Support NeoGAF

[Baraka in the White House]

Been doing the no-soap showers for about a year now and it's been great. No smell and great skin for the most part. The only issue I have now is a recurring red rash on my upper lip and to one side of my face by my nose. The areas get red and slightly itchy then the skin flakes off and it clears up for a day or two before starting again.

 

[entremet]

Ah my old thread. I did this for 3 months and just missed that nice soapy clean. My skin was never better though. I just use soap on my privates now though.

 

[Incitemaybe]

Lmao at the guys coming in here to judge.

Also, glad this is working out for some of you, I remember seeing this thread last year and trying it but I couldn't really go through with it because I do alot of shows and must use soap to remove makeup and stuff like that constantly.

More power to you!

 

[AlternativeUlster]

I've only shampooed my hair once since my birthday (September). Tried to go a whole year without doing it but one day on set I worked on made me too dirty (also there was horse poop everywhere) to not do it sadly.

 

[-x.Red.x-]

Gaf, i stop using shampoo but ireplaced it with soap.

Do i stop using soap at all?? Just water??? What about stink gaf?

WOW
almost a year later without shampoo
no stink!! expect when i wet it but once it dries it goes away
i love my hair, my only problem is flakes

what can i do gaf?

i scrub it everyday with hot water and nothing

help, other than that, been thing i have done so far lol

 

[Lactose_Intolerant]

WOW
almost a year later without shampoo
no stink!! expect when i wet it but once it dries it goes away
i love my hair, my only problem is flakes

what can i do gaf?

i scrub it everyday with hot water and nothing

help, other than that, been thing i have done so far lol

Head and shoulders, oh wait...

 

[vaelic]

If he doesn't use deodorant I smell bullshit

 

[CrunchinJelly]

WOW
almost a year later without shampoo
no stink!! expect when i wet it but once it dries it goes away
i love my hair, my only problem is flakes

what can i do gaf?

i scrub it everyday with hot water and nothing

help, other than that, been thing i have done so far lol

Stop scrubbing it. You're making it worse.

Gently run warm water through it using your palms. No fingers.

 

[shamo42]

I meant to comment on this yesterday.

As a wise man once said:

I'm out!

After a month of no shampoo, I had the most ridiculous dandruff. As soon as I used shampoo, most of it went away.

It was a fun experiment, but it's one that I will never try again.

Same here. BUT the dandruff was gone after 2 months. It took another 6 months until my hair was perfect. No grease, no itching, no dandruff, no bad smells. I have now less dandruff than I had before with shampoo. The transition period was long and hard (what she said) but now I'm never going back.

 

[SamVimes]

Do you guys use deodorant?

 

[turnbuckle]

Do you guys use deodorant?

Everyday, but haven't used shampoo at all. I actually do use my tea tree shampoo as body wash. My hair looks and feels better than ever.

 

[Zoe]

Stop scrubbing it. You're making it worse.

Gently run warm water through it using your palms. No fingers.

No, you do need to massage the scalp to exfoliate it. His problem is probably the hot water.

 

[shamo42]

Hot water and too much scrubbing makes it worse. Try using cool water with high water pressure (and no scrubbing).

 

[msv]

Hot water and too much scrubbing makes it worse. Try using cool water with high water pressure (and no scrubbing).

How did you manage having your hair smell like a damp wet rag for 8 months? I tried the no-shampoo thing, but it just started to smell, no way could I go out like that.

 

[G.O.O.]

Depends on your skin and hair I guess.

I stopped using soap after reading this thread, that was a while ago - maybe a year, maybe more. My skin is dry so shorter showers are a good thing, I don't smell bad (yes I have a gf, even if she misses the smell of soap - now I use perfume from time to time) and I'm not greasy. Couldn't get rid of shampoo though (and of course, I use deodorant).

 

[fanboi]

How did you manage having your hair smell like a damp wet rag for 8 months? I tried the no-shampoo thing, but it just started to smell, no way could I go out like that.

You're dutch... duh.

 

[shamo42]

How did you manage having your hair smell like a damp wet rag for 8 months?

It doesn't. I asked my gf several times because I know she's honest about it. She didn't complain. My hair is quite short. Maybe that helps too.

Sometimes I rub a tiny bit of hair oil into the hair-ends. This gives it a nice smell and shine (it's not greasy as the hair absorbs the oil quite nicely).

 

[Everdred]

I'm still doing it too, about 13 months now. Don't have any issues and I've only used Shampoo and Conditioner once when I was swimming a lot on vacation. I use deodorant.

My girlfriend tried it for about a week and it didn't go so well for her. Generally just works better with guys because of our short hair.

