I Haven't Shampooed in Months

I have stopped shampooing my hair. Well, not as much anyway. I know it sounds weird, but I only use conditioner. If I use other products like hairspray or mouse, then I do shampoo once every week or so. Shampooing is very harsh on the hair and strips it of its natural oils, further drying and damaging your hair. Most shampoos contain sulfates which are very drying and damaging. Many people are doing this and it is called co-washing. You can use just about any conditioner, but you should try to find one that does not have -cones in it. That is compounds that end in the word cone. These basically are silicone type substances that coat your hair. It may feel better temporarily, but it can really be doing more damage to your hair. You cannot fix damaged hair. Once hair is damaged, that's it, only cutting it off will get rid it. Some products can mask the damage temporarily. However, some of these products can add to the damage and continue to damage new growth. Thus, continuing the cycle of damaged hair. I use conditioners from the Suave Naturals line, they are good and don't contain cones or sulfates.

Process:

Step 1: Rinse hair and scalp for at least one minute.

Step 2: Add generous amount of conditioner around scalp. Massage with tips of fingers around scalp for at least 1 to 2 minutes. If your fingers are not moving around easily add more conditioner or a splash of water. Then massage conditioner through to end, adding more if necessary.

Step 3: Leave conditioner on hair for at least 3 minutes. This is a good time to wash up.

Step 4: Rinse well at least a minute or two. Style as usual.

*note: Never rub your hair with a towel, this causes tangles and breakage. Instead wrap it with the towel for a few minutes. This will absorb most of the excess water. Then comb out and style, blowdry, etc.

Your hair may feel a little different because you are not used to the feeling of hair that has not had all its natural oils stripped out of it. But you will get used to it. Strangely, now my hair feels weird when I shampoo.

It may seem like you are using more conditioner than usual, but you will not be using any shampoo so it will balance out money wise.

Your already damaged hair is not going to get better, but the new growth should receive considerable less damage and after a few months you should notice a difference. Also, if you color your hair it will retain the color better. I don't have a perm, but I would guess that it may last longer as well.

Now if I could just get up early enough to blowdry and style, my hair might look great.