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Random Internet dude goes over a year without using soap/shampoo. Surprising results
- Thread starter entremet
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Usually not an excessive sweater myself, but I've never had a problem with just a wash cloth even after exercising for an hour in the summer sun. Soap itself doesn't really do anything for sweat; it works by stripping oils, and sweat is mostly water and minerals. Everyone's body chemistry is different, of course, but don't be afraid to give it a try.
GarthVaderUK
Banned
I stopped using shampoo a few months nowago and it's worked out great for me! Hair looks and feels good, no itchy scalp. Wish I'd tried this sooner!
Delicious Waffles
Member
After seeing this, it's been a little over a week since I shampooed my hair.
Since my hair is, mostly, always short, I'd wash my hair everyday and towel it dry. Probably not the best idea since I'd always have scalp itch. It's always been a pain in the ass to style as well since I get it cut to be spiky, I always had problem getting it to stand up without using wax. I always hated going to bed with that shit in my hair so I rarely used it. Regardless, styling it looked like crap.
After not shampooing for a week, it's actually worked out a lot better. I still have the scalp itch. Maybe as the days go by, it'll get better. Pretty much, I just wet my hair in the shower just so it's easier to style. Speaking of styling, it's working out wonderfully. I can get it spiky without using any wax. I guess the oil keeps it at attention.
Only thing that's worrying me is, whenever I get a haircut, my barber washing my hair. He normally doesn't since I washed my hair before I'd see him. I don't know if it's in bad taste to say don't do it or what.
Regardless, so far, so good.
Since my hair is, mostly, always short, I'd wash my hair everyday and towel it dry. Probably not the best idea since I'd always have scalp itch. It's always been a pain in the ass to style as well since I get it cut to be spiky, I always had problem getting it to stand up without using wax. I always hated going to bed with that shit in my hair so I rarely used it. Regardless, styling it looked like crap.
After not shampooing for a week, it's actually worked out a lot better. I still have the scalp itch. Maybe as the days go by, it'll get better. Pretty much, I just wet my hair in the shower just so it's easier to style. Speaking of styling, it's working out wonderfully. I can get it spiky without using any wax. I guess the oil keeps it at attention.
Only thing that's worrying me is, whenever I get a haircut, my barber washing my hair. He normally doesn't since I washed my hair before I'd see him. I don't know if it's in bad taste to say don't do it or what.
Regardless, so far, so good.
Vintage_Creep
Banned
Eh he has no balls. He wants to show something, then stop wash altogether. You bring me something new man.
I saw this thread the last time it popped up in June and thought "Why not?" I've been shampoo free for about three months now and it's surprisingly great, especially now that I've cut my hair. It was medium length when I started and the oil got trapped underneath a bit more. Now that it's short, it looks better than it did before, and as others have said, it's much easier to style. Just move it around and it sticks!
entremet
Member
If you're washing your hair with water, it's not gonna stink or anything. You can always tell him that you need to use a special shampoo for dandruff control and you can't wash your hair at the barbershop.
Been doing this for a week now. Skin feels great, it feels more silky. I have short hair so it was probably a waste using shampoo on it anyway for me. My wife did say she smelt some BO on the second day but hasn't said anything since. I started using a bit more deodorant after that, a couple more swipes to see if that would help.
I haven't been terribly active lately since I've been sick with a bad cold so I can't answer the sweaty guy question. I was doing P90X before I got sick and so would sweat a ton during that, so if I can get that going again that will be a great test since I would basically be sweating buckets during some of those workouts.
But so far it's been good besides the little BO my wife reported. The shorter showers are nice, getting me to work a little earlier. I use less lotion on my face and arms now as well. I could probably even cut out the lotion on the arms altogether but that's been a habit so engrained in me since I have pretty dry skin.
I haven't been terribly active lately since I've been sick with a bad cold so I can't answer the sweaty guy question. I was doing P90X before I got sick and so would sweat a ton during that, so if I can get that going again that will be a great test since I would basically be sweating buckets during some of those workouts.
But so far it's been good besides the little BO my wife reported. The shorter showers are nice, getting me to work a little earlier. I use less lotion on my face and arms now as well. I could probably even cut out the lotion on the arms altogether but that's been a habit so engrained in me since I have pretty dry skin.
