The “No Poo” Haircare Method Pt. 2

Although we already covered the fundamentals of the No Poo Method in last week’s blog, consider that the mere tip of the anti-shampoo iceberg! Now that you’re beyond “No Poo 101”, a more intensive overview awaits, delving into the realm of unlikely natural haircare ingredients that will bring your head chemical-free joy.

Whether you’re ready to level up from the basic baking soda/cider routine, not achieving the desired hair results from it, or simply craving more variety in your hair cleaning routine, there are plenty of unique formulas out there customizable for your locks!

How Porous Is Your Hair?

The beauty of the No Poo Method- no matter what ingredient you’ve chosen -is that it can be molded and customized based on your hair type. Understanding how your hair naturally behaves, then, is vital in maximizing results post-wash!

The No Poo Method website states it perfectly:

“Hair porosity refers to how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture. How porous your hair is has a lot to do with which No Poo method will work best for your hair.”

Here are some common characteristics of each porosity type:

• Low Porosity: Hair does not retain moisture well. Products sit on hair rather than absorb.
• Normal Porosity: Absorbs and retains the perfect amount of moisture. Voluminous and shiny.
• High Porosity: Absorbs a high amount of moisture, but does not retain it well. Dry, frizzy, typically prone to tangling.

Unsure of which porosity type you fall under? Check out The No Poo Method website’s numerous tests here!

Scritching & Preening

Another advanced tool in natural hair care is a boar bristle brush, used primarily in a process where one “scritches and preens” the hair. This additional brushing stimulates the scalp, resulting in faster hair growth and an even distribution of sebum (naturally occurring oil) from the bed of the follicles to the tips of each strand.

1.Scritching

• Gently massaging/scrubbing the scalp with the tips of your fingers in order to loosen dead skin and stimulate the creation of sebum

2. Preening

• The process of pulling the sebum down along the hair shaft, conditioning the hair naturally

Check out these video tutorials (courtesy of Almost Exactly Blog and The No Poo Method website) here and here for guided walkthroughs!

Recipe #1: Rye Flour

Surprisingly enough, rye flour contains plenty of vitamins, proteins, and minerals beneficial to hair! Organic, PH-balanced, but sadly not gluten free, rye flour helps restructure damaged hair and promote shine without stripping the hair of its natural oils.

1)Take 3 tbsp of the flour (be sure it’s finely ground, with no lumps or husks!) and mix it with water until it resembles a runny paste.

2) Massage it into your scalp and let it sit for at least 5 minutes.

3) Rinse THOROUGHLY with warm water, leaving no trace of it in your hair (once it dries, it will be very difficult to remove).

4) Optional: Condition with apple cider vinegar.

Recipe #2: Egg

This protein-packed ingredient conditions and strengthens hair, leaving it thicker and more voluminous. It’s recommended to only undergo an egg wash every so often (once a month at the most), since an over-exposure to protein will leave your hair stiff and unmanageable — and keep in mind that those of you with low porosity hair probably won’t yield good results from this particular recipe.

Remember to use cool water, or else the egg will start to cook in your hair!

1)Beat an egg and apply to your wet hair, from scalp to the tips of your hair.

2) Let it sit for 5-15 minutes.

3) Rinse completely with cool water.

4) Optional: Condition with any of these ingredients.

Recipe #3: Clay

There are three beneficial types of clay for human hair:

• Bentonite Clay: Best for oily hair, and most effective after fully transitioning into the No Poo lifestyle. When mixed with liquid, the clay (derived from volcanic ash) becomes a negatively charged sponge that draws toxins, metals, hydrogen, and other excess impurities out of the hair.
• Rhassoul Clay: Best for dry and/or curly hair. Contains magnesium, potassium, iron, and silica, which moisturizes, exfoliates, an improves the hair’s elasticity.
• Kaolin Clay: Best for dry and/or curly hair, and best for those with sensitive scalps. Stimulates circulation, exfoliates, and cleanses.

For use:

1)Mix 2 tbsp of clay (use more for longer hair) with equal parts water, apple cider vinegar, or aloe vera.

2) Massage into your hair, from scalp to the tips of your hair.

3) Let it sit for 5-15 minutes. The more frequently you wash your hair, the quicker the clay should be removed.

4) Rinse thoroughly, and finish with an acidic rinse to re-balance natural pH levels.

Craving even more unique, nature-friendly recipes for your hair? Peruse The No Poo Method’s recommended combinations here!