How I Cured My Dandruff and Itchy Scalp

I used to be a dandruff sufferer. If you currently have dandruff you’ll be quite surprised to learned how I cured it naturally for the princely sum of $0…

When I was 13 years old my dandruff was so bad my Mom told me to put baby oil on my scalp at night, thinking it might help. I took my showers at night at the time so the next morning I didn’t have enough time to wash the baby oil out.

I was a metalhead with long hair and all day in school my hair was not only incredibly oily (even my English teacher made a comment!), but the dandruff and itchiness was still rampant. It wasn’t a fun day.

15 years later, I finally figured out how to get rid of dandruff. You might cringe at first, but hear me out.

I haven’t washed my hair in 6 months.

You might not believe me, but it’s true.

Before I get into the process (it’s not simply “don’t wash your hair”), let’s talk about what causes dandruff.

According to this BBC News Health article, dandruff and itchy scalp are caused by overactive Malassezia fungus. This fungus is naturally found on human skin, but if it’s overactive it causes a fast turnover of skin cells. In other words, Malassezia produces flakes faster in dandruff sufferers than in people without dandruff.

If you have oily hair (like me) then you’re more susceptible to dandruff, since Malassezia feeds on sebum, the oily matter produced by the sebaceous glands in our skin.

You’d think not washing your hair would just make your hair even more oily, right?

In the past if I didn’t wash my hair for one day I’d have gross oily hair until I washed it again.

Then in February of this year my friend Rachel randomly mentioned that washing your hair every day isn’t necessary and actually makes it look worse.

I immediately stopped washing my hair.

I decided to test it out for 30 days. That means the last time I can remember washing my hair is sometime in March!

The interesting thing is after a few days my scalp seemingly stopped producing so much oil. I don’t know the science behind it, and I haven’t been able to find conclusive studies about it, I just know it works.

Some people use baking soda and vinegar. Or lemon juice. These products don’t strip your hair of its oils.

But I don’t use any product of any kind in my hair.

How To Stop Shampooing Your Hair

Even if you don’t have dandruff, not washing your hair will be beneficial for you. That’s because when your hair is full of natural healthy oils you don’t have to douse it in hair styling products.

Step 1: Commit to 30 days

If you don’t give your body time to adjust to this new way of living you won’t get any benefit out of it.

Step 2: “Wash” without washing

This is the real secret. When I tell most people they just think it’s gross and don’t hear me out. :)

When I hop in the shower in the morning I give my scalp a vigorous 15 second rinse under the water. This gets the visible oiliness out of my hair, but doesn’t actually strip my scalp of any oil.

It’s washing without washing.

When you first do this you’ll notice that your hair might feel a little “sticky.” Don’t worry, you have to give it time to adjust.

Step 3: Conditioning

The natural oils in your scalp are now your conditioner. Don’t use any conditioning products.

Step 4: Towel dry and comb

Towel dry your hair and comb it out. Don’t use a hair dryer if you can help it.

Step 5: Style without product

Style your hair as you normally would, but don’t use any additional styling products. See how it works.

If anything, you will probably use a lot less styling product than normal.

It will take a while for your hair to adjust so if you have dandruff and itchy scalp don’t expect it to go away immediately. Give it 30 days.

Comments Have Been Turned Off

After 164 comments and the same questions repeated a bunch of times I’ve decided to turn off the comments. If you have a question, the answer is either in this article (don’t skim, read) or in the comments. Cheers!

166 thoughts on “How I Cured My Dandruff and Itchy Scalp”

  1. Hi Karol:

    You have an uncanny ability to always hit on topics that interest me! :-)

    I stopped washing my hair about 1 month ago, but I have to admit I didn’t stick with it. I did it for about 2 weeks, and I definitely experienced the “sticky” feeling you mentioned in your article. That did go away after about the first week. However, I was using apple cider vinegar every day in addition to the “vigorous rinse”. At first, my head smelled like I had just pickled it, but I found that if I rinsed a little more thoroughly, the smell dissipated quickly.

    I didn’t like the vinegar because of the smell and it would burn my eyes a bit. I was going to get some baking soda and try that, but never did. I ended up drifting back to my trusty ol’ Head & Shoulders shampoo. :-( Of course, that burns my eyes even more, and make my eyes totally bloodshot when I get out of the shower.

    Maybe I need to give this another go, but without ANY product for the first 30 days as you suggest.

    So…. I have to ask. If you don’t use any product whatsoever, does your hair start to smell funny after a while? Do you ever wash with baking soda or lemon juice, like maybe once a week or something?

    Dave

    1. Hey Dave!

      I don’t use any products to wash ever, my hair doesn’t smell funny, and when I tell people I haven’t washed my hair in months they are amazed that it doesn’t look like rubbish. :)

      Give it another go and let me know how it works out!

      Karol

      1. I’m definitely giving it another try…. and I’m already on day 2! :) One thing is for sure, it will save money and cut down on what I have to pack when I travel.

        Here’s something else I recently discovered, and this is somewhat embarrassing to admit. But for many months (maybe years?) I suffered from extremely dry irritated ear canals. They would itch & flake, and sometime even bleed because I’d keep digging at them. Gross, I know.

        Anyway, after a bit of research, I found out I wasn’t alone. I was one of those people who like to really dig in there with a nice q-tip after a shower, and basically I was removing all my natural ear wax. A couple weeks ago, I gave up q-tips completely and just let me ears do what they will. I dry the outside with a towel after showering, but that’s it.

        Guess what? My ears have completely cleared up and my natural ear wax has started to return – which of course keeps the ol’ ear canals lubricated. So, now, I practice the age old advice — never put anything larger than your elbow in your ear. :-)

        Funny how the body takes care of itself when you just leave it alone!

        1. Dave, that’s awesome! I used to be “addicted” to Q Tips myself (using them multiple times per day), but I never had any actual problems. Now I just don’t have the room to pack them. :)

      2. Wow, your blog is busy tonight with comments!

        Anyway, I had to come back and drop a status update… I went almost 2 weeks on my 2nd no-poo trial, and then caved again! My hair was getting really oily and starting to have a weird smell. I even used a lemon once to “freshen” it up, but it didn’t help enough. Then, I was getting ready to go on a 4-wheeling trip with a buddy of mine, and was going to be borrowing one of his helmets. In the interest of courtesy, I decided to give in and shampoo my hair. After that, I went right back to shampooing everyday again like I used to.

        I’m about to give it ANOTHER try. I just need to hold out long enough to get beyond the “icky & gross” stage.