My hair is really dry and i could use for some grease.
Charles Alan Ratliff
Member
I've had bad skin since the age of 14 or so and am thinking of trying this out. When you guys shower, do you just go over your body with your hands, or do you use a washcloth/loofah and scrub? I have very sensitive skin so I always have to be gentle with it. I was thinking of trying out these bath sponges from Amazon and seeing how that goes.
Also, what do you guys do in regards to your face? Do you just use water there, too? I'm worried about acne developing, but I also want to try not using a cleanser. Due to the nature of my work (background acting/stand-in) I need my face to be as clear as possible, so it's kind of tricky to experiment with this. Do you guys ever exfoliate it or anything like that? Or do you find your face remains clear by just rinsing it with water while in the shower?
Also, what do you guys do in regards to your face? Do you just use water there, too? I'm worried about acne developing, but I also want to try not using a cleanser. Due to the nature of my work (background acting/stand-in) I need my face to be as clear as possible, so it's kind of tricky to experiment with this. Do you guys ever exfoliate it or anything like that? Or do you find your face remains clear by just rinsing it with water while in the shower?
It does smell a bit. I massage my scalp a few times under the water to clear off the excess stuff and the smell stays in control.
phillipgessert
Member
I don't do this no-soap/no shampoo thing, so this is more a general skin care response. In my case, mostly I'm pretty dry, so disregard if that's not you.
Not bathing in blazing hot water can help, as can drying in dabs / blots instead of wiping with the towel. If you've had sensitive skin your whole life, you probably know not to use body washesbut I'm also pretty conservative about where I actually apply soap to my body. I definitely don't cover myself completely in soap. I also use Alpha Keri when I come out.
I've grown a beard, which helps me a lot with the skin on my faceI don't guess that's an option for you, though. Before I did, I used facial cleanser and witch hazel instead of after shave.
efyu_lemonardo
May I have a cookie?
to all the people in this thread not using soap in the shower..
do you at least wash your hands with soap after using the toilet?
do you at least wash your hands with soap after using the toilet?
efyu_lemonardo
May I have a cookie?
it was a serious question.. soap does more than make you smell nice..
edit: because I don't understand the difference between washing your hands with soap and putting it on your skin in the shower..
PlayALLtheGames
Banned
I'm sorry but this seems so fucking absurdly unnecessary.
The focus on chemicals is way overblown; you can get products that are light on chemicals and you don't need to use a lot of shampoo and soap.
I will never, ever, ever believe this guy does not smell. I'm sure we've all had times where we stunk after the gym or something, and we took a shower but didn't use soap or body wash, for whatever reason, and got out of the shower with pits still smelling. Simply rinsing them with water does not work.
The focus on chemicals is way overblown; you can get products that are light on chemicals and you don't need to use a lot of shampoo and soap.
I will never, ever, ever believe this guy does not smell. I'm sure we've all had times where we stunk after the gym or something, and we took a shower but didn't use soap or body wash, for whatever reason, and got out of the shower with pits still smelling. Simply rinsing them with water does not work.
Mengy
wishes it were bannable to say mean things about Marvel
Not just rinsing, but scrubbing with water. And actually, yes it does work. Just because you don't believe it does not invalidate my year plus experience of actually doing it.
You could always, you know, try it yourself for a month? What do you really have to lose in simply trying it for yourself? You might be surprised at what you learn....
I think most people just get used to or even enjoy their own stink. That and they have nice friends.
They worry about soap stripping oils, but then try to do the same thing using hot water and pretend it is different...
Of course soap rinses the oil away because that's where the filth is. It's the same reason why non-antibacterial soap is as effective as antibacterial, because all of the bacteria and funk is attached to the oil.
PlayALLtheGames
Banned
I don't understand why scrubbing matters. The point is you are not using any kind of cleaning agent. Are you using like scolding water or something?
I don't think I'll be trying it. Part of the issue with body odor is that when you're used to your own scent, you can't tell that you smell, and I'm not going to ask people to tell me if I smell or not. Frankly, I'd feel strange telling them that I've decided not to use soap for a month, because I would not have a good explanation as to why. As I mentioned: you can get soap that is easy on skin, and you don't need to use a lot, so the chemicals argument seems like total bullshit.
efyu_lemonardo
May I have a cookie?
