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[Cindres]

What about your ass-hole?

You're not supposed to use soap on any of your downstairs parts anyway:
http://drbenkim.com/dont-use-soap-private-parts.htm

 

[Mecha_Infantry]

Just use soap you cheap arse hippies!

Spoiler

I actually don't use shampoo since I have dreadlocks. Pure water is just fine

 

[Fusebox]

The "natural oils" argument is about why your hair gets greasy. You use shampoo and strip the natural oil away, so your body produces even more. When you stop using shampoo, it takes a while for this to stabilize and after that your hair no longer gets "oily."

How does your body know if your hair is oily or not? Isn't it mostly keratin like our fingernails?

 

[Mengy]

Let me clarify what I do since some people could possibly have taken my post the wrong way.

1. I use deodorant daily, unless I'm lazy and won't be doing anything active for the day.
2. I shower daily. If I got mud/dirt/extreme sweat I will use soap, since that functionally loosens the surface tension of water and gets in deeper. Otherwise I'll just rub myself with water over my body.

I've been very clean, never smelly. Don't really see what the problem is. I think a big problem people have is that they don't understand why soap works. There's a reason you use water with soap. Its because soaps makes water clean you better. You are still being cleaned by water. Soap just helps water clean you better.

Edit: And yeah, I use styling products when I go out.

Yep, if you understand what soap really does then it's not too big a deal to understand why washing without it works just as well. However, it's the no shampoo thing for the hair that most people just can't get their head around. Our society has been raised to expect that it is mandatory and absolutely needed. I know I used to think that. Not using shampoo on my hair has been such a revelation. I used to hate my hair, now I realize I just hated what the shampoo was doing to my scalp and hair.

 

[Sarcasm]

SO do you just sit under the shower with hot water? or luke warm? Do you scrub with no soap ??

 

[jaxword]

Yep, if you understand what soap really does then it's not too big a deal to understand why washing without it works just as well. .

Do go on about what soap really does?

 

[Naked Snake]

Any beard growers here? Are you also not supposed to wash your beard with shampoo or soap?

 

[anonymous_abc]

SO do you just sit under the shower with hot water? or luke warm? Do you scrub with no soap ??

Pretty much.

 

[Sarcasm]

I also hear hot water is actually bad for you. I been doing luke warm to coldish recently...will try this no soap stuff..well I only been using shampoo my life..so will give that up too.

 

[Zoe]

How does your body know if your hair is oily or not? Isn't it mostly keratin like our fingernails?

It's your scalp.

 

[SLEEPS7ALK3R]

Great. Thanks for not answering my questions...

 

[Baconsaurus Rex]

What about your ass-hole?

I have never ever washed my arse. Do you just simply don't wipe your ass after pooping and wash it away later in the shower?

 

[-PXG-]

I...might try this?

 

[Aesius]

I have never ever washed my arse. Do you just simply don't wipe your ass after pooping and wash it away later in the shower?

Your ass must smell fucking horrible then.

 

[anonymous_abc]

Question(s):

Do you guys wet your hair daily? I heard/was told that not letting the moisture leave your scalp can cause hair loss. I usually lose lots of hairs when I shampoo after one or two days of no washing; so, when going no shampoo, do you guys let your hair get wet every day or use a shower cap?

What about towel consumption and pyjamas? How often do you have to change them due to body oils building up? Is this a problem at all?

I shower pretty much every day and have done so for years, no change there.
And no change in clothing habbits either.

 

[Mengy]

Question(s):

Do you guys wet your hair daily? I heard/was told that not letting the moisture leave your scalp can cause hair loss. I usually lose lots of hairs when I shampoo after one or two days of no washing; so, when going no shampoo, do you guys let your hair get wet every day or use a shower cap?

What about towel consumption and pyjamas? How often do you have to change them due to body oils building up? Is this a problem at all?

I wash my hair every time I get a shower, which is at least once a day, so yeah my head gets wet all the time. I don't see how this could be a problem for anyone? How can moisture cause hair loss?

