Braingle: 'Shiny Hair' Brain Teaser

Shiny Hair

Science brain teasers require understanding of the physical or biological world and the laws that govern it.

Puzzle ID:	#34763
Fun:	(2.97)
Difficulty:	(2.34)
Category:	Science
Submitted By:	dutchymonster

A lady, very concerned about her appearance and the environment, was being interviewed about keeping her beauty without compromising on environmental issues. When she was asked how she managed to keep her hair so shiny and silky without washing it every day, she declared she never washed it!
How could this be true?

Answer

According to scientific research, after an initial period of about 2 weeks, where the hair is dirty, smelly and greasy, it actually starts to clean itself! It produces natural oils that clean the hair from the roots, leaving you with lovely clean glossy hair; although, with some people, it may take several more weeks to actually notice any difference.

I don't much fancy trying it myself though!
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Comments

GebbieRose Jan 06, 2007	I've always wondered why we wash our hair almost daily when other animals don't This is nice information to know, but don't think I'd want to test it out. BTW, very good teaser!
Sunrose Jan 06, 2007	Good teaser and informative. Thanks for sharing it with us
scallio Jan 08, 2007	Very interesting... I can't help but think about how bad my dog smells after 2 weeks without a bath. I don't think I'll test this theory either!
Dontrelle Jan 11, 2007	Good teaser though I probably wont try it.
morgoth1028 Jan 12, 2007	hmmm i used ta nevr wash my hair...... maybe tat why it not nasty....lol but my mom probably wont let me try it....again
4demo Jan 12, 2007	I never knew that, but it's pretty cool!
i_luv_2_read Jan 16, 2007	i never knew that....kind of cool, but those 2 weeks would be icky i don't think i'll try it!!
lavender Jan 28, 2007	Mayeb I'll try it. . .
tamjp Feb 05, 2007	Wel lthat is good to know if you are lost in the wilderness ! to know that after two weeks of funk that you will have beautiful hair when you finally get rescued!
cloughme Feb 07, 2007	Hmmm...
leftclick Feb 07, 2007	hmmmm, I think it is implied that you would still need to /brush/ your hair to get the dirt and oil build-up out. Otherwise you end up with "natural dreadlocks". Also if you were say a mechanic and got dirty engine oil in your hair every day, I don't think this would work...
craniac Feb 07, 2007	Your hair might reach some sort of acceptable state eventually, but what about your scalp? All that dead skin and skin oil and stuff -- yuck! On the other hand, all such things are a matter of taste, I suppose. Some of the native American Indian tribes used to put bear grease on their hair and thought it just the thing!
arabiannights Feb 07, 2007	Interesting! Thanx for the research and sharing.
anion Feb 07, 2007	Where did you come across information like that? It definately is a bizarre teaser. I definately learned something new and it is a quite interesting fact. I would love to know where you got the info from though. Thanks for a really cool teaser.
Thel Feb 07, 2007	Thank you for a very interesting fact which I will never, ever share with my children! Very fun teaser!
Phalanx Feb 07, 2007	Well, people wearing rastas can't really wash their hair properly either, but usually that still looks messy and greasy even after several weeks....
coachpisco Feb 07, 2007	Yuck! But interesting knowledge that I didn't know. Thanks.
marschie Feb 07, 2007	Someone mentioned daily brushing. I'd go along with that ...but my hair's crewcut, so I can't test it.
lukeschett Feb 07, 2007	So that's why my hair looks so good.
OldChinaHand Feb 07, 2007	Interesting teaser. I must have miss that issue of StreetPeople Vogue... sounds a little off base to me...all the ladies I know can't go out 'cause they're always washing their hair.
gallopingboo Feb 07, 2007	Very Interesting. I was looking for hidden clues but it was science that was the answer, Great Job!
puttumup Feb 07, 2007	yawn
karenokupniak Feb 07, 2007	Eeeeewwwwwww!!!!!!! Shiny is one thing. Greasy is another.