So I decided to try it and 2 weeks in this is how my hair looks:
I'm using the baking soda + ACV only once a week. My hair feels much more fuller and the texture is so much better. My hair used to be so fucking thin but now it feels more healthy and stronger.
I don't know how you look normally, but is it possible you've started to grow younger as a side effect of this treatment?
because that looks like a ten year old girl to me...
Zoe
Member
Scrubbing to exfoliate and lift out dead hairs.
WorriedCitizen
Member
I haven't used hair shampoo in months now and it feels good. I have way less built up of grease and death skin. Also always had some patches of dry skin on my scalp that are better now.
Haven't heard any complaint that i smell bad (my mother would tell me right in the face). Just wash my hair with pure water every morning then comb it and that's it.
edit: another thing i noticed is that after waking up in the morning and my hair is all wild it's much easier to get it back in its natural direction without help of hair spray or styling gel
Haven't heard any complaint that i smell bad (my mother would tell me right in the face). Just wash my hair with pure water every morning then comb it and that's it.
edit: another thing i noticed is that after waking up in the morning and my hair is all wild it's much easier to get it back in its natural direction without help of hair spray or styling gel
Mengy
wishes it were bannable to say mean things about Marvel
I actually shower with barely warm water, sometimes even cold water to be honest. And I don't stink, in fact quite the opposite. I've had people ask me what soap or deodorant I use because it smells so nice. My gf agrees I have developed a very good natural and pleasant "smell", she doesn't want me going back to soap and losing it. Not to say anything about the much more healthy skin and hair, and losing my life long dandruff problem completely.
If you don't want to try it that's fine but then don't go dismissing something you have no knowledge of. I don't know the reasons why this works so well, I tried it simply because I was curious and the results frankly amazed the hell out of me. I can't explain why it works, I only know that it works shockingly well. You might think it's bullshit, but sorry to say it you would be wrong.
If I had to hazard a guess as to why this works so well, I would say that the human body is capable of regulating itself with natural oils on both the skin and the hair, and that modern day cleaning products that society "demands" everyone use in fact do more harm than good. But that's only my best guess, I honestly have no idea what the actual reasons are. I only know what my results have been, and they have been Incredibly Awesome.
PlayALLtheGames
Banned
Fair enough. I'm still dubious that soap does "more harm than good", but I'm glad this has worked for you.
Aesius
Member
I only wash my hair about once every 7-10 days now. It barely gets greasy and looks great. I also never wash my face (been doing that for years actually). Only rinse with lukewarm water. Skin looks great.
Still use soap on the crotch/ass/armpits though. No way in hell I'm stopping that.
Still use soap on the crotch/ass/armpits though. No way in hell I'm stopping that.
entremet
Member
Females tell me I have nice scent. They obviously don't know I don't use shampoo or soap. But I get nothing but compliments--but I've been doing this for 2 years already.
I do use deodorant and wash my hands with soap like any civilized person would.
Boss Doggie
all my loli wolf companions are so moe
I've been avoiding shampoo and since then, no dandruff.
I still use deodorant, but that's mostly because I always end up getting sweaty.
I still use deodorant, but that's mostly because I always end up getting sweaty.
Actually, rinsing them with water does work, but you need to rinse them for enough time, 30-60 seconds per armpit(less time needed if you shave your armpits). After having played sports even you can smell your own odour, so just keep rinsing until it goes away. It is also best with cold water. Especially with hair since cold water closes the pores.
As to why this works so well, perhaps the natural processes are effective. And of course, if you're in a lab developing shampoo, what would you do? Of course you'll look to make the hair nice and shiny and soft, and then have it fuck up the persons hair the following day. That way people wlll get the association that using your shampoo makes hair nice and soft and when it is not used their hair goes bad. So then they'll use it more often and thus spend more money on it making you, the big company more profit.
I know!!
I have recently started licking myself too. Licking your balls sounds gross at first. But after awhile you get used to it. I have been getting a lot of compliment lately. Girls say that my balls smell nice fantastic.
I really think it depends on the person. I sweat so much so the thought of not using soap and just scrubbing really hard with water doesn't seem appealing to me. I REALLY doubt that would go well with me.