As for towel consumption, it's no different than it was back when I used soap. I scrub clean with a handtowel in the shower, so when I dry off the towel doesn't get any more dirty than it used to with soap. Really the only changes from back when I used soap and shampoo are:

1. I don't have to buy soap or shampoo anymore (except for hand soap at the sinks).
2. my skin is healthier than it used to be
3. my hair is MUCH healthier than it used to be. More full, softer, no more dry scalp or dandruff. Even my hair dresser has noticed it.
4. Apparently I smell better. Honestly don't know why that is, but it's definitely true. I've gotten many more comments about my good smell in the past year than I did in my whole life before, from complete strangers even.

I'll never go back. Why the hell would I?

 

[anonymous_abc]

I'll never go back. Why the hell would I?

To conform of course ;p

 

[Neptune]

This didn't work for me when I tried going without shampoo for a few months last year. While my hair never looked better and became easier to style, my fiancé complained about a less than pleasing smell. I always tried to clean my scalp and hair thoroughly, but to no avail.

 

[Grimm Fandango]

Don't take this the wrong way but what ethnicity are you, Mengy? I'm curious if it plays a factor.

 

[Jado]

attention nosoapers: you smell like shit. hit the showers. thanks for your time and god bless the united states of america.

I've been doing it since Friday and not told my fiancee. We've had an ongoing heatwave in the city; it's been very hot and humid. I've asked if I smell in subtle ways every day, using the heat as an excuse for asking. Her responses have been that I smell good, like nothing at all, etc. She's the type who will tell me (and has!) when I stink or have bad breath.

This is working 100% so far. I still use deodorant and hairgel.

And humans in the past were dirty as fuck and had half the life expectancy as us.

Life expectancy in the past had nothing to do with the availability (or lack) of soap. And humans in Westernized nations are now currently less healthy than they were 50 years ago (rampant cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity). Lathering hands with anti-bacterial soap is one particularly useless habit that is doing nothing good for anyone.

 

[Grimm Fandango]

Lathering hands with anti-bacterial soap is one particularly useless habit that is doing nothing good for anyone.

Er what? What about for hospitals, the food industry, if you are sick, etc?

 

[way more]

Life expectancy in the past had nothing to do with the availability (or lack) of soap. And humans in Westernized nations are now currently less healthy than they were 50 years ago (rampant cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity). Lathering hands with anti-bacterial soap is one particularly useless habit that is doing nothing good for anyone.

None of those are related to germs/infection.

But maybe if you stop washing your hands your "natural oils" kick in and keep them sanitized?

 

[Canis lupus]

I dont believe this guy, where are the pics?

 

[entremet]

I dont believe this guy, where are the pics?

Pics for what? Why would you need pics?

 

[ThanksVision]

My friend does this because I showed him the thread a year ago. His skin is fantastic now, no breakouts.

I have a question though: when I take a shower I only wash my face with water. Throughout the day, my face can be kinda itchy. Then at night I wash my face with an actual cleanser. Why the itch??

 

[entremet]

My friend does this because I showed him the thread a year ago. His skin is fantastic now, no breakouts.

I have a question though: when I take a shower I only wash my face with water. Throughout the day, my face can be kinda itchy. Then at night I wash my face with an actual cleanser. Why the itch??

Could be a mild allergen. Have you tried another cleanser?

 

[Naked Snake]

I thought this was a fascinating interview:

A History Of Personal Hygiene - Katherine Ashenburg, Allan Greg (tvo)

The author/interviewee did extensive research on the history of personal hygiene and the science behind it. And she seems to be all for reducing our obsession with hygiene and washing, BUT she stresses the science shows that washing hands is one of the most effective things for preventing disease.

So my take on it: Wash your hands with soap (especially if/when you interact with strangers/outside world), but leave the soap away from the rest of your body*

* Admittedly, as much as I am an ardent supporter of no-soap/no-poo, I find it difficult to maintain in the super-hot summer months. So I use traditional soap made from pure olive oil with no additives in the shower every few days when I feel dirty. It's also the only soap I use for hand washing.

