No-Poo Hair Care

No poo: what the evidence says about skipping shampoo.

"No poo" means skipping or cutting back on shampoo. These guides set out what supporters claim, what dermatology sources say, and where no study exists. General information, not medical advice.

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A ceramic basin of water, a natural-bristle brush on a folded linen towel and a glass jug on a wooden shelf beside a window

Guides

Each guide cites the sources it uses, says what they do not cover, and names the simpler option when that is the right answer.

Guide No poo: what the movement claims and what the evidence shows What supporters say, what a dermatology review found, and where the evidence stops. Guide Who no poo suits, and who should ask a dermatologist first A decision path by scalp and hair, built from AAD and review sources. Guide The no-poo transition period: what people report and what is known The oily stretch people describe, and what no study has measured. Guide Water only, co-wash, baking soda or vinegar: how they compare pH figures, irritation risks and what each method asks of your hair. Guide Hard water and mineral buildup on hair: what studies found Four studies, one disagreement, and what is still untested. Guide Shampoo bars vs liquid shampoo: soap pH and what the label means What FDA calls soap, and the pH numbers measured in studies. Guide Hairbrushes and scalp massagers: what the sources say What a dermatology brush review says, and how small the massage studies are. Guide How often to wash your hair: a guide by hair type AAD frequency guidance in one decision path. Guide Your first month of washing less: a week-by-week plan A gentle plan with stop signs, built from the sources on this site. Guide Shower filters and hair: what the labels, the standards and the studies say What NSF/ANSI 177 covers, what makers claim, and what no study has tested. Guide Chlorine, swimming and hair: what dermatologists say and what is not known Three after-swim routines compared, and the one study of elite swimmers. Guide Flaky scalp: dandruff, dry scalp or product buildup? What dermatology sources list What the AAD pages list, what to notice, and questions to ask a dermatologist. Guide What sulfate-free means on a shampoo label What a dermatology review and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review say about sulfates. Guide How to read a shampoo label: what FDA requires and what it does not Ingredient order, what one word can hide, and front-label claims. Guide Dry shampoo: what it is and what dermatologists say What the AAD page says about use, frequency and when to stop.

Why this page exists

Shampoo-free advice online is mostly personal stories and product pages. A dermatology review found no studies that assess or support the no-poo idea, and the American Academy of Dermatology gives wash-frequency advice by hair type instead.

We read the American Academy of Dermatology pages, a 2018 dermatology review, and peer-reviewed papers on pH, hard water, brushes and scalp massage, and wrote down what they say, with the date we read them. We have not tested any product. Where the evidence runs out, the guides say so.

Plain note about money. Links on the guides go to eBay searches with an affiliate tag. If you buy through one, a small commission comes to this site, and 90% of it goes to charity (you can pick which). Your price is identical either way.

Hair care tools worth searching on eBay

Searches only: we have not tested these items. We earn a small commission on qualifying sales, and 90% of it goes to charity (you can pick which); your price is unchanged. Full disclosure.

Wide-tooth comb The AAD advises a wide-tooth comb to detangle wet hair. Check that the tooth tips and seams are smooth. View on eBay → Boar bristle hair brush One review in a dermatology journal says these suit fine to medium hair and are used on dry hair, and that they are hard to clean. Check the listing for bristle type and how the brush is cleaned. View on eBay → Shampoo bar Soap or synthetic detergent bar? Look for an ingredient list and a stated pH. We have not tested any bar. View on eBay → Shower filter Sellers make their own claims about chlorine or minerals. We found no study of shower filters on hair. Check the cartridge details and the fitting. View on eBay → Applicator or rinse bottle Handy for diluting and applying a rinse the same way each time. Look for measuring marks and a cap that seals. View on eBay → Scalp massager The studies we read used hands or a specific device, not these tools. Check that the bristles are soft, and stop if your scalp stings. View on eBay →
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