my real hair

So I'm coming up on seven months with my real hair. That is, my hair sans any chemical who-knows-what. That is, my hair minus shampoo or conditioner. I included the above photo just so you would know that I'm not some grease pit these days...


About six and a half months ago I read about Angry Chicken's experience with this and decided to give it a whirl. I mean, what is all that stuff on the ingredient label of shampoo, anyway? I didn't tell Wes until about a month or so into it. I finally told him in response to his comment that my hair looked healthier than it had in a long time. When he found out I hadn't "washed" it in a month, all he said was, "Wow."


So here are the details, in case anyone out there is interested:

I keep a freebie, plastic, DePauw cup in the shower. When I need to "wash" my hair, I dump in one tablespoon of baking soda and fill the cup the rest of the way with warm water, dissoving the soda. I pour it over and work it into my dry hair, leave it on for a bit, and rinse. Then, to restore the ph balance and to detangle (that part is awesome), I pour two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into the cup and again, dilute with warm water. Pour over and rinse out.


I've read that you should never use more than a tablespoon of baking soda; if you have longer hair, you just dilute it in more water. And I also read and know from my own experience that your hair will go through an adjustment period...up to two weeks, where you might feel a little icky. It will pass; just break out a great hat.


My hair really does feel healthier, and has a lot more body. The latter is actually not one of my favorite parts...but I do like knowing that the hair on my head is the real stuff...the way it was created to be.

~Anna