There are many ideas about the correct way to care for natural hair. There is no poop method, LOC method, LCO method, maximum hydration method, no oil no butter method. I have tried all of them to varying degrees and none have matched the results I got from trying water. Hair wash method only. I loved it, but was it safe for my hair? Read on to find out.
(Image source: Getty / Btihal Remli)
About Expert
Trichologist Tolu Alli is a trichologist who runs a hair consulting business called Fine Hair Coach and runs Bloom Hair Atelier, a natural hair salon in Lagos, Nigeria.
Water only hair wash, instructions
Water Only Hair Wash (WOHW) is a process that deep cleanses all product residue from the hair and scalp. Once your hair is clean, use a daily water rinse in addition to your scratching and plining routine to massage your scalp daily to stimulate sebum production and help the sebum move down the hair shaft. With this method, you don’t need shampoo, conditioner or styler. It’s basically a lazy man’s dream come true (I’m lazy).
As with many other hair trends, videos of women trying out WOHW began circulating on Youtube, with the page WaterOnlyHairWash being the most popular. Her vlogger behind this page started documenting her journey following a routine that uses only water on her hair (her video is still up and she decided to try WOHW for herself). It’s an excellent source of information for those interested). Hair influencers have helped the WOHW method gain popularity in the natural hair community, but hair experts are skeptical. I advise you not to. She says, “Water alone cannot fully or deeply cleanse the scalp and hair to sufficiently remove buildup. It’s like taking a bath with just water.” , should be used to wash the hair because it contains surfactants designed to attract dirt and buildup, which are washed away during the rinsing process.”
Advantages of washing hair with water only
cheap
Personally, my biggest incentive to switch from traditional shampoos and conditioners was the amount of money potentially saved. The idea of being able to do it was really fascinating.
Environmentally Friendly
WOHW is incredibly green. Using water for natural hair cleansing, conditioning and styling means no bottles or bottles of product are bought, used and then thrown away.
Promotes scalp stimulation
One of the pillars of WOHW is a daily scalp massage that promotes sebum production. Sebum is used to stretch and condition hair. Scalp massage not only increases the blood flow associated with hair growth, but it is also great for relieving tension on the scalp and loosening dead skin cells.
moisturize hair
The WOHW method recommends daily rinsing. Wetting your hair regularly prevents dryness, minimizes breakage, and leaves hair supple and manageable.
hair dries quickly
Without a layer of product on your hair, WOHW means your hair dries much faster than if you used the product on your hair. This is especially beneficial for low porosity beauties who deal with natural hair that takes a day or two to dry.
Things to know before trying the WOHW method
Hair feels dry before the sebum is completely covered. During this time, it is recommended to keep the hair in a protective style like a medium twist so that the scalp can be accessed and rinsed easily. It may take months. Getting started with the WOHW method is pretty easy, but it’s great to see how others have done it and modified it. Visit WaterOnlyHairWash.com for tips and tutorials.
Despite the rave reviews of some bloggers, most hair experts do not recommend the water-only method of washing. It may not be possible to remove the hair, which can be a problem for those with scalp conditions or predisposition to scalp conditions. I can’t help it,” says Ali.
My WOHW experience
I tried the WOHW method in February 2021. Traditional methods recommend a daily massage, followed by scritching (lightly scratching to clean the scalp), plining (using fingertips to manually move sebum down the hair shaft), and rinsing. increase. , I was lazy and could not care. After reading an article where others found using a shower head to be effective in moving sebum down the length of their hair, I decided to massage my hair and then use warm water. It helped the sebum shift and skipped repair entirely.
For the first two weeks, my hair was so dry that I was worried. Beanies and turbans were my best friends. Because I used to put my hair in a shower cap to keep it moist. I really enjoyed getting my hair wet in the shower every day, but I didn’t get to enjoy product-free hair during this time.
After 3 weeks it completely covered my sebum. During this time, I was always amazed that my hair didn’t smell and my scalp was clean. I checked daily and had my family sniff my head an alarming number of times. So, a common concern for hair professionals, I and many others can confidently say that my hair does not smell when using this method.
By the time I completely covered my sebum, I was going through the easiest hair maintenance of my life. Most days I massage my scalp, rinse and style in a bun. It dried in no time and defined without dropping a single drop of product. I could own a house with all the money I spent on hair products.
Updos, twistouts and even heatless blowouts were easily accomplished with the WOHW method. I found it a bit difficult to wear my hair in a wash and go (my preferred style) so I eventually gave up. You can style it, but you lose a lot of sebum in the process. However, my hair didn’t have the same amount of shine as my product.After 4 months, I decided to wash my hair with my usual combo of conditioner and gel.
My experience with WOHW was definitely positive, even though my hair expert was concerned about the method. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, eco-friendly, and minimalist hair routine, I think the water-only method is perfect for you.
