From curls to cornrows,
beehives to bowl cuts,
pigtails to dreadlocks,
keeping our hair healthy
is a necessity we all share.
But if we didn't have any shampoo
or conditioners at our disposal,
what would happen to our scalps?
If you're follicly challenged, well, kudos.
This video may not apply to you.
But the bald truth is,
washing your hair
may be more important than you think.
While shampooing your hair
may be a part of your everyday routine,
the "no poo" movement
has been gaining some ground.
Just so we're clear,
the "poo" I'm referring to is shampoo.
So you can release the tension now.
This "no poo" movement isn't for everyone
and may only work for certain hair types.
People with dry,
thin hair that don't produce much oil
might be in luck.
But if you've got a thick head of hair,
well, take note.
With some shampoos
containing harsh chemical detergents
that cause dryness,
many people are trying
some pretty quirky alternatives
to keep their hair clean and lustrous.
But what did people do
before shampoo was invented?
In the Indian subcontinent,
a substance like shampoo
was made by boiling Sapindus,
a tropical tree,
with Indian gooseberries.
The Sapindus berries,
also known as soapberries,
contain saponins,
a type of organic chemical
that creates a soapy lather.
This lather helps soak up any oils,
leaving hair soft and manageable.
The word "shampoo" derives from
the Sanskrit word "chāmpo",
describing the ancient Indian practice
of massaging
and soothing the head and hair.
Ancient Greeks and Romans
used olive oil
to keep their hair soft and supple.
They would also add a dash of vinegar
to help rinse and lighten their hair color.
If you don't mind your hair smelling like a salad,
well, you can consider that an option.
In the Medieval era,
many people couldn't afford
to take frequent baths.
In some parts of Europe,
women were advised to apply
a mixture of barley,
salt,
and bear fat to their hair
to help it grow longer.
Well, at least it was 100% organic.
During the Renaissance,
women in Italy often used lye soap
alongside bacon fat
and licorice as a conditioner.
I like bacon and licorice but
I think I'll just stick to eating them.
And in the 18th century,
wig-wearing became a sign of class
for both men and women,
Some doctors even advised women
to crack eggs over their heads
to keep their hair healthy.
So if you're ever the victim of an egging,
well, maybe your hair will thank you later.
Take that, you bullies.
It wasn't until the 1930s
that the liquid shampoo
we know and love today
became a widespread phenomenon.
After twenty years of heavy marketing
in newspapers and magazines,
the trend caught on,
and the cultural expectation
of washing your hair had begun.
So why exactly are people now
avoiding shampoo?
And what would happen
if we neglected to wash our hair altogether?
Well, if you don't tend to exercise very often
or live in a dry climate,
you might have better success
with the no washing movement.
This is due to a decrease
in the production of natural oils,
known as sebum,
which keep our hair moist.
But if you have thick, oily hair,
you might have bigger problems
than a bad hair day.
Many people claim that after several weeks
of not washing their hair,
it becomes thicker and naturally voluminous.
So, in the short term,
depending on how oily
or dry your hair is,
it may benefit you cosmetically and financially.
But if you kept this up for months,
your new 'do' might start to smell a little funky.
"you stink."
Hair traps moisture,
allowing bacteria to build up
on unwashed scalps.
This could lead to an infection
from all the dead skin cells,
dirt, and bacteria your hair has mopped up.
Even if you have a faux-hawk,
man bun,
or a skullet,
bacteria finds a way.
After a month,
you'd be dealing with an itchy scalp
and a sour odor.
At about six months to a year,
the bacteria would accumulate
and clog up your hair follicles,
which could lead to unwanted pimples,
hair thinning,
hair loss,
and if you have roommates,
possibly eviction.
"GET OUTTA MY HOUSE!"
While there's no medical reason
to shampoo your hair,
certain types of medicated shampoo
can be a blessing for those suffering
from scalp psoriasis.
Yet other conditions like eczema
or dandruff
could get worse
from regular shampoos
containing harsh detergents.
Now if all of this shampoo business
is wigging you out,
"I don't like this thing!"
there are several alternatives out there,
like coconut oil
or even baking soda
and apple cider vinegar.
But please don't take our word for it.
Not everyone's hair works in the same way.
So be sure to do your research
before trying anything
drastic.
While having long hair
might be making a comeback,
what about our fingernails?
How long could they grow?
If you're itching to know,
that's a story for another What If.