Should You Shampoo Your Hair? - Consumer Reports (2024)

What Is the No-Poo Method?

The no-poo (or “no shampoo”) method is a hair-cleansing technique that removes shampoo from the equation, says Yadav. Instead of using shampoo, followers of the practice use alternatives such as apple cider vinegar, a cleansing conditioner, or just plain water.

Cringing? Hear us out. Your scalp has natural oils that help nourish the hair, Yadav says. She says that while shampoo is meant to remove dirt, sweat, grime, and oil from the hair and scalp, overusing it—or even using it regularly—can strip these natural oils, leaving your hair and scalp dry and flaky. With the no-poo method, your hair is still being cleansed, just not with shampoo, therefore eliminating the risk of stripping away those natural oils. Ultimately, it ensures that the hair and scalp are balanced and healthier.

Is the No-Poo Method Healthy?

The no-poo method has an army of passionate followers, but that’s not to say it doesn’t come without controversy and a few eyebrow raises. The main concern among anti-pooers is that it leaves the hair and scalp feeling oily. Sure, nixing shampoo from your routine may initially leave your hair looking and feeling greasy, but if the method is done correctly, it can balance out how much oil your scalp produces in the long run.

According to Katherine Riley, owner of Katherine Jon Salon in New York and educator for hair care brand Eufora, forgoing hair-stripping shampoos (like clarifying formulas) keeps the scalp from overproducing oil, which is key in maintaining optimal scalp health.

Think about it: When your hair is oily, you cleanse it with a shampoo, which whisks away grease and buildup but takes away your scalp’s natural oils along with it. Your scalp is now squeaky-clean (which really just means it’s dried out), and begins to overcompensate for the lack of oil by producing even more, Yadav says. So you cleanse it again with shampoo in an effort to get rid of the excess oil, and the process repeats.

It’s a vicious cycle that may seem impossible to break, but the no-poo method helps to regulate hyperactive oil glands in the scalp and make for a more balanced mane, Riley says.

Benefits of the No-Poo Method

While New York-based dermatologist Dendy Engelman says the no-poo method can be beneficial for everyone, there are some hair types that are more susceptible to the drying effects of shampoo than others and may experience better results from the no-poo method.

One hair type that falls into this category is curly hair. “Curly hair is prone to dryness because it’s easier for the scalp’s natural oils to travel down straight strands than it is for curly hair,” Yadav says. The no-poo method, however, can help curls maintain maximum moisture, resulting in more defined curls, less frizz, and more manageability, Riley says.

For those with fine, brittle hair, Dendy Engelman, a dermatologist based in New York, says the no-poo method can help improve your hair’s bounce. She says harmful ingredients like detergents are often added to shampoos to cleanse, but they can end up drying out your hair and leaving it looking flat.

Removing shampoo from your routine means your hair won’t be exposed to these harsh chemicals. Rather, it’ll retain more of its natural oils and result in more volume, Engelman says.

How Long Does the No-Poo Method Take to Work?

How Do You Wash Your Hair Without Shampoo?

There’s no one right way to go no-poo. Many people replace shampoo with apple cider vinegar while others wash with just plain water. Those who follow the Curly Girl Method (a regimented routine for naturally curly-haired folks) practice co-washing (or “conditioner-only washing”) with a cleansing conditioner. These formulas get rid of buildup while offering the traditional benefits of conditioners like detangling and hydrating, and though it may sound counterintuitive, a cleansing conditioner “works because oils are attracted to other oils,” Yadav says. “When the oils of a conditioner mix with oil buildup on your scalp, it’s all washed away but doesn’t end up in dryness.” Essentially, a cleansing conditioner helps to maintain moisture this hair type often lacks.

You can also use a mixture of methods if you decide to go no-poo. For instance, washing with just water as the standard and using apple cider vinegar twice a month. Some people prep their scalp by reducing the frequency of washing before going full-on no-poo, others like to go cold turkey and stop using shampoo all at once. It’s all about personal preference.

If you’re an everyday shampooer, you can ease into the process by limiting your shampooing sessions to every other day and then to every few days before transitioning out of shampoo completely. Then you can begin to incorporate your shampoo alternatives—the most common one being apple cider vinegar. Using apple cider vinegar in place of shampoo is a good option if you have dandruff or if you often experience buildup due to frequent use of styling products, Riley says.

So, How Often Should You Really Wash Your Hair?

A lot of this has to do with your hair type. For example, Yadav says that it’s common for those with straight hair to experience oiliness quicker than those with curly hair because it’s easier for the natural oils to travel down the hair shaft. This means you may feel the need to wash your hair more frequently. On the flip side, those with curly hair may find a once-a-week wash enough to cleanse their scalp without losing their curl’s moisture and bounce.

Also, Yadav says to consider your climate and your activity level when it comes to figuring out how often to wash your hair. “Do you work in a hot, humid area?” she says. “Do you work out frequently or have a job that requires a lot of manual labor? These circ*mstances may necessitate more frequent washing to keep the scalp healthy and balanced.”

The Bottom Line