Talk:Hair washing

Is not washing sustainable?
I read somewhere that when people stops washing their hair there is a period of several days (weeks?) in which hair gets dirtier, even stinking. However later the hair (the scalp glands?) self-regulate and unwashed hair gets clean and beautiful.

So I guess that historically and among modern naturists there are people who won't wash their hair for long periods. Are there known bad consequences?

Merge
There should be merge with Hair care, this article is too short by itself. 71.250.9.119 15:04, 25 March 2006 (UTC)


 * I agree: but there should be more detailed treatment of hair washing in that article, in particular about the chemistry of hair-washing, and whether there is a need for it at all (for example, the anecdotes that if you don't wash your hair for long enough, it will achieve some kind of steady-state and stop smelling bad). -- Karada 15:15, 31 March 2006 (UTC)

I disagree with the merge idea. I think the 'Hair Care' article should become 'Modern Hair Care' (as it's all related to modern hair care anyway) and leave this article to the very basics of hair washing and also focus more on the history of hair washing. For instance, how did people wash their hair a thousand years ago and what types of cleaning materials might they have used?

RE: Is not washing sustainable?
If you want self-regulating hair it is best to stop using shampoos, conditioners and any chemical styling products and merely use water to rinse your hair whenever you feel necessary. As your hair adjusts to being free from the chemicals in shampoo you will find you will need to rinse your hair less and less, and then at some point you will not need to rinse it atall. During this detox period your hair may look greasier - your oils need a chance to regulate after being stripped by shampoo, and this may may make it feel gunky too, but over time this will change. As for smell it doesn't really stink of anything, okay so it doesn't smell of flowers or perfume but it is not unbearable and would not cause social exclusion! You can add a couple of drops of an essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water and mist your hair lightly if you would prefer a scent - but it is not necessary. It is actually healthier not to wash your hair than to use shampoos/conditioners and it is better for the environment if you don't rinse your hair atall - it's an unnecessary act encouraged by the cosmetics industry to make more money.

Shampoo AND conditioner
If shampoo removes "stuff" from hair and conditioner adds "stuff" back, does a combined shampoo and conditioner make any sense? Is not the seguence (shampoo, then condition) important to the result?

Thanks, Wanderer57 (talk) 16:32, 3 February 2011 (UTC)