Try out the no-poo method for healthier hair

The No-poo method, also called The Curly Girl method is when you go shampoo free. It’s not as disgusting as it might sound. Instead of using shampoo, you use conditioners without sulphates and silicones. The method is based on the book Curly hair by Lorraine Masse and works for straight hair as well. The result is a healthier, shinier and longer hair.

Why shouldn’t I use shampoo?

The substance sulphate is very effective in terms of washing away the dirt. It’s so effective that your scalp become too dry and your body’s reaction is to produce more sebum which makes your hair greasy. Shampoo also contains silicones which merely makes your hair look healthy and shiny, but actually the substance doesn’t do any “good” for your hair.

Now when you are convinced, you can start using the no-poo method. Caution! If you don’t do the method in this order your hair will be destroyed (greasy and not so beautiful).

Firstly, you have to know the forbidden ingredients:

Silicones

• Dimethicone
• Dimethiconol
• Cyclopentasiloxane
• Cyclohexasiloxane
• Phenyl Trimethicone
• Amodimethicone
• Cyclomethicone
• Polysilicone-9

Silicones names often end with cone or xane.

Sulphates

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate
• Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
• Ammonium Laureth Sulfate

Mineral oils

Mineral oils basically have the same effects like silicones. It makes your hair look good. But the ingredients doesn’t nourish your hair. Additionally, you need sulphates to wash these substances away.

• Mineral Oil
• Petrolatum
• Petroleum
• Paraffinum Liquidum
• Paraffin
• Vaseline
• Ozokerite
• Polyisobutene
• E 905
• Isododecane
• Isoparaffin

I can admit that this is a lot of ingredients to keep track on. Therefore, I will make a list with some conditioners you can use. In the end, you will know what to buy and it will not be as strenuous as in the beginning. Anyway, it’s worth it.

Secondly, you have to buy a silicone free shampoo with sulphates. You will then use this one time when you’re starting the no-poo method. Because you have to wash away all the silicones products in your hair and to do so you need a shampoo with sulphates.

Silicone free shampoos

• Herbal Essences Silicone Free
• Garnier Fructis No Silicone
• Garnier Respons Avocado Oil and Shea Butter

You can find more silicone free shampoos in stores, just read the ingredients no -cone or-xane.

Your hair will probably feel dry and dull because you’ve washed away the silicones. Remember, this is the real condition of your hair.

Thirdly, the next time you’ll wash your hair you will use only conditioners which are silicone and sulphate free. I do recommend you to use a cleansing conditioner and a nourishing conditioner. The cleansing conditioner is often cheaper with less nourishing ingredients, so your hair doesn’t become greasy. You will have that as a substitute for the shampoo. You have to massage the conditioner to your scalp in at least two minutes. At the same time, you put the nourishing conditioner in your lengths. Then rinse your hair with cold water to close your pores.

Silicone and sulphate free conditioners

• Garnier Fructis Strength and Shine
• Tresemme Naturals Conditioner

There are more products in a store, read the ingredients and look for sulphates and -cone or -xane endings.

Picture of me, after my second wash with the no-poo method. My hair has become more curly and doesn’t become greasy that quickly.

Do you have any experiences with the no-poo method? Please, comment below.

Good luck on your journey to healthier hair!