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good-bye shampoo {the hair experiment}.
On 03, Nov 2011 | 4 Comments | In Uncategorized | By Natalie
part 3: the reasons why.
Great research has been done about how most commercial shampoos contain
Take a gander at just a few of the chemicals often found in our shampoos.
- Coal tar — a proven cancer-causing chemical
- ZPTO — known to offer side-effects such as headaches, naesua, or strong alergic reactions
- Menthol — which has yet to be safety tested for it’s side-effects
Surprisingly, baby shampoos are even worse than adult shampoos because they contain higher levels of ethylene oxide to avoid the eye irritation. But this chemical is a proven endocrine disruptor. An endocrine disruptor is a chemical that negatively affects the hormone system, specifically known to cause learning disabilities, sexual development problems and much, much more {read what the EPA has to say here}.
Not only are we pouring these chemicals onto our heads and bodies, but we are polluting the water systems in our sewage system as well. Learn more about how buying cosmetics has affected our planet: the story of cosmetics.
So the hope of shiny, thick, full, smooth and glossy locks of hair…must we throw this dream out the window?! No no no. Don’t you worry. There are other options…
part 4: so where can we turn?
In the past, I have been a purchaser of those natural, organic, very expensive, green, beautifully packaged, very expensive, enticingly bottled, shampoos and conditioners. I love them. I love how they smell. I love how soft they make my hair. I love how pretty they are. But because these shampoos are high quality and pretty fabulous products, made with {mostly} good ingredients, they are $$$ expensive!
Now, this normalization of your hairs oils typically takes anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. The blog world supports this assertion, leaving people with varying levels of greasiness for what could be days or a month. Not sounding so fun anymore?
Just think about it. How long has your hair and scalp been used to this oil-striping-shampoo? It has to get used to a new-normal. Give your locks a break!
Once you are standing in the shower, dump a little baking soda, nickel size amount into the palm of your hand. Turn off the shower stream {if you choose}, then let a few drips of water hit the baking soda, creating a little creamy paste substance. 
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And there you have it!
{Look here for more coconut oil secrets}
Coconut oil for skin and hair can be found at your local grocer for anywhere between $7 to $10.
Now, now, before you go blasting me for my lack of personal hygiene, I would just like to say, let’s remember back to the days of reading Laura Engels Wilder and how the knobby-kneed-me admired her all the more when I read she only bathed once a week. Obviously she is my {weekly} inspiration.The oils our skin and body produce are important. By showering everyday we are depleting our body and hair of their natural ways to hydrate and replenish themselves.
It is important to note, that if you want to try the baking soda hair experiment, while still showering once or even twice a day, you will not like what happens. The baking soda substance will build up into your hair and let’s just say…yuck!
My suggestion? Start off easy. Try showering/washing your hair every other day. It will take your body a few days perhaps weeks to adjust, but in the end, your skin, your hair and the earth… will thank you.
part 7: and what now?
Try it!
And of course let me know what you think.
Have you already been doing this kind of thing for years? Do you think this is the weirdest thing you’ve ever heard? Do your own research. Let me know what blogs, articles or research you find. I always love to learn more! Happy experimenting.
– n.
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I have been washing with baking soda since you posted about this in July. I love it! I mix some soda and water into a water bottle that I poked holes in the top of. Then I just squirt some on my head. It feels less gritty that way. Its nice here in Africa, where baking soda is 45 cents, and normal shampoo from the US is $10 a bottle!
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Wendy, that’s so awesome…and yes perhaps I should try this little mixture in a bottle…haven’t done that yet. this thing called hair washing, so much cheaper with the soda right?! you inspire me you lovely woman!
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Nat, I did it today. I decided to give it another try after your stunning presentation last night! My hair feels fine. We’ll see if I can let it go for two days though!
I mixed a bunch of the BS into a jar with some water to I don’t have to fuss with it in the shower. We’ll see if it has the same result. I figure that the soda is so cheap I can afford to experiment a little. I like the idea above and the idea of mixing it into a bottle. In the palm of my hand, I tend to spill quite a bit.
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@flachmom, yes a smaller opening would probably be easier to manage, i agree…maybe you can find a bottle like this in the travel section??…or in the hair dying section? Don’t you use little bottles like that when people dye their hair? Hmmm. I’ll have to check there. Experiment and let me know what works!
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