When I started the water only hair wash method in July of this year, I was experiencing the early stages of some hair drama:

thinning at my crown
dry ends
possible hair loss above my right temple
an increase in hair shedding
and my hair was deep in the:

To make things even better, I was tired of the process. I wanted a break. The summer months are usually when I’m deep into a nice, low maintenance protective style.

Not this summer.

None of my go-to styles were “go-to” anymore. My hair had grown out of it’s last shape, and I hadn’t found a style that would work with the new length…at least not consistently.

I was having an experience.

So while uploading a video to YouTube, I noticed a recommended video of a Goddess with this amazing hair. I was trying to stay focused on Lavish business, but her hair was talking to me.

By the time I finished the video, and as many others as I could find, I was hooked.

Two days later, I was ready to start. I had to know what my own sebum was like, and the effect it would have on my hair.

I started the method with a clay wash to clarify, cleanse, detangle and condition. I followed that with an apple cider vinegar rinse.

For the next 2 weeks I only used:

hair teas
banana and avocado conditioners
fresh aloe vera gel
and cactus fenugreek conditioner

For previous wohw updates and video, click here and here:)

Day One

Freshly water washed and air dried. Love that shrinkage!

For the first 2 weeks I washed and scalp massaged everyday. I couldn’t tell if my hair had product buildup or not, but my hair was gray A LOT. ACV was great but a little drying.

I’ll keep testing new recipes and simplifying some of my own.

By Week 3 I started keeping my hair in twists. Its easier for me to feel the sebum while washing, and smooth it down my hair.

I have some pretty good sebum production around the sides and back of my hair. I also have some in the top and front but not as much. No hard water problems this week.

My hair was definitely more moisturized and soft. I have shine, but the sebum hasn’t made it all the way down to my ends.

This week I started using coconut cream instead of pureed banana or avocado-based conditioners. It’s like using a creamy deep conditioner without the heaviness. It’s also super easy to rinse out, doesn’t leave a film, lasts in the refrigerator for weeks (in a ziplock bag) and doesn’t leave your hair with a funny smell.

I’ll see if I notice a difference over the next week.

Week 4, I could definitely tell a difference using coconut cream in my hair. I’ve been wearing a super curly twist out. Other than a little frizz, my hair did well. I had a few tangles but nothing like what was happening last month.

By the Fifth Week, the sebum had made it all the way down to my ends and was quite thick. I returned to apple cider vinegar (I used less than usual, 1 tablespoon per 16 ounces) to prevent buildup from bothering my hair. I’m not sure if this is hard water or the sebum effect.

Week 6 - The thinning at my crown has stopped and I notice some fullness. I also started taking maca root powder for hair growth. Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a plant that grows in central peru and its roots are often used for medicine (fertility, anemia, chronic fatigue, depression, leukemia, tuberculosis, cancer, and HIV/Aids).

Maca root is high in amino acids and B-vitamins* that:

elevate mood
improve endurance
enhance blood circulation
increase hair growth

I’ve used it for anemia in the past and it worked better than iron.

It contains over 55 phytochemicals that protect the body. Phytochemicals deserve a raise!

The American Institute for Cancer Research lists the following benefits:

Stimulates the immune system
Blocks substances we eat, drink and breathe from becoming carcinogens
Reduces the kind of inflammation that makes cancer growth more likely
Prevents DNA damage and help with DNA repair
Reduces the kind of oxidative damage to cells that can spark cancer
Slows the growth rate of cancer cells
Triggers damaged cells to commit suicide before they can reproduce
Helps to regulate hormones

I’m watching this supplement closely to see if I notice a visible difference in hair growth. The other benefits don’t hurt. My hair definitely looks thicker and fuller.

It feels like a big, soft cotton ball! If there was a natural hair award — I would totally win it this week. Loving my hair and this method.

Week 7 - But not this week. I’m tired, don’t feel like doing my hair, and I begin to notice the days starting to add up between washings.

Fortunately, my hair doesn’t seem to notice. She’s fluffier and I spend NO TIME detangling dry or wet. The sebum is released quicker now and it’s easier for me to smooth it down my hair. The sebum is super thick and I’m noticing once my hair dries, it feels hard, almost like an oily coat on top of it. Once I begin to style it, the hair softens.

Interesting…

Week 8 - I didn’t wash my hair at all this week. I didn’t even notice! I spritzed and scalp massaged on the go. This worked well and one day I woke up with the perfect fro. It was so good, I took the picture above. Now I can’t get the style back! Haven’t since that day.

At least I got a photo…

Month 3

Rest and relaxation are essential for a healthy mind and body. So when it was time for a nice vacay — Team Lavish voted for the happiest place out west - Disneyland!

the racers were our favorite, but the treehouse is always nice:)

Before leaving California, we decided to stick our toes in the ocean at Huntington Beach. It was gorgeous!

BIGHUGGODDESS — I know my lighting in this picture is challenged…but that hug tho

My battery was dying so you can barely see the semi-chunky twists I’ve pulled back in a bun. That was the most I did to my hair the entire trip! I brought some homemade vanilla oil with us, and used the oil before bed a couple of nights. I don’t think I needed it, but i liked using it for extra shine.

Month 4

I’m 4 months in and love the way my hair looks and feels. I have a couple of go-to styles now (mini twists and a nice, bodacious bun). I use the baggy method once a week. This is a great way to keep my ends happy. I also deep condition with coconut cream about once a month.

Mini Twist Heaven

Mini twists saved me from the awkward stage cooties! Now that we’re in the winter months, I’ve started using a little shea butter on my ends. For mini twists I used hibiscus oil and organic hair butter in between washings. These haven’t decreased my sebum production. I also haven’t had any hard water issues in the last few weeks.

Final Thoughts…

Compared to where I was at the beginning of this challenge, here’s the current status:

thinning at my crown | stopped 6 weeks in
dry ends | still making sure ends stay moisturized
possible hair loss above right temple | hair has grown back, can’t tell it was there
an overall increase in hair shedding | hair shedding less, but still shedding

Pros and cons:

Pros

faster hair growth
fullness at the crown
length retention
no tangles, detangling time cut
hair does well with raw, organic coconut oil, shea butter and cocoa butter; doesn’t block sebum production
new plant-based recipes & cactus gels
hair dries super fast

Cons