How many days/weeks after washing does your hair/scalp start to smell sour?

principessa1984 · 05-30-2011, 11:09 AM

I ask b/c I think my hair smells sweaty WAY too soon. At this point, I have to wash my scalp twice a week instead of once with an SLS shampoo (co-washing/diluted shampoo/sulfate-free shampoo are all fails- the first two leave me w/ an itchy scalp, the last strips my hair).

When I was kid (natural), and mom braided my hair- she washed it every 3 weeks and it never got sour. In HS when I started swimming, I had to wash my (natural) hair 2x/week for the obvious reasons. But, I don't swim anymore. I don't consider myself to be super-active. Yet, my hair gets sweaty by day 3 (I have a mild relaxer now).

How long can you go w/o sour hair? Was it diff. when you were relaxed v. natural? Do you do anything to tide yourself over until wash day? B/c I have a lot of hair and washing 2x/wk is a REAL pain in the butt.

The New Black · 05-30-2011, 03:37 PM

Three days is about right for me. Sometimes sooner, especially if I exercise of course. Have you ever tried dry shampoo?

ilikeitkinky · 05-30-2011, 03:47 PM

Wow, my scalp doesn't get stinky until week 3. I think wearing mini twists helps. When I wore crochet braids, I think the style was too compact to let the fresh air in

With all this scalp exposed, I feel like my scalp stays fresher.

principessa1984 · 05-30-2011, 04:10 PM

@ilikeit- I thought about that...when I was a kid, my mom had my hair in about 20 braids. It smelled like petunias all the time

I guess it doesn't get the chance to air out like it used to.

@phoenix- NEVER used dry shampoo. Is there a recommended brand?? And it can stay on your scalp for days without causing irritation?

nana_banana · 05-30-2011, 04:16 PM

I specifically remember having stinkier hair when my hair was chemically altered. I don't notice any smell anymore, at least not from my scalp. Sometimes my hair will have environmental smells, like smoking or cooking.

I wash my hair once a week with a shampoo. Maybe twice if my scalp feels itchy. When I don't shampoo, I still rinse my hair daily in the shower.

The New Black · 05-30-2011, 06:11 PM

I've only used dry shampoo once, years ago when I had bronchitis or something and my mother didn't want me to get my head wet.

I've never heard of it irritating anyone. It's made from talc, clay or some sort of starch. You either brush it out or use a towel to rub it out.

JessicazFro · 05-30-2011, 07:16 PM

I wash with shampoo weekly, so no smell. I do workout (outside too) but I'm not a heavy sweater and my scalp is dry so I guess there's nothing there to cause a stink...*shrug*

Sent from my SPH-M920 using CurlTalk App

KeiLaniKoils · 05-30-2011, 11:43 PM

I wash with a Chagrin Valley poo bar every 2-3 weeks. My hair/scalp doesnt really have a stink or a funk it just smells like rosemary oil and whatever other product I rub in my hair (which at this point is Koils By Nature Leave In

)
I dont really work out in terms of calisthenics or cardio but instead I stretch/do yoga.

greenandchic · 05-30-2011, 11:47 PM

It varies on my activity level and how I'm wearing my hair:

Twist outs - I can go about 4 days without my hair smelling.

Wash-n-go - about 2 days.

Wet buns - about 1 day, LOL

Dry (twist out) bun - about 3 days.

I work out 4-5 days a week so that's a huge factor.

I DO shampoo weekly and co-wash once weekly.

EllyEllyOxenFree · 05-31-2011, 12:08 AM

The only time my hair smells weird is if I exercise outside, like if I ride my bike. But it goes away with water rinsing and conditioning - I don't need to wash my hair with shampoo.

kayb · 05-31-2011, 12:12 AM

Max 7. Anything beyond that and my scalp gets flaky.

principessa1984 · 05-31-2011, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nana_banana

I specifically remember having stinkier hair when my hair was chemically altered. I don't notice any smell anymore, at least not from my scalp. Sometimes my hair will have environmental smells, like smoking or cooking.

I wash my hair once a week with a shampoo. Maybe twice if my scalp feels itchy. When I don't shampoo, I still rinse my hair daily in the shower.

Yeah, I figured it had to do w/ the perm. I wonder why, though. ugh

BekkaPoo · 05-31-2011, 07:01 AM

I don't think my scalp/hair have ever smelled "sour".. I use Creme of Nature shampoo (diluted)maybe once a month, but I cowash 3-4 days a week. Never ever had a sour smell coming from my head and I bike to and from work daily.

LadyV69 · 05-31-2011, 07:23 AM

I can go for about a week without washing my hair before it gets really itchy. It doesn't really smell sour though-and I work out 3-5 times a week. It used to smell sour when I was relaxed though.

ilikeitkinky · 05-31-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nana_banana

I specifically remember having stinkier hair when my hair was chemically altered. I don't notice any smell anymore, at least not from my scalp. Sometimes my hair will have environmental smells, like smoking or cooking.

I wash my hair once a week with a shampoo. Maybe twice if my scalp feels itchy. When I don't shampoo, I still rinse my hair daily in the shower.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyV69

I can go for about a week without washing my hair before it gets really itchy. It doesn't really smell sour though-and I work out 3-5 times a week. It used to smell sour when I was relaxed though.

Oh goodness, now I can relate. When I had a relaxer, my hair would become smelly after 2 days.However, I always waited a week before washing because that was the thing to do.

But now, even when I straightened my hair as a natural, it felt like my hair got stinkier faster as well. Maybe it's that the sebum on my scalp had faster access down the hair shaft. I don't know...anyhow, that's over now. I don't plan on straightening my hair this year at all because of that.

nana_banana · 05-31-2011, 11:57 AM

It probably is due to the sebum being able to slide down the hair shaft easier. I know naturally straight haired people always say they "have" to wash their hair daily or else it'll be greasy and gross.

pprMACHEheart · 05-31-2011, 12:50 PM

My scalp doesn't usually smell now that I'm natural, I can go 3 weeks with my hair/scalp still smelling like the conditioner/LI that I used.

When I was relaxed though my hair/scalp would smell like after a week or two.

I think it has to do with the hair being straightened as well.

ttlolla · 05-31-2011, 01:06 PM

I am experimenting with stretching shampoo wash to every 2 weeks because I Cowash 2wice a week nowadays ..... When I had a flaking scalp , I washed weekly

I know some naturals like naptural85 only shampoo once a month but she uses nothing but shea butter and flaxseed gel
People can only get away with not cleaning their scalp when they use minimal amount of products .

Lanisha · 05-31-2011, 01:26 PM

4 days.

curlyarca · 05-31-2011, 01:45 PM

My scalp needs to be washed at least once every 7 days. For its safety and my sanity. One reason why I hated pressing my hair. After spending all that money I had to "stretch" my style. Ugh.

My hair smelled like mildew when I used to cowash it daily. It was never fully dry and my scalp emits heat. Which are perfect conditions for mildew. Your hair needs moisture, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

Definitely rinse and/or dry your scalp after exercise!