          1. I will definitely do it again. One other question though… So, even if you go out and get all sweaty and dirty working in the yard or on the car (maybe your hair gets all dusty and whatnot), you STILL don’t use any product? Do you ever throw a little Dr Bronner’s on your lid just to freshen it up a bit and get rid of dirt? I guess I’m still trying to grasp the whole concept that you don’t use ANY product at all on your head.

            1. Never use in my hair anything no matter how dirty/sweaty it gets. Just vigorous scrubbing if I get sand or something up on the noggin.

  2. Amazing, I discovered this in mid-may and immediately decided to give it a whirl. The first month was a tad rough. First, my hair got very oily. I knew I had to wait it out though and suddenly, one morning, I woke up with dry hair. I was amazed and realized that, clearly, my body is able to control my hair when given the chance.

    Soon, my hair was always at a nice moisture-level, but I began to get pretty bad dandruff. Again, I waited it out and my hair eventually corrected itself. I also, at this point, found combing to help keep my hair clean and dandruff free.

    More recently, I have noticed a tad more oil than I am comfortable with. Occasionally, I use a bit of Dr. Bronner’s on it.

    You are absolutely right, by the way, that you will be able to style your hair without any products. I am often complimented on my hair and asked what I use on it: “Hm, weird, it’s just my hair.” :)

  3. Glad to see that I’m not alone :) I didn’t think it could also work for short hair (I have long hair), but you seem to be the living proof. Very good method, actually; I haven’t used shampoo in 4 or 5 months now, and I’m not deceived.

    Oh, by the way, the whole site is very interesting !

  5. I am mystified by this. It is both a fascinating concept and somehow revolting at the same time. Its just expected that you should wash your hair every time you get a shower…So thats what I have done for my entire life. Although I have heard its not a very good thing to do, washing your hair all the time that is.

    Also, are you serious about the whole ‘not needing hair products to style your hair?’

    I am considering giving this a shot…but at the same time…

    I don’t mind swearing and I do in my every day life, except when I am around sensitive ears, and after having read your one article…I think I am going to try it. What have I go to lose?

    Just fuck shampoo! That sounds…odd. But oh well.

    1. Yes, I’m serious you won’t need hair products. :)

      Comment or shoot me an e-mail after you try it for 30 days. Let me know how it works!

      Karol

  6. I have curly hair and my scalp is very susceptible to dandruff. A couple of years ago a friend recommended I check out a book called “Curly Girl” by Lorraine Massey, and it totally changed the way I think about my hair. She is all about not shampooing because it strips your hair and scalp of its natural oils, just as you talk about in your post. She emphasizes that it’s friction, not soap, that cleans your scalp, so rather than scrubbing it with shampoo, she recommends just massaging the scalp with your fingers to loosen any debris. If you aren’t constantly stripping it away, it will normalize. She does use products – mostly hydrating products for curly, dry hair, but for shorter hair, perhaps those aren’t necessary. Anyway, since reading her book and following her methods, I don’t have dandruff any more and my hair is a lot healthier. Looks like it’s mostly guys commenting on this post but I would still recommend the book for further helpful tips on weaning yourself off of shampoo.

    Marie

    1. Hi Marie,

      Thank you so much for sharing that! I’ll probably check out that book to learn a little more why this works so well. :)

      Karol

      1. As a curly haired girl, I to have subscribed to Lorraine Massey’s Curly Girl methods for years. Curly hair can go without shampoo but does need some styling product after shower to keep frizzies at bay (Korres Lime is a good product without toxic additives, and is very light hold and frizz protection. The no shampoo-no product is great for straight hair, which is totally different in structure.

  8. Hi Karol and Dave. I quit using shampoo quite a while ago. I mix shikkakai, amla, aritha (dried herbs available at any Indian grocery or online at uncle harry’s dot com already mixed up) and put them in a jar. They cost $10 total. I make a paste with water, get my hair wet, put it on my hair, work it in, then rinse it out. You can also let it sit for a while. I do this MAYBE twice a month. My hair is down to my waist but it is clean and smells good. This powder would also be very easy and light to pack with your other toiletries.

    1. Hi Deborah,

      Oh wow. That sounds interesting. Thank you for sharing. Hopefully for those who can’t stand not washing they’ll use your recipe instead.

      Thanks again!
      Karol

  9. i also stopped using shampoo and conditioner a long time ago. occasionally i use some glycerin bar soap on my head. i have caved and bought some organic shampoo’s or conditioners in the past or used some Dr. Bronners(which is to drying for my hair anyway) but just the bar soap ever few weeks and one kind of product and i do use a flat iron has worked great for me. whenever i get my hair cut or done somewhere they comment on how healthy it looks. i probably shouldn’t even use the bar soap but i was getting dandruff and didn’t know what else to do about it.

      1. wow, I was reading this post again and saw that you had asked me a question, I never checked back last time I commented.

        I haven’t really noticed any damage from using a flat iron but I don’t use it that often, most of the time when I shower I cover my hair with a plastic cap so it doesn’t get wet, then I don’t need to straighten it again. I can do that for a few weeks as long as I don’t go swimming or do anything else to get my hair dirty. I use a little bit of hair product now, its made by Mizani, they aren’t natural but I don’t have to use much on my hair. I do use some organic shampoo occasionally after being in a pool to wash the chlorine out of my hair, but its not very often. I stopped using bar soap on it though, and just let it be most of the time.

        1. Hey Tabatha,

          Thanks for the flat iron update. :)

          I don’t go into pools (I have sensitive baby skin), but I would probably use shampoo to wash out those chemicals as well. :)

          Karol

  10. Hi Karol! Great blog!

    I haven’t used any shampoo on my hair for about 2 years… :)
    What you are doing sounds like ‘water only’ on the scalp only – see http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=50999 or http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=3412
    There is a whole community out there too.. :) For anyone, who might use some extra support or tips!

    Also, know that for some people, after the first month it’s the ‘worst’ period, and after that it can get better! Sometimes it can take more than a month too..
    (It depends on hairtype, nutrition and level of stress etc – the greasier food you eat, sweets, stress etc = greasy hair.. or possibly some dandruff, any toxic chemicals in the air can cause scratching or temporary dandruff/skin condition too.. it goes away soon though..)

    There is also the method of ‘no water/sebum only’ where people basically just massage/scritch the scalp and use fingers or combs or brushes, and nothing else.. old thread: http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=70652 and new thread: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=144

    There’s an article here too: http://hair-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/water_only_hair_washing (and some others, if you google a bit..)
    Some people also use herbs etc, if you use vinegar you must dilute it!

