If you don't use deodorant, soap, shampoo, etc.

[sunnygir1]

...was there a transition period where you were smelly and had yucky-looking hair?

I want to try going without these things (I already use more natural and less toxic forms of them), but I'm not sure what will happen.

If I don't wash my hair for a few days, it gets greasy-looking, which I can handle if it's temporary.  I tried baking soda once because I heard that some people use it to clean their hair -- definitely does not work for me.  Can you just wash your hair with water and have nice hair?

What about armpits?  I've read/heard that if you use soap and deodorant they mess with the natural flora and make odor issues worse.  If you stop using them will things balance out?  In the mean time do I just wash several times a day?

I'd love to hear people's experiences with these things.

[Adaline'sMama]

There is a HUGE "no poo" tribe post somewhere that has tons and tons of people's experiences about not using shampoo/ soap for hair.

I dont use deodorant, and havent for years (maybe 2-3 times a year) and my armpits are sometimes stinky.

[MountainMamaGC]

I just use a deodorant crystal. Its good for about 12 hours, then I smell a little off, but its not terrible. Not like when I was using antiperspirants.

I cant help you with the shampoo thing. I wash my hair every 2nd or 3rd day.

[sunnygir1]

Originally Posted by Adaline'sMama 

There is a HUGE "no poo" tribe post somewhere that has tons and tons of people's experiences about not using shampoo/ soap for hair.

I dont use deodorant, and havent for years (maybe 2-3 times a year) and my armpits are sometimes stinky.

Thanks for the "no poo" lead.

Yeah, I used to not wear deodorant often, but when I'm working outside in the summer for clients I don't want to smell bad.  Also, when I get nervous I sweat and stink, so when I'm in a more formal setting I also feel it is important.  I have kind of gotten in the habit of wearing it daily so I don't have to regret it later.

[sunnygir1]

Originally Posted by Lydiah 

I just use a deodorant crystal. Its good for about 12 hours, then I smell a little off, but its not terrible. Not like when I was using antiperspirants.

I cant help you with the shampoo thing. I wash my hair every 2nd or 3rd day.

Yeah, I used a crystal for a while -- it worked fine for me, but I stopped because I am concerned about aluminum.

I have never used antiperspirants, always the more natural kinds of deodorants, but I wouldn't mind getting away from them -- not at the expense of being stinky all the time, though.

I wash my hair every 3 days or so too.  I've never washed it daily, and I use more natural shampoos and conditioners too, but they all seem to have some weird stuff in them.  Maybe I should just shop for a better shampoo, though, because I looked at some "no poo" threads and it seems like a lot of fussing around to figure out what works for each individual.  I'm not sure I'm up to it at the moment.

[hippiemom]

As far as "BO" and hair health goes, what you put in your body is more important than what you put on it.  Drink lots of water and eat impeccably.  

I like deodorant/antiperspirant and shampoo myself, but in the cooler months I lay off the anti P and just use a perfume bar, all natural, from "Lush" {you can find them online, pretty pure}.  

Lots of natural, nourishing soaps out there that are nice alternatives to regular shampoo if you find them too harsh.  "J R Liggett's" is very gentle {I used it on 3 redheaded babies/kids}

[sunnygir1]

Originally Posted by hippiemom 

As far as "BO" and hair health goes, what you put in your body is more important than what you put on it.  Drink lots of water and eat impeccably.  

I like deodorant/antiperspirant and shampoo myself, but in the cooler months I lay off the anti P and just use a perfume bar, all natural, from "Lush" {you can find them online, pretty pure}.  

Lots of natural, nourishing soaps out there that are nice alternatives to regular shampoo if you find them too harsh.  "J R Liggett's" is very gentle {I used it on 3 redheaded babies/kids}

Thanks for your post.  I'll look into the products you mentioned.  I do drink a lot of water and eat very well.  I mean, I could always eat better, but I have an excellent real and whole-food diet.

It's not about harshness with the products so much as ingredients I can't pronounce and don't trust.  I mean, I'm pretty sensitive and won't use anything that burns or gives me a rash, but beyond that I also really like to use products with few ingredients, all of which are unadulterated and I know what they are.

Thanks again.