My Hair, The History

This has been the hardest part of the journey for me. I mean, who doesn't use shampoo? Admitting shampoo was a big part of my problem was when I really had to come to terms with the fact that I wasn't "normal" and had "an issue".

My somewhat brief hair history is that I was experiencing some pretty intense scalp problems in the spring of 2009 that I knew would need a consultation with my doctor to remedy. She deemed my problem a severe case of Seborrheic Dermatitis and sent me home with a prescription shampoo (Ketoconazole) to treat it. And treat it, it did. I alternated it with my normal shampoo (Nexus Therappe), although it burned like fire and took several months to clear up. But I was happy until it came back a few months later, around the fall of 2009. Since I figured I knew what the problem was I decided to try some over the counter shampoos. I tried the Neutrogena T-Gel Extra-Strength. It helped, and didn't burn as badly as the Ketoconazole but it didn’t go away. 

In the spring of 2010 is when I ran across this random article on common skin irritants and put two and two together. I decided to try some more natural shampoos so see how that would affect my symptoms. I went to Whole Foods, my local natural foods store, and selected a shampoo without Sodium Laurel Sulfate, what I thought seemed like the most likely target from the original and subsequent articles I read. It helped a lot as the burning and rash went away but the itchies and flakiness were still there. I went back and chose another shampoo without the SLS and this time without Cocamidopropyl Betaine as well as without some other preservatives and brag-worthy ingredients on the bottle. Again, good results, but no “perfect” scalp. In the meantime I had also been cutting out all hair products (goodbye hairspray, mousse, shine serum, leave-in conditioners....) that could be skewing results. 

I got my doctor to refer me to a dermatologist to discuss what I had been experiencing. The dermatologist agreed with the likeliness of chemical sensitivities and recommended California Baby Shampoo as being about the most gentle shampoo on the market, along with with some steroid cream to clear up the scalp irritation. I started using the shampoo right after Thanksgiving in 2010 and was very happy with the California Baby for quite a while, but was still nagged by minor itchiness.

That’s when in May of 2011 I decided to take a big step and go No Poo (no shampoo, as I researched it via the internet). I have been Very Happy with the results. It has been over 4 months now and I am no longer plagued with scalp issues of any sort. And the most amazing thing: my fine, limp, lifeless blond hair has suddenly perked up. It’s healthier looking, fuller and, get this, curly! Back when I was using shampoo, styling products and curling irons, I’d always strived to make my hair appear fuller and wavy and I’m left with exactly what I’d always wanted when I give them up. Kind of ironic, don't you think?