    Also, I noticed vinegar ‘cleaned’ my hair & scalp better (in the initial transition period) but also caused greater oiliness later on, so I learnt to stay away from it! :)

    1. Hi Layla,

      Wow, thank you for the incredibly detailed comment!

      I hope anybody who is having trouble with not washing their hair will check out some of those links.

      Thanks again!
      Karol

      1. You’re welcome!

        Happy to be of help if I can.. I remember searching the internet for all sorts of info.. It started when I wanted to make my own natural herbal shampoo.. All recipes I found had some potentially iffy ingredients..
        And then I came across articles about people who did this (no shampoo), and wondered ‘Is it possible?’ and ‘How?’

        I was VERY happy to find those forums!! Awesome people there, very ready to help too, and lots of info on what worked (or didn’t work) for others..
        Plus, it’s easier to persevere if you know others have gone through transition and are now happy with their hair etc.

    2. Great links Layla – thanks for posting them! I just read through all of them. Very interesting stuff, and I’m even more encouraged now. -Dave

        1. Thanks again Layla! I’m about 1 week in on my latest attempt, and doing fine at it. The hair seems much less gross this time around. I also made it through my first “major” social event on Wed without caving in and shampooing again. And guess what?? No crisis! LOL My hair looked fine, smelled fine, and nobody was the wiser.

          As I type this, my hair doesn’t really feel greasy at all. I’ve been using water only for the last 7 days. I love the fact that my eyes aren’t burning and red every time I get out of the shower too!

      1. That’s good to know as I have developed a mild case of psoriasis on my scalp. I think it’s because of stress, yet… To be honest… I’m a pretty mellow fella. Today was my first day on the 30 day no wash extravaganza. Let’s see how it goes. Hope it works. Thanks again for the tip as I was getting pretty frustrated because nothing applied seemed to be working.

        I was thinking of doing a post based on this topic in my blog to spread the word on this phenomenon. Perhaps when I am done, I can share the story with my readers, and of course, reference back to you.

  13. Hi Karol

    My experience was similar to yours. About 10 years ago I stopped washing my hair with anything but water and have never looked back.

    A couple of observations which might help others wishing to do the same.

    One, the initial few weeks are pretty gross. I used my summer holiday when I was at the beach a lot to get through this. I would not have wanted to be at work during this this. Another alternative, shaving right down to number one might help (although I haven’t tried this).

    Two, when washing my hair, which I do almost daily, I find using pretty damn hot water for about a minute really removes most of that greasy feeling and my hair feels great thereafter.

    Three, it feels great not to have to deal with all that chemical garbage (shampoo, conditioner, etc). Not only do I not want that stuff on my skin, but also I enjoy not paying for it, and not carrying it in my lugagge when I travel.

    Go, good people, and give your hair some freedom !

    Glen

    1. Hi Glen,

      Awesome, thank you for sharing your tips! It’s really important for anybody who tries this to force themselves to get past the first few weeks of extraordinary greasiness. :)

      Karol

    2. Thanks for the additional tips Glen! I’m giving the “no-poo” thing another go and will keep at it until I get past the gross stage. It’s funny how the natural oils act as a natural hair gel and let me style my hair pretty much any way I want. That sounds disgusting and paints a picture of big globs of hair oil/goo all over my head. LOL! It’s actually nothing like that… My hair looks and smells fine (passed the wife test tonight), it just has this crazy natural ability to style however I want now. I keep it pretty darn short, so I suppose “style” is relative. :P

      I really like the idea of not having to mess with shampoo any more. The greatest benefit to me right now is that my eyes aren’t all red & burning when I get out of the shower. I had Lasik surgery last year, and my eyes have been a lot more sensitive to chemicals since then. By not using shampoo, ESPECIALLY Head & Shoulders, my eyes look and feel great when I get out of the shower.

      Dave

    3. Great to hear about your experience, Glen!

      Interesting how different things work for different people!

      I found that cold water worked best for my long hair.. Some people at the LHC forums (I posted the links above) found this too..
      I didn’t WO daily, and people at the LHC forums rinse hair with water with different frequencies too.. So some experimenting may be needed, to see what fits your hair and your lifestyle best…

      Also, brushing the hair with a brush, or combing with a really thin comb (I never believed I could use such a comb without tangling before!) in transition helped a lot too..
      Or wearing bandannas, he he.. (Headscarves and hairstyles like braids or buns are probably easier for girls.. :)

      So, for those who are new, if something doesn’t work, try tweaking it.. or post with specifics at the forums and ask.. Or look for people with a similar hairtype and what they do..

      Basically, hair is at its worst after about 2 weeks, so it’s key to persevere then, usually after that or after 1/1.5 month it starts getting better.. (Again, it’s different with regard to your hairtype, lifestyle/nutrition/environment, previous shampoo use and routine..) It may be easier and more quick with shorter hair!!

      I also read at another forum, that some mums didn’t use shampoo at all with their kiddies, just maybe some herbal infusions or such..

  14. Hi Karol,

    I stumbled accross your site after reading an article you wrote about travelling lite that was on the ZenHabits site that I also found tonight. Been a good night for following links obviously.

    I wanted to say thanks for a great read, and that everything you say makes perfect sense especially if you’re like me and constantly think, “whatever did we do before [insert modern unnecessary product here].”

    Until they came up with shampoo what did we do? Originally nothing most likely and then just regular soap I would imagine. We certainly didn’t go scouting for Ylang Ylang or essence of beaver nipple in order to give us hair that a supermodel would die for. Our bodies, given the chance can look after themselves and I see hair as being just another organ, like our skin. We are designed to maintain and repair ourselves but we’ve been sold not to. In the same way we spend millions on food specifically for animals we also buy a bunch of personal hygiene products because the marketeers have told us we have to.

    Previously my only contribution to avoiding such hair related madness was to use nothing more than pure aloe on my hair for styling. Its also great for shaving with instead of shaving foam and an absolute godsend when you get caught out by the sun and a tad burned.

    I think I might give this whole water washing thing a spin and see how I go.

    Thanks again

    1. Hi Andy,

      Thanks for following all those links!

      “essence of beaver nipple” :)

      Man you hit it right on the head with this: “We are designed to maintain and repair ourselves but we’ve been sold not to.”

      Our bodies are quite resilient and just need time to do their jobs.

      Thank you so much Andy!
      Karol

      1. Day 26 and my hair is in great shape.

        It’s amazing. I’m impressed.

