No poo trouble shooting?

[DanishMom]

Hi there,

I've been no pooing for four or five months and really like it. I didn't experience any transition period and I can go five to six days between BS. My problem is that my hair is very dry. I think I've fried it in the sun last summer and my hair is quite long which doesn't help matters. After going no poo my ends are a bit more dry. I've been using Spastica's method (adding a bit of conditioner to the BS) and also use a conditioner after BS (before ACV rinse). I don't know if I should do conditioner only or if I should reduce the amount of BS to half a tsp. per cup. I have had problems with itching scalp if I didn't wash frequently enough so I'm a little afraid to try CO for a longer period of time

When I do the ACV rinse my hair feels more dry. I think I have read somewhere that you should dilute more if you have dry hair. Is that correct? I use 1 part ACV to 8 or 9 parts of water. Should I dilute even further?

BTW is it true that lemon juice will make hair lighter. I'm blond but if I stay out of the sun completely (which is my plan for this summer to protect both skin and hair) my hair color becomes very boring. Will lemon juice dry the hair if it I don't dilute it enough? How much should I dilute it?

Anyway, I'm so glad I read about no pooing in this forum - it is so much better than even the most expensive shampoo (even organic shampoos without SLS's) I've ever tried.

I've read the entire sticky about no poo and have searched the forum - but I still don't know what to do. I hope someone can help me nail this.

TIA!!!

Anne

[DanishMom]

please....?

[rugbymom]

Okay, I have no recommendations for you about the dry hair, but thought I'd share my stupidity. I saw your post and was like, OMG, what is no pooing?! It must be some way to eat clean so that you never poop! Many things I've found on this website sound too crazy to be true at first, so I just had to read on. I was kinda relieved to hear that you were talking about shampoo. I can't imagine what you'd have to do to not poop. Good luck in finding your answer.

[DanishMom]

Originally Posted by rugbymom

Okay, I have no recommendations for you about the dry hair, but thought I'd share my stupidity. I saw your post and was like, OMG, what is no pooing?! It must be some way to eat clean so that you never poop! Many things I've found on this website sound too crazy to be true at first, so I just had to read on. I was kinda relieved to hear that you were talking about shampoo. I can't imagine what you'd have to do to not poop. Good luck in finding your answer.

That was really funny!! I'd really need help if that had been the case. Lots of people have misunderstood the term no poo. When I read your post I laughed out loud and now my son doesn't want to go to sleep - he wants me to tell him why I was laughing. I finally convinced to wait until morning. I'm sure he will find it even more funny and tell his friends all about it.

Anne

[DaMajha]

I'm just starting out and still having a trial and error period with a lot of the green things.. but I just couldn't handle the no poo. My hair revolted, it frizzed one minute, would be stuck to my head oily the next. I work in the public and my hair is short, so it wasn't like I could pull it up or anything. I had been bathing in African Black Soap and decided to use it to wash my hair, it did wonders for it. It is now silky and smooth. I don't have to use any kind of conditioner, it doesn't get frizzy or anything!

[DanishMom]

Originally Posted by DaMajha

I'm just starting out and still having a trial and error period with a lot of the green things.. but I just couldn't handle the no poo. My hair revolted, it frizzed one minute, would be stuck to my head oily the next. I work in the public and my hair is short, so it wasn't like I could pull it up or anything. I had been bathing in African Black Soap and decided to use it to wash my hair, it did wonders for it. It is now silky and smooth. I don't have to use any kind of conditioner, it doesn't get frizzy or anything!

Have you tried other kinds of shampoo bars and if you have how does african black soap compare to those? How does african black soap feel on your skin? Where do you buy it?

Thanks.

