Alice Vol. 4 No. 2

washes with baking soda every two to
three weeks, using apple cider vinegar on
the ends of her hair every once in awhile
to add shine. Hellen recommends using
about a teaspoon and a half of baking soda
mixed with a small amount of water and
tea tree oil to wash your hair. Massage the
mixture into your scalp and let it sit for a
few minutes, then wash it out.
To ease up the process, mix the
concoction in a little dish beforehand so
that you are prepared for your shower.
Hellen said to be careful in the winter
when using tea tree oil, as it can dry out
your hair and scalp.
“Coconut oil hair masks help with
dryness,” Hellen said.
For those who are not quite ready
to toss aside shampoos but still want to
improve the health of their hair, Hellen
said to look for shampoos without sulfates.
Sulfates, though effective at cleaning hair,
can often irritate the skin and strip hair of
essential oils.
She also advises washing every three
days instead of every day or even every
other day. Alternate your hairstyles on day
two or three if you start feeling greasy - try
out a pony or a slicked back bun. This is a
method even Kim Kardashian has attested
to, as she has shared that she only washes
every five days. If you do decide to give the
no-shampoo method a try, Hellen suggests
giving it a go in the dead cold of winter.
“I wore a lot of hats then,” she laughed.
Transitioning out of shampoo is
different for everyone. Thinner hair may
need more frequent washing than thick,
coarse hair. Additionally, if you begin to
experience symptoms like severe itching
or redness when trying to abstain from
washing, abandoning shampoo might not
be what is healthiest for your scalp.
The beauty industry and the people
in it present us with a multitude of new
methods to keep our bodies at their best.
While for some this may be ditching a wash,
others no doubt want to hold onto those
fresh-smelling shampoos. Remember that
phasing out shampoo will take time to
adjust, but the process is totally natural.
Although “no ‘poo” may not be for everyone,
try spreading out your washes a bit more,
experimenting with new styles, and seeing
how your hair reacts. Remember each head
of hair is different, so go with that leaves
you and your hair feeling healthiest.
26 Alice Spring 2019