        I read the article originally because a good friend of mine had Psoriasis and I thought it might contain some information that could help her. I went to see her a couple of weeks ago and told her all about the shampoo free lifestyle I now enjoy and suggested she give it a try.

        She was a tad reluctant at first and the concept of not using shampoo was totally alien to her. But after 4 days of not using shampoo she called to thank me. I guess her hair is doing great, it has body its never had before and her Psoriasis is almost gone.

        A big thanks from both of us.

  15. DAY ONE- I just gave my hair a vigorous rinsing and my hair didn’t tangle at all. It just combed out really nicely. I have always used shampoo on my hair (buying the best I could with the least chemicals) but my hair tangles really badly, so then I have to put conditioner on it, in order to untangle my hair when combing. A salon operator told me once that my kind of hair tangled easily so all of these products were necessary. AMAZING. My hair looks and feels really nice today already. Also I haven’t been scratching and picking at my head like I had bugs. (I don’t) I will comment again after 30 days. WOW, the stuff one learns :).

    1. Hey MJ,

      Awesome! Glad to hear about you trying this out and so nice that it didn’t tangle on Day 1. :)

      Looking forward to your 30 day comment.

      Karol

  16. Hi Karol
    You are quite correct in what you say about shampoo I have been doing it for years although i do shampoo about once every 2-3 months. However it is possible to get a fungus on the skin. (Nothing to do with your unshampooed hair by the way) Usually it shows as white spots but this applies to any skin complaint I have found a good way to clear it up is to use a shampoo called SELSUN, comes in a yellow bottle and should be used as a body wash. Most of my experience is from the tropics and may not be a problem in cold dry zones.

  17. Hi Karol, You have a very interesting website, love the bright happy colours.
    This post is for all those people who found the ‘no shampoo method’ difficult, this is the simple way that I wash my hair as follows: I have been using the ‘no shampoo’ method for nearly 8 months and my hair is in much better condition because of it.

    Before I wash my hair, I make two mixtures, one bicarb soda, the other vinegar. I use two separate wide mouthed, plastic water bottles (recycled), the type with a pull up pop top lid.

    The mixture I use is about 3 teaspoonsful of bicarb soda, top up with warm water and shake to mix.

    Into the other bottle goes about half an inch of plain vinegar and I top that up with warm water also. I put a rubber band on the vinegar bottle to show which is bicarb and which is vinegar.

    I wet my hair, pour the bicarb solution through, while massaging the solution into my hair, and then give my scalp a really good scrub and then rinse thoroughly, and then my hair feels squeaky clean,

    Next, I pour the vinegar solution through my hair while massaging that in as well and then rinse thoroughly, then towel dry and comb through.

    My hair is shoulder length and appears knotty when I’ve finished drying with a towel, but it combs through quite easily.

    It takes a little while to get used to the routine of making the solution, but I only wash my hair every second day. Gail

    ps I would never go back to using shampoo, it’s just too harsh for my hair and my health.

    pps I hope you find this information useful because for me it’s just the best to skip the shampoo section at the supermarket. Gail

    head and shoulders shampoo caused a very bad burning rash when my husband used it to wash his hair a few years ago, that stuff is dangerous. Needless to say he uses the no shampoo method to clean his hair as well.

    1. Thanks for sharing Gail! Seems like a lot of work, but if it works, it works. :) Hopefully anybody who can’t handle my “absolutely no product” method will try out yours or some of the others that have been posted.

  18. Hi Karol

    The method of ‘no shampoo’ that I use may seem like work, maybe its the way I have described it, but once in the routine of making the bicarb and vinegar solutions, it goes very quickly from there, and is so simple.

    No tedious rinsing out of sudsy shampoo, no slippery shower base, no waiting for the conditioner to work in the hair, no decisions about which shampoo for my type of hair, no danger to health. It really saves time, money and energy in the long run.

  20. Hey Karol!

    Inspired by this post – and on day 12 of no-shampoo – my hair is kind of weird right now but I am giving it at least 30 days. It’s weird but looks great…Shhh don’t tell my husband what I am doing – it would freak him out.

    1. hehe, that’s awesome Kelly! Thanks for sharing. Let me know how much more you love your hair after the weird period passes. ;)

  21. Well…I stopped shampooing my hair on 11/2/09. ( I caved twice, but went right back to it) My hair is nicer than it has been in years. My scalp is nicer. I see no reason to ever shampoo my hair again. It looks nice, smells nice and feels nice.

  23. I wanted to add an interesting tidbit to David Chard’s comment about skin fungus. If you have pale spots in your tan, it’s most likely skin fungus (that is if you don’t have vitiligo like Michael Jackson). It doesn’t really hurt anything, but if you want an even tan without the spots, rubbing a dandruff shampoo into the spots will usually get rid of the fungus. SELSUN is great, but any of the tar-based shampoos will work as well. The condition is called Tinea versicolor.

    The interesting thing is WHY the spots happen. The fungus actually acts as a sunscreen! It blocks the UV rays from hitting the melanin in your dermis. The fungus shields the sun and you don’t tan in those areas. Remove the fungus and you remove the shield.

    I can’t tell you how many people I’ve shared this with who have been able to get rid of the white spots in their tan immediately the next time they tan.

    By the way, I don’t ever tan any more. Every tan is a result of the body reacting to and trying to protect itself from serious cellular skin damage.

    Oh, and the rinse only system really works!

    BJ

    David Chard November 3, 2009 at 2:20 am
    Hi Karol
    You are quite correct in what you say about shampoo I have been doing it for years although i do shampoo about once every 2-3 months. However it is possible to get a fungus on the skin. (Nothing to do with your unshampooed hair by the way) Usually it shows as white spots but this applies to any skin complaint I have found a good way to clear it up is to use a shampoo called SELSUN, comes in a yellow bottle and should be used as a body wash. Most of my experience is from the tropics and may not be a problem in cold dry zones.

  24. Ok, stopped shampooing my hair on 11/2/09, caved twice in November,but not since. I will never shampoo my hair again. It seems strong, manageable, and thicker. So….now today, on 1/1/10 I am starting a new challenge. 90 days, vegan, high nutrition only . If my body takes care of my hair, then what will my body on only high nutrition food do for my hair?

  25. Hey Karol,

    Success! I have finally completed a full 30 day cycle of not using shampoo. Actually to be honest, I only used shampoo twice in November when I first started this challenge, and not once in December. It’s such an odd thing now. When I first stopped using shampoo, I was rather reluctant and skeptical. Now, after going so long without using shampoo, I think its odd to use shampoo now.

