Warm boot recommendations please

[spott]

heya guys, thought i'd check in again, as well. my hair is getting to be nicer than it ever was!! is is (was?) BIG HAIR. by the time it comes down to shoulder length it is wider than my shoulders... not pretty, just frizzy. now it's relaxed, calm and shiny. but i haven't so far worked out the vinegar thing, could it have something to do with the hardness of the local water supply, my water is so soft i have to add things to it to keep my freshwater aquarium fish alive, it doesn't register on a hardness scale at all. maybe that is why vinegar does nothing for me...

[Guest]

Well, I was very brave today (or perhaps too lazy to go down to the kitchen) and just rinsed my hair in water. It has taken ages to dry and it doesn't look clean. It doesn't feel too bad and doesn't look any worse than it did (as it may have done with vinegar) but I may have to do something else with it over the weekend. I found the oatmeal worked quite well 3 days ago so might do that again.

 

I'm not feeling too bothered about it though because I'm not doing anything this weekend (except trying to build a chicken run!).

 

Spott, I'm glad to hear you can see an improvement in your hair. It's amazing how many people have found positive things about trying this. I only realised yesterday that my scalp is no longer itchy and hasn't been all the time I've been doing this. I never realised I had a problem, just thought I must still have headlice . to see I haven't!

[Aylana]

Day 25 I think for me, and randomly today my hair looks good! Out of nowhere it just suddenly looks normal! I'd best enjoy it cos it will probably be greasy again tomorrow. I'm still only using water to rinse with.

[Guest]

Excellent news Aylana. Well done.

My hair is greasy and horrible today. I have s"Ooops, word censored!"ed it back into a pony tail and I'm trying to forget about it.

[Sheilaz]

Excellent news Aylana. Well done.

My hair is greasy and horrible today. I have s"Ooops, word censored!"ed it back into a pony tail and I'm trying to forget about it.

Same here, Ginette. My "after bicarb glory day" was short lived. I have "don't go out today hair", but did, so I look & feel wretched. That was having been careful & vinegar rinsed last night, rather than leaving until morning. Tied back for 1st time, desperate measures. I wouldn't mind a mix of good & bad days if I could be sure of a good day when it's most important. If I'd been meeting anyone from forum today I just couldn't have done.

I'm hoping to have great hair, & then reveal to all friends & family that I haven't used shampoo for 3 months, or whenever I do declare. Then, they'll say, wow, your hair looks fab, I'd never have guessed, it's amazing & looks wonderful, we want to try.

At this rate it'll be "yes, we can tell, it's disgusting, go & use some shampoo!"

Aylana, I'm pleased about yours. Randomly good is an apt expression.

Mine is def. worse after rinses, which means I dread it. Not great before either.

Oh well, another day tomorrow, hope it's randomly good!

[Guest]

Same here, Ginette. My "after bicarb glory day" was short lived. I have "don't go out today hair", but did, so I look & feel wretched. That was having been careful & vinegar rinsed last night, rather than leaving until morning. Tied back for 1st time, desperate measures. I wouldn't mind a mix of good & bad days if I could be sure of a good day when it's most important. If I'd been meeting anyone from forum today I just couldn't have done.

I'm hoping to have great hair, & then reveal to all friends & family that I haven't used shampoo for 3 months, or whenever I do declare. Then, they'll say, wow, your hair looks fab, I'd never have guessed, it's amazing & looks wonderful, we want to try.

At this rate it'll be "yes, we can tell, it's disgusting, go & use some shampoo!"

Aylana, I'm pleased about yours. Randomly good is an apt expression.

Mine is def. worse after rinses, which means I dread it. Not great before either.

Oh well, another day tomorrow, hope it's randomly good!

 

I feel better now! I'm not alone!

 

We must be nearly there now. I'm wondering if I had the remaining 4 inches (where the grease hasn't arrived yet) cut off, will my scalp know and stop producing the stuff? Drastic measures I know and also, I can't go to a hairdresser with hair like this!

