18-12-2008 - The No Poo Challenge

My mood while writing this blog: fine

So, I learned that the sulfates and sulfides in shampoo are really bad for your hair and that you shouldn't use regular shampoo. I researched the issue and learned that you can clean your hair by using a baking soda paste to scrub your hair at the roots. Well, I tried this and it worked but it didn't smell very good, especially when you use the apple cider vinegar rinse afterwards. So I figured that what was bad was the sulfides and sulfates, so if I could find a shampoo that didn't have these chemicals then I could use that. Well, this is a bigger challenge than it seems. Shampoos are not made without the harsh detergents anymore, especially not the regular ones that you find in the drug stores and grocery stores. So here's what I did, I went to a natural foods store and read the label of EVERY shampoo they had in stock and found that there are a few different brands (very expensive) that do not have any sulfides or sulfates in them. They are all small bottles and are much more expensive than any other shampoo and you have to use at least twice as much to wash long hair, but you're not supposed to wash your hair more than once every four or five days and you don't need conditioner at all, although they do sell the accompanying conditioner for each shampoo. After several weeks of using the shampoo (three washes total) my hair is extremely healthy and soft. After all is said and done, I feel like my hair is fully healed and healthy and I have not used regular shampoo since before August which makes it four an a half months of not shampooing my hair with sulfides or sulfates or using conditioner (because I don't need it anymore.)

Are you brave enough to take the challenge?