A quick explanation: No-poo is the best alternative I’ve found to traditional shampoo and conditioner. But let me first explain how I came to discover this option.
I have LOTS of allergies and an increased risk of cancer due to my genetic background. One of my allergies is to anything sulfur-based. Sulfa drugs (the antibiotics) will kill me. The sulfites in alcohol make me a really cheap drunk and do a decent number on my stomach. The sulfates used as food preservatives also do a number on my stomach and when they’re used in soaps I get a rash from them. So, most shampoos have sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate in them as the foaming agent. Most shampoos also contain parabens and or benzenes, which give you cancer. Needless to say, I don’t want any of that. So the only alternative that I was aware of for a long time was organic shampoos, which are $8 a bottle IF you’re lucky. A residue was starting to build up in my hair from the organic shampoo and I was tired of spending that much. So I researched and no-poo is what I found.
So to do the no-poo method you only need baking soda, apple cider vinegar (there’s an alternative, but I’ll get to that in a minute), water, and two cups. Just take 1 Tbsp of baking soda and mix it into a cup with about one cup of water. Stir this until it is basically clear. Apply this mixture to the DRY roots of your hair and make sure your whole scalp is covered. Leave it on for a few minutes and then rub into your scalp and rinse thoroughly. After that, mix about an ounce of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water in the second cup. Do not apply this to your roots. Apply it to the ends of your hair and do not rinse. Once you’re out of the shower, you should be able to brush through your hair with ease while it’s still wet. (I cannot begin to describe my amazement at being able to do that, especially since my hair is most of the way down my back!)
I have LOTS of allergies and an increased risk of cancer due to my genetic background. One of my allergies is to anything sulfur-based. Sulfa drugs (the antibiotics) will kill me. The sulfites in alcohol make me a really cheap drunk and do a decent number on my stomach. The sulfates used as food preservatives also do a number on my stomach and when they’re used in soaps I get a rash from them. So, most shampoos have sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate in them as the foaming agent. Most shampoos also contain parabens and or benzenes, which give you cancer. Needless to say, I don’t want any of that. So the only alternative that I was aware of for a long time was organic shampoos, which are $8 a bottle IF you’re lucky. A residue was starting to build up in my hair from the organic shampoo and I was tired of spending that much. So I researched and no-poo is what I found.
So to do the no-poo method you only need baking soda, apple cider vinegar (there’s an alternative, but I’ll get to that in a minute), water, and two cups. Just take 1 Tbsp of baking soda and mix it into a cup with about one cup of water. Stir this until it is basically clear. Apply this mixture to the DRY roots of your hair and make sure your whole scalp is covered. Leave it on for a few minutes and then rub into your scalp and rinse thoroughly. After that, mix about an ounce of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water in the second cup. Do not apply this to your roots. Apply it to the ends of your hair and do not rinse. Once you’re out of the shower, you should be able to brush through your hair with ease while it’s still wet. (I cannot begin to describe my amazement at being able to do that, especially since my hair is most of the way down my back!)
I know not everyone likes the smell of vinegar and technically it contains sulfates. Thus, I still needed to find an alternative. What I found was lemon juice. (Yes, I’m on lemons again! ;)) It’s the same instructions, just use lemon juice instead of apple cider vinegar. It smells way better, too, in my opinion. Speaking of alternatives, for those of you concerned about aluminum, you can always use aluminum-free baking soda instead. Slightly more expensive, but your health is worth it, right?!
I cannot stop singing the praises of the no-poo method! My hair has never looked better. There’s no residue build up, so long as you make sure to really, really rinse out the baking soda. I’ve also found that you don’t have to wash your hair as often using this method. What’s not to love?! You are saving your health and your money and the environment all at the same time.
I cannot stop singing the praises of the no-poo method! My hair has never looked better. There’s no residue build up, so long as you make sure to really, really rinse out the baking soda. I’ve also found that you don’t have to wash your hair as often using this method. What’s not to love?! You are saving your health and your money and the environment all at the same time.
Now, the only thing I can't really report on the no-poo method is how it works on ethnic hair. I am white and none of my non-white friends has tried it and shared their results with me. Perhaps some of you wonderful readers out there know or are willing to try it and let me know? That would be awesome! I'd love to be able to share more information on this topic. Happy no-pooing!
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