 

[SLEEPS7ALK3R]

I wash my hair every time I get a shower, which is at least once a day, so yeah my head gets wet all the time. I don't see how this could be a problem for anyone? How can moisture cause hair loss?

As for towel consumption, it's no different than it was back when I used soap. I scrub clean with a handtowel in the shower, so when I dry off the towel doesn't get any more dirty than it used to with soap. Really the only changes from back when I used soap and shampoo are:

1. I don't have to buy soap or shampoo anymore (except for hand soap at the sinks).
2. my skin is healthier than it used to be
3. my hair is MUCH healthier than it used to be. More full, softer, no more dry scalp or dandruff. Even my hair dresser has noticed it.
4. Apparently I smell better. Honestly don't know why that is, but it's definitely true. I've gotten many more comments about my good smell in the past year than I did in my whole life before, from complete strangers even.

I'll never go back. Why the hell would I?

Thanks, Mengy.

 

[Jado]

None of those are related to germs/infection.

But maybe if you stop washing your hands your "natural oils" kick in and keep them sanitized?

That was my point. Personal hygiene, then and now, has had little effect on overall human health. This is especially true when it comes to over-the-counter personal care products that really do little and sell primarily because of heavy advertising, colorful dyes, superficial fragrances, and pointless foaming agents. Modern plumbing/clean water, nutrition and medicine are the biggest factors of increased lifespan. You're not risking getting to old age if you never again buy a bar of Dial soap.

Er what? What about for hospitals, the food industry, if you are sick, etc?

Anti-bacterial soaps were once only used in hospitals, where it makes perfect sense given the interaction with open cuts and body fluids. Most food-related illnesses come from contamination at the source (e.g. animal feces at the butchering facility), not from the person handling your food at a restaurant. The exception is a dirty kitchen where hand washing would still make no difference. Besides many common illnesses being viral, routine anti-bacterial soap use may be be pointless and possibly harmful (super bacteria).

 

[adamsappel]

Also I think diet must play a huge role cause I lived with some Indians in grad scjool who were no soapers who ate lots of spicy food and they smelled terrible.

Yes, diet plays a huge role in one's odor. But, soap isn't going to help that much unless you shower after every meal.

How does your body know if your hair is oily or not? Isn't it mostly keratin like our fingernails?

As zoe said, the oils come from your scalp. They "wick" down the hair shaft. As does sweat. I've shaved both my scalp and my legs (bicyclist!) and it actually feels cooler to leave some hair for the sweat to move away from your skin.

I also hear hot water is actually bad for you. I been doing luke warm to coldish recently...will try this no soap stuff..well I only been using shampoo my life..so will give that up too.

There's a cold water-GAF faction, too. I tried it last year and it was rough. I had to turn the shower faucet just enough that it let a small trickle of warm water enter the flow. It felt like it was barely above freezing. That same setting in the summer is almost hot.

 

[AgentChris]

This thread...

 

[Mengy]

Don't take this the wrong way but what ethnicity are you, Mengy? I'm curious if it plays a factor.

White American, thru and thru. Good point though, I wonder if this works better for some races than others.

 

[Dead Prince]

i don't use soap personally. not because i'm a dirty guy just too lazy to find the right one for my skin. but i still use shampoo and conditioner though.

 

[cloudwalking]

There's a cold water-GAF faction, too. I tried it last year and it was rough. I had to turn the shower faucet just enough that it let a small trickle of warm water enter the flow. It felt like it was barely above freezing. That same setting in the summer is almost hot.

there was a fire in our building last week that damaged the gas mains and has left us without any hot water for a week now. naturally we still have to bathe, so we've been forced to take cold showers every day. it is definitely rough at first but after having done it for 6 days now i can pretty much say i'm used to it. my husband and i both agree that our skin and hair have never been better. i could definitely see it being a lot more brutal in the winter, though.

one thing it's taught me is that i won't be taking any super hot showers anymore. i'll stick to lukewarm at best.

 

[Deleted member 17706]

This thread...

I wonder, are you going to keep posting the same ignorant shit on every page?