 

I'm really hoping for a turning point next week. Trouble is we have nothing to base our hopes on. I am remembering all the time that the second week was like this and seemed to take ages to get through, then things got better. On this basis, I am expecting next week to get better. However I know that my hair was greasy before I did the bicarb (so this is not just a reaction to that) and that HappyMama said weeks 5-8 were the worst. I have nearly completed 6 weeks - maybe the next two will be equally greasy or even worse! But then things really should improve. I hope!

[Sheilaz]

I've been thinking of cutting off a couple of inches. Not hairdressers, I'd just get Charlot to do a straight line across.

I'm thinking of using this opportunity to grow out fringe, it's all stuck to the rest at the moment then I won't ever need a hairdresser, yippee, I hardly ever go anyway & dislike going.

But, it reminded me, Ginette, The thought to hold onto is that our new hair growing is presumably going to be in great condition. So, in about 3 years, we'll have achieved healthy hair.

[Guest]

then I won't ever need a hairdresser, yippee, I hardly ever go anyway & dislike going.

 

I hate going too! I probably go twice a year, and that's usually when I have trimmed the ends so much that it looks awful!

 

Only 3 years to go then, Sheila! I'm sure it'll pass really quickly!

[Aylana]

I hate going to the hairdressers too, hence the reason that my hair is waist length when really it suits me better short, I just don't want to go to the hairdressers!! Once my hair settles down though I really will get it cut and styled as hopefully it will be looking great anyway!!!

[Guest]

I have endured a very greasy weekend at home and was so excited this morning, knowing I could do the bicarb trick.

 

My hair is still wet so I don't know if it's as good as last time. It felt very dry after the bicarb rinse and I couldn't get squeaks, but after the lemon juice it felt squeaky clean, so I'm very hopeful. It is 11 days since the last bicarb and I have only done one vinegar in between.

 

I'll report back later!

[myles]

Good to hear Ginette...fingers crossed fo a good result .Mine had oatmeal and weak vinegar rinse this morning, it's still drying but the ends feel ok, if alittle fly away . I'm not finding it any quicker to dry it seems to take longer .

 

It's aways good to hear everyones progress, i couldn't have got this far alone

[Guest]

It's so lovely to have clean hair again.

It's still a bit damp but I'm not sure it's going to be very shiny. It feels a bit heavy around the head, so there's still grease left but it's very acceptable and looks newly washed!

I don't think mine is drying any quicker either and I would say it probably retains moisture over the last drying stage (seems to stay damp for a long time!)

 

I have completed 6 weeks today

 

How long have you been going now Anne?

[myles]

I clocked up 6 weeks last friday. Now my hairs dried, i'ts got that fuzzy all over look.

[Guest]

I thought you were further ahead of me than that! Does that mean you're about the same as Sheila? I suppose the longer we go the less relevant 3 or 4 days becomes.

 

My hair is dry now and is clean and shiny on top. The ends are a bit dry and frizzy though. I might spray on some leave-in conditioner. It's so different having clean hair! I feel great!

[Happymama]

Where do I begin? Some people will have a worse time than others, and it sounds like you, Ginette, you sound as if you're having such a bad time ... I did too, smelly, stuck to my head if I pressed it down, pillow filthy after 5 days ... and now, I've had highlights however long ago it was, the hairdresser washed my hair twice, chemicals on, everything horrible for hair. Rinsed it the next week, and the week after, and then I've not rinsed it since. It must be around 5 weeks since I put any water near it at all.(I had a fringe trim this week). It's lovely. Soft, unsmelly, ungreasy, well-behaved and dead easy to pin up.

 

Those of you with long hair - hair is naturally moisturised from the scalp. If you let your scalp get on with it, I suppose it will manage as it's meant to do, but there will probably be a limit to the length of hair it can accommodate, and you may feel a conditioner on the ends will help. Suggest egg yolky-type thing, perhaps a mashed overripe avocado as well? Curly hair has much the same problem, as the curls make it difficult for the oil to travel down the hair shaft. I used to have very curly and long (shoulder blades) hair and it was dry. Now it's mid-length and wonderful.

