Kristina is the founder of Lockenbox & Lockenexpertin. She has been intensively involved with the topic of curly hair care since her youth, when her straight hair suddenly turned into curls.
If you are interested in the topic of curly hair care, you may have come across the term "No Poo" while browsing blogs, articles and information pages. This method of hair cleaning stands for "no shampoo" and does not use shampoo.
No Poo - a hotly debated topic in curly hair care
There are different versions and ways of using the No Poo method . The practices are as varied as the opinions on this topic. This topic is hotly debated, especially in the hair care communities!
- But does curly hair really become more beautiful and healthier if you simply stop washing it with shampoo?
- And can the curls be adequately cared for without deposits, odors or an excess of grease forming in the hair?
- Can you feel comfortable and refreshed if you completely avoid washing your hair with shampoo?
We want to shed some light on the matter and in this guide we will look at whether the no-poo movement is actually suitable for natural curls or whether there are better alternatives , such as co-washing or the low poo method . To do this, we will first take a closer look at the no-poo practices.
What is the No Poo method actually?
The term “No Poo” encompasses various methods and approaches to permanently clean hair without using shampoo .
Instead, different alternative cleaning methods are used. The No Poo method is designed to protect your hair and scalp and restore and improve the hair's natural balance of oils and moisture.
Keep hair away from harmful shampoos
The whole theory is based on the assumption that conventional shampoos do more damage to your hair in the long run than they do to care for it. In addition, critical ingredients in regular shampoos, such as sulfates, drying alcohols and chemical additives, can harm your body and the environment.
By the way, the term “ No Poo ” can be interpreted not only as “no shampoo”, but also as “ no crap ” - which is an allusion to the unhealthy, bad and artificial ingredients in many conventional shampoos .
How does the No Poo method work?
There are different ways to apply the No Poo method.
No Poo - Sebum only method
The strictest and most purist is the “sebum only” method .
Sebum is an oily or waxy substance produced by the body's sebaceous glands that has the job of moisturizing and protecting your skin.
The “sebum only” method uses the natural oil of the scalp , which is regularly brushed from the roots to the tips to care for the hair .
- Basically, you just let the hair get greasy
- and it is no longer washed at all,
- but only brushed – a relatively extreme and challenging step.
Water only - No Poo method
Not using shampoo doesn't necessarily mean not washing your hair at all.
In another method , the “ water only ” variant, the hair is only cleaned with (warm) water , which is supposed to help distribute the natural oils of the scalp throughout the hair.
Replace shampoo with natural ingredients
In addition to these two ways of applying the no poo routine, there are numerous other ways to replace shampoo with natural ingredients . These are intended to act as alternative care and cleaning agents and free the hair of residues and excess oil without the use of shampoo.
Protecting the scalp and hair naturally - a matter of attitude
Before you turn up your nose at this point, we would like to explain the purpose of the No Poo method in more detail. Our scalp is equipped with many sebaceous glands that produce sebum, a greasy secretion.
Sebum is also called sebum . It is naturally distributed from the scalp into the hair and covers it with a natural layer of fat that protects the hair from drying out. So the whole thing is something very natural and makes perfect sense.
However, after a while, the hair looks greasy and stringy , which makes us want to wash it. Unfortunately, conventional shampoos often contain aggressive cleaning substances and chemical additives that can unbalance our scalp and sebum production.
In addition, some ingredients, such as silicones , can even clog the sebaceous and sweat glands , which can cause the
- scalp itches and flakes
- or the hair becomes dry and brittle.
Washing hair without shampoo: How to do it
When switching to a No Poo method , no matter which variant, you should consider a few things beforehand:
Preparing curls for the No Poo method
Prepare your curls for the change step by step. First, you should avoid all hair care and styling products that contain silicones and other non-washable ingredients.
It is best to use a natural and mild hair cleanser or a clarifying shampoo to free your hair and scalp of care residues and deposits.
Ideally, the shampoo should be suitable for the Curly Girl method , because then you can be sure that it doesn't contain any harmful ingredients. Take a look at the Fix My Curls Cleansing Shampoo .
Sebum only method & water only method
Now you can start with the actual conversion. The procedure varies depending on the method.
- For the sebum only method, it is essential to use a good brush - for example our Rainbow Curls Detangling & Styling Brush . With this, you gently brush from the scalp to the ends of the hair several times a day. This removes dirt and dust from the hair and distributes the natural oils along the lengths of the hair.
- For the water only method, you wash your hair regularly with warm water. It is important to massage the scalp thoroughly, as this is the only way to remove sebum deposits at the hairline. Run water over your head again and again to distribute the sebum throughout your hair. The "water only" method also includes regular brushing.
