time, I decreased the time I leave the baking soda mixture on my hair which lessen the itching scalp. The apple cider vinegar did the trick and my hair fell much much less.

Since I'm at the age where my hair does not produce a natural glow (oil) so easily, I needed some help. So, I've started using tea tree oil (essential oil). It helped to minimize the strong odor that lingered from apple cider vinegar and it reduced frizzy hair. I applied a few drops over the comb and combed it over my damped hair (after hair wash).

I've been on with this baking soda & vinegar treatment for about 8 months now. The scalp psoriasis is almost gone if not all gone already (no more dry skin flakes). My scalp seemed to stay clean longer.

Today, I've received the best compliment I've had since I've used the No-poo treatment. It came from a hair stylist when I went to get my hair cut.

As the stylist cut my hair, she asked me what shampoo & conditioner I've been using. At first, I thought she was trying to advertise hair products. So, I told her I no longer use shampoo and conditioner. She asked me what I've been using in which I told her. She sounded surprised and agreed that there are too much chemicals in shampoos and conditioners. Then, she went on to let me know that my hair & scalp were very healthy. She asked me how to mix the solutions for the no-poo treatment. She wanted to know so she could pass on this information to her nephew that was having scalp & hair problem.

Well, that was the best compliment or report of the result I've had since using the no-poo treatment. Thought I would share this in case you have the same scalp problem.

The recipe for the solutions are not perfect because our hair & scalp differ from person to person. It does take time to find the right balance or which mixture to use. However, it certainly delivers good result for healthier hair. At least, it was so in my case.

I am still not satisfied with the smell of my hair resulted from using ACV. I'm not too thrill about the scent of tea tree oil neither. So, my next step is trying to add fresh rosemary in the vinegar mixture. Rosemary should be good for hair too at the same time. Plus, I have a plant of Rosemary in my yard. If it's not good enough, I may need to fetch some lavender oil.

Overall, this no-poo treatment is going well for me. Thanks to all of you that shared/passed on this information. A++!

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Comments (23)

arkansas girl
8 years ago
I've been using the conditioner only for years now. I will revert back from time to time. It really does help if you have extremely oil hair(as I have) and normally have to shampoo daily. I have now been able to skip a day and maybe even two days since using the CO method of washing my hair. Apparently, using the shampoo makes your scalp produce excess oils kind of like if you use alcohol on your face, it will become even oilier than before because it stimulates the oil glands. It will take some getting used to but your hair will be every bit as clean with using just conditioner. You just massage it into your scalp to clean the scalp and then I just clip it up and allow it to sit when I shower then I rinse it after it's been on my hair for about 10 minutes (the time it takes to shower). OH and it will take a large glob of it, I like the Suave conditioners the best, they are cheap but effective.
OklaMoni
8 years ago
I just feel, like it can do a better job than something I put on, massage in, rinse and it is over.

I wash my hair. Then my face. Now my hair is drained a bit of water, and I put my conditioner on.

Wash me, rinse me, rinse my hair.

Have done it this way feels like forever.

Moni
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Jasdip
8 years ago
Rob was talking about going "no-poo" a year or so ago. Using just cornstarch and vinegar or something similar.
User
8 years ago
I skip both now. Occasionally I condition my hair with coconut oil so I have to use a detergent to get the oil out. I use Dr. Bronner's baby castile soap and rinse with unfiltered apple cider vinegar to restore the proper Ph. Otherwise, just hot water.
arkansas girl
8 years ago
I would not suggest using vinegar if you have very fine hair like I have because it will, for lack of better words EAT YOUR HAIR UP! Ask me how I know...HAHA! That is one reason why I switched to CO washing is because the shampoos they are making these days really do a number on my fine and fragile hair, the conditioner is gentler.
rob333 (zone 7b)
8 years ago
Still doing it, and still loving it. Other people still comment on how great it looks and how it smells wonderful. Guess it must be working!
arkansas girl
8 years ago
rob, what method do you use? What products etc?
rob333 (zone 7b)
8 years ago
Here is the website where I found it. She has all kinds of recipes. Some low poo and some that are totally out of your kitchen/bathroom! I love it. It's so cheap and my hair stays in balance.

What I use, because I tend to the oily side is purely baking soda. So it's a paste that, when mixed with water, is the consistency of mayonnaise. I actually have a shampoo bottle that is now years old with an entire month or two made up at one time (just baking soda, water till it's the right consistency, and a dropper or two of oil). I add fragrant oil in it, not a lot, and I supposed you could vary it, but I haven't really. This is my essential oil provider.

She has tips if you tend on the dry side (condition with vinegar, which when mixed with baking soda, turns to water, so I assume it's neutralized by the end of the shower), and everything inbetween.