    I think the only thing I miss about shampoo is the artificial scents! Haha, fresh strawberries and kiwi passion and such.

    My hair feels pretty damn light and fluffy. Its great. I think it will take a few more weeks or month(s) for my hair to fully repair itself. Great stuff Karol.

  26. Hi there Karol,

    Been reading your blog for a few months now – and I’m finally giving this an honest try. I’ve started a few times and was back and forth, I’d go without shampoo for about 3-4 days and cave in. I thought if I used some natural Burts Bees it would be okay, but now I’ve gotten to where even that seems to completely strip my hair and dry it out. So I’m determined this time around, I’m in the second week of no products. It actually seems okay and feels a bit sticky, like you said, but feels clean. Having longer hair, its difficult to have much style to it at the moment, but I’m determined! I will post again and let you know my progress…

    1. Hi Daisy,

      I have a feeling, although I haven’t checked the ingredients, that burts bees isn’t as “natural” as they claim.

      Being in the second week isn’t easy, but great that you’re determined and trying again. :)

  27. Pingback: It’s Random Monday — shannonalbert.me

  28. It’s been weeks I read this post at first, now that I’ve stopped shampooing for 5 days…my scalp is already less itchy and oily, but I feel my hair is getting sticky AND dry and fizzy (well my hair is dyed and goes down to my ‘a$$’) …
    Anyway I’ll keep the xperience going for another 25 days, and will keep you updated!

    1. Hi Paris,

      Great! The beginning sticky stage is the most difficult time to get through. In 25 days you’re going to be thrilled. :)

      Karol

  29. hi everyone…i am totally into the no-poo idea….but if you need to once in a while shampoo..then why dont you buy ”no-poo” or ”low-poo” made by devachan or deva curl……so i think this product does not include the lather ingredient which is what is the cleanser that takes the oil out of your hair…so it is good to use once in a while.

    they have other products as well..but have only tried the no-poo
    anyone try this?

    1. Hi Yas,

      Thanks for commenting.

      I have not heard of or tried that brand, but I would recommend simply using Dr Bronner’s liquid soap as it also doesn’t strip your hair of oils. I actually used it yesterday before getting a haircut. It was the first time I “shampooed” my hair in ~6 months!

      Karol

  30. Hi there!
    I am just following up – today is Day 30 for me! It’s amazing the results!
    No one would even know that I haven’t put shampoo in my hair unless I told them.
    My only concern is that I’ve had to blow-dry it frequently b/c of cold weather, and I still seem to have some dandruff. I’m not sure if the hair dryer is the cause of my dandruff, or if maybe my hair just needs more time.
    Any thoughts?

    Thanks!
    Daisy

    1. Hi Daisy,

      Awesome! Thanks for following up.

      The dandruff could very well be because of the blow dryer.

      It could also be from the weather. If you’re spending a lot of time indoors with stale heated air it’s probably drying out your skin.

      Karol

  31. I LOVE this post. I’m going to commit to the 30 day challenge and see how my hair does. I have really oily hair and hate it. I’m hoping this will method will help. I know the first few weeks will be hard. I’ll just be sure to wear a hat. :)

    1. Thanks for participating Tammy! Don’t worry, your body will learn to regulate your oily hair if you give it a chance. Mine did. :)

  32. ok karol…i’m convinced! this is my…hmm.. 4th day (i think) of not shampooing and just using your method. let’s see how it goes! i’ll keep you posted on the progress, although you’ve been there! thanks for a great blog from a fellow pole!! czesc!

    1. Czesc Aggie!

      That’s awesome. 4 days in is still a very rough period…that will last a while. But stick with it, it’s going to rock!

      Karol

  33. Hi Karol,
    I have been reading your blog and find it very interesting! I stumbled upon it as I was looking for a remedy for my head! Its very dry, itchy and have dandruff, usually worse after I wash it!!
    I am thinking about trying the 30 day trial but I have a few questions first.. I have really nice long hair that always looks extremely shiny and feels lovely and “light” after washing it, will it be the same if I try the no shampoo method? Also for those of us who dye their hair (to cover up the straying grey) what happens when you dye your hair and you need to wash out the dye etc.. because yes the dye is a chemical but I don’t know of any other way of colouring my hair!? Don’t say “dont dye” as I am only 31 and don’t want to have grey hair showing this early in my life!!

    Thanks
    Gypsy

    1. Hi Gypsy,

      Thank you!

      Will it be the same? Don’t know, you have to try it.

      Dye: don’t dye. Who cares if you’re 31 and you have grey? I’m 29 and I have a receding hairline. No sense in fighting nature or stressing about it. Accept it and live! ;)

      Cheers!
      Karol

    2. Gypsy,

      The beauty of a 30 day *trial* is that you can test it out to see for yourself with no long-term consequences. If you don’t like it, no need to keep doing it.

      When I washed my hair, I never felt comfortable growing it out; it just poofed. I recently went 4-5 months without cutting it and man I loved it.

      I’m not sure if you’ll get light and airy, but your hair will probably feel and look much healthier with its own oils and not synthetic ones.

      I think the key is experimentation here; just try things out and see what works!

      -Nicky

  34. I stopped washing my hair on 11/01/09 The first thing I noticed was that my hair no longer tangles, ever. Now even the woman who cuts my hair comments on how nice my hair looks. I just tell her to wet my hair and cut it, not to shampoo it or put anything else on it. (I have never told her, or anyone except my husband, but people comment on how nice my hair looks). Because soaking my head in harsh chemicals while I dye my hair is not good for my health, I stopped that also, and my hair has about 10 different colors, and yes a lot of it is gray , but it is beautiful, what a surprise and people think I have done that on purpose also. My hair and my scalp are really nice now, a diet high in nutrients helps also. I would never go back to shampooing my hair. Mother Nature never ever put shampoo and conditioner on the river banks way back when, this shampooing was invented by modern man, let your body take care of your hair from the inside out. Thanks, without your blog I never would have gotten here.

    1. Hi Jeane,

      This is so great to read! Everything about your comment rocks and I think it’ll inspire even more people to try this. Thank you for posting.

      Karol

  35. I stopped washing my hair two weeks ago I think (I read a post about it on another blog) and they’re looking fine and as far as I can tell don’t smell or anything. I didn’t use to wash my hair too often anyway because I didn’t like how they’d feel after shampooing them. Reading that it works for more people definitely encourages me to keep avoiding any shampoo on my hair. I wonder if the same goes for soap though. I read some stuff about people never using soap for similar reasons but I’m a bit hesitant towards trying that seeing as my armpits for example do tend to smell somewhat more than my hair..

