Shampoo is a great hair cleaning product. Unfortunately, shampoo has side effects, such as it can accumulate and cause damage to the hair. Whether it's because you're out of shampoo, or are looking for a more natural option, try shampooing with just water. Keep in mind that hair may take anywhere from 2-16 weeks to adjust.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparing the Hair
Step 1. Start the process 8-12 hours before you plan to wash your hair
While you can start washing your hair right away when you go to the bathroom, it's best to prepare your hair 8-12 hours in advance. That way, the oil released by the scalp can reach the ends of the hair so that the hair is more manageable.
- If you've just washed your hair, wait until your hair starts to feel greasy. It's best not to wash your hair like this every day.
- Make sure your hair is dry and tangle free. If your hair is tangled, try combing it gently starting at the ends. This will make the hair easier to groom.
Step 2. Massage the scalp with fingertips
Press your fingertips through the layers of hair until they touch the scalp. Gently massage the scalp in short, fast, but gentle movements. Be sure to massage the entire surface of the scalp.
- This process is carried out like a "rub" and will help to even out the oil that is naturally secreted by the scalp.
- Make sure to use fingertips, not fingernails.
Step 3. Pinch a small section of hair with two fingers
Take a small section of hair and pinch the roots between two fingers. Slide your hands up to the ends of your hair. Repeat this process all over the hair. This step is also known as "smoothing hair" and will help spread the oil even more.
- It may be easier to start this process from one side of your head all the way down and then continue on to the other side of your head. That way, you can make sure no part is missed.
- You can do this step while brushing your hair. Use a boar bristle brush on the hair then continue with your fingers.
- Think of sections of hair like broad ribbons. Press until it is quite thin, and only slightly shorter than the length of your finger.
Step 4. Use a boar bristle brush on the hair
Make sure the brush is clean and of good quality. Brush on hair little by little. Never pull the brush through your hair without untangling the ends and middle first.
- This will further distribute the oil along the length of the hair shaft while helping to untangle the tangles and gently smooth the hair.
- If your hair is long and very dry, try adding a little oil to the ends. Coconut oil or shea butter are some great options.
Part 2 of 4: Washing Hair
Step 1. Wet hair with very warm water
The key in this step is temperature. Warm water will open the hair cuticle. However, do not use water that is too hot because it can damage your hair. On the other hand, do not use water that is too cold as it will not destroy the oil on the scalp.
- We recommend doing this step 8-24 hours after you've scrubbed, pinned, and brushed your hair. If your hair is still tangled at this step, try brushing it.
- The effect of hard water is unpredictable. Some people are suitable for using hard water, but some people are not. If hard water doesn't suit you, try installing a water softening filter.
Step 2. Separate the hair to reveal the scalp
This step is especially important if you have long or thick hair. Rub your scalp again. Only this time, make sure the water can reach it. Parting the hair allows water to reach the scalp.
You can part hair anywhere because this step will work on the entire surface of your scalp
Step 3. Scrub the scalp while focusing the flow of water on the scalp
Place your fingertips on the exposed scalp and massage gently. Do this while standing in the shower so that the water can reach your scalp. The flow of water will help wash away dirt and oil.
Step 4. Smooth out the water if your hair is oily
This step may not be necessary if your hair is dry. However, if your hair tends to be oily, or if you sweat a lot, it's a good idea to spread the water over your scalp. Just use two fingers to pinch a small section of hair and then pull it from the roots to the tips.
- Do this step twice, once on each side of the hair section.
- If your hair is very oily, you may need to work the water out from the roots to the tips.
Step 5. Repeat this process all over the scalp
It's a good idea to wash your hair systematically so you don't forget which area you've cleaned. Finish one side of the head first, then move on to the other side. After that, finish at the back of the head.
Pay more attention to the hairline and other areas that tend to be oily
Step 6. Rinse hair with cold water
If this step feels too uncomfortable, step out of the steam from the warm shower and then bend down as far as possible so that only the hair is wet. That way, this step will feel more comfortable.
