Forgoing Shampoo - Conclusion

After two weeks of trying out the idea of not shampooing my hair, per this article by Susan Elkin, I've decided it isn't for me.

Though my hair balanced out to a natural state after about 5 days, my hair never felt or looked soft and washed. Not that it should have, the natural oils were supposed to stay and protect my hair and consequently, give it a sheen, but I just don't think it looked professional in my work environment. The time inconvenience was also an issue, as it took nearly three times longer to rinse my hair thoroughly than it did to simply wash it. I'm sure this all works just fine for some people, but it just was not for me.

So after two weeks, I decided to wash my hair, at the end of the experiment and partially at the request of my girlfriend to be able to run her fingers through my soft hair - and that was enough incentive for me.

And it was, soft, that is. After the oils and sebum were stripped, my hair rested nice and fluffy atop my head. It didn't feel softer nor more feathery than before the experiment as I had expected, but it seemed healthier and there was certainly less dandruff. I also didn't feel any sore ingrown follicles on my head, which I get from time to time.

The biggest takeaway from this that I give you is that modern technology does indeed make our lives better. We are healthier, partly because we are cleaner and more hygienic. Imagine, living back 500 years ago where rinsing would have been the only option for most. Now consider that there are places today where regular bathing is still a luxury, millions today still do not have access to toiletries.

Obviously, the world needs more shampoo.


Okay no, that's probably not the right message. However, I do feel blessed that I live in a 1st world country where I can try something like this for two weeks and still have clean hair, free of smell, lice or other afflictions.

If you do give it a try, realize that your hair will be more oily than it would if you shampooed regularly and it will look more oily. You may have to spend more time on your hair than you would if you shampooed, and you will likely have to spend time combing to reduce the saturation. This will be exacerbated if you live in hot, humid conditions or frequently wear a hat. Your hair will no longer feel or look soft and feathery, though some people would call soft and feathery hair damaged. Additionally, your cost reduction will likely be minimal unless you currently buy expensive shampoos or use shampoo in excess. There is a money vs. cost of your time trade off.

Overall, this is more of a personal life choice and a statement about yourself and your image more than anything else. It is a unique and interesting topic starter in locations where shampooing is the norm, but be prepared for a certain degree of criticism and stigma. If you try it, good luck and I hope you have better results! And please feel free to share your experience in the comments section below!