Here Is How You Can Go A Week Without Washing Your Hair! It’s A Challenge!
rachana c Twenty seventeen says Rachana Chandrasekhar is a content writer at IncNut Digital. Of course, twenty twelve thought she'd be a vegetable vendor in an Italian countryside. Don't be too overwhelmed if twenty twenty finds her basking in the raptures of driving the fastest car on some obscure racing course.
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Are you tired of washing your hair? I was. I found that washing-styling rut just too cumbersome and expensive. That was when I decided to go on a no-wash frenzy. I didn’t mind looking like an oil factory, but not going under that dripping faucet was all I wanted. Although I imagined I was going to stink like a garbage bin at the end of this one-week no-wash thingy, I actually realized it wasn’t that bad. And if I could do it, anyone can. Wondering how? Read on…
Day 0
Yes, it needs some preparation for you to be able to maintain healthy tresses for 7 whole days without washing them. Start with a nice oil massage. Choose something as simple as coconut oil and pamper your hair with the goodness of the oil. Oiling your hair regularly lubricates the shaft and prevents it from breaking (1). We’ve heard it enough – that oils prevent damage. But look at this – they also penetrate the roots of your hair and stay there (not knowing where else to go, I guess). This prevents the absorption of water. Are you wondering why you should feel happy if your hair is prevented from absorbing water? This is because each time your hair absorbs water, it has to make efforts to dry, and this results in hygral fatigue (2). Oiling will spare your hair this fatigue. It will also prevent harsh surfactants from entering your follicles when you are going to shampoo your hair the next day.
Day 1
So, you have oiled your hair and are done with the nourishment part of it. Now, make sure you shampoo it using the right technique. If you use a mild shampoo, you can’t afford to go no-poo for the next 7 days. If you use a harsh one, you are stripping your hair of oils. To compensate for the loss, your scalp will produce more sebum. So, either way, the purpose is not served. Find that right balance and wash your hair thoroughly until it is sufficiently clean.
You could consider using a clarifying shampoo to remove the product build-up from your hair. And yes, see to it that you use the conditioner only on the ends. Using it on the scalp will make it uncontrollably oily. Also, don’t go overboard with styling or styling products if you want to accomplish the task at hand.
Day 2
There’s pretty much nothing to do from today. I felt lost on Day 2 because I was so used to washing my hair every single day. However, there’s enthusiasm, and there’s hope. Day 2 (and all the following days) is about how you comb your hair. Make sure you comb sufficiently but not too much. If your hair tends to be on the drier side, like mine, Day 2 is your favorite. It looks just the way you would want it to be – not too oily, nor too squeaky clean with all the baby air flying away to glory.
Nonetheless, if you have rather oily hair that’s on the verge of looking limp, do this. Partition your hair on the side you are not used to. Your scalp secretes more sebum on the side you usually partition your hair. Just to break that pattern, part your hair on the other side. You are good to go.
Day 3
This is the day that can either make it or break it. You will have to curb the urge to wash your hair. If your hair is too oily and there’s no way you can go without another no-wash day, use a dry shampoo. Women with dry hair can still go strong on this day. If you feel the grime building up but don’t need a dry shampoo yet, toss your hair upside down and sprinkle some talcum powder to absorb the excess oil on your scalp. Comb like you did on Day 2.
Day 4
Kudos! You curbed the temptation to just sit under that damn shower. After all, who is stopping you really? But then, if you want to get rid of your obsession of washing your hair, this 7-day challenge is exactly what you want. On Day 4, you might observe that your scalp’s oozing oil like crazy, but the ends are still fine ( a little dry too, may be). This is when you need that perfect brush. Consider using a wooden brush if your hair is prone to static. Also, one of the best alternatives to styling products is a boar bristle brush. The boar bristle hair brush works just like keratin and absorbs the dirt and oil just like your hair (3).
Day 5
Getting real close to winning the challenge, aren’t you? On Day 5, you could repeat the application of talcum powder on the scalp if you want a little bit of freshness. Also, if you find it impossible to leave your hair open, tie it up in a neat pony. If the scalp looks a bit too oily by your standards, try braiding your hair in the style you usually don’t. This way, you can shift your attention from wanting to wash your hair. Your colleagues/friends will also notice your new hairstyle and can in no way find out that you haven’t been washing your hair for quite some time now.
Days 6 And 7
The most crucial and final part of your one-week no-wash challenge. While the first few days were about combing, the last couple of days are about styling. No, I am not talking about the products. Use a scarf or a bandana, bun it up, or go for a loose chignon. These are some hairstyles that anyone can pull off no matter how dry or oily your hair is. You can use a dry shampoo on one of these days, preferably Day 6, because you are anyway close to washing your hair.
On the night of Day 7, don’t forget to oil your hair. Don’t you have to wash your hair the next day?
How many days can you sustain the no-wash challenge? All of them? Comment below and tell me what you feel about this 7-day challenge.
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