What Happens When You Stop Washing Your Hair For A Year

Written by Niharika Nayak, BA (Media & Communication)  • 

If you’re the type of person who prefers going the eco-friendly route, then the ‘no-poo’ method is just for you. And no, it isn’t what it sounds like.

The no-poo method is when people give up shampoo and replace it with alternatives like amla, tea, or henna powder. Staunch believers of the no-poo movement claim that there are no actual medical reasons for people to use synthetic shampoo to clean their hair and swear the appearance of their locks have drastically improved. The purest form of the no-poo movement involves not washing your hair with anything except water. However, water is not a decent enough hair cleanser. So what can you expect once you give up shampoo? Read on to find out.

1. Say Goodbye To Dry And Dull Hair

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Have you ever run a finger through your hair and felt like it belonged in a haystack? You wouldn’t be the first one. The first and most obvious change you’ll notice in the initial weeks is that your hair will feel a lot softer and silkier. The downside is that your hair will start looking a lot greasier than how it usually looks. This is because your body continues to excrete excess sebum and since you’re not using shampoo to clean it out anymore, it remains greasy. However, if you keep your hair away from these pesky chemicals, the sebum production will automatically regulate itself and stop getting excreted in excessive amounts.

You will also notice your hair get its shine back. Your hair’s natural oils are also the same factors responsible for keeping your hair shiny and healthy. Sadly, your scalp isn’t the best at distributing the oil evenly across your hair, thus leaving the tips of your hair dry and damaged. You can, however, purchase a boar-bristle brush to comb your hair out with.

2. You Might Have To Cut Back On Styling Products

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If you’re someone who likes to use a hair serum after a wash to protect your hair from the outside elements, you might have to start using less of it. You’d probably have to cut back on conditioner and your other favorite styling products, as well. This is because skipping shampoo and still using products can lead to you suffering from product buildup on your scalp. This can lead to your hair looking lackluster and with greasy buildup. However, in just a few days of not washing your hair, you may experience some scalp inflammation and tenderness.

If you absolutely cannot give up your regular hair care routine, then it’s recommended that you wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo at least once a month to keep your scalp clean, healthy, and boil free. Product buildup can also lead to a slowdown in the growth of your hair as your scalp can get a little congested.

3. Who Set Off The Stink Bomb?

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As luscious as your hair will start to look, a lot of people (especially with thick or curly hair) will end up having a sharp ‘sour cheese’ like odor emanating from their hair. This is because most shampoos contain artificial fragrances that purposely make your hair smell amazing. Natural hair that hasn’t been treated or washed with chemical-filled shampoos has a more earthy smell to it. While not all people who choose no-poo suffer from foul-smelling hair, quite a large number do at least initially. Hair traps in moisture and bacteria, leading to a slight mildew smell and in some cases, a fouler one. It also has to deal with the type of lifestyle you lead. If you’re the super active type who runs five kilometers a day, your hair will pick onto a stench versus if you’re moderately active or sit behind a desk all day.

4. Color That Sticks Around Longer

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One of colored hair’s biggest mortal enemies is shampoo. Just as with clothes, excessive washing of hair can leave it looking dull and cause the dye to start fading a lot faster. Skipping shampoo can actually benefit your colored locks and leave your color-treated hair looking more vibrant and lively.

5. Dust And Dirt May Become Your New Hair-mates

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Your hair is probably going to get very dirty. A lot of people think switching to using a dry shampoo will help with that, but that’s not true. Dry shampoo will also eventually lead to product buildup and cause numerous other issues. Those of us who dwell in the city have to deal with tones of pollutants from dust to soot to smoke to way worse. All of these can add up and lead to you developing an itchy and irritated scalp. Unlike your skin, which is protected by lotions and creams, your hair is a little more challenging to defend.

6. Top Knots Aren’t The Best Way To Hide Greasy Hair

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A top knot is every lazy girl’s favorite ‘I couldn’t be bothered to wash my hair today’ move. Tying a top knot, however, could pull at your roots and cause your already sensitive scalp to hurt even more. If you do want to cover up greasy hair, a smarter and less painful option would be to tie it up in a loose braid or low ponytail.

Every woman’s hair is unique in its own way, and thus, not every product or solution might work for them. However, if you’re someone who has always struggled with chemical-laden shampoos and the problems associated with it, no-poo might be the right thing for you. Tell us your thoughts about no-poo in the comments below. Would you ever decide to ditch your shampoo?

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