 

[Mikey Jr.]

I cant imagine not using shampoo. When I go 3 days without shampooing, my hair feels greasy, and my scalp feels itchy.

Shampoo/soap just makes me feel.....refreshed. Like I have washed off the day and I am back to a clean slate.

 

[AgentChris]

I wonder, are you going to keep posting the same ignorant shit on every page?

No need to act like a clown.

 

[James Woods]

Goddamn this thread. We should be above this shit GAF. I started taking showers regularly this past month for the first time in almost a decade. Please use soap and wash your hair ffs.

 

[Alligatorjandro]

I tried this for like a month and went back to soap.

 

[heidern]

So I decided to give this a go, it's been 2 weeks now. Initially my hair became more greasy each day(but not too bad), but after about a week it went back to normal.

I'm also very active. In the past after being heavily active(be it playing sports, running, dancing) I would sweat and if I sniffed down my shirt I could smell the sweaty odour. However the last couple of days although I sweat it doesn't smell as bad. And also after resting for a bit that dissipates almost completely and I can smell my deoderant.

Going well so far.

 

[FelixOrion]

Any beard growers here? Are you also not supposed to wash your beard with shampoo or soap?

Depends, I guess. Beards differ both in hair style, length, and the skin beneath. It's really personal preference.

 

[FStop7]

I decided to partially try this.

I am on day 4 of no shampoo. I still wash my body with soap and don't plan on changing that.

I scrub my hair and scalp with hot water.

So far it hasn't been that bad. No dandruff to speak of.

 

[Mr. F]

Unintentionally tried the shampoo end of this on a trip I took last year. Didn't really think about it that way until now, but my hair was a lot better than usual. Usually no matter what kind of shampoo/conditioner I use things end up really dry and frizzy.

Might revisit this. Not sure about ditching soap though.

 

[Ledsen]

I cant imagine not using shampoo. When I go 3 days without shampooing, my hair feels greasy, and my scalp feels itchy.

Shampoo/soap just makes me feel.....refreshed. Like I have washed off the day and I am back to a clean slate.

That's just it. If you went without schampoo for a month, your hair wouldnt get greasy at all anymore and your scalp wouldn't itch.

 

[Cindres]

On day 7 of no soap now. All's going good, If anything I don't think my hair's been feeling more greasy than it would if I'd have used shampoo. I think it just gets greasy quicker, so I'm waiting for the transition period to be over.

 

[BPRD]

I have not used soap/shampoo/deodorant since I was a kid. I've never been told I smell. seriously

edit: I love hot water though. (17 years without them)

 

[Dereck]

I've been doing it for a week now. I have a history of extremely itchy and dry scalp. My scalp is dry now but I have zero dandruff and it also does not itch. I can't believe this is working.

 

[Messofanego]

I've been doing this for the past 2 weeks or more, and had no problem with my body or odor. But my scalp I've realised is pretty sensitive, so I've been getting sort of blisters or oily lesions so I've been using soap for that.

I love that I only take 1-2 min to have a shower, never have to worry if in a hurry.

My mom hasn't been supportive, because it's a huge change, and trying to conspire that I smell when I don't lol.

 

[bud]

there was a fire in our building last week that damaged the gas mains and has left us without any hot water for a week now. naturally we still have to bathe, so we've been forced to take cold showers every day. it is definitely rough at first but after having done it for 6 days now i can pretty much say i'm used to it. my husband and i both agree that our skin and hair have never been better. i could definitely see it being a lot more brutal in the winter, though.

one thing it's taught me is that i won't be taking any super hot showers anymore. i'll stick to lukewarm at best.

how would you say your hair has improved?

 

[MThanded]

I've been doing this for the past 2 weeks or more, and had no problem with my body or odor. But my scalp I've realised is pretty sensitive, so I've been getting sort of blisters or oily lesions so I've been using soap for that.

I love that I only take 1-2 min to have a shower, never have to worry if in a hurry.

My mom hasn't been supportive, because it's a huge change, and trying to conspire that I smell when I don't lol.

Maybe she is right.