Troubleshooting
– YAY!
Once
you've gotten to the point where you are shampoo and conditioner
free, and are just using the Baking Soda/Apple Cider Vinegar
treatments, if your hair feels like it isn't agreeing with the
treatments or if you are wondering if you are applying them
correctly, here are some pointers!
Baking
Soda Wash:
Start
by massaging into the roots of your hair and work out toward the
ends. After a few seconds your hair should be easy to comb through
with your fingers as the baking soda dissolves. It softens the water
and your hair.
Apple
Cider Vinegar Conditioner:
I
recommend leaving it on your hair as long as you would any
conditioner: at least 3-5 minutes. (I always wash my hair when I'm in
the shower, so I let the ACV mixture sit in my hair while I'm washing
everything else, then rinse.)
“How
often should I wash my hair?”
I
recommend once every two to four days, depending on your level of
physical activity. Whatever is comfortable for you. There are a lot
of different approaches to this. My hair feels greasy after three to
four days so I wash it then. When I first started my 4th step I was washing my hair every other
day, and that is fine. The longer you use the “poo-less” regimen,
the more days you can go between washes without your hair feeling
like a barnyard explosion. ;)
Remedies
If
your hair and/or scalp is feeling Dry:
First
try this
Apple
Cider Vinegar:
#1
– Up the vinegar content to 2 Tbsp* (or more as needed) per cup of
water.
#2
– Add one tsp of honey per cup of water
#3
– Use both step 1 and 2
*
I have found that my hair does best with a 1:2 ratio of ACV and
water, respectively.
If
your hair and/or scalp is feeling Oily:
I
have never had this problem because my hair has always been so dry,
but some of my friends who do the “poo-less” regimen do have
oily hair. I asked them what they do, and I did a little research of
my own.
I
recommend massaging and leaving the baking soda treatment on your
hair a little longer. That is the simplest solution. Also, oily hair
is similar to oily skin. It needs to be properly moisturized to
become less oily. While this may seem counter- intuitive, your body
naturally creates more oil the dryer your skin and hair become. It is
trying to make up for a lack of moisture.
One
more thing –
Don't
use hot water on your hair. I know how nice it is to get in a steamy
hot shower, but luke-warm or cold water is best for your hair because
it won't strip the moisture and nutrients out like hot water does.
Try
These Fun Additives!
(Add
them to the Vinegar)
Chamomile
Tea – Instead of the plain water. It will nourish your hair and
make the highlights shinier, and will brighten them over time.
Green
Tea – this will do a few things for your hair. It helps stimulate
your scalp, which helps your hair grow better and faster, and it
nourishes your hair in several ways. You can look Green Tea up on
Wikipedia to see what is in it that is so good for you.
Please feel free to comment and ask questions if you have any!
Please feel free to comment and ask questions if you have any!