It's not just cost that I am concerned about, it's also about being in control of what goes on my body since I am highly allergic to many things. It's great to finally be in control. Soap is nasty stuff and does nasty things to drains and showers. Think about what it does to your hair? I also don't use it on my body. Only oils, not the above, but I bet I could?! Hm.
kayjones
8 years ago
I can't imagine not using shampoo on my very long and thick hair. I only use conditioner every few shampoos.
ntt_hou
8 years ago
Great thread! I'm going to try the no-poo method.
User
8 years ago
Should mention that, when using cider vinegar as a rinse, you do dilute it with water. I used diluted baking soda to clean my scalp once. I won't do that again. I have very dry, coarse hair (one of the reasons I'm off shampoo and conditioner!) and it really did a number on my hair. Worked great, but my hair was SO dry after that, even with the vinegar rinse.

kayjones, I have long, very thick curly/wavy hair. I'm loving being off shampoo and conditioner. Takes time to "get there" and I'm still "getting there", but air dried and wavy, my hair is much better now than when I used shampoo and conditioner.
chisue
8 years ago
I accidentally used conditioner instead of shampoo last month. Didn't work. I needed to wash my hair the next day.

I have permanent color on my medium-short, medium-coarse hair. Between that and age (74), my formerly oily hair is drier. Unless I am more active than usual, I only wash my scalp (and its hair!) every five days, using the mildest shampoo I can find: Wash, rinse, conditioner, rinse, partially dry, apply de-frizzer, finish drying/styling .

I wash my scalp and hair in the sink. I can't stand the feel of loose hairs on my body in a shower, and it's easier to capture the fallen-out hair before clogs the drain.

I had excessive hair loss in 2009 after having pneumonia. It happened again last spring after I was hospitalized for pneumonia. I don't know if this is due to stress or to the medications. The excessive hair loss continued for about about ten months each time. Last summer I switched from a general daily vitamin to the 3X/day Nature's Bounty Optimal Solutions softgels multi-vitamins. This provides 5000 mcg Biotin per day. I doubt I will grow new hair, but this might help prevent further hair loss.
pekemom
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Chisue, I also take 5000 mcg of Biotin, in the evening, right before I shampoo my hair.
arkansas girl
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I remember when I first tried the conditioner only washing and thought "OMG NO this doesn't work at all, my hair is oily" but your scalp gets used to it after a week or so. The conditioner you use also makes a difference. The best I've found is VO5 or Suave. Honestly, I think that it's just all in our heads that we have to use shampoo...if you will, we are brainwashed. I'm speaking as a person that washed every single day and have the oiliest hair imaginable! The shampooing actually stimulates the oil production much as alcohol on our face stimulates oil production on your skin.
ntt_hou
8 years ago
I forgot to emphasize, the no-poo treatment means NO shampoo and NO conditioner as well. Instead, the treatment is using baking soda (mix in water) and vinegar (mix in water) to clean and condition the hair.

Most shampoos and conditioners have silicone and sulfur which are not healthy for hair & scalp.
arkansas girl
8 years ago
I tried using an apple cider vinegar rinse on my hair and it dried it out terribly. I have very fine hair that's very porous. I could never use a baking soda and vinegar mixture on my hair, it would fry it.
Cookie8
7 years ago
That's funny, I just did a search on this and resurrected the old thread. I just transitioned from dropping shampoo. The first week wasn't great but three weeks in, I don't think I am going back to shampoo. I usually had to shampoo every day or my scalp would get a smell to it. I can go up to three days now and there is still no scent on day three.
Cookie8
7 years ago
LOL, anyone go without using toothpaste? My go to is coconut oil, baking soda and a touch of peroxide.
grainlady_ks
7 years ago
Cookie8-

I've been shampooing my short hair once a week, and mid-week I use Renpure Originals"Coconut Cream" Conditioner (http://www.renpure.com/product-category/originals/coconut-cream/ - I buy it at Wal-Mart) - NO SHAMPOO - plus 4-5 drops of peppermint oil as a deep treatment. I've been trying this method for several months. As my hair is getting more salt than pepper, it's changed how I need to treat it. I think I could easily go the Conditioner/Peppermint Oil treatment once or twice a week in the winter and skip the shampoo. And to think I used to shampoo my short hair daily.... Especially in the summer when working outside a lot.

TOOTHPASTE: I don't use toothpaste, but I use a dry brush method to clean and remove plaque, flossing, plus oil pulling with coconut oil each morning as soon as I get up. I used the Zellies Dental System for many years, but decided I didn't want all the chemicals: Crest toothpaste, Listerine, ACT fluoride rinse, and Zylitol gum or mints between meals (http://www.drellie.com/).
Cookie8
7 years ago
Thanks for the tips, will check out the website. Oil pulling got rid of sensitive teeth for me. Sorry to stray from the thread.
lucillle
7 years ago
I shampoo daily, I like the way it feels. My hair is very short. I guess everyone is different.
User
7 years ago
ok, I'm a bit confused now. Are you using just conditioner to wash your hair? Willing to try if someone will explain.

Conditioner only?

ntt_hou

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