    1. Hi Kristof,

      I’ve gone without using soap for a few days (camping and whatnot), but not using soap regularly doesn’t interest me. That’s a whole different beast than just not using shampoo. :)

      Awesome that not using shampoo is working out for you!

      Karol

  36. wow thats really smart,im 16 and i have long hair it is getting bad when i walk i see flakes faling out its gross to be honest i dont think anyone notices but i hope not i always try to stay away from black shirts and darker clothing im gunna try this, but dont you think it would make my hair smell gross not sure please get back to me would be a great help.

    1. also another thing how long does the sticky period you talked about last, and is it noticeable?

    2. Hi Chris,

      Your hair won’t smell and the sticky period might last for up to 30 days. You just gotta plow through it. Let me know how it goes!

      Karol

  37. Karol.
    I used to have dandruff regardless of the shampoo I used. After reading this article I tried no shampoo.

    The first two months were greasy and the dandruff got worse.

    It has now been four months, my scalp is healthier then it has ever been, and I no longer have dandruff.

    Thanks

  38. Hey Karol: I haven’t given up on this “no poo” thing, but definitely got derailed for a little while. Currently, I just ended up 3 weeks with NO shampoo and/or products of any sort on my hair. My strategy this time was to let my hair grow out quite a bit longer than normal, and then go “no poo” until I couldn’t stand the “icky” feeling anymore. Then, I shaved my head down to about your length, maybe a bit shorter, which is how I would normally wear it anyway. Now that my hair is really short again, and I already had 2 weeks of “no poo” with the longer hair, it’s MUCH better. My hair looks and feels really good now (IMHO) and I think I will be able to stick with it this time. My next business trip, there will be NO shampoo in my ditty bag! I’m cuttin’ ties with the nasty chemicals! :)

    1. Awesome Dave! 3 weeks is probably just about to the breaking point. After that it only gets better! :)

      1. So, I’ve definitely made it past the 30 day mark (and beyond). No shampoo or products of any sort on my head for about 5 weeks now. I’ve also switched to Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap for everything else – even shaving! I use Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree to shave & wash my face, and then I use Peppermint for everything else. It feels all cool & tingly and I love it! :)

          1. Hi Everyone!

            Just wanted to drop by for another quick update…

            So, I guess it’s been a full 3 months now, and I haven’t used any shampoo or (chemical laden) soap on my person in all that time. Most of the time, my hair just gets hot water a nice vigorous massage. The rest of me gets Dr Bronner’s peppermint or tea tree soap (can’t decide which I like best).

            If I get really dirty and nasty working outside or whatever, I might wash my hair lightly with Dr Bronners.

            Also, I purchased a really nice Panasonic wet/dry shaver (model ES8243A), and I pretty much just shave in the shower with some nice Dr. Bronners lather on my face. It works wonderfully, and the Panasonic shaver was absolutely the BEST purchase I’ve made in “personal care” products. It is THE Cadillac of electric shavers!

            Another plus I’ve noticed from all this that my shower no longer gets gunked up with soap scum. That’s a nice bonus and I definitely feel like I’m doing my part to stop screwing up the environment since I’m not dumping useless chemicals down the drain every day.

            1. Nice! That rocks Dave. 3 months in = you’re never going back. :)

              While I’m a fan of razor + Pacific Shaving Oil thank you for the tip for those who like other methods. :)

              Cheers,
              Karol

  40. Alright Karol,

    I’ve read your blog and all the comments. This is the second blog I’ve come across that talks about no shampoo and now I’m sold. The whole idea really appeals to me on so many levels. I’m doing it. I will bookmark your blog and come back to let you know how it goes. But after reading all these comments, I have no doubt I’ll be satisfied.

    Thanks for the great and positive post!

    Blessings,

    Dallas

    1. I should also comment that I’ve always had pretty bad dandruff. I currently use Nutrigena (sp?) T-Gel. It does alright and I usually have nice hair (as long as I remember to shampoo!), but when I skip a few days, red splotches appear on my scalp and hairline along with VERY itchy scalp. I think pressing past the first few days will clear me of these inconveniences. I will go until two months to make sure I’m past the “icky” stage, then I’ll see if I continue indefinitely or not.

      I do have one question, you said in an earlier post that you shampooed with Dr. Something before you got a cut. What was the reason for that?

      Thanks again,

      Dallas

      1. T-Gel never worked for me, but awesome that it works for you. Please do come back and let me know how no shampoo works out!

        The soap is Dr Bronners: it’s vegetable based, it doesn’t strip oil and still cleans hair (or anything else). I’m unsure of the reason I used it but it was probably that I was a little self conscious getting my hair cut without washing my hair. I’ve gotten it cut a bunch of times since then without washing. :)

        Cheers,
        Karol

        1. Hey Karol, I do have one more question. With the no shampoo life, do you find that hot activities cause your head to sweat like crazy and make your head extremely oily? In other words, when you’re working outside or exercising is your head more of a mess than when you shampooed? Thanks.

          Dallas Day 01.

          1. nah, no problems…your body will regulate the oiliness after you get through the initial rough period. Your hair will be just like before except about a thousand times more bad ass. ;)

  41. Hello, just an update. Today is day 6 without shampoo. So far, I have no problems with oil or any kind of “icky” stage. I don’t know if this will continue, but scrubbing my scalp with hot water every day seems to be keeping my hair in nice shape.

  42. I was just thinking, after my wife commented that my hair does indeed look thicker after forsaking shampoo, that you could easily get rich from the “no shampoo method.” Simply fill a bottle with water and make an infomercial touting the benefits of forsaking shampoo, while offering your product to replace the expensive hair cleansers. “It looks and tastes JUST LIKE WATER, Bob! Yet it actually cleans the hair and scalp, leaving tangle-free and luxurious, thick hair from the roots up! Why spend 10 or 20 dollars for a small bottle of chemicals guaranteed to strip your hair of essential oils and leave your hair thin and lifeless when you can get a very large bottle of JUST LIKE WATER for only 19.95?! But wait! If you call in the next 15 minutes, we’ll ship you an extra (empty) bottle of JUST LIKE WATER for FREE!!! That’s right, simply place the bottle under the faucet and fill with warm water and you’ll have a FREE hair cleanser that works better than shampoo, actually strengthening your hair and scalp for the rest of your life! That’s a lifetime supply of JUST LIKE WATER for only 19.95! Call today to get your bottle of JUST LIKE WATER! 1-800-ISPENDMONEYONCRAP.”

