Washing Hair with Water Only: Does it Work?

Are you thinking about washing your hair with water only? You may have seen this method gaining popularity on social media, but does it actually work?

In this blog post, we'll explore the pros and cons of washing your hair with water only to help you make an informed decision. So keep reading to learn more!

What is water-only hair washing?

Water-only hair washing is a method of cleansing the hair using nothing but water. This means no shampoo, conditioner, or other hair products.

Proponents of this method claim that it's a more natural way to cleanse the hair, and that it can be beneficial for the scalp and hair.

How does water-only washing work?

When you shampoo your hair, you're actually stripping it of its natural oils. This can cause the scalp to produce more oil in an effort to compensate for the loss of oils, which can lead to oily hair and a host of other problems.

Washing your hair with water only can help to reduce the amount of oil that the scalp produces, which can make hair healthy.

Which hair types benefit most from washing with just water?

Water-only washing works best with curly, coily, thick, and coarse textures that are prone to dryness. Water-only washing may be a good option for those with oily hair as well, as it can help to reduce the amount of oil that the scalp produces.

However, it's important to note that this method may not be right for everyone. If you have dry hair, washing with just water may cause your hair to become more dry and brittle.

What is the method of water-only hair washing?

The water-only hair washing method is very simple. Just follow the given steps:

1. (Pre-shower) Distribute natural oils

The following are three essential methods that should be performed before washing your hair. These three procedures will assist loosen up the natural oils on the scalp and distributing them to the rest of the hair. The ends will get less greasy, and more moisture will be given to them as a result of this making shower washings much easier!

1. Scritch

On dry, detangled hair, use fingerpads (not nails) in quick but gentle motions all over the scalp. It's similar to washing your head in the shower, but without water. We're talking low pressure here that shouldn't harm the scalp. This generates some friction and warms up and loosens up oils and dead skin cells.

2. Preen

Place two fingers on either side of the piece of hair and take small sections. Gently pinch your fingers together at the base of the roots and slide them down the section of hair toward the ends. This “draws” oils out of the roots down the length of hair. Be careful not to pull too hard or it will be unpleasant.

3. Brush

Before showering, brush a clean boar bristle brush through the hair to eliminate tangles and distribute the oils down to the very tips of your locks. Part or section your hair so that the boar-bristle brush can reach all areas of the roots and hair. Brush the ends for a while after each portion in order to remove all of the oils.

2. Wash hair

The water's temperature is critical. Too hot may harm hair, and being too chilly will not break up the extra oils on the head. While removing oils from the head, the water should be quite hot neither too cool nor excessively warm.

To remove the gunk from your scalp, damp hair and apply fingerpads (not nails) to gently scratch the scalp in quick motions (just as before). Focus the water flow directly on the area being scrubbed while scritching to wash away dirt and oils. To easily access all parts of the scalp/roots, divide your hair into sections to easily wash it.

After the procedure, you should make sure to get each section of your scalp. If you're still seeing an oil buildup after showering, consider trying something new. Try utilizing slightly hotter water or massaging your fingertips gently over the scalp for the next wash, or try preening the water from root to tip before washing it.

3. Rinse hair with cold water

The process of rinsing with chilly water is the most time-consuming, yet it's important for the hair cuticles to lie flat after washing (after the warm water lifted them up).

4. Dry with a microfiber towel

After showering, dry the hair with a microfiber towel (instead of a bath towel) to reduce frizz and flyaways. Using a microfiber towel for this step actually does prevent frizz.

5. Moisturize

It's critical to moisturize your hair after washing it in water. When you have dry or damaged ends. Coconut, jojoba, or argan oil may be applied sparingly (unrefined, cold-pressed) near the tips only if you are new to the water-only hair washing method simply and your natural oils have not yet been conditioned your strands of hair so much.

6. Styling

You will only require the barest amount of styling products once you start rinsing your hair with water on a daily basis. Regardless of your skill level, you should avoid using hair products that are less soluble in water, such as waxes, or anything that includes silicone that doesn't wash off as readily.

Benefits of washing with only water

There are several benefits of washing your hair with pure water. It's a better option than chemically-laden shampoos because it is natural. Excessive use of these shampoos may not only remove the natural oil from your hair, but they might also cause product build-up and pollutants in the circulation, resulting in a slew of health issues.

Water rinsing once a day only removes the presence of sulfates, which are frequently used in shampoos. Sulfates are excellent at removing dirt and cleaning the hair and scalp, but many individuals believe they make their hair dry and brittleness. If your hair gets tangled easily, wash hair with water alone while applying deep conditioning.

Washing hair with water alone, as opposed to conditioner, causes natural oil to lubricate it, resulting in fewer tangles. The sebum in your hair may be dispersed when you skip the shampoo and it can make your hair appear glossy and less frizzy.

How to phase out shampoo

The first step is to give up washing your hair every day and gradually extend the intervals between washes. If you must rinse your hair on a daily basis, use cold water to keep the oils in it. Your scalp will get used to this regimen and you'll have less greasy hair at some point. Then, every 7-10 days, use warm water to scrub well. Between your weekly rinses, use a lukewarm rinse to get rid of perspiration.

Every person's body produces a natural oil called sebum differently based on their washing habits and the type of cleanser such as apple cider vinegar, they use to wash hair. Depending on whether your scalp is sensitive or not, going cold-turkey from shampoo to WO might be an oilier transition than you think.

What to expect from everyday hair rinse with water

With any other hair care regimen, there are certain factors to consider in order to work well for you, and if you find that only water isn't working on your curls, there is no need to be embarrassed about going back to what it was like before. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Taking a detoxifying water treatment will be an adventure. The initial phases of avoiding chemicals may be distressing, but the discomfort will pass with time.

• It's conceivable that your hair will feel greasy to the point of embarrassment after a few days or a week, depending on production.

• You may feel like giving up, but know that your hair doesn't appear as greasy as it feels. Don't use too much water.

• You should avoid washing your hair with lukewarm water in an attempt to dissolve some of the natural oils. If you use a conditioner bar or solid, it will take a little longer to get the desired results.

• Your hair might not be as greasy as you think after two weeks of rinsing with water only. In fact, it might not be greasy at all!

• The scalp's natural oils tend to lessen the need for conditioner, which is why it's important to use a conditioner that is soluble in water.

• In the long-term, your hair will get used to the lack of chemicals and you won't have to worry about any negative side effects.

Side effects of washing hair with water

There are no known side effects to washing your hair with pure water, but there are a few things you should keep in mind if you decide to try it. If your hair feels greasy after a few days, don't be discouraged, this is normal and temporary.

Be patient, it may take a week or two for your scalp to adjust to the new routine. If you have doubts, consult a hair specialist before making any changes.