bradon182001 Feb 07, 2007	I am speachless. Can't even imagine trying such a thing. Thanks, but no thanks.
gaylewolf Feb 07, 2007	interesting fact! I thought "Lady" was a dog Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed today, heddycopter?
maka10 Feb 07, 2007	Very interesting! I'm with you, wouldn't want to test it myself! :-)
cassiemark Feb 07, 2007	Interesting - I thought it was because she wore a wig Good job.
darylmeissner Feb 07, 2007	Another answer could be: She has a personal attendant who washes her hair for her.
Pizzazz2u Feb 07, 2007	Although, the hair stylist could wash it for her, is another answer! Quite honesty! I don't even want to think about it! Keep 'em coming!
phyllisa Feb 07, 2007	Not for me! When I was in grade school and my friend was sick and couldn't take a bath, her mother would brush her hair with cornstarch and it would get the oil out.
campfirecutie Feb 07, 2007	Definately something I would never consider doing!! My hair gets washed every morning!! Interesting fact but nasty all the same!!
enjaytee Feb 07, 2007	Have you ever noticed that is why your hair looks the best just before you wash it. When my mom was young in the late 1890's she only washed her hair once a month. Imagine!
doehead Feb 07, 2007	I never wash my hair and I'm always shiny.Maybe it's because I'm bald.
katjojo Feb 07, 2007	I thought the answer had to be that "she" didn't wash her hair, someone else did. I can't go more than two days myself. I just feel dirty.
SPUTNIK2 Feb 07, 2007	don't think I'll be giving that a try, I wonder if its really true?
ViaTunisi Feb 07, 2007	Interesting, though I have a hard time believing it.
feste Feb 07, 2007	My wife said she was probably wearing a wig. Go on an extended back pack trip and tell me about how your hair cleanses itself of all the dried sweat and grimy dirt.
RoknRobn228 Feb 07, 2007	I also thought the easy answer would be someone else washed it for her. Who wants to be the guinnea pig to prove this theory???
daturtle Feb 07, 2007	It IS actually TRUE! I've had more than one trip in the hospital that lasted longer than 2 weeks when I couldn't wash my hair due to servere neck and back pain. After 10 or 12 days of only brushing my hair it began to look clean and shiny (not oily). It felt clean as well. I've read that washing your hair every day is bad for it because it removes essential oils that your hair needs. Anyway, so what's with all this "YUCK", or "I wouldn't want to be the one to try it" crap that some of you are saying?
jimbo58 Feb 07, 2007	Like anyone could really know that, Napoleon.
speedqueenkmw Feb 07, 2007	very interesting and fun fact...but how is this a teaser?
hradilv Feb 07, 2007	Do you have a reference?
auntiesis Feb 07, 2007	My head gets itchy if I go two days without washing my hair. I wouldn't want to try this out even if its true. I have seen people with dreadlocks and the hair looks dull and dry.
Kellington Feb 07, 2007	Oh yeah, I've done that...
pookiekat Feb 07, 2007	I remember reading about a woman who hadn't washed her hair for 11 years on Fark. Just Google "Penny Weynberg" and it should bring up the article. Scary that I knew this!
lmurray Feb 07, 2007	ONE SUMMER I DIDN'T WASH MY HAIR (I WAS AT THE SWIM CLUB EVERY DAY,) I ONLY REMEMBER MY SCALP WAS A MESS. IT COULD HAVE BEEN TO CHLORINE... OR NOT WASHING. YOU CITE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, WHERE CAN "WE" FIND SUCH EVIDENCE?
jacstop Feb 07, 2007	This teaser is actually very limiting in view and scope of the audience. Assuming that the entire world has access, or at least all of America, you can't assume that everyone reading this has the same type of hair, especially since 1/3 of this country is non-white. This teaser was "inadverntently" culturally biased. p.s. I still got the answer right in case any one is wondering
parayik Feb 07, 2007	I love it! Very clever! Just don't try it though!