    Well, it’s late and I just thought I would share this revelation with you. But if you get rich from it, remember me like Forrest remembered Bubba.

    Day 08. Still great.

    Blessings,

    Dallas

    1. haha, that’s hilarious! actually, I’ll make the infomercial but the price will be $0.00!!! But wait, there’s more! ;)

  43. Hey Karol,

    Just found your blog. Loving it so far. Appreciate your help.

    Here’s a question. With oily hair I’m guessing you might have oily skin on your face as well. Have you ever had trouble with acne/tried to stop washing your face as a cure for too much oil?

    I like the hair idea so far. I will give it a try sometime soon as I’ve always had the same problem of washing it EVERY DAY. Sounds like a great system, hope it works.

    Ryan

    1. Hey Ryan!

      Thanks for finding me. :)

      Yes, I’ve had acne problems my whole life. It’s not as bad now as it used to be. My diet has helped a lot. I have not tried not washing my face. It’s an interesting idea, but I know, based on going camping and not washing my face for a few days that the oil/acne/grossness gets bad. Over the long haul would it get better? Again, interesting idea. Not one I’m going to tackle though.

      Let me know how no shampoo works out for you.

      Cheers!
      Karol

      1. Soon after I stopped using shampoo a year ago, I also stopped using facial cleansers. Just seemed to fit into the experiment.

        At first, it seemed that washing my face with only water had zero effect. My acne seemed to be exactly the same (not terrible but existant).

        The past few months though, I’ve been realizing that my skin is really damn clear compared to how it used to be. This certainly does not prove that not using facial cleansers *caused* my clear skin, but it does show that it isn’t required for clear skin.

        -Nicky

        2. I found the same thing. I used to use chemical washes, masks and toners on my skin, but for the past year or so have just be using hot water, not any soap at all. It seems to open the pores and clean my skin much better. My acne has decreased and so has my pharmacy bill :)

  44. Here is what I found out about getting a healthy scalp.

    1. Excessive dandruff, can also be a result of consuming too much sugar . This could mean a problem with the pancreas. (usual suspect… parasites that have made a home there, or infection) Cut back on sugar, if the dandruff decreases… you have a hit.

    2. Due to modern food processing, we do not consume enough of GOOD Oils (like pure olive oil, flax seed oil, sesame oil etc. Note – oils that are exposed to daylight become rancid, avoid this at all cost.

    Avoid Hydrogenated stuff… read the label , it is in 80% of packaged food, even ice cream.

    I get my olive oil raw from Greece in a dark tin container. I grind my fax seed fresh, just before I eat them.

    1. Thanks for your additional input Bruno! I’ve been avoiding hydrogenated stuff for a long time, but it still creeps into my diet every once in a while. (I do eat some junk food when the mood strikes, which is very rarely.)

  45. Hi, great blog – lots of fun to read!

    Just wanted to say that keep your hair healthy by not washing it works very well. I’ve been doing it too for a few years now and it’s the best thing I’ve done for my hair.
    For me it really helped starting when i was on vacation and could bathe is a salt water sea regularly for the first two weeks.
    Great job motivation others to do this!

    1. Hi Rux!

      Thank you, I’m glad you like my blog. :) And thanks for the encouragement for those who have yet to try the no-shampoo method.

      Karol

  46. Pingback: 5 More Extraordinary Ways To Travel Like A Minimalist

  47. You’re right, lots o comments. Day 1 for me. Lets hope those seminar people don’t become suspicious, if they do, I’ll gently smile.

    I think this will work awesome before I head to Costa Rica.

    Thanks Karol.

      1. Hey Karol,

        On day 9 now and I think I’m developing dandruff, I know it will go away with some time.

        You think its ok to shampoo my hair for a date and revert back?

        Or do you think a hat is ok?

        Quick question about your iTouch, does any headphone with microphone work for the skype app?

        1. Hey Bobby,

          Of course you can shampoo your hair. Will it help with this experiment? Maybe not. ;) And the shampoo won’t get rid of your dandruff anyway.

          A hat isn’t necessary. I mean, dandruff isn’t a huge deal. Lots of people have it.

          Not sure if any headphones will work. I have the iPod headphones.

          Cheers,
          Karol

          1. Yea, I want to keep the habit up, I’m at the point of most resistance, though I make videos everyday to keep me accountable.

            The iPod headphones that came with your iTouch work for skype? That’s all I’m wondering if I’ll need something else.

            I’m downgrading from the Deuter Futura 32L for the 28L, I realized I didn’t need so much stuff. Travel time in about a month, I’m excited!

            1. Plow through it. I stated it would be rough for the first couple weeks. :)

              Yes, headphones that come with itouch have a mic! woohooo

              Awesome that you’re downgrading. I actually have a ton of room left in my 32L, but I’m 6’5″ and the 28L doesn’t fit well. I’m excited for you!

              Karol

    2. Little update. Day 30 done as of yesterday and I’m loving not putting all those toxin on my head anymore.

      Kept track of all the different days and made videos for about 25 of them.

      It was interesting and I got some people to try it out.

      Also did a no q-tip thing, you ever think about doing no deodorant? For some reason I think using it increases the smell of not using it, sort of like shampoo.

      1. Nice!

        I have not thought about no deodorant. The smell would be unbearable! Just go on a multi-day camping trip without deodorant and you’ll know the stench. :)

        Karol

  48. Pingback: No Poo & Q-tips Diet + Day 2

  49. I am excited to try this, but have to find some time where I can have oily, sticky gross hair for a few weeks. I guess summer holidays would be the best, but I don’t have a block of time long enough for the whole 30 days. I will see what I can think of to try this out.

    1. Don’t think, just do. :) If it gets too bad you can always wash it. And, more likely, it won’t get too bad and nobody will even notice. ;)

  50. Hey Karol,

    I’m just into week 3. Trying to stick it out. It’s not bad but a bit oilier than I’d like. Random question…You use the phrase, “delaying gratification” quite a lot. Are you by chance a fan of Dr. M. Scott Peck’s work?

  51. so my husband just walked in the door and I started telling him about the wonders of no-shampoo, then he tells me he hasn’t used shampoo in 4 months! He just decided he didn’t want to use it anymore?? So I inspected his scalp and he has less dandruff than the last time I noticed. wicked cool!

  52. Hey Karol,

    Two days from now will be a full month of no shampoo. I have had a surprisingly easy time with it. No real gross stage to speak of at all! Actually, since I’ve started this both my wife and a good friend of mine have forsaken shampoo. I hope they have as easy a time with it as I have.

