Water only washing...?

**Siriushair** · 03-06-2012, 06:27 PM

Hello Everyone,
Since last November I've been using water only in my hair.
Before getting to that point, I had been using Hairgasm products for about 8 or 9 months. I loved how my hair became but it was so expensive so I started looking for alternatives.
After hearing about Terresentials, I looked at the ingredients and made something similar with bentonite clay. Wow, didn't even need conditioner with it. Concerned about my plumbing, I started cutting back and just water washing in between and thats how it started.

At first, I water washed daily but now I know it isn't neccessary. I see where some one in another forum is starting her 3rd week (I think)and has only washed a few times and is happy. I washed so much my hair was starting to feel stripped. I'm now trying to wash no more than twice a week.

Cons:I've heard that people who go cold turkey have itch, smell and heavy sebum problems. (I was already detoxed so I had none of those problems)

Pros: Super soft, manageability, elasticity and super cheap.

Each hair strand, being fully coated in the oil that was individually designed for it, is a whole 'nutha beautiful thang!

Because of age and health, I'm thinking it will be a miracle if my hair comes back but at least I am finally enjoying it fully. Who knew it just needed it's own special oil to behave like this?
Maybe this would be an option for people with scalp problem. No manmade irritants to worry about. We use well water. I don't know if it matters but I've heard some had problems with hard water.

I posted a few pics in my 2012 album of from how it looked in January. It's pretty much the same now. I finally stopped wearing knot outs everyday and put in my trail braids this week.
Anyway I hope this is helpful to someone as it has changed my life for the way better.

*This is a copy of my post on Cnappymenow and thought it might be helpful here. Don't know if it is a repeat of another thread but I did not find one.
Blessings
oops Didn't realize signature was gone..

http://public.fotki.com/Siriushare/

**GalaxyGirl2012** · 03-06-2012, 07:31 PM

....is gross.

scalp is skin and hair can trap dirt and smells. i personally consider consistent head and hair washing with just water only to be on the same hygiene level as washing the rest of my body with just water. maybe i can get away with it for a day or so if it's an emergency, but long term

i've known a few people who do this and i think they can't smell what's going on atop their heads because they're envelopped in it. but trust me after awhile they're heads started to smell like a bag of oniony cheetos after a couple of weeks of water only washing

**CoilyHairedBeauty** · 03-06-2012, 07:45 PM

i did this when my hair was just starting to grow back, when it was brush waves.....i alternated with co-washing tho. it was cool.

i like rinsing with just water periodically, but i think i just like using products, lol.

also, you will get this "natural" smell. it's not funky. it's just "natural" which may or may not be appealing......

it's kind of weird to have your hair not smelling like berries or whatever. LOL. i'm back to co-washing and acv right now. also, when my hair gets longer, and i have to bun it, water only will be a no go. (long thick wet hair??? MILDEW) perhaps if it was allowed to breathe.............

But i did read up on this and they say you are supposed to brush your hair with a boar's brush to get debris out and use water.....Like the brush is supposed to help cleanse...........idk lol

**Siriushair** · 03-06-2012, 08:01 PM

@galaxygirl
I told people I've been trying out scentless products(which is true)as an excuse for head checks and so far they say they don't smell anthing - nuetral.. When it's wet it does smell like a wool sweater but not like a barnyard sheep..

I think product build up causes those problems just like soap scum build up on your bath tub.

I know this isn't for everyone and unless you actually go through a slow detox with natural products, you'll probably get a chemical rebound that will kick your butt.
I tried this years ago cold turkey and came away with the same feelings you have now.

I miss shampooing, the bubbles, the smell etc. I use a little rose water in my spray bottle occasionally for the pleasure.
I do plan to shampoo occasionally when I feel like want a bubble blast but so far I'm OK.

Thank you for your feedback

*sorry conn problems keep kicking me out.

**Denny** · 03-06-2012, 08:05 PM

I think there is a reason our ancestors invented soap for the body and hair cos other humans smelt funky...

**Siriushair** · 03-06-2012, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by CoilyHairedBeauty

i did this when my hair was just starting to grow back, when it was brush waves.....i alternated with co-washing tho. it was cool.

i like rinsing with just water periodically, but i think i just like using products, lol.

also, you will get this "natural" smell. it's not funky. it's just "natural" which may or may not be appealing......

it's kind of weird to have your hair not smelling like berries or whatever. LOL. i'm back to co-washing and acv right now. also, when my hair gets longer, and i have to bun it, water only will be a no go. (long thick wet hair??? MILDEW) perhaps if it was allowed to breathe.............

But i did read up on this and they say you are supposed to brush your hair with a boar's brush to get debris out and use water.....Like the brush is supposed to help cleanse...........idk lol

Exactly! I should add I live in the country so no smog.
I use a fine tooth comb when needed - I hate using the brush... but maybe in time...

Another Con: Kinda boring cause now it's just hair and pretty much does what I want it to do.

Thank you

**Crakdpot** · 03-06-2012, 08:24 PM

I do water washing a lot during the summer and haven't had a problem with odor, but my hair's only about collarbone length and I don't use much product, rarely on my scalp itself. For some folks, its a godsend, but for others, it's nearly impossible. Just go with what works

ETA: I also live in a kind of boonies area (I might go into a shopping center or into the city limits a few times a year), so no smog or serious air pollution to cling to my strands. It also helps if you've got a clean diet and habits

**Siriushair** · 03-06-2012, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by Denny

I think there is a reason our ancestors invented soap for the body and hair cos other humans smelt funky...

lol.. read the book "Dirt" by Terrence Mclaughlin. Those people who discovered soap didn't even use water cause they thought only pagans washed themselves, lol. Inventing soap saved their lives.

Of course we need soap! Just, IMHO, not everyday on our heads.
Thanks

**GalaxyGirl2012** · 03-06-2012, 08:41 PM

no you dont need it every day on your head. maybe i'm confused, but aren't you saying that from now on you will only do water only washing? that's not the same thing as occassional water only washing.

if you mean the latter then yeah that shouldnt be a problem. i wash my hair (ie with a no sulfate poo) once a week because i swim. the rest of the days of the week i do a water rinsing because i work out a lot and usually at the end of my workout, my hair is damp or wet from sweat, especially if i'm in braids or twists.