HScott13 Feb 07, 2007	I remember seeing this on a tv science programme called Bodymatters a long time ago. The volunteer they used found that it did work. The only reference to this programme I can find on the web (for those of you asking for a reference source) is on http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/5832 . I would guess the episode it appeared on is Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow (21/8/1986), but I don't know of any more details than that. Having seen the date of that I'm feeling old, reminiscing about a programme from over 20 years ago.
OhEmGee Feb 07, 2007	INTERESTING FACT!!! I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT WOULD EVER HAPPEN!!! THE LONGEST IVE GONE WITHOUT WASHING MY HAIR IS A DAY!! THATS THE MOST INTERESTING THING IVE LEARNED TODAY!!!
breathesunshine Feb 07, 2007	I'm joining the "not trying this" group.
rehtaeh Feb 07, 2007	i don't believe i actually got that right!!!!!
sepherocity Feb 07, 2007	And now I'm going to have to eat lunch next week.
ejhops Feb 07, 2007	Well, I cannot say that I have ever tried out that for two weeks, but I do know that if i wash my hair every day it really dries out; it looks better if I let it be for a couple days.
zaya Feb 07, 2007	I second speedqueenkmw's comment!
vlerma Feb 08, 2007	seems like a "dirty joke" Just kidding. Nice teaser, just not my style as my hair is washed daily right along with the rest of me.
Qrystal Feb 09, 2007	I'd love to try this, and kinda did for awhile because I heard this trivia before... but I didn't know it took over two weeks -- doh! I wonder if the same effect could be achieved by avoiding using shampoo or any cleansing products, but still rinsing the hair and massaging the scalp to keep it happy. Hmmm! I won't be testing this anytime soon though... seven months before my wedding, and I'm not up for experimenting with my beauty routine at this point.
Qrystal Feb 09, 2007	P.S. Although I had heard the trivia before, I still guessed she was wearing a wig. Oops!
morgoth1028 Feb 23, 2007	ummm your wrong....... it only keeps it from gettin dirtier.....hence why animals who dont shower everyday stink....but only to a certain extent.....they could be alot stinkier but they arent because of the natural oils that keep it at that certain level of stinkiness
LeafFan4life Mar 02, 2007	ohhh i understand this nw there was this guy who never took a shower and had alot of dandruff and every1 wondered why i tihkn this may explain it this was a excellent teaser and i hope to laugh at someone who trys it out!
chickenzRcool Mar 10, 2007	ROTFLOL, everyone...We should have a 'quote' or 'reply' thing like they have in forums and stuff, Anways, nice teaser, er' info ;D Have a great day Everyone I saw this teaser bvefore I just had to come back and reply LoL ;D
zips5000 Mar 23, 2007	i went with the answer that it was a wig. guess i was wrong. good one.
jjj055 Apr 15, 2007	Don't think I want to try it either.
riddle_of_fate Apr 17, 2007	this could be one strong arguement that i can use against mom when i dont wanna bath!
IluvDepp_Bloom May 13, 2007	I did'nt know that! Cool!
oddrey May 21, 2007	very interesting. Maybe i will try it some time when i wont be seeing anyone for a few weeks!
Kamazar Jun 10, 2007	I though oily hair was because you didn't clean your hair. I guess it's half true since the body's doing it itself. But to have your hair all sweaty, tangled, brushy, and matted. Yuuuuuuck. Good luck to those people trying it out (warn me).
ankurtg Jul 20, 2007	I seriously doubt this. I have seen people who live in poor conditions not being able to bathe for months, and their unkempt hair becomes jute-like. No hint of a shine. Black hair becomes mud-coloured. Stupid studies keep coming up every now and then.
(user deleted) Aug 06, 2007	interesting... but still, eww
jasmin215 Oct 30, 2007	i thought it was because her hair was oliy for not washing it i told my sister that and she wants to try it
rockstar1234567 Jan 31, 2008	i have it too just i don't know why
Wa11E Sep 20, 2008	PEWW!
craniac Feb 07, 2010	I still think the same thing I wrote on Feb. 7, 2007 -- at least as regards caucasian hair which is the only knd I have experience with. But I think the teaser's author should have cited the "scientific research" in precise detail -- volume, chapter, and verse -- and I'm surprised the judges didn't require that before accepting the teaser for publication.