    Although my scalp can get a bit itchy from time to time. I’m guessing that’ll go away soon. Anyway, thanks for the push, man.

    Dallas

  53. like you, i have psoriasis, and T-Gel doesn’t really work all that well. so as of today i’m taking the plunge and am going poo-free for at least 30 days. i actually only wash my hair once or twice a week already, with such a dry scalp and all the psoriasis, so i’m hoping it won’t be that hard of a change.

    1. Excellent that you’re trying this. Let me know how it goes. As you can tell by the comments, this just works. :)

  54. Hi Karol,

    Thank you for sharing your experiences with not washing your hair.

    This week my hairdresser shaved my hair to a very short length of 0.2″, for the first time in my 45th years of life . The question was how to treat my scalp and the stubbles since I washed my hair every day because of dandruff. I came across “No Poo” and “No Water/Sebum Only”. I will go for the latter as far as possible. I don’t like a swimcap, so swimming will be with wet stubbles :)

    Yesterday, I bought a boar bristle brush for brushing before going to bed and after getting up. At the moment I use the brush several times a day because my head is itchy. The next months I will keep my hair short and my scalp will be able to find back its balance.

    A very good feeling: the short hair but also the knowledge of having no chemistry on the head.

    2. Hey Kem:

      Any recommendation on where to find a nice boar bristle brush? I’ve checked all the local stores and they only have the crappy plastic ones.

      Dave

      1. Hi Dave,

        I bought my oval boar bristle brush in a German supermarket for 11 USD. It has a soft rubber cussion and is made of varnished wood. But it is only this particular nationwide supermarket chain that sells pure boar bristle brushes. Even drugstores here don’t sell them.

        Maybe you will find a good one on the big online auction site. It would be no trouble for me to send you one from the German supermarket but shipping would cost additionally 15 USD.

      2. An addition to my post of June 29. Buy a brush with a rubber cussion. I also bought one without (it looks like a cloth brush), but that one doesn’t feel very good on my scalp. If it is only used for hair and not on the skin it might be good.

  55. Had to do a new post since there were no more “Reply” links on the previous thread. :) Anyway, you’re 100% correct Karol… 3 months in and I can tell you I will NEVER go back to using shampoo or regular soap! In fact, I’m getting ready to order a couple of the 1 gallon jugs of Dr Bronners online. I have some little 4-ounce “TSA” tubes/bottles I refill and carry with me when I travel, and then some larger 8 ounce “tottles” I keep in the shower @ home. These all came from http://www.easytravelerinc.com/ and I love ’em!

    Up until I purchased the Panasonic wet/dry shaver, I was using a Gillette Fusion 3-blade razor and “Shave Secret” oil. But I just got sick of constantly buying the expensive Fusion cartridges and the oil, so I decided to get a really nice electric to see how I liked it.

    Thanks again for writing this article and encouraging me to keep at the “no poo” thing! :)

  56. Hey Karol,

    This does seem really incredible, but it makes so much sense…our body takes care of itself.

    I have had dandruff since so long…and I once got rid of it after using Selsun Blue regularly. But it’s come up again, and this time around, it’s practically immune to Selsun Blue! So I decided it was time to go online and research about it. This is how I came across your blog, and am going to try it out myself. I really wanna get rid of dandruff!

  57. Theres a product calles Scapalene I believe. They sell it at any walgreens or walmart… you apply it to the dry, itchy areas and it works pretty good too.. For girls is a lil different since (well some of us haven’t seen our natural hair w/o products or styling it in a long time) haha I only wash my hair twice a week but i get flaks and itchiness mainly when im super stressed out.. but yes if yoiu need a simpler solution Scapalene rules.. and its a little bottle so you can always carry with you.

    1. Thanks for the tip Laila. :) Using those coloring products probably contributes to your scalp problems. ;)

  58. Hi,

    I’m just going to jump in here on the subject of hair coloring raised by Gypsy. It actually *is* in fact possible to color hair without chemicals. Rather than write a bunch, I’m just going to point the way to a website with a free ebook on the subject. Check out http://www.hennaforhair.com . By mixing henna and (if desired / needed for your color), you can create various shades of brown, red, blonde, and black. The henna and the other ingredients, if you choose to use them are actually good for your hair and scalp. If you want to jump directly to the book download page, it can be found here: http://www.hennaforhair.com/freebooks/ , although I would encourage anyone interested to check out the entire site. Bookmark it for later, and then download and read the book. It’s available in English, French, Italian, Slovenian, Estonian, Croatian, Polish, and Danish. There are also a few videos of the process and the results.

    I’ve had it in my head for a long while now to swear off shampoo entirely. Too many harmful chemicals, and my hair used to be so thick and wavy with ringlets when i was a kid (never washed my hair much then, I was a little wild child, lol). I miss it, and the only times it gets that way anymore is around the 10 to 14 day mark (i go camping a lot and don’t shampoo at all during those times); but, it’s getting a bit over oily. Having read about the experiences of other people here, I’m going to give it a go. I’m just coming back from a short camping trip, so I’m already 4 days in. I’ll try to post occasional updates, but will definitely report back after 30 days, plus or minus.

    My hair is long, and as I’ve previously said, naturally very full and wavy with ringlets. Anyone with the same natural hair type have any experiences with this along the lines of regaining your natural waviness (if you ever lost it)?

  59. Same thing goes for soap. No need for it on our bodies. Water rinses of necessary dirt and smells. It feels so good to hop in the shower and just rinse my hair and body with water and not apply any weird and potentially toxic products. It’s cheap too!!

    1. I’m going to have to disagree. Especially for those of us who are active. There’s a big difference between rinsing sweat/grime from a bike ride off and actually washing it off with soap. Also, men are naturally smelly/hairy, which doesn’t help. haha!

      That said, I use either Dr Bronner’s or a vegetable based soap if I can find it. I had to resort to crappy regular soap for a while here in Poland, until I found vegetable based soap.

      Karol

  60. Hey Karol,

    I’m at 2 months no shampoo and loving it. I don’t ever see myself going back. But I still have flaky scalp and was wondering if you knew if that would taper off and eventually disappear. I’ve always had dandruff, even when using T-gel, though it seemed to be better with that, and now it’s not necessarily worse than it was, but it’s not better either. Just curious as to your input.

    Thanks again,

    Dallas

    1. Hey Dallas,

      Awesome that you’re keeping it up. Interesting that you still have flaky scalp. I hope it fixes itself the longer you keep it up.

      Cheers!
      Karol

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