Results of my experiment with soap/shampoo

This is the second, but most complete stage of experimentation I've done with the use of shampoos and soaps and has completely satisfied my curiosity in regards to their uselessness. I'll share my findings for all those interested.

Beginning in February I decided to run an experiment wherein I would forgo any use of soaps or shampoos and study the results. My suspicion was that these products create their own demand through their continued use. My hypothesis, based on past experience and research, was that it is the very use of soaps and shampoos that causes our bodies to require the use of them, and that being vegan, with a thoroughly clean system, there is no need for the use of soaps.

Prior to giving up soaps/shampoos, my skin was often dry and flaky, my scalp would get occasionally itchy and I would have dandruff (not heavy, but noticeable, especially when scratching the itch). The hair on my head following shampoo use would be dry and dead/limp, and after a day or two without shampooing it would become quite greasy.

My theory was that these symptoms were all brought on by the use of shampoos and soaps, and that the greasiness of my hair after a few days of not using shampoos/soaps was the result of my body's attempt to recover from the damage done by the shampoos, but that it would regain natural balance over greater time.

I've tried many brands and types of soap over the years, but had settled into using Doctor Bronner's products... seeking as 'natural' a product as possible. I'm aware of many alternative products, but my belief is that the results of my experiment would be similar for any such product. My previous experiment was with standard products and yielded almost identical results (though at that time I was vegetarian, not vegan, and the results were not as optimal).

So, to my current results. During the first week to two weeks my skin continued to be dry and flaky and my hair was almost unmanageably greasy. I spent more time in the shower than usual, scrubbing with my fingers under hot water to try to 'rinse the grease away' before going to work (as a server)... but that did nothing to alleviate the condition. However, after about a month, the grease levels balanced out naturally and now my hair feels clean and soft to the touch and no longer becomes greasy. My skin is no longer dry; my hair no longer itches, and I no longer get dandruff. On all accounts, my hairs is as healthy as it has ever been. It also appears relatively thicker, though I think this may be due to the thickness of the hairs as opposed to new hairs having grown in. I'll continue to keep an eye on that over time, though.

My conclusion is indeed that the use of shampoo strips our hair such that our bodies react to it, causing the conditions that lead us to desire the use of shampoo. My conclusion for soap is the same. I have noticed no increase in 'dirtiness', greasiness, etc., of my skin (in any sense), and being vegan I have little to no noticeable body odor. Both products appear, to me, to be completely useless.

So, here's my testimony, from experimentation, that I believe these products are unnecessary, and, in fact, are a sort of self-fulfilling product - both the cause of and 'solution' to the conditions requiring their use. As someone who appreciates testimony as much as data or scientific evidence, I hope this helps others on their journeys. There are several discussions on 30BaD with both testimonials and science on these topics, if anyone wishes to run a search for them.

Here's a starter search to get you going.

Tags: conditioner, experiment, shampoo, soap, vegan

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Comment by Chanda Esparza on May 4, 2012 at 10:40am: Hey Jon, you've inspired me to go no poo. I usually wash my hair every day because it's so fine and it gets greasy fast. So instead I'm just washing my hair with water every day, and this is my second day of doing it. I also gave my son a bath last night and used only water on him. His hair looks way better than mine does, lol! I know there's that detox/transition phase, but I'm determined to make it through. Thanks again for posting about your journey, or else I might not have had the courage to do it!

Comment by Peaches on May 4, 2012 at 7:12am: Hi Jon! Thanks for sharing your experience!! I have been trying to go no-poo for months now. Its worked out pretty well, because my hair tends to be dry. I rarely use a shampoo, maybe once a month, but I do wash my hair with an organic conditioner occasionally to help get the knotts out and smooth it down. Could that be hurting my progress? I also sometimes put a natural curl cream in to help my curls from not frizzing when my hair dries.

Anyways, I'm encouraged to try using nothing at all! So thanks again for sharing! By the way, I'm a server too! :)

Comment by Jon Fergus on May 3, 2012 at 6:28am: @Franga: Great to hear you're trying it out. Keep on going, and be sure to keep us updated! :)

@Chanda: I did my first month during the slow time at my work (less shifts), so maybe try it when you have vacation time to use :). Cool that you'll stop using it on your baby... what a great start she/he will have to a natural life :)

Comment by Chanda Esparza on May 2, 2012 at 8:04pm: Thank you for sharing your experience with no poo! I want to give this a try. The hard part will be sticking with it when I have a greasy head and have to go to work. But I think I'll stop using shampoo and soap on my baby, he doesn't really need that stuff anyway.

Comment by Durifran on May 2, 2012 at 7:46pm: Ok. Inspired by this post I am trying again to wean my hair off shampoo. So far it has been about a week and things are going pretty well so far. My hair is pretty oily at the roots but it is certainly manageable. I have been washing it with water every day and scrubbing it with my hands. Today I combed it while it was wet which was helpful in getting knots out. I have been tempted to put some shampoo on it about twice now but both times when I've gotten in the shower I've realised that I haven't really needed it. I hope I can hold out until my hair starts self cleaning itself!

Comment by Jon Fergus on April 29, 2012 at 9:47am: Little update. I've been traveling across Canada in my car, with a makeshift bed in the back. For the last two weeks I haven't showered, or even had any water touch my hair. Haha... now, I know that sounds awful, but let me share the good news.

Thanks to 811 hcrv, I have no body odor at all. And thanks to no shampoo my hair is perfectly soft and clean. This has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt (to me, at least) that our hair knows how to take care of itself if treated right :)

All that said... I am looking forward to a warm shower ;P

Comment by Jon Fergus on April 29, 2012 at 9:44am: @Maxi. My hair isn't long, but it's long enough (just below my jaw) to know it's more easily brushable now than it was before. I think you'll need a couple of testimonials from women with long hair to get a better sense of how brushable it is.

@Franga. Haha... I timed my really really oily stage for when I knew I would be less social than usual - slow time at work = less shifts, and middle of winter = more days in. Worked like a charm to save as many people as possible from thinking I was a hobo ;P

@Kater. That's awesome. I can relate to the grease in the towel in the beginning. I bet the grey dust is from the city air. At least, I didn't experience it out here in the country. Give it time though, and I bet it'll stop sticking to you.

Comment by Kater on April 25, 2012 at 9:31pm: I stopped using shampoo about a month ago and can finally leave the house without a hat. The first two weeks I washed and towel dried my hair daily. A lot of the grease ended up in towel!

I'm not sure if it's a "city" problem but I had lots of grey dust sticking to the greasy part of my hair. It's getting better but I still have to comb it out every day.

Comment by Durifran on April 24, 2012 at 8:05pm: Hey that's really cool. I've been trying to get off shampoo for a while now. I have been using bi carb soda which works for a bit but then leaves your hair looking really flat.

How did you deal with the really really really oily stage? I always get desperate and use a tiny bit of shampoo or soap to stop it looking like a mop.