Experiment Update

These photos, believe it or not, are from Wednesday, when I chose not to blow-dry my hair. (Yes, I know I'm wearing the same shirt from the previous post. It really was a different day.)

My hair was maybe a little flatter, but still very manageable.

I didn't dry my hair today either, and though my scalp feels good my hair feels a little strange. Kind of dry, kind of sticky. I think I'll use shampoo tomorrow, then buy some high-quality shampoo when I go shopping next. I hear Jason is a good brand without a lot of the irritating chemicals of other shampoos. I will continue using baking soda periodically, though. And maybe in the winter I'll try the vinegar rinse. I wonder if that would have made a difference this week. I just can't imagine it not leaving a smell.

If you try baking soda or vinegar, let me know what you think.

Experiment

I took these pictures this morning, Day 4 of washing my hair only with baking soda. I got the idea here. Then when I showed the post to my favorite hair stylist because I wanted to model my haircut after hers, my stylist agreed that "baking soda is your friend."

I differ from Tsh (Simple Mom) in that I don't think conventional shampoo is going to affect my health much, but I hate spending a ton of money on hair products. Plus, with the changing seasons my scalp has been really itchy, and my cheap shampoo seems to make it worse. My stylist gave me some salon "repair" shampoo, but I didn't like the smell, and it seemed to build up on my hair. And I have a huge box of baking soda, so what the heck, let's give it a shot.
And I have to say, I'm totally surprised with the results. My scalp is noticeably less itchy, and my hair feels good. Washing with soda solution (1 T soda to 1 c water) takes some getting used to. There's no lather, of course, and when I rinse my hair feels rubbery and heavy. Every day I think this is going to be the day that my hair looks nasty and greasy, but then I dry it and it feels great. I even have more volume than I did before.

I've been blowing my hair dry every day. I used to let it air dry some days, but I'm a little nervous that it will just be flat and greasy-looking. I don't know why it would be, though, since I'm not greasy now.

This is supposed to be the "adjustment" period for my hair, so I'm curious to see how my hair does once my scalp gets used to not being stripped every day. Maybe I won't need to wash my hair as frequently, which is supposed to be good for your hair anyway.

And I don't think I'll try the vinegar rinse. I really don't want to smell like easter eggs, and I don't believe that it won't leave a smell. My stylist agrees. She can tell when her clients rinse with vinegar or beer. Sure, your hair is shiny, but once you get warm you smell like a bar.

Anyway, if you ever run out of shampoo, consider giving baking soda a try.