Are you ready to take your hair to the next level ? Then take our exciting curl quiz now! We are excited to get to know you and understand your unique hair needs and goals.
With just a few questions, we can put together your perfect curl routine . Whether your hair is slightly wavy, curly or very curly - our curl quiz will find the right products for every hair type.
What are you waiting for? Immerse yourself in the world of the perfect curly look and take part in the quiz now!
Three Tips for the No Poo Method
If you have decided to try No Poo, you should think about the ideal time to start. Especially in the first few days or weeks, your hair can quickly look very greasy and may even smell a bit unpleasant.
That's why a period during vacation or a home office phase, when you are not constantly in company, is a good idea. Don't lose patience, your body will adjust and when the scalp is back in its natural balance, it will only produce as much sebum as is needed.
1. The right accessories - brushes & combs
A really good brush that is soft and gentle on the hair and has tight bristles is an essential care tool in the No Poo method .
- High-quality brushes with boar bristles are ideal.
- A soft natural brush with sisal bristles is a vegan alternative .
- A (wooden) comb is also recommended. You can use this to untangle your hair after washing and to comb out larger knots and tangles. Always be gentle and untangle your hair from the tips to the roots.
2. The correct brushing technique
When brushing, make sure that you really comb from the roots down towards the ends of your hair . The brush should be in contact with the scalp when you start brushing. This is important to distribute the sebum from the roots to the ends of the entire hair.
Finally, in this care method, sebum takes over the sole role of your curl shampoo , your curl conditioner and your deep conditioner . This ensures that your curls are naturally moisturized and cannot dry out or become brittle.
3. Go to the hairdresser with no-poo hair
If you practice the No Poo method and have a hair appointment coming up, it can sometimes be tricky. There are hairdressers who will agree to wash your hair with just water, but others won't allow it.
In this case, you can ask for an appointment for a dry haircut, so you can avoid a regular hair wash at the hairdresser with conventional hair shampoos.
What are the disadvantages of the No Poo method?
Although the No Poo method offers benefits in terms of hair health and resource conservation, there are some things to consider that can prove to be detrimental .
1. Change in smell
If you choose the No Poo method as a “sebum only” or “water only” variant, the smell of your hair may change, especially in the first few weeks.
Since we are used to surrounding our hair with fragrant care products, the natural scent of the hair and scalp can take some getting used to at first.
If you have started to largely do without hair care products, your curls will no longer smell of the added scents of shampoo, conditioner, etc. This means that your hair automatically absorbs foreign odors from the environment much more easily - a fact that could be very unpleasant.
2. Risks of incorrect implementation
If implemented incorrectly, the No Poo method can lead to unwanted side effects. If your scalp is not freed of sebum at all or if you use the wrong products, your No Poo attempt may result in a flaky or irritated scalp .
If you notice the onset of scalp problems (such as redness, itching, eczema or severe dandruff), it is a good idea to seek advice from a medical professional before continuing with the No Poo method, rather than simply continuing to skip the shampoo and hope for improvement.
3. No Poo is not for everyone
The no poo method is a question of personality and certainly does not suit everyone. You should be aware that sticking to a strict no-poo routine requires a lot of perseverance and willpower, especially in the beginning.
Many people miss the pleasant scent and the refreshing effect of a shampoo through the cleansing foam. Especially if you are a very active person and sweat a lot, you may miss the feeling of cleanliness that a shampoo can give.
Therefore, really think about whether you are convinced by the method and especially the philosophy behind it and whether this special care routine can be easily integrated into your everyday life.
Are you ready to take your hair to the next level ? Then take our exciting curl quiz now! We are excited to get to know you and understand your unique hair needs and goals.
With just a few questions, we can put together your perfect curl routine . Whether your hair is slightly wavy, curly or very curly - our curl quiz will find the right products for every hair type.
What are you waiting for? Immerse yourself in the world of the perfect curly look and take part in the quiz now!
4. Hormone balance: Hair remains greasy
It is also quite possible that your sebum production does not adjust even after months and your hair simply remains greasy. This is particularly likely for women, as we go through different hormonal phases.
Men, on the other hand, often find it much easier with the no poo method. If that's the case, then look at the bottom for suitable alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions about the No Poo Method
There are many mysteries and questions surrounding the No Poo method. We will try to clarify some of them here.
How long does it take to switch to No Poo?
A successful transition to a permanent no poo care routine usually requires a lot of patience. Bad hair days will be the norm at first and your hair will almost certainly look greasy and stringy.