On the other hand, I've gone about a month without shampoo and it was definitely for the better. Scalp itches less, hair feels fuller. Are people using baking soda?
this is my second week of no-shampoo. i eventually switched to one of those natural rosemary shampoos that didn't have sls in it, but my problems never went away completely, so i just figured "why not?"
i used to have a very oily scalp. just a day after washing it with shampoo, it would get so oily that touching it with my finger tips would make it look as if i'd dipped them in a pot of oil. i no longer have such an oily scalp.
i also had a very itchy scalp. the shampoo that i used worked for a few days, but then it'd come back again. i no longer have an itchy scalp. my skin doesn't feel irritated anymore. i'd get those those pimples on my scalp, but not anymore. i think this is also due to the fact that it's not as oily anymore?
to wash my hair and scalp, i use cold water. i rinse/scrub with my finger tips.
i should've done this years ago.
i used to have a very oily scalp. just a day after washing it with shampoo, it would get so oily that touching it with my finger tips would make it look as if i'd dipped them in a pot of oil. i no longer have such an oily scalp.
i also had a very itchy scalp. the shampoo that i used worked for a few days, but then it'd come back again. i no longer have an itchy scalp. my skin doesn't feel irritated anymore. i'd get those those pimples on my scalp, but not anymore. i think this is also due to the fact that it's not as oily anymore?
to wash my hair and scalp, i use cold water. i rinse/scrub with my finger tips.
i should've done this years ago.
Cosmo Clock 21
Banned
what
entremet
Member
He's joking.
Yes I still use soap when washing my hands. After I wash my hands with soap 2 or 3 times I always need to use some hand lotion. It just dries out my skin. Not using soap in the shower, and my skin is less dry.
I guess for me the real test will be when winter comes, I live in MN and it gets really dry here in the winters. I use to have to slather myself in lotion after showers so we'll see what this no soap in the shower effects that.
For background, I'm now on week 2 of this experiment.
OK, 2 1/2 weeks into testing this. My skin definitely feels better, I have a very mild form of dermatitis and that has improved. I have short hair so no real difference there, all I can say is that it's not oily or greasy at all.
Will keep going, don't see any reason not to.
Buuut currently I'm not working out due to an injury. Don't know if I will pull it through in the gym, but on the other hand I should not care what others are thinking.
Will keep going, don't see any reason not to.
Buuut currently I'm not working out due to an injury. Don't know if I will pull it through in the gym, but on the other hand I should not care what others are thinking.
efyu_lemonardo
May I have a cookie?
It won't work the first time you try it. It takes at least 3 weeks for the scalp to get used to the lack of shampoo, hence the baking soda and AVC, but you can always go cold turkey. Yes, it'll be greasy and unpleasant. No, you won't stink (if you wash your hair at least every other day). I haven't tried the no soap thing but I imagine it's the same. Takes a while to get used to it, but once you hit the turning point, everything only gets better and better.
PlayALLtheGames
Banned
My other issue would be that my hair gets matted down on various sides as I'm sleeping. I know for a fact that simply washing it with water does not fix this; I've done it a couple of times when i was out of shampoo. It makes the distribution of my hair look very strange and looks pretty obvious that I have not used shampoo.
I have no idea how I'd counteract that if I was to go without shampoo.
Baraka in the White House
2-Terms of Kombat
Been doing this for a couple years now and still going strong. Even picked up and married a girl in that time frame, for those who might say I'm just getting used to my own stink. Skin has never felt better or been less greasy. Of course being bald helps a lot as I don't have to worry about hair issues, but still.
Mengy
wishes it were bannable to say mean things about Marvel
You say you've gone a couple times without shampoo, but how long did you go in one stretch without using any shampoo?
My hair used to matte down a lot too, it was very unruly and hard to manage, but since throwing my shampoo out my hair is SOOO much more manageable and full. It's seriously easy to style now in the morning, I just wet it a bit and comb and brush it and it's done and looking better than it ever has.
However, this transformation did not happen quickly. When I stopped using shampoo it took my hair a good four weeks to balance out and get this way. That four week period was not fun nor nice, but I stuck with it because everything I read said it takes the hair 2 -4 weeks to stabilize. I'm very glad I stuck it out and persevered.
Mister Wilhelm
Member
Oh, I smell. I smell like a pile of delicious manly sex and I hear it all the time. Step up your game, soap-whore.
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