Is no 'poo for you?: Stylists say it's actually healthy to skip the daily shampoo

If you're like most Flourish readers polled on our Facebook page, shampoo is part of your daily routine. You wake up, you shower, you wash your hair. No question about it. But some beauty vendors are introducing dry shampoos and odor-removing sprays so you can skip a day or three -- and local hairstylists say that's a great way to maintain healthy tresses.

"There's no reason you have to shampoo every day. If you don't, there's less stress on your hair because you don't have to re-shampoo and heat style every day," says Jessica Haws, a stylist at Concepts Styling Salon in Cape Girardeau. "It can be easier and healthier on your hair."

The idea, she says, is that when you're not shampooing your hair daily, the oil from the scalp will move down the hair shaft, conditioning the hair naturally.

"With certain shampoos that are harsher or more stripping on your hair, you're sloughing off some of the natural oils. Your hair will be under more stress, so it will get more dry," says Haws.

Kaylee Edmonds, a stylist at Salon Savvi in Cape Girardeau, recommends washing your hair every other day, or less, and says most people can get away with it.

"The second day, hair usually works better as far as styling. Really clean hair doesn't do a whole lot," says Edmonds, explaining that hair holds styles better the second day around. "Every other day is what I do, and what most people who work here do."

Gray or naturally curly hair tends to be dryer and doesn't need to be washed as often, adds Lori Hafele, master stylist/master designer at Salon Brielle in Cape Girardeau. Less shampoo also means less fading for women with color-treated hair, she says.

Still, people with an active lifestyle, oily skin or fine, thin hair may need to shampoo their hair every day.

"It really depends on type of skin that you have," says Hafele. "The scalp is an extension of the skin. If you have oily skin, the scalp is going to be oily."

To keep the hair healthy through daily shampoos, Haws recommends moisturizing products that are sulfate-free and made with natural ingredients.

If you want to give the no 'poo trend a try, brands like Bumble and Bumble, Tresemme and TIGI have an assortment of dry shampoos, foams and powders, as well as lightweight sprays to keep your hair smelling fresh.

"If you don't want to wash your hair every day, use it when you wake up -- just spray it in so it soaks up the oil. I think it's awesome," says Edmonds, a faithful user of dry shampoo.

"I definitely think it's a benefit to many people," adds Haws. "It may not suit everybody, and that's OK. But those that would like to try it, especially those with long or thick hair types, it can definitely benefit them."

This story originally appeared in the November issue of Flourish. To receive Flourish at home, call 335-6611 or 800-879-1210.