Part 3 of 4: Drying Hair
Step 1. Pat hair dry with a T-shirt or microfiber towel
Do not scrub or use a regular towel as this can tangle your hair. Simply pat a t-shirt or microfiber towel to absorb any remaining moisture from your hair.
You don't need to dry your hair completely at this point
Step 2. Use a wide-toothed comb to smooth your hair, then apply a little oil if necessary
Just like when brushing your hair, start combing from the ends first. Once the tangles at the ends and middle of your hair are untangled, you can brush your hair from the roots.
- If your hair is tangled, apply 1-2 drops of the oil to the ends and middle of your hair. This oil will help smooth the hair shaft while reducing tangling.
- Do not use a regular hair comb. Wet hair is very fragile and a regular comb will damage it.
Step 3. Let hair dry on its own if possible
You can use a T-shirt or microfiber towel to help absorb any excess water, but don't rub it into your hair. Many people feel that their hair dries faster when washed without any product.
Once dry, you are free to style your hair as you wish. However, you should avoid using too many hair styling products as this can cause residue to accumulate on the scalp
Step 4. Repeat this process every 3-7 days
Again, this process should not be done every day. The reason is simple, the more often you wash your hair, the more oil your scalp produces. If you rarely wash your hair, your scalp will be trained to reduce oil production. This means that your hair will not get dirty easily.
Give your hair 2-16 weeks to adjust to this process
Part 4 of 4: Trying Other Ways
Step 1. Try a baking soda solution to gently clean your hair
Mix 1-2 tablespoons (13-25 grams) of baking soda with 250 ml of warm water. Pour into the head then massage into the scalp. Wait for 3-5 minutes, then rinse your hair. Follow up with a conditioner or apple cider vinegar rinse.
For a deeper clean, try mixing baking soda and water 1:1
Step 2. Use an apple cider vinegar solution
The exact comparison may vary. However, for starters, most people recommend using a mixture of 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) of apple cider vinegar and 250 ml of water. Once your hair is used to this ratio, you can proceed with a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water. Just pour this solution onto your head and massage it into your scalp, then rinse it off.
- Although gentle on hair, this solution is not gentle on the eyes. So, be careful not to get your eyes in this solution!
- Don't worry, the vinegar smell will go away on its own as the hair dries. You can use the vinegar solution alone, or use it right after the baking soda.
- This solution is effective for dandruff, oily hair, dry hair, and cleans accumulated product residue. This solution is also great if your water source is hard. In addition, this solution can also make hair shiny.
- For best results, use pure apple cider vinegar with a residue that settles to the bottom of the bottle.
Step 3. Try diluting lemon juice as an alternative to apple cider vinegar
Although the effect of making hair smooth and shiny is not the same, lemon juice will help wash off excess oil in the hair. You just need to squeeze the juice from 1 lemon into 250 ml of warm water and then pour it over your head. Massage lemon juice into the scalp then rinse.
You can also use lemon juice to naturally lighten your hair color
Step 4. Consider shampooing with conditioner only if your hair is naturally dry, frizzy, or wavy
Shampooing with conditioner is basically the same as shampoo. Only, you do not use shampoo, but conditioner. Although the use of conditioner is usually only focused on the ends of the hair, when washing your hair like this, apply conditioner to the scalp as well and then massage until absorbed. After rinsing your hair, you don't need to use conditioner anymore.
- Shampooing with conditioner alone is not recommended for oily or greasy hair. The conditioner does not contain enough detergent to clean it.
- You may have to scrub your scalp more vigorously than usual to get it completely clean.
Tips
- Scrub your scalp with your fingertips or a boar bristle brush for 5-10 minutes every day. That way, the oil secreted by the scalp can be evenly distributed to the ends of the hair.
- If you must use some kind of detergent, try washing your hair with conditioner instead. Wash as usual, but only use conditioner instead of shampoo.
- Try using other natural ingredients for shampooing, such as apple cider vinegar.
