Let’s talk no-poo for a minute. Chances are you’ve either heard of it, have tried it already, or have no clue what we’re talking about. Well, for starters, no-poo literally translates to “no shampoo.” That’s right – with this method, you’re not ditching showering or cleaning your hair altogether, just the shampoo.
In this post, we’ll include everything you need to know about no-poo and give you an idea of what to expect with the no-poo method!
Related: Curly Hair Care: 8 Tips And Tricks
Everything you need to know about the no-poo method
Keep reading to learn what the no-poo method is, its benefits, and how to transition to going no-poo!
what is no -poo?
As we mentioned above, “no-poo” is an abbreviated way of saying “no shampoo.” It’s the philosophy of cleaning your hair without traditional or standard commercial shampoo.
why are people reluctant to try no-poo?
Most people are reluctant to try the no-poo method due to their fear that their hair will be too oily and less healthy. On the contrary, your hair may become healthier as shampoos aren’t constantly stripping your hair of its natural oils.
Another common hesitation is people fear that their hair may be stinky. A lifetime of using fragranced products has trained us to think that fragrance equals clean, however, it’s just not true.
what are the benefits of no-poo?
There are many benefits to switching to the no-poo method.
Some of these include:
- More voluminous hair. Hair with more natural oils tends to have more volume. You’ll just have to be patient while your hair adjusts.
- Healthier hair and scalp. Going no-poo will cause your scalp to produce a more balanced amount of oil, as opposed to regular washing techniques. Every time you shampoo, it sends the scalp a signal to produce more sebum. So, over washing your hair can cause oil production overdrive, making your hair greasier in the long run.
- Better textured hair and less need for styling products. Just think of all the money you’ll save by buying fewer styling products!
- Less plastic packaging waste. It’s simple, less shampoo used equals less packaging waste in the long run. Consider it a win-win situation for both your hair and the planet.
- Breaking the cycle. By going no-poo, you’ll be breaking an endless cycle of shampooing which dries out the hair, then causes you to use product to add moisture back, and shampoo again to remove the product.
how to transition to no-poo
Like all habits, your hair won’t immediately adjust to the no-poo method. That’s why it’s important to have patience when waiting to see results after you first switch.
Transitioning to no-poo may be more difficult if you have thin or fine hair because it can get oily quicker. So, for starters, try shampooing every other day, and then eventually stretch it to once every 3 days or longer. Or, another option is to wash your hair with water every day. Your final option? Switching to the no-poo method cold turkey.
Those with coarse or curly hair are more likely to see quicker results after transitioning to the no-poo method. Shampooing less will cause their hair to become smoother and less frizzy.
And, when you do shampoo your hair, be sure to only wash your scalp (versus washing your ends as well). You’ll also want to use a pH-balanced shampoo with naturally-derived ingredients like our Color Care Shampoo or our color-safe and pH-balanced Shampoo & Conditioner Bars.
When transitioning to no-poo, it’s also important to know your hair’s porosity (how well hair absorbs and holds moisture) so you can learn the best way to take care of it. To learn more about hair porosity and how to do a porosity test, check out this blog.
what’s the best no-poo method?
Like we mentioned above, all methods of no-poo may take some time for your scalp to adjust to. During this time, your scalp may become oilier than normal as it recalibrates and adjusts to this new routine.
One method we’d recommend trying is co-washing. In a nutshell, co-washing is using conditioner only and skipping shampoo. This routine will most likely benefit those with coily, curly, or extremely dry hair.
Or, you could try skipping both shampoo and conditioner and simply washing with water. This will work best for hair that’s not already dry. However, your hair may not feel as clean and you may have a tougher time achieving your desired look.
Another option for dry hair is a deep conditioning treatment. We think you’ll love our new Hair Food Conditioning Masks.
Can’t decide on one? Not to worry! It’s totally okay to mix and match methods to create a routine that works best for you.
And, we should clarify that although it’s not recommended to wash your scalp every day, it does need to be cleansed occasionally to avoid hair follicles becoming clogged.
Wrapping it up
As you can see, there are many options to try when switching to no-poo. Although the no-poo method isn’t for everyone, it’s definitely worth a try and is a low-risk experiment to test out and see if it benefits your hair.
Looking for more hair care tips? Be sure to catch up on our blog!