 

[Mengy]

I'm still doing it too, about 13 months now. Don't have any issues and I've only used Shampoo and Conditioner once when I was swimming a lot on vacation. I use deodorant.

My girlfriend tried it for about a week and it didn't go so well for her. Generally just works better with guys because of our short hair.

I agree that the transition for guys is easier due to short hair, but the whole thing does work for women too. Since I've been doing this I've come to discover that a good friend of mine, a nurse at a local hospital, took this plunge years ago. She first heard about it from some health guru speaker she went to see at some health convention. She was intrigued, so one day she just stopped using soap and shampoo. For her, the hair adjustment period lasted a good three months, and it got bad during those months, but since she wears a hair net at work anyway it wasn't too noticeable. BUT, once her hair stabilized the difference was nothing short of amazing. Today her hair is beautiful, soft, full, much more so than it ever was before. Her hairdresser constantly asks her what she puts into her hair to make it so nice, but she doesn't have the heart to tell the truth for fear that her hairdresser will never touch her hair again, LOL.

She is one of the biggest reasons why my girlfriend is going to give it a serious shot in a little over a month.

 

[Shadders]

The guy in the cubicle next to mine appears to be adopting this strategy, I don't think he's having as positive results as the guy in the OP though. :\

 

[awm8604]

I haven't used shampoo in almost a year. Just a baking soda/apple cider vinegar combination 1-2 times a week. My hair is just like its always been.

 

[Mister Wilhelm]

Do you guys use deodorant?

Only when it's hot out or I'm planning on exercise.

 

[Des0lar]

lol do any of you actually have a girlfriend? cause you guys stink, no doubt

My girlfriend said I smell better than ever. Your turn.

 

[Shadders]

The only part that would really put me off is not being able to soap up my little fella, he can get pretty sweaty.. not sure just water would be enough to get him properly clean..

Also, to you no-soapers, do you use toothpaste?

 

[JohnDoe]

I tried it for something like 2 weeks.
I didn't smell and my skin felt nice, but my hair got greasy as fuck. Apparently it takes a while for the hair to "readjust" itself to no shampoo, but waiting for that wasn't worth it for me, my hair was just too greasy to deal with.

 

[Mengy]

The only part that would really put me off is not being able to soap up my little fella, he can get pretty sweaty.. not sure just water would be enough to get him properly clean..

Also, to you no-soapers, do you use toothpaste?

Hell yeah. Although, ironic enough, I read an article months ago stating that toothpaste is only really needed because of "modern" foods, and that if we all ate a paleolithic diet (meat, fish, fruits and vegies, nuts) then we wouldn't need to use toothpaste.

However, I'm not giving up toothpaste ever. I'm cavity free so far and I aint messing with that, lol.

 

[Log4Girlz]

I bathe with soup.

 

[Tea and Toast]

I never use any kind of soap and I don't use shampoo as it messes with my curly doo.

Been that way for over two years now. No problems so far.

 

[phosphor112]

Believe it or not, but it actually does work. I haven't used soap or shampoo for over a year now. Well, I do still use soap on my hands, especially when I get them real dirty or greasy working on the car or the Harley. My skin is much more healthy than it has ever been, my hair is MUCH more healthy and soft (no more dry scalp syndrome), and yes I smell wonderful naturally. I've gotten more compliments on the way I smell in the past year than I have in my entire life. It makes me smile every time, because of the simple irony that I don't use soap anymore.

I do take a shower every day, and I scrub with water and a washcloth. I find that scrubbing my hair is especially important. But it does really work.

Do you still use deodorant?

EDIT: Maybe I should read more comments before posting. Mk. I might give this a shot...

 

[Mengy]

Do you still use deodorant?

EDIT: Maybe I should read more comments before posting. Mk. I might give this a shot...

Yeah, I use deodorant every day. But I make sure to buy stuff without aluminum in it.

Definitely read the thread and find out what this is all about if it sounds interesting to you. It's one of the best gambles I've ever made. I'm honestly surprised it's not more widespread and common. Most people hear "no soap or shampoo" and instantly think that it really means no showers, but that's not the case at all. I take daily showers, sometimes two a day depending on what I'm doing. I just scrub with water and nothing else.

 

[.GqueB.]

Ah my old thread. I did this for 3 months and just missed that nice soapy clean. My skin was never better though. I just use soap on my privates now though.

How much do you sweat typically though. I wanna try this but Im worried. I'm one of those people that start sweating the second I step out of the shower.

 

[Mister Wilhelm]

Also, to you no-soapers, do you use toothpaste?

