Not shampooing hair

[confusedpink]

I have heard recently that you don't need to use shampoo on your hair. If you don't your hair stays nice and soft. Is this true and if so how long will my hair be greasy before it starts to regulate it itself? Thanks!

[boobesque]

as far as i am aware it takes about 6 months before it starts to look normal

[steviep165]

i've got a skinhead and even i could not contemplate goin six months without washing it.
my big sis tried the "self-cleaning" hair hypothesis out once. she got as far as 10 days before her hubby told her to wash it or sleep in the spare room. dirty minger.

[marwel7]

It's a myth.

[Nummy]

this link hopefully will wolrk...

http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/experts/lu cysiegle/story/0,,1811851,00.html

[Nummy]

and i found this....(hope it helps)

In essence, most mainstream shampoos are glamorously packaged surfactants - chemicals that dislodge dirt and grease. You will find it hard to find a shampoo that doesn't specify its suitability for "daily use" or "frequent washing" despite the fact that most dermatologists warn that over-washing hair strips it of its natural oils. The scalp secretes sebum, which naturally lubricates and protects hair against dirt and bacteria.

Left to their own devices, our own natural oils in effect wash our hair without water or extra products. In fact, hair products have been shown to over-stimulate oil glands and attract dirt.

Few of us, however, may be prepared to run the risk of social exclusion by leaving our hair unwashed. The first six weeks are said to be the worst, culminating in a very oily phase between weeks five and six. This first phase conforms to the popular perception of unwashed hair - uncomfortable and unhygienic. But after this period, non-hair washers report healthy, self-regulating hair that looks better than ever. So good, in fact, that many vow never to wash their hair again

[Dan Glebitts]

i dont "regularly" shampoo my hair. My hair is of medium to long length and i shower frequently (once every day or more) and my hair feels and looks brilliant! I have to say when i use products to wash it, it goes very fine and fluffy...which makes me look like a right plonker! So i usually wash my hair with shampoo every week or longer, but if it is really greasy i use plain soap which does a good job too.....But i find a good thing is to use lots of conditioner and a tiny bit of shampoo, mix together and use on your hair. Hope that helps...

Dan

[Dan Glebitts]

sorry, what i said before sounds confusing...the jist of it is that i dont use shampoo at all...to be honest i cant remember the last time i used shampoo but i wash with water and occasionally soap....and it feels and looks brillian. Sorry for the confusion :-D

[Jed]

It's most definitely not a myth. In my long-departed youth I had hair down to my arse and got thoroughly sick of washing it. Heard this theory, tried it out. 6 weeks-2 months of greasy hair then, hey presto, no grease. Didn't wash it again for 3 years; best condition it's ever been in. Unfortunately gave up brushing it too and developed dreads. Shaved it all off and (for some reason, girlfriend probably) started washing it again.

[tradey]

i heard that too,tried it but it didnt work mad it look greasy gone back to using it.

[CheekyChops]

Well there is a smelly tramp who comes into the shop where I work - I don't think he has been near water or soap for about 5 years and his hair is definately not nice and soft!! Greasy is an understatement :-)

[halfadaily]

I suppose it depends on the length of the hair. Mine is only a couple of inches long at the most. A few months ago I stopped using shampoo in the shower and have since found that it is far more managable and has a sheen that it never had before.

I must add though that I do thoroughly wet the hair in the shower each night.
A good idea if doing this is to put a small blob of a hair shine product on once dried, as this will give the hair more body.

I can feel my femenine side comming out already !

[applebee]

well I have a sis that did this, it took about 3 months of kinda scrubby looking hair....and dont get me wrong she definately rinsed it with water all the time, and i believe she conditioned occationally, but eventually it became completely ungreasy and soft and beautiful naturally.

[joko]

not a myth - have done it myself - it works, takes about 6-8 weeks

[WendyS]

It may be true that if you leave your hair without washing long enough it may generate enough grease, etc. to cleanse itself but adopting that attitude won't get rid of all the unpleasant smells that cling to your hair such as cigarette smoke and cooking smells.
Whilst it's probably not necessary to wash your hair every dry, especially if it's dry and doesn't generate much of each oil, I should think washing it a minimum of a couple of times a week for cleanliness is desirable.