Can you imagine life without using hair conditioner?
A couple of years ago, I couldn't.
I mean, washing hair with shampoo and then conditioner was the unbreakable habit, especially for someone like me who had super thick hair. And I mean SUPER thick - I couldn't cut my hair short because it would look like "bunot" (coconut husk) and it's hard to find hair elastics that fit (it's usually twice over is loose and thrice is impossible or too tight that my eyebrows have been stretched upward). Not to mention the humid Philippine weather also made my hair frizzy. What a sight, yes?
And so, for as long as I remember, I never washed my hair with just shampoo. I always made it a point to use conditioner. If there's no conditioner, I won't even wash my hair.
4 years ago, while starting college, I was also starting to shed a lot of hair. It is beyond the normal amount, I've noticed. At first, I thought, "maybe it just seems like I'm losing more because I have never grown my hair this long before." Well, it didn't really matter. I didn't really care then. I even liked it because I thought my super thick hair was finally normalizing or something.
While still in college, I came home one time during a break and my mom told me I had really, really thin hair. My grandma was also worried because she saw the hair fall I had after showering one time and she said it was scary how much it was. They said that at that rate, I could go bald in a few years! (Of course that's never really gonna happen as hair grows back anyway...unless I have some hormonal/nutritional issues huhu) I guess I never really paid attention until I saw how very concerned they were. When I did pay attention, I saw that I was indeed losing hair at an alarming rate. I tried counting the strands one day and it amounted to around 500. FIVE HUNDRED. I was about to cry when I reached 300 that day. I didn't realize I was only just a little around the halfway mark. Ouch. Btw, for those who don't know, 100 is the normal amount of hair fall per day.
Well, something had to be done, right?
2010 - I made the switch to organic products. I switched to Human Nature. I had to alternate my Human Nature shampoo and conditioner with the non-organic ones I still had because I am one of those who couldn't bear to throw away unfinished products.
The Verdict? I liked it. I tried their many different variants - even the ones that are already discontinued now. Human Nature Shampoo and Conditioner was a staple in my bathroom. After a few weeks of using Human Nature, I noticed a positive difference in the texture of my hair. My hair has also become more manageable and tangle-free. I have 2 cons with Human Nature - the conditioner was hard to wash out and my hair fall problem has not been solved. I decided to stick with it for 2 years because I thought maybe I need to give it time to see the difference.
2012 - Same habit, same alarming amount of hair fall. I don't know why I stuck to that regimen this long. I mean, I should have tried something else sooner, right? What was I doing wrong? Now that my hair is thinner than ever, I've done some research and have tried to consider my other options. (Hey, better late than never!)
Option A - Go to doctor. (Hmmm... I'll give myself one last chance. This will be my last resort.)
Option B - Take Biotin supplements. (I almost did this until I've read disturbing reviews that it causes weight gain and hair growth EVERYWHERE. Yikes. So, pass.)
Option C - Look into other organic brands of shampoo or research for hair care habits that promote hair growth and strengthen hair against breakage (Seems do-able. So go!)
My search for my new hair care products and habits have commenced!
I've read somewhere that Zen Organics Gugo Bark Shampoo might solve my problem so I went to the only reseller I know of here in Baguio (Green Options - Porta Vaga). I went there one day to purchase but they were out of stock so I opted for the Aloe Vera Shampoo instead (just because it smelled the best from what was available) I didn't buy any conditioner because I didn't like any of what was available. And so, my first ever hair wash without conditioner in years have occurred. I didn't care for unmanageable hair I was sure to get afterwards since I was just going to stay at home all day. So I just used the shampoo. Here's what happened:
-I noticed there was significantly lower hair fall while showering. I thought maybe this was because it was easily washed out.
-My hair felt dry afterwards - so dry that I didn't comb my hair after washing.
-BUT when my hair dried, I was surprised! My hair does not feel dry after all! It's also not unmanageable!
-I really like the cool smell but one time, I shampooed twice and the second time around, it smelled like detergent. Not offensive, though!
I like alternating products because I've read somewhere that sticking to just one causes more build-up. So I went and bought Ilog Maria Honey and Propolis Shampoo thru the Ilog Maria website as an alternate. I used it without conditioner too since they don't sell any. Here's the verdict:
- Smells herbal with a hint of chocolate (at least to me!). I like.
- Leaves scalp with a cool feeling afterwards
- My hair felt dry afterwards also so I didn't comb/brush after
- But when it dried, no tangles and manageable!
- And... less hair fall as well!
I know, I know, I was very slow in detecting the problem. It was right under my nose this whole time.
What was common in those two instances that wasn't part of my hair habit? NO CONDITIONER and NO BRUSHING/COMBING WHILE WET. Took me long enough to realize!
Fact: Hair is at it's weakest when wet.
Conditioners are always hard to rinse out so you work through your wet hair more. I noticed that I had thrice the amount of hair fall after rinsing conditioner as compared to rinsing shampoo. I've also noticed lots of hair in my hair brush/comb when I work them through my hair while wet. Sheesh! Why did I ever overlook these things before?!
So now, I don't do the conditioner thing anymore with every wash. What I do is do a pre-shampoo oil treatment every week. I use olive oil. I'll make a separate post on how I do it :)
I also do the Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse once a month! I think others do it weekly but I hate the smell so I'm fine with the monthly thing. Some people add essential oil to the ACV rinse as well and I will try that on my next one!
I am also yet to try Human Nature again without the conditioner.
Sigh. All these years of higher-than-normal-amount of hair fall... Conditioner, the bathroom staple for hair washing for almost everyone is to blame! To add to my disapproval towards conditioners now, I have also read that they (especially those containing silicone) usually do nothing for the hair but coat it with stuff that makes the hair feel good to the touch, tricking us into believing that our hair is made softer and shinier and therefore, healthier, when in fact, it's quite the opposite. Tsk tsk.
With my new routine, I swear I have less hair fall! I am yet to count the number of hair strands I shed now. Not sure if it's already on the normal range but very sure that gone are the days when it would amount to 500.
Do you have the same hair problem? Any other solutions you know about? What's your tried and tested method? Need a shoulder to cry on about losing your hair? Hihi. Tell me all about it! Comment below!
