The no-poo trend promises you healthier, thicker and shinier hair if you break up with your shampoo bottle. However, for many women who try this new trend, the results are far from impressive. Skipping shampoo most days can lead to lank, oily hair and a dirty scalp. Plus, when you do wash your hair, you may see even more strands in the shower drain.
How No Shampoo Affects Your Scalp
No-poo advocates promise that after a two- to six-week adjustment period, your scalp will stop producing excessive oils. Doctors are unconvinced: They say that scalp sebum production is affected by your diet, hormones and genetics, not how often you wash your hair.
When you stop washing your hair, your oily scalp attracts dirt and debris, which can make it itchy over time. If you do scratch your scalp, you could also create irritation that could lead to flaking on your scalp. Your hair-styling product buildup can also create large flakes that you might mistake for dandruff.
Without shampooing, millions of microbes also begin feasting on the oils of your scalp. And that’s when your scalp can begin to smell. To kill the microbes and prevent any odors, some recommend that you rinse your scalp with apple cider vinegar. But some women report that this acidic wash dries their scalp and results in dandruff.
How Your Hair Reacts to No Shampoo
Your hair is also affected when you stop using shampoo. Like your scalp’s oils, the oils on your hair will attract dirt and other debris. If you use dry shampoo to make your hair look better, you should keep in mind that the dead skin cells and other dirt your hair accumulates will stay on your strands until the next time you wash your hair.
You may notice that the day after you shampoo, your hair has more texture and body. But as your hair attracts more dirt, it will lose that texture. Styling products can also cause buildup that will attract dirt and weigh down your hair. The oils in your hair will also attract dust, which will impact the shine of your hair over time.
If you decide to rinse and wash your hair with conditioner only, you still may notice some adverse effects. Normal, virgin or oily hair may become over-moisturized and lank as a result of conditioner-only washes. Some conditioners can also cause buildup over your hair cuticles that’s difficult to remove without shampoo.
Why No ‘Poo May Make You Think You’re Losing Your Hair
Even if you don’t experience these symptoms, you may notice that when you rinse your scalp you’re losing more hair than ever before. Most women are actually losing the same amount of hair, but it can seem like more as your scalp is finally given the opportunity to release loose strands. Of course, if you’re scratching your scalp, you could be creating real irritation that creates abnormal hair loss.
If you’re interested in trying the no-poo method as a way to increase the health of your scalp and strands while ditching harmful chemicals, there are also plenty of shampoos that will deliver on these promises. And by using a good shampoo regularly, you’ll be able to shed those dead skin cells, oils, dirt and microbes while keeping your hair healthy.
At Genesis II we offer a hair and scalp treatment system which is an advanced anti thinning, multi-therapeutic hair loss program designed specifically to stop hair loss and promote healthier, thicker hair. Whether you are suffering from hair loss or not it’s important to hit the reset button on your scalp to ensure you have the healthiest hair possible. To schedule a free hair and scalp analysis call us at (315) 458-1074 or to contact us via email click here.
Photo Credit: 422694 Via Pixabay
Sources:
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/30337386/ns/health-skin_and_beauty/t/ditching-shampoo-dirty-little-beauty-secret/#.WIFDl_krLcc
http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/news/a18026/what-happens-when-you-dont-wash-your-hair/
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20788089,00.html#baby-powder-or-dry-shampoo-can-help-tide-you-over-0
http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip000870.htm
