[paul.fr]

Having just returned from a lovely bath, i set about the boring task of shaving my head. After the usual gripes about why they have not yet made an immac for men, i remembered this hippy i once met.

He had long hair and insisted he never washed it and that after a period of time, i forget how long he said, it began to clean itself.

Is this true?

[elegantlywasted]

One thing to understand is that shampoo is about the worst thing for your hair. I have no scientific proof, only my word and the word of many hair stylists that I trust with, well my hair.

You do notice on people with dreadlocks that their hair does not appear to be dirty even if they havent washed it for months. I myself only wash my hair once a week (I'm slowly phasing shampoo out of my hair care regimen) and my hair has never been healthier! I have less frizz, better curl definition, styles stay in longer, more body etc.

I have also noticed that when I made the decision to stop washing my hair that it takes longer and longer for my hair to appear "dirty". When I first started I was washing it every day because within a few hours it would have that greasy look to it. Now I can go for about 5 or 6 days without the oil sheen, and continously it is looking better.

Also I read an article in Macleans a month or so ago about people who do not wash their hair. One stylist they interviewed said he cut a mans hair, that hadn't been washed in 30 some odd years, and the stylist said it was the best looking head of hair he had ever seen.

[neilep]

Dearest Paul Fr.

I remember some person who is respected and admired by all on this site also asked a very similar question a while ago...I can't remember who they are but I do know that they are loved by all...here's the link !...great minds eh ?

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=2016.0

[paul.fr]

Dearest Paul Fr.

I remember some person who is respected and admired by all on this site also asked a very similar question a while ago...I can't remember who they are but I do know that they are loved by all...here's the link !...great minds eh ?

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=2016.0

Is there a question this respected gentleman has not asked? Although i do like the "great minds think alike" aspect of your answer.

[JustineH]

I'm allergic to all Essential Oils.  Take a look at what a drop of Essential Oil is:

"Essential oils are extremely concentrated. It would take roughly thirty cups of herbal tea to equal the concentration of plant essence in one drop of essential oil.

Allergic reactions are possible with essential oils. People with sensitive skin or allergies should perform a simple skin test when using essential oils for the first time.

Essential oils should be used with care on children.

Essential oils should not be used during the first three months of pregnancy, and after that they should only be used when heavily diluted with base oils. Women with histories of miscarriage should not use essential oils during pregnancy at all. Pregnant women should perform skin tests before using essential oils. Essential oils are not recommended for nursing mothers.

Some essential oils may cause nausea, dizziness, or gastrointestinal discomfort when used in excess or by those with allergic reactions. Some essential oils, particularly those derived from citrus fruit plants, can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight and increased risk of sunburn.

Essential oils are not recommended for those taking homeopathic remedies, as essential oils are believed to interfere with their effectiveness.

Now, do Essential Oils need to be put into shampoos and soaps?  No.  And are they dangerous to many?  Yes.

[lightarrow]

One thing to understand is that shampoo is about the worst thing for your hair. I have no scientific proof, only my word and the word of many hair stylists that I trust with, well my hair.

You do notice on people with dreadlocks that their hair does not appear to be dirty even if they havent washed it for months. I myself only wash my hair once a week (I'm slowly phasing shampoo out of my hair care regimen) and my hair has never been healthier! I have less frizz, better curl definition, styles stay in longer, more body etc.

I have also noticed that when I made the decision to stop washing my hair that it takes longer and longer for my hair to appear "dirty". When I first started I was washing it every day because within a few hours it would have that greasy look to it. Now I can go for about 5 or 6 days without the oil sheen, and continously it is looking better.

Also I read an article in Macleans a month or so ago about people who do not wash their hair. One stylist they interviewed said he cut a mans hair, that hadn't been washed in 30 some odd years, and the stylist said it was the best looking head of hair he had ever seen.

Yes. I saw a documentary on TV some years ago, they made an experiment. They asked a woman with long hair not to wash them at all for a long time (many months), just to brush them. After the experiment, she revealed that the situation was very bad the first weeks: greasy, dirty, smelly hairs; but after a while, they began being better, and, at the end, she was completely satisfied of them.

[Bored chemist]

"Now, do Essential Oils need to be put into shampoos and soaps? "
Well, that depends. If you want them to smell nice (and most people do) then you might as well use essential oils. Obviously, in the same way that herbal teas are very dilute solutions, so are most shampoos.
Most fuit and vegetables contain essential oils and are harmless to most people.
As with all things, moderation is a good idea.

"Essential oils are not recommended for those taking homeopathic remedies, as essential oils are believed to interfere with their effectiveness"
Intrersting idea- something can interfere with something that has not been shown to work.

[essentialoil]

Hi...
I have seen specialist SPAM suppliers in online. They are members of the Aromatherapy Trade Council.I hope this will help u.


[MOD EDIT - GOSH, WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT SPAM COULD BE SO REVITALISING FOR HAIR... IT'S ALSO DEAD GOOD AT GETTING YOU BANNED. BYE BYE SUNSHINE...]

[Madidus_Scientia]

*sigh* shameless spam ^

I don't bother with shampoo myself, but its funny how people that don't use shampoo say they never wash their hair. I certainly do wash it, water seems to do the trick. Do these people that never wash their hair also never shower?

[seven]

I have decided to give this a go (not wash my hair in detergents anymore), I used to wash my hair everyday and I'm only on day two and it is already heavy with grease.  I don't use any body detergents either, just rolled oats soaked in hot water and I'm going to just use that on my hair too as it is just a water softener and see what happens.....  I'm going to give it over the winter until March, but I think that because my hair is so fine anyway that I should see a change very quickly.

[CliffordK]

Interesting concept.

I have noted that there are different kinds/qualities of hair.
Most dogs can have fairly long hair without tangles.
A Persian Cat, though, gets horrible furballs if not kept combed. 
The hair on one's beard is certainly different than that on top of the head, and in my case, it seems more curly, but less prone to tangles.

Anyway, I might have to consider whether shampoo makes changes to the hair that causes negative effects...  and perhaps also being addictive.

As far as perfumes...  why does it have to cost more to get soaps WITHOUT them added?

About a decade ago Pert-Plus changed their formula, one of the undisclosed "Fragrance" ingredients, I think.  It caused an itchy scalp, and I thought I was also developing psoriasis-like scales on my fingers.  It scared me...  And I changed brands very quickly.  Generics also "carried the risk".  A few months later, I discovered that my mother had called the company for a similar problem. 

I'd much rather my soaps and laundry to be safe than to be "mountain fresh".

[Variola]

About a decade ago Pert-Plus changed their formula 

Pert plus?  []
Sound like something I could do with using on my chest....  []