After reading many articles and seeing video's like the one above, I decided to try the "poo-free" approach to hair care. Just like most people, my initial reaction was "eehhh, I don't know about that." I have definitely been more aware recently of the chemicals I allow in my house and on my body. I avoid deodorant with aluminum, I try not to eat anything I can't pronounce and I try to use gentle and non-toxic products when cleaning. At some point I started to take a look at the ingredients on my "all natural" shampoo's. Since I have wavy hair, I was never one to wash my hair everyday, but I could tell that using shampoo would put me into a vicious cycle in which I needed other products to manage my hair, or I would feel the need to wash more often then I knew I needed to. Most people spend well over $100 per year for their commercial shampoo and other products.
Some people go cold turkey, just rinsing their hair with water, but others had been talking about using Baking Soda to replace shampoo, and apple cider vinegar for a conditioning rinse. After some research I found out that Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is a main ingredient in some shampoos, but it also had many other cleaning properties. Sodium bicarbonate can be used as an exfoliant since its particles are rounded and fine in texture, making it both effective and gentle on the skin. Using baking soda as an exfoliating scrub will remove dead skin cells, which can be discolored from hyperpigmentation and scarring. Sodium bicarbonate is also used as an ingredient in some mouthwashes. It works as a mechanical cleanser on the teeth and gums, neutralizes the production of acid in the mouth and is also used as an antiseptic to help prevent infections. A paste made from sodium bicarbonate and a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution can be used as an alternative to commercial non-fluoride toothpastes, and sodium bicarbonate in combination with other ingredients can be used to make a dry or wet deodorant.
All of this information gave me comfort and confidence in making this change so I went ahead with it. The first noticeable change was going to be the amount of money spent on hair care! Shampoo usually cost me $10-$20 per bottle and the same amount for conditioner. Baking soda cost between $.99-$3.50 for a box that will last you a few months.
The first time I used the baking soda and water mixture, it felt weird. I was used to having a shampoo that foamed up and was easy to see and feel, but with the baking soda it was almost like pouring water straight onto your hair. I was sure that this wasn't going to work at all. I opted not to use the apple cider vinegar because I wanted to see what the baking soda alone would do. To my surprise, when I was rinsing the baking soda out of my hair, it already felt smoother. I could easily pull my fingers through it while rinsing, which meant I would easily be able to get a comb through it! Sure enough, I didn't have many tangles, and after my hair was dried I couldn't believe how much body it had! From that day on I never went back to shampoo.
It has now been almost a year since I made the change. I can report that my scalp has been less itchy and has less dandruff, I've probably saved at least $75 on hair care products, and my boyfriend, who has also been shampoo-free with me, has noticed the spots that were once thinning are now much fuller. If I've learned anything from all of this it's that there are tiny things in life we can do to simplify, minimize and consume less. Not everyone needs to go shampoo free, but taking steps to simplify life in a time when there is so much excess can be a truly freeing and spiritual experience for some. Is there something in life that could be doing you more harm than good, wasting your money or stealing your time? Is there a way to minimize those things in our life? I think there is, once small step at a time.
For more detailed information on going shampoo-free, check out http://natural-forces.com/essays/poofree.htm
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