A YOUNG woman has revealed she hasn’t washed her hair in over a year – claiming it looks and feels “better than ever”.
Georgia Peck ditched all haircare products after becoming concerned with the effects non-natural items were having on her locks, and suffering with itchiness and dandruff.
The 23-year-old doesn’t use shampoo, conditioner or any other product on her hair – and says people have called her “crazy” for the “extreme” measure.
But despite the response – from both family members and online, after one of her TikToks went viral with 890,000 views – she says the results have been well worthwhile.
“My hair is better than ever,” Georgia, a holistic health coach and videographer from Shropshire, told What’s The Jam.
“I no longer deal with the issues I had before and my hair is stronger and more vibrant.
“The first few weeks were hard because my hair looked and felt very greasy.
“It made me feel a little self-conscious and gave me a huge urge to wash it with shampoo.
“But I stuck with it and, week by week, my hair became less greasy and my itchiness and dandruff cleared up.
“My friends and family thought that I was a bit crazy!
“My whole family is not into the natural ways of living, so for years as I have been learning more and more and training as a naturopath, they often think I am extreme.”
Georgia now doesn’t use shampoo, conditioner or haircare products – even if they are organic and biodegradable – believe them to be “packed with chemicals” and not good for us.
She added: “I stopped using mainstream products about five years ago because I was wanting to adopt a more natural lifestyle.
“I switched to more organic and natural-based shampoos and hair products but I realised they are still not healthy for the scalp or body so I went a step further a year ago.
“These products can disrupt our natural scalp ecosystem and health.
“If we strip the natural oils away constantly it actually makes our scalp produce more oils to compensate – which leads to needing to strip them away again.”
Georgia initially went cold turkey, using just water to wash her hair with a filter on the shower head.
Expert advice on how often we should really be washing our hair
HAVE you ever wondered how often you should be washing your hair?
According to stylist Scott Miller of Bauhaus salons in Cardiff, Wales, washing every day may be too much – and some people only need to wash once a week.
Hopefully, you’re bathing yourself daily – but that doesn’t mean you need to wash your hair along with your body.
Miller said that washing your hair every day, as some people do, might be overkill – and overwashing your scalp and strands will stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, making it more greasy.
He told Wales Online: “Unless you’ve been working really hard at the gym or have been on a building site and it’s covered in dust – you don’t need to wash your hair every day.
“There’s a big #nopoo movement at the moment, with people boasting about going weeks without shampooing, but for most of us, cutting out one or two washes will make a big difference.”
The frequency with which you should wash your hair depends on several factors, including your hair type, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Here are some general guidelines:
Hair Type:
Oily Hair: If you have oily hair, you might need to wash it more frequently, such as every day or every other day, to keep it looking fresh.
Dry Hair: Those with dry hair should aim to wash it less often, perhaps once or twice a week, to avoid stripping the hair of its natural oils.
Normal Hair: If your hair is neither too oily nor too dry, washing it two to three times a week is usually sufficient.
Lifestyle:
Active Lifestyle: If you exercise regularly or sweat a lot, you may need to wash your hair more frequently to remove sweat and dirt.
Less Active Lifestyle: If you’re less active, you can extend the time between washes.
Scalp Health:
Dandruff or Scalp Conditions: If you have dandruff or other scalp conditions, consult a dermatologist for specific advice, as you may need to use specialised shampoos more frequently.
Hair Treatments:
Coloured or Chemically Treated Hair: If your hair is coloured or chemically treated, you may need to wash it less often to preserve the treatment and prevent damage.
Personal Preference:
Ultimately, how often you wash your hair is a personal choice. Some people prefer the feel of freshly washed hair, while others find that washing less frequently works better for them.
Now, due to having thick, wavy locks, she has also started to incorporate a herbal hair rinse made out of rosemary, oregano, lavender, nettle, apple cider vinegar and olive oil.
She added: “For a deep nourishing hair leave-in mask I will add in a raw egg and some honey too.”
The young woman shared her experience in a TikTok video, which has garnered 16,000 likes and left viewers torn.
One person commented: “I’m sorry but I can’t just rinse my hair with water, it needs shampoo. I’ve tried and I wish I could be one of those natural people, but my head feels disgusting and greasy if I don’t shampoo my hair.”
“When I was depressed, I didn’t wash my hair for weeks, and it was revolting,” another user said.
Someone else added: “Omg if I don’t wash my hair for 10 days it’s stinky and itchy.”
But others were more open to the idea.
One said: “Your hair looks amazing.”
“I haven’t used shampoo in 10 years,” another person commented.
Someone else added: “This is awesome! I need to try this!”