PhoenixW Feb 07, 2010	I rarely wash my hair. Based on past experiences, this is true. I actually find naturally cleaned hair more comfortable then manually...
doehead Feb 07, 2010	Look at a homeless person that hasn't washed their hair for months and that destroys this nonsense theory.
patiencewithaP Feb 07, 2010	Interesting...but yuck!
ttam007 Feb 07, 2010	Actually, I have done it and it does work. I bathe daily, and I scrub my scalp every time I shower. I just don't use shampoo on it. Scrubbing the scalp will prevent dandruff. Between the scrubbing and rinsing, dirt and "stuff" will come out. Then I brush and comb it afterward. The brush helps to push the natural oils to the end of your hair, so all of your hair has that natural gloss. The only people that know I don't wash my hair are the ones I've told. I've asked some people if my hair looks clean and they always have told me that it looks good. I started doing this because I had extremely oily hair - to the point that if I didn't wash it in the morning, then by 10 am my face was covered with oil, like it was just running down my face. So yes, those first 2 weeks, I had to wash my face at work several times a day just to feel clean and keep the pimples at bay. Now my hair doesn't produce nearly as much oil as it did before. I'm definitely better off for it.
ttam007 Feb 07, 2010	Oh, I forgot to mention, it wasn't until the middle of the 20th century that it was common practice to wash your hair daily. During colonial days until then, it was about once a month. During early 20th century, it was around once every 2 weeks. It was woman's fashion magazines and advertising that pushed the frequent washing, not any science.
emu77alu02 Feb 07, 2010	ttam007, that is such a good idea! I may even try that (maybe). Doehead, they don't wash anything.
auntiesis Feb 07, 2010	eeewwwwww!!!
piers Feb 07, 2010	I agree with ttam007. I haven't washed my hair since Oct 2009 but always comb it a few times each day with a fine comb (I use a nit comb) so the natural oil spreads through my hair and makes it glossy. My scalp felt very itchy for the first 2 1/2 weeks and then felt fine.
bear01 Feb 07, 2010	hmm.. not really a teaser tho I was thinking that she went to a salon - since SHE never washed her hair.
zuppy Feb 09, 2010	I guessed she was wearing a wig also
Johnny Feb 09, 2010	That is so cool! I never knew that. Should i try it
Babe Feb 07, 2013	I am baffled by all the people who say their hair would be all messed up, matted and tangled. It does not say you can't comb or brush your hair, only that it is bad washing it so much. We also have to wash our hair more often because we put so much bad stuff on it. Hair spray, gel, mousse etc. We treat our hair badly. It sounds perfectly sensible to me but I will still wash it because of the bad stuff I put on it.
gaylewolf Feb 07, 2013	I had read that some where before and I guess it's possible. Interesting information.
jaycr Feb 07, 2013	Lather, rinse, and (another) repeat. . . . Well some one had to complain, right?
cutebug Feb 07, 2013	The shiny look was from the grease,and the silky look was from the cobwebs. Yuk,what a crud.
HABS2933 Feb 07, 2013	As I donate my hair on a semi-reular basi, I have to keep it "virgin hair" I never use any product (aside from shampoo and conditioner) on it, so I don't have the build-up that many (mostly) females do. That being said I stil don't think I could go more than a day without washing it.
HABS2933 Feb 07, 2013	Sorry about the typos above, my keyboard sticks and I didn't proof it before submitting it.
allythebuterfly Feb 07, 2013	I hardly ever put anything in my hair and if I do, then it's something natural. Right now all I have for my hair aside from shampoo and conditioner is Dr. Bronner's organic lavender coconut hair lotion. But I jog every other day, so showering is a must haha, and plus I like my hair to smell nice, like coconuts. Not washing it would surely not make it smell like coconuts.