Of course. Mouthwash, toothpaste, floss, and tongue scraper.

 

[Pikmindictator]

I use a hair-brush before showering to get out most of the nastiness. Works well but takes some time.

 

[Cindres]

I just started trying this out, only on 4 days of no-soap but I have a question:
Does anyone else use like, gel or wax or something similar in their hair? I'm wondering if that makes any difference as I use hair putty.

 

[Nemo]

I just started trying this out, only on 4 days of no-soap but I have a question:
Does anyone else use like, gel or wax or something similar in their hair? I'm wondering if that makes any difference as I use hair putty.

I think gel would be the better option if you're not using soap. Most gel comes off easy with water

 

[adamsappel]

I just started trying this out, only on 4 days of no-soap but I have a question:
Does anyone else use like, gel or wax or something similar in their hair? I'm wondering if that makes any difference as I use hair putty.

You might not need to use any of that soon. Often, hair product is needed because you've stripped away the hair's natural oils. My hair got a lot more manageable on its own once I stopped using shampoo (I rinse it with diluted vinegar). I also saw more regrowth in thinning areas.

 

[Mengy]

You might not need to use any of that soon. Often, hair product is needed because you've stripped away the hair's natural oils. My hair got a lot more manageable on its own once I stopped using shampoo (I rinse it with diluted vinegar). I also saw more regrowth in thinning areas.

Yeah, me too. Since I've started this I haven't used gel at all. My hair is the most manageable and healthy it has ever been.

I used to really have problems with "helmet hair" when I ride my Harley. I'd take my helmet off and my hair would just be a mess. I used to carry a cap with me at all times on the bike just because of that. But since I've stopped using shampoo helmet hair isn't a problem anymore. I simply just comb my hair with my fingers and poof it up a bit and it looks great. It's kind of amazing whenever I actually stop and think about it. Like a big secret that 99% of the world just doesn't realize...

 

[Clott]

Haven't used soap on my body in years, I still use shampoo but I only wash my hair twice a week, and I haven't used conditioner in 7 years.


Anyway, get at me bro.

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

Is it possible that there are people who just can't do this? I can't go long without my scalp driving me insane with itching/burning/etc.

 

[Mengy]

Is it possible that there are people who just can't do this? I can't go long without my scalp driving me insane with itching/burning/etc.

Define "long". The hair does take a month or two to stabilize. Mine seemed to take about 4-5 weeks until it really recovered and stopped feeling like greasy shit.

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

I'm tempted to give this a go now that people are saying their hair is more manageable. I've always had problems doing anything with my hair.

One thing that concerns me though; what do you guys do when you're just washing your hands, like after you've used the toilet or something? Still just water?

 

[anonymous_abc]

One thing that concerns me though; what do you guys do when you're just washing your hands, like after you've used the toilet or something? Still just water?

Soap of course!

 

[thezerofire]

haven't used shampoo in a year now, it's been great

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

Define "long". The hair does take a month or two to stabilize. Mine seemed to take about 4-5 weeks until it really recovered and stopped feeling like greasy shit.

Longest I've made it is 4 days. I can't even sleep because it gets so bad. I also scratch my head so much it was pretty much rubbed raw.

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

Soap of course!

Good, I'd feel horrible if I just used water.

 

[zephervack]

To the people that dont use soap... Do u guys ever have sex?, because i need to shower twice after getting busy, no way water alone would remove that stank.

 

[Nemo]

Make sure you don't use those soaps that'll fuck the ph balance of your skin

 

[Majmun]

To the people that dont use soap... Do u guys ever have sex?, because i need to shower twice after getting busy, no way water alone would remove that stank.

There must be something wrong with you or your gf/bf then.

 

[zephervack]

There must be something wrong with you or your gf/bf then.

Fair enough, but yeah during summer, you get down and dirty after a long day and showering vigorously once is not enough.

I guess this stuff isn't for us if there is something wrong with us, carry along.

 

[Mengy]

To the people that dont use soap... Do u guys ever have sex?, because i need to shower twice after getting busy, no way water alone would remove that stank.

I have sex almost every day, but believe it or not, taking a shower with only water and scrubbing good with a hand towel does indeed get you clean as a whistle. I do sometimes use lava soap when I get greasy from working on my tractor or Jeep, but only to help the degreasing of myself.

Society has a whole lot of misconceptions that soap is required to get clean. It really isn't. At least, I haven't needed it in over a year now. I'm as surprised as anyone, hell I only did this to satisfy my own curiosity, I never in a million years expected it to really work, or suspected that I would stick with it.