Earlier this month a fan, Tracey, of my blog posted a question, "Hi Angie, I see you posted 'No Poo Results' 11 months ago. I was
wondering if you are still a 'no poo' ambassador? I am thinking of
giving it a try." I thought it was a great question and deserved a good update blog. The last time I followed the traditional hair cleansing routine was over a year ago. January 7, 2013 was the last time I used regular shampoo followed up by conditioner.
That said, I am not strictly "No Poo" any longer, I have become a "Low Poo" convert. I loved "No Poo" and used it religiously as described in my original post here . Then early this past fall, I started to notice that my scalp was getting too dry from the baking soda wash. The flakes were less than attractive.
I decided to switch things up and see what happened, so I used a clarifying shampoo, but kept the apple cider vinegar rinse. It worked great, no more flakey, dry scalp. I didn't love to use the clarifying shampoo regularly though, because I am not a fan of the chemicals. I switched to Dr. Bronners liquid soap with ACV as a conditioning rinse. I follow the wash and rinse every four days pattern. My hair is amazing! And it has grown more in the last four or five months, than it did in the last three years!
Now for the let-down . . . I'm squeezing in writing up this update late at night (when I should be getting my sleep and following my Paleo ideals, not messing up my circadian rhythms with a computer screen! LOL!) and I didn't plan well, so I don't have a photo update. I will be sure to post some of my Facebook page this week though and add the photos in here.
Here's the big take aways of the "Low Poo" method for me:
1) I am paying the beauty industry just a bit of money, if you consider Dr. Bronners a beauty product. However, I haven't bought a new bottle to wash my hair with since October! Washing every four days means I don't have to spend as much on this stuff. Plus, the quality of non-chemical, clean products like Bronners can be felt. Literally. While I am washing I can feel my hair change and I know when I've stimulated my scalp just enough. I even know, BEFORE, I get out of the shower if it's going to be a great hair day or a so-so one. Chemicalized products prevent us from knowing our body's natural modes, even our hair.
2) My hubby still likes the natural me better. That pretty much seals the deal for me that I don't need to go back to those other products.
3) Again, just like I felt a year ago, this is easier. Waaay easier! I've got better things to do then my hair.
Are any of you doing No or Low Poo? Tell me how it's going. Have you made it out of the awkward oily phase & figured out the right methods & mixtures for you?
That said, I am not strictly "No Poo" any longer, I have become a "Low Poo" convert. I loved "No Poo" and used it religiously as described in my original post here . Then early this past fall, I started to notice that my scalp was getting too dry from the baking soda wash. The flakes were less than attractive.
I decided to switch things up and see what happened, so I used a clarifying shampoo, but kept the apple cider vinegar rinse. It worked great, no more flakey, dry scalp. I didn't love to use the clarifying shampoo regularly though, because I am not a fan of the chemicals. I switched to Dr. Bronners liquid soap with ACV as a conditioning rinse. I follow the wash and rinse every four days pattern. My hair is amazing! And it has grown more in the last four or five months, than it did in the last three years!
Now for the let-down . . . I'm squeezing in writing up this update late at night (when I should be getting my sleep and following my Paleo ideals, not messing up my circadian rhythms with a computer screen! LOL!) and I didn't plan well, so I don't have a photo update. I will be sure to post some of my Facebook page this week though and add the photos in here.
Here's the big take aways of the "Low Poo" method for me:
1) I am paying the beauty industry just a bit of money, if you consider Dr. Bronners a beauty product. However, I haven't bought a new bottle to wash my hair with since October! Washing every four days means I don't have to spend as much on this stuff. Plus, the quality of non-chemical, clean products like Bronners can be felt. Literally. While I am washing I can feel my hair change and I know when I've stimulated my scalp just enough. I even know, BEFORE, I get out of the shower if it's going to be a great hair day or a so-so one. Chemicalized products prevent us from knowing our body's natural modes, even our hair.
2) My hubby still likes the natural me better. That pretty much seals the deal for me that I don't need to go back to those other products.
3) Again, just like I felt a year ago, this is easier. Waaay easier! I've got better things to do then my hair.
Are any of you doing No or Low Poo? Tell me how it's going. Have you made it out of the awkward oily phase & figured out the right methods & mixtures for you?
Thanks for the update. I stopped shampooing years ago after reading the book Curly Girl. However, they don't advocate the ACV and baking soda and so I'm going to try that. The hardest part of this for me (and maybe someone has a suggestion) is getting my hair cut. My hairdresser will not work on my hair until she's shampooed it. I find it takes WEEKS to get it back afterwards. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteBottom line Its your hair & your money if your hairdresser will not honer wishes I think it is time you spend your money elsewhere & find a new hairdresser..it may take you some time to find the right one but it will be well worth it..ask around..you might even tell your hairdresser if she can not honor your wishes you will take your money else where. I'm sure she will not want to lose the business..
DeleteI was doing no-poo for a while and at first i loved it, it was thicker than it's ever been. BUT, like you i got a flaky scalp and I found I couldn't really wear my hair down, but it made a great up -do! I got some stuff at trader joe's, but the ingredient list is really pretty long. I may need to try dr bonner's (is there more than one kind?) ... do you just use a little and then rinse with the 1T acv to 1C water? Help!!! I appreciate it and I am loving that i'm saving my 4 year old daughter hair woes by washing her hair 1-2x week so she never has to deal with the "oil". Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Hope! I use just a very small amount of Dr. Bronner's (yes, there are lots of different kinds, including a baby version which I use most often), followed by 1 T of ACV in 1 C water. That's it!
DeleteSort of unrelated but alarming so wonder if anyone has info or can relate. I have always had baby fine hair tending to turning into a grease storm without daily washing. I started doing paleo this past summer for a variety of reasons - I have a job that lends itself to stress and bad eating so I was getting serious muffin top and cellulite etc. I got tired of being congratulated on my pregnancy when I was just getting fat.
ReplyDeletePaleo, great, lots of energy, lost 25 pounds, awesome. It did coincide with a particularly stressful period in my life, really dark and down but kept up the paleo part.
However, I feel as though my hair is FALLING OUT. I lose clumps of hair on clothes, in the shower, when I run my fingers through it, anything. Docs can't find anything wrong on blood tests. No pattern to it either except while I used to have a skinny mini ponytail I now have a rat tail.
Why am I losing my hair? Diet? Weight loss? Paleo nutritional imbalance? Stress?
Hi Dirtry Mistress, I can't say for sure, but I would consider seeing your doc & having your thyroid looked at and/or uping your carb intake. Hair loss can be a symptom of thyroid issues & sometimes we have a tendency to go too low carb on Paleo, which can make thyroid issues worsen (plus it is hard on our female hormones). Make sure you are taking in plenty of dense Paleo carbs.
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