Do you know how to start no poo method from the beginning?
I did not know when I gave up on shampoo 5 years ago. Rather I stumbled upon the no poo method because I had given up on the false promises of the shampoo.
The hair care industry advertisers their products as the end-all of hair problems. It seems as if I am a mere one shampoo/ conditioner/serum away from abandoning the bad hair days.
Though the sad truth is that it never happens. It is a vicious circle of products that you go through. The lure of healthy hair makes you purchase endless products. Following that you achieve nothing but disappointment and strands of broken hair.
I have gone through it many times. That is when I left the regular hair care products forever and made a transition to nature-based ones.
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After trying a lot of products from my kitchen and reading resources on the subject. I zeroed in a few herbal plants from the apothecary shops to continue my no poo journey.
If the thought of leaving the shampoo intrigues you. Then, you have landed on the right article. Go ahead and gather the information on how to get it right from the beginning.
Know How to Start No Poo the Simple Way
1. Relax Your Shampoo Routine
I know many people who wash their hair daily with an SLS based shampoo. If your hair and scalp receive such a rigorous cleaning routine. Then, the scalp is bound to produce a lot of oil to counteract the dryness due to excessive cleaning.
Also, the silicones and other fatty esters in the shampoo add to the oils. That is why the hair feels waxy and the scalp seems full of gunk.
But once you have made up your mind to try the no poo method. Then, you have to prepare yourself to leave the shampoo.
To get to the no poo stage, it is a good idea to reduce the use of shampoo in a gradual manner.
The best way to do that is by going longer between the washes. So, if you wash your hair every day. Then, start by washing every other day.
If you wash every other day. Then, start washing every 3rd day. That way you can stretch it to using shampoo once every week.
Pat yourself on the back once you reach the once in 7 days shampoo routine. Because you crossed the first step in going no poo. Now you can step up to ——->
2. Switch to a Low Poo Shampoo
Once your hair gets accustomed to fewer washes. Then, the time is right to introduce a low poo shampoo in your hair care regime.
A low poo shampoo does not have detergents or any petroleum-based derivatives. Instead, it has oil-based cleansers made through the simple saponification way.
Most of the low poo shampoos are solid bars. They are easy to craft. I make them all the time. But if you do not want to create a handmade shampoo yourself. Then, you can buy any of the low poo shampoo brands available in the market.
They work much like the SLS ones, but they do not contain SLS.
You can stick to once a week low poo shampoo routine. Also, using a low poo conditioner after shampoo can help with dry/tangled hair issues.
3. Start Using a No Poo Shampoo
Once you get comfortable with a low poo shampoo for about a month or two. Then, the next jump is to a no poo shampoo.
If you have never gone shampoo free. Then, the first best no poo shampoo is baking soda.
You will find a lot of conflicting information regarding this powder. It is a boon to remove chronic build-up and to clean the scalp pores. But it can turn into havoc if used on a regular basis or in a large quantity.
But there is no harm in using a teaspoon of it once in 6 months. It is wonderful to remove all the gunk and flaky layers from the hair and scalp.
Though the best part is that it works in the first wash itself. Meaning you do not have to use it again and again to see the results. You will get super soft bouncy hair after the first no poo wash with baking soda.
After the baking soda no poo shampoo, it is mandatory to use an ACV rinse. Since the baking soda is basic, an acidic rinse restores the scalp’s natural ph levels.
Also, the more porous your strands will be. The more you need the concentration of ACV in the rinse and less the amount of baking soda. As a general rule of thumb, do not use the baking soda more than a teaspoon; and use a minimum of 1 teaspoon of ACV.
4. Try Various No Poo Products
Since baking soda and apple cider vinegar cannot be a frequent shampoo. Thus, you will have to work out a better no poo shampoo alternative.
Considering the retail products, DevaCurl No Poo from The Curly Girl Method is a popular one.
This product does not retail in my country, so I have never used it. But they claim to have no sulfates, silicones, and parabens. Thus, their entire range works as a no poo product.
The term no poo means no shampoo. But the options within that term are huge. Although it has been more than 5 years and I have not touched the regular shampoo brands. But you know I am still exploring no poo shampoos.
The more I travel and try to gain experience of others in going shampoo free. The more I get to know natural shampoo alternatives.
I went from using baking soda and apple cider vinegar (ACV) washes to clays, eggs, and flours. But these days I am regular with my trip of amla, shikakai, and reetha.
If you are not from the Indian subcontinent. Then, you might not have heard about these products. I have known about them for ages. I have even used them when I was younger. But I forgot about them while growing up. But I got back to them after reading the No Poo method book.
You can also read the book to find several natural ways to wash your hair. I am glad that this book brought me back to my natural hair care routine which I had long ignored.
5. Go Ahead With the No Poo Method That Suits You
The no poo method that you choose depends upon your hair type, lifestyle, and location.
For instance, you might not like the chaos associated with an egg wash. Or you might not get soap nuts where you live. Or you have a busy routine and can only use a bottled product.
Furthermore, there are a lot of people who use nothing but tap water to wash their hair. Because of the water and air pollution in my country, I cannot use water only hair washing method. Else, that would be the simplest and minimalist of all ways to keep hair clean.
Likewise, you will have to figure out the suitable no poo shampoo method as per your preferences.
If you face a lot of failures, then try the troubleshooting options from a good resource on the subject. That way you will be able to try the options without hesitation.
Conclusion
If how to go no poo is on your mind. Then, do not delay the decision. Today is the best time to scrap off all the superfluous products from your hair care regime.
The truth is that you can do without these products that have strong chemicals. Hair washing is a simple chore. You can do it with an abundance of natural products.
Not to mention, the price of natural products is way less than the store-bought ones. So, get on to the task of throwing away your entire haircare range and make the switch to no poo.
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