It can take about 6 to 8 weeks for the sebum production to slowly adjust and for your hair to get used to the new minimal care.
However, this adjustment period can take different lengths of time for each person. For some, hormonal conditions can mean that sebum production never adjusts . In addition to your hair type, your genetic makeup also plays a role in how much sebum your body generally produces.
Previous hair care also has an influence . If your body was used to you washing your hair with conventional shampoo every day, the change will of course be much more drastic than if you were already using it sparingly.
Many people use little tricks to conceal their greasy roots during the transition phase . For example, it helps
- to put your hair up
- or wearing scarves and hats, which of course represents an unpleasant challenge in everyday life.
The question is whether you want to put yourself through that.
No poo and dyeing your hair, is that possible?
In principle, it is possible to use No Poo on colored hair. However, you should keep in mind that many hair dyes, especially if you lighten your hair, can be really chemical-heavy.
So when the time comes to re-dye your hair, your hair will again be exposed to chemical ingredients that will disrupt the balance of your scalp that you have worked so hard to build.
In addition, hair dye may not last as long on hair that is not washed and is protected by a thick layer of sebum, or your hair may not absorb the dye well in general.
Does the No Poo method help with psoriasis?
It is not possible to generalize whether the No Poo method helps against psoriasis. If your psoriasis is caused or worsened by shampoos and hair care products, the method can indeed help to calm the psoriasis lesions and make them subside.
However, the exact opposite is also possible. For example, in people who are prone to seborrhoeic dermatitis, it is known that the no poo method usually makes the eczema worse.
So you have to try it out individually to see if the method can have a positive effect on you. If you have been diagnosed with psoriasis, we would definitely recommend that you speak to your dermatologist before trying a no poo experiment.
No Poo Shampoo Alternatives and the Gentle Way via Co-Wash
If you have read this far, you may have noticed that the No Poo method mentions the importance of thorough brushing of the hair several times. This is the only way to remove the natural oils from the hair.
- distribute throughout the hair lengths
- and sufficiently remove dust and impurities from the hair.
But we curly-haired people face a big problem . Brushing curls, especially when they are dry, is extremely stressful for the natural structure of curly hair.
Natural curls have a more open cuticle layer due to the natural curvature of the hair, as it does not fit tightly and the hair is much more susceptible to external influences. Please take a look at our article " Hair porosity "
Even with a good brush made of natural bristles, the mechanical stress and tension on the hair remains. All curlies who have ever brushed their hair when it is dry may be familiar with the dry, broken ends of the hair on their clothes.
For some people with curly hair, the no poo method may work, but for sensitive and high-maintenance curly hair, there is another , very gentle cleaning method that does not require shampoo.
And we are not talking about the home remedies and recipes that can be found in hair care communities, blogs and forums, such as washing your hair with
- rye flour,
- baking soda,
- coffee grounds
- or recommend healing clay.
For anyone who finds making a hair cleanser out of flour and the like too tedious or impractical, there is another gentle way to clean hair. And this is particularly suitable for naturally curly or wavy hair.
Co-Wash as an alternative to No Poo
The magic formula for curls is: wash your hair with co-wash ! This means you don't use shampoo and just wash your hair with a very special co-wash conditioner .
The abbreviation “Co-Wash” also stands for “Conditioner Wash”. These special Co-Wash hair conditioners contain a small amount of cleansing substances and are super gentle on the scalp and hair .
In addition, they provide an extra portion of care and moisture for your curls.
There is now a wide range of co-wash products for people with curly hair. These offer a great alternative to a curly shampoo and are a perfect fit for the Curly Girl method .
Low Poo as an alternative to No Poo
The Low Poo method is different from the co-wash method, which uses special conditioner wash products. This method uses gentle curl shampoos. Gentle cleansing for the scalp and curls without chemical additives. Take a look at the curl shampoos in the shop. A popular product for this alternative is the Sumilayi Ooh So Soft Curls Hydrating Shampoo .
Conclusion
Basically, it is always a good idea to avoid conventional shampoos and styling products with bad ingredients , such as sulfates and silicones!
But to be honest, we have our doubts as to whether completely avoiding any shampoo is beneficial for curly hair . In our opinion, the basic procedure of daily and repeated brushing, which is important for the No Poo method, cannot be implemented in a way that is gentle on the hair and stress-free for natural curls. Natural curls should be strengthened and weakened.
We also believe that gentle cleansing is the basis for a healthy scalp , which the No Poo method does not provide. We want a gentle care practice for our curls, so our preferred method is to use curl shampoos and co-wash products with high-quality and nourishing ingredients. We therefore recommend the Co-Wash method or the Low Poo method.
