Conditioner-only washing can result in shiny, moisturised hair that requires infrequent washing. Going shampoo-free can also help treat scalp conditions or thinning hair.
Although haircare product manufacturers are still producing masques, treatments, spritzes and leave-ins, a growing number of people are deciding to limit their use of products and opt for a more natural haircare approach. Product-light haircare is less expensive and easier on the environment; moreover, many people find it has health and cosmetic benefits.
Shampoo-Free Hair Washing to Prevent Skin Conditions and Hair Thinning
Most commercial shampoos contain SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) or SLES (sodium laureth sulfate). These ingredients are detergents, which are very effective at cleaning and also produce a luxuriant lather. However, for individuals with skin conditions such as eczem and seborrheic dermatitis, prolonged use of SLS and SLES can exacerbate symptoms.
SLS and SLES have also been implicated in thinning hair, probably due to damage of the hairs' roots. Many people notice that switching to non-SLS/SLES-containing brands of shampoo results in visibly thicker hair after a few months of use.
How Conditioner Cleans Hair
Usually chemically gentler than shampoo, conditioner can still be used to clean hair. The product must be thoroughly rubbed into the scalp, and takes longer to work; most conditioner-only (CO) hair washers recommend leaving the conditioner on for 10-15 minutes to work its magic. After rinsing, a second application of conditioner is recommended to condition the hair as normal.
Benefits of Using Conditioner Only Washing
The harsh surfactacts present in shampoo tend to overcleanse the scalp, stripping it of its natural oils; to compensate, the scalp produces more oil, called sebum. This tends to lock a person into a cycle of overcleansing – the more the hair is washed, the more it needs to be washed.
Because conditioner-only cleansing is gentler, the scalp needs to produce less sebum to compensate. After an initial transition period in which the hair will look greasy, conditioner-only users find that their hair needs to be washed less frequently. Problems with dry or brittle hair may also be resolved. Better still, people who have experiences thinning hair due to prolonged SLS/SLES exposure may notice new hair coming in.
Coping With the Greasy Transition Period
While the scalp 'deprograms' from producing excess sebum, the hair and scalp will look greasy for a time. Usually this transition period only lasts for six weeks or sConditioner Only Hair Washingo. Disguise greasy hair with a variety of braids, or hide it under a hat or bandana! It can be useful to time the transition to avoid any upcoming weddings, major holidays or photo opportunities – summer allows for wearing plenty of hats.
Using a boar bristle brush helps to spread the excess sebum down the hair shaft, where it can do its job as a natural protectant and conditioner. These brushes also smooth down the hair, acting as 'instant product' and transforming grease into shine.
Other Options for Natural Hair Care
Water-only (WO) washing eliminates conditioner as well as shampoo from the hair-washing equation. Water and boar bristle brushing are used to remove particles of dirt and spread sebum throughout the hair.
Herbal or natural haircare use various homemade ingredients to clean and condition hair. The ingredients range from Indian herbs such as shikakai and amla to herbal tisanes, honey masques and aloe vera gel. Baking soda and vinegar washing is another homemade option.
Organic and herbal commercial products are sometimes SLS/SLES-free, and may contain fewer chemicals than regular haircare products.
The copyright of the article Conditioner-Only Hair Washing in Hair Care is owned by Sarah Tennant. Permission to republish Conditioner-Only Hair Washing in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I was having some problems with my hair falling out over the past year (I
am 49 yrs. old). Also had a very allergic reacton to a hair dye which
caused alot of problems for me. MY hair just did not seem the same. After
alot of internet research, I decided to try washing my hair with
conditioner only for a few days. Well, I have NEVER gotten SO MANY
COMPLIMENTS on my hair !! It is shinier, less tangly, more managable, and
it really looks and feels healthy !!. Many people asked me if I had just
gotten my hair colored (didnt) or what I had done differently to my hair
because it looked so good. I think this is a clear solution for my hair
woes. I plan to use a little shampoo about once a week or so, but,
generally just wash with conditioner. It works for me. My hair looks
fabulous !! Great article !!
Jan 21, 2009 12:47 PM
Guest :
I stumbled upon this method myself by accident. I had ordered Wen
haircare, ($50 for 12 oz) and used it for about a week when the rosemary
extract really started irritating my scalp. So I looked at the ingredients
on the bottle and realized they were identical to the first four
ingredients in my other conditioners (Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol,
Cetearyl Alcohol). I'd already been washing my hair with conditioner only
for a week. I ran out and bought TRESemme pro-vitamin B5 conditioner
because it contains panthenol, and I've been using that as my hair cleanser
ever since. You get a large volume (32 oz) for very little money ($5). I
thoroughly wet my hair, massage-in a large handful of conditioner to the
scalp and hair, then use water to loosen/foam it up. I then comb through
roots to tips with a wide-toothed comb, and leave conditioner on for 5
minutes. After a thorough rinse, I towel dry, then use Sebastian Potion 9
leave-in conditioner, and my hair is lovely - really pretty - for the rest
of the day. I have had a very oily scalp, so I Conditioner-Only wash
daily. Once a week I shampoo with Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo and Wash (12 oz
for $9), then pile on conditioner as above. It sounds a little odd,
but conditioner is basically water, alcohol, and glycerine or glycerol - a
sugar alcohol that is a component of many lipids. Oily sebum from the
scalp will dissolve in glycerine and/or alcohol. So, you can use a
detergent to solubilize your sebum and rinse it away, or you can slowly
dissolve it in a conditioner rich in glycerol, spread it down the hair
shaft, and rinse away the excess. I've been CO-washing daily for three
weeks now with a single shampooing per week and my hair is vastly improved.
Try it and see. And if your hair looks oily, use more conditioner and
leave it on longer - counterintuitive, I know, but the science makes
sense.
May 28, 2009 12:02 PM
Guest :
I wash my hair EVERY SINGLE DAY because if I don't, I'm left feeling icky
and my hair oily and gross. I've been using this natural bar shampoo that I
got from Lush a couple weeks back with conditioner, and I'm still having
the problem with greasy hair after a day. I randomly stumbled upon this
site while looking for quick updos I could do for my hair, and I'm
convinced. I'm going to try this for a while, and see what happens. I think
there's a heavy brush somewhere so I'm going to go brush it right now. I'm
gonna see how this turns out!
Jun 7, 2009 2:05 AM
Guest :
I don't have the driest hair in the world, but it looks a hell of a lot
better if I CONDITIONER WASH only for like 3 days, then wash ONLY the roots
of my hair. Works out to keep the "ICKY" feeling away ;)