Anne

[DaMajha]

I haven't tried any of the other bars, as I am just starting to learn about all of this stuff. I bought the black soap here:

https://nasabb.3dcartstores.com/index.html

When you are showering and shampooing with the bar, your hair and skin will feel a little funny.. almost like there is a barrier being formed on it. You will see that the water starts beading up and rolling off of your skin. However, when you get out of the shower and dry off, your skin will feel fabulously soft. I have extremely dry skin, so I follow up with unrefriened shea butter on my skin.

I let my hair dry naturally and it feels very soft and silky after it dries. It isn't dry or frizzy at all. I tell you, I was shocked at how well this stuff works on my hair and skin and can't believe that I wasted so long on commercial products!

[DanishMom]

DaMajha - thank you! I think I'll try that. I have extremely dry skin. I can put moisturizer on my face every ten minutes and still feel very dry and the skin on my body is the same - but as a single mom I really can't find time to use body lotion every time I shower.

What is your hair like? Mine is fine, typical Scandinavian and could use some more body - it looks flat when it is this long.

How long does one bar last? I'll pay a lot for shipping to Denmark so I better order enough for six months. BTW, do you think it could make very blond hair darker?

Maybe there is a connection between dry skin and dry hair?

Anne

[DaMajha]

Originally Posted by DanishMom

DaMajha - thank you! I think I'll try that. I have extremely dry skin. I can put moisturizer on my face every ten minutes and still feel very dry and the skin on my body is the same - but as a single mom I really can't find time to use body lotion every time I shower.

What is your hair like? Mine is fine, typical Scandinavian and could use some more body - it looks flat when it is this long.

How long does one bar last? I'll pay a lot for shipping to Denmark so I better order enough for six months. BTW, do you think it could make very blond hair darker?

Maybe there is a connection between dry skin and dry hair?

Anne

I think there is a connection between dry skin and dry hair!

How long a bar lasts: NOT LONG!! It is very soft and will melt very quickly. I actually lather up with it, and then lay it outside of the shower while I finish showered because it melts so fast. I also keep it wrapped in cloth outside of the bathroom when I am not showering so that it will stay dry.

My hair is coarse and thick. It would remind you of a horse tail LOL. It is now silky and shiny. The soap seems to promote curls in it too. It just seems more bouncy and healthy.

Making it darker: It seems to be bringing out my natural highlights. I have natural subtle red highlights and it is really bringing that out.

If your face is bad dry, have you tried putting coconut oil on it? That really helps mine! I have bad rosacea, so I can't use any kind of moisturizer on my face or it makes it worse.

[DanishMom]

I've found a place in Europe. They have an african black soap with 50% shea butter. Do you think that would be good for washing your hair? I'd like to buy from an European country if I can find something good - otherwise it will be even more expensive because I need to pay taxes. If you have the time I would greatly appreciate if you could take a look at it:
http://www.sheabynature.co.uk/index.php?cPath=74

I have a tiny bit of rosacea too. My mom does too and it might get worse as I get older - I'm 33 years old. Coconut oil causes my skin to break out. Right now I use a moisturizer and lock the moisture in by adding rose hip oil.

I think the dry hair and skin might be worsened by the central heating during wintertime.

[DaMajha]

Originally Posted by DanishMom

I've found a place in Europe. They have an african black soap with 50% shea butter. Do you think that would be good for washing your hair? I'd like to buy from an European country if I can find something good - otherwise it will be even more expensive because I need to pay taxes. If you have the time I would greatly appreciate if you could take a look at it:
http://www.sheabynature.co.uk/index.php?cPath=74

I have a tiny bit of rosacea too. My mom does too and it might get worse as I get older - I'm 33 years old. Coconut oil causes my skin to break out. Right now I use a moisturizer and lock the moisture in by adding rose hip oil.

I think the dry hair and skin might be worsened by the central heating during wintertime.

I would give it a try if it is cheaper to order from there than it would be to order from the states. The African soap that I have has plantain skins, palm kernel oil, palm oil, cocoa pod, coconut oil and sodium. So, it looks like the plantain skin and palm oil have been replaced with the shea butter. I think that would still work just as well. Right now, I bath and wash my hair with the soap, and then I put shea butter all over after I dry off. So, that would probably just eliminate that step!