 

Those of you at a terrible point - the barber who cuts DH & DS's hair doesn't use shampoo either, and she reckons that most people give up between 4 and 6 weeks. So you can guage it for yourselves, but Aylana, you may just have cracked it. Don't expect too much, but mine did that: just suddenly I rinsed one day and it was completely different the next time I looked (I'd got in the habit of not looking, IYSWIM, not exactly covering mirrors, but still...).

 

It is a hard thing to do, but the benefits are wonderful. I didn't spell out just how nasty it can get, it's obviously different for everyone, and i'd have put you all off before you started. As you've found, even if you're having a dire time with gunge, most people can already see (albeit grudgingly!) benefits!

 

I'm off on holiday with a friend to Mallorca in Oct, and we're going hand-luggage only. Could I do that with a shampoo addiction? Don't think so!

[Guest]

Since doing bicarb on Monday, my hair is still shiny and clean. I am intending to rinse it tomorrow.

 

HappyMama, do you mean that it is better not to rinse your hair at all? (no water for 5 weeks) I would have though that dirt needs to be rinsed out. Maybe brushing does the job?

 

I would agree that 4-6 weeks has been the hardest, but we must be over the hill now and things should start to show signs of improvement. I don't think I have suffered as badly as it may sound. I certainly haven't struggled - by adopting a don't care/don't look approach!

[myles]

Well just a quick update. After being away and being sooo pleased with my hair, I'm now depressed . This week i've rinsed with both vinegar and lemon juice and also rubbed with oatmeal. I don't want to use bi-carb more than once a fortnight, but those of you that are familiar with shea butter, my hair feels like i've but a bucket full on the scalp. It is also itchy and on close inspection flacky . I don't think it looks too bad, possibly just like it's ready for a wash . I would say it feels the same as it did in the earlier stages (pretty grotty).

 

Oh well, chin up eh

[Guest]

Oh dear, I keep trying to be positive but that is difficult when you have dirty hair! Feeling clean has such a bearing on your general state of mind doesn't it?

 

We knew weeks 5-8 were the hardest, just didn't realise how hard they would be! You're coming up to 7 weeks now Anne, so one more week and things should start to get better. Try to feel positive about that, or at least adopt a 'don't care' attitude!

 

As I reported, my hair is still clean but 'on the turn'. I've just heard my S-I-L is coming at the weekend, so I hope the hair still looks all right then! Like you I am reluctant to use bicarb too often. I've done it twice and maybe won't need to again, but certainly can't until May 5th.

 

I wonder how Sheila is getting on?

[Sheilaz]

I'm wondering too, Ginette!

My thoughts, negative first.

I think that most of the time my hair alternates between either passable, or more yuk than I would usually allow, with the occasional glory day. However, the latter are random, & I can't rely on having one for a special occasion.

Also, I'm really confused about the best plan here. As Happymama says, we'll all vary. Welll, it's frustrating me that I can't get to grips with a good way of managing my hair, or understanding a theory that I can put into practice. Take 2 bottles into the shower? On a bad day, I can't decide whether I need bicarb, vinegar, oatmeal or nothing!

Well, just because I'm in a muddle, I don't want to spread that feeling. But, it sounds as if we're sharing it anyway!

The rinsing with water always makes it worse, so I wondered about just leaving & leaving until it cleaned itself, so to speak (you can use this theory with clothes too if you're a student/teenager or don't mind!)

Anyway, the positives;

 

 

 

 

Oh, I'm sure long term it would come right.

When I had a panic thinking, perhaps the vinegar & bicarb (B & V)use is actually delaying the long term goal (what does everyone else think of that?) I realised that at least they are milder than using anything else on my skin.

So, I think I shall use them as occasional treats, maybe vinegar weekly, and bicarb fortnightly. I'll use oatmeal for a quick cure when needed.