[DanishMom]

Thank you very much

[DanishMom]

Hi again DaMajha,

Just wanted to ask if you have tried other of Nasabb's products? I think I will place my order there after all and I might as well as some more stuff. I'd like some kind of treatment for dry hair and skin.

Thank you once again.

Anne

[DaMajha]

The only other item that I have tried is her unrefined shea butter. I know when you order, if you will go to the sample page, you can order a free sample pack of her stuff.

I have been using the soap and the shea butter and haven't needed anything else for dry skin, that seems to have taken care of the problem! That stuff is amazing, I tell you.

If you order the shea butter, you might want to ask her to put it in a jar for you. It melts very easily and as much traveling that it will have to do to get to you, it might melt in transport.

[DanishMom]

I solved the problem myself. Today I used one small tbs BS to 2½ cups of water and mixed with conditioner. I also skipped the ACV rinse. I used a tiny bit of shea butter on the ends. My hair feels so incredibly soft - I wouldn't even call it dry anymore and wouldn't bother using expensive conditioners.

I'm still going to buy some african black soap. It looks and sounds great and if my hair doesn't like it I'll use it to wash my skin.

Thanks for sharing your experience DaMajha.

Anne

[MonP'titBoudain]

Sounds like you've got a solution for now but here's a couple other thoughts for future reference: honey is a great moisturizer... I dilute some with the bs wash. nak- also the less diluted the acv the more moisturizing, ime. i also rub a few drops of jojoba into my tips if they're getting fried. hth!

[DanishMom]

African Black Soap

DaMajha - Just wanted to let you know that I bought the African Black Soap and I love it. It's less drying than BS. No need to use a conditioner.
(http://www.akamuti.co.uk/category/african-black-soap/) . I bought the facial cleanser and balm too - wonderful products indeed.

Thank you very much!

Anne

[Ann-Marita]

For dry hair the ACV rinse should be 1:12 or so (one part ACV, 12 parts water). Normal hair can have 1:10, and oily can handle 1:8 (but white vinegar is often better for oily hair).

A really good book on natural skin and hair care is Totally Natural Beauty by Nona Aguilar. Out of print but available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

I've been using the recipes in this book for about 25 years. I still get comments on my skin and hair (even though I'm 48).

Another thing I've tried for dry ends of hair is to apply a little jojoba oil before washing. Works like a charm, but can tend to over-condition if you use too much. Jojoba oil is very close in texture to your body's own natural sebum (oil), so I consider it a better choice than olive oil (which I experience as too thick and sort of sticky). Safflower oil is another good alternative that you can easily find at the grocery store.

[DanishMom]

Hi Ann-Marita

I do use the ACV rinse in 1:10/12 ratio. I'm using ACV with the black african soap and it works great. Much better than with BS. BTW, before I stopped using BS i was down to one small tablespoon BS to three cups of water. My hair still got clean but it was less drying.

I think I have tried almost every oil available. I prefer macadamia oil, pomegrate seed oil, mango butter, coconut oil, sesame oil and murum murum butter.

If you don't mind could you tell me about the book's recommendations for treating extremely dry and prematurely aging skin? I've been ill for almost two years and have had neck surgery and need a lot of strong pain medication. I can see that the stress/pain, the medicine and perhaps a less healthy diet (loss of appetite and weight loss) are affecting my skin.

TIA!

Anne

[DaMajha]

Originally Posted by DanishMom

DaMajha - Just wanted to let you know that I bought the African Black Soap and I love it. It's less drying than BS. No need to use a conditioner.
(http://www.akamuti.co.uk/category/african-black-soap/) . I bought the facial cleanser and balm too - wonderful products indeed.

Thank you very much!

Anne

I'm glad you are liking it! I've converted just about everyone in my home at this point!