Oh, by the way, don't get rain soaked if you've done this...I had a real "overdid the Brylcreem moment" when this happened...on the way to work

Also, the length is definitely benefitting, I'm going to use a plastic bag/shower cap to keep the drying effect of B & V. off the long bits.

Also, my scalp is fine, really healthy.

On the other hand, it wasn't a problem before.

I am a convert, but my hair looks either disgusting or unexciting most of the time!

[Happymama]

Myles, you sound like you're almost there to be honest.

 

BRUSH my hair? I rarely do that, too, it never seems to make a difference to my luscious locks. I'm going to wash it tomorrow, as i wish to have straight hair again, instead of these semi-wavy things.

 

Mine felt like Shea Butter too, at the worst point. It started to get better after about a week of that. If this helps. We're all going to be different, but I am keep to emphasise that it's worth hanging on.

 

Sheila, I just don't know. I've never used bicarb or oatmeal, and haven't used vinegar for about 8 months now, and not even wet my hair for almost a month, and it's lovely. Maybe you should just leave well alone and see what happens? can it get any worse if you Do??

[Guest]

Sheila, I think you need to establish a routine which fits into your week and then stick to it (on the whole). That should help you to feel more in control.

 

I rinse my hair on Mondays and Fridays, so 4 + 3 days apart. On each occasion I decide what to do with it - just water or vinegar. If it is bad in between these washes and needs to look better I use oatmeal. On the whole this has been on a Wednesday (when I work with teenage girls ) and occasionally on a Sunday (when I am working). I have used the bicarb twice, both times when my hair was desperately unacceptable. I planned when I would use it and looked forward to the magic day!

 

I don't know what your normal routine is - washing every day or once a week or randomly when you feel like it! I wonder if you can establish something which works for you and your hair.

 

I hope I don't sound like I'm giving a lecture! I don't mean to be forceful either, but you sound a bit lost at the moment.

 

Another thought which occurs to me sometimes (and I did go back and check the start date of this thread ) is whether HappyMama is playing a game with us and having a really good laugh! Of course, I don't really think that (sorry HappyMama! ) but in my wilder more suspicious moments it crosses my mind! What fools we are!

[Sheilaz]

Yes, although I'm sure it's genuine (but where's the photo, Happymama? ) it does feel a bit like an extended joke.

No, Ginette, you're not lecturing, It's the conclusion I'd come to, pretty similar to yours.

I rinse twice a week as I used to wash twice a week. It's just about the adding things. Plus, routine days are a bit harder, no 2 weeks are the same. Also, although I could decide 2 regular quieter days for the rinsing, I feel so let down when it looks awful the next day when I'm too rushed to fix it and needed to look my best.

Sorry, bit unenthusiastic, probably my hair getting me down!

I'm off for a bath and luxury vinegar rinse

Will report in the morning.

[myles]

Ginette....you've just fightened me...i had to check the date . Imagine what fools we'd look .

 

I've oatmealed again and this time left my hair not rinsed. i know i'am a very naughty girl . But in my defence i was desperate.

 

Sheila...if it makes you feel any better mines revolting . Tomorrow i will rinse again and hope for something abit more encouraging

 

Hang on in there. We're on the homeward straight ( i think)

[Guest]

Thanks for the encouragement Anne! Perhaps we should rename this topic?

'How to have really revolting hair!'

 

You're right of course, things must improve soon! I'm always hopeful! Incidentally, I never rinse after oatmeal. I just use it as a quick fix!

[Sheilaz]

Thanks for the encouragement Anne! Perhaps we should rename this topic?

'How to have really revolting hair!'

 

Indeed! I wouldn't still be doing this without you two, but I'd have more hope if yours was looking wonderful!

You're right of course, things must improve soon! I'm always hopeful! Incidentally, I never rinse after oatmeal. I just use it as a quick fix!

 

Same here, the oatmeal gives it a lift, so it can last longer to the next rinse.[/

Do you think anyone else feels inspired to join us? quote]