Elizabeth Cunnane Phillips, a trichologist (hair and scalp expert) at Philip Kingsley, says no. "There are no advantages, only disadvantages to not shampooing," she says. "A clean scalp is paramount to healthy hair." Manhattan dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross agreed. "Scalp oils are actually hospitable to the growth of yeast, which can lead to inflammation." So not only is it possible to get a yeast infection on your scalp, it can have serious repercussions — inflammation can lead to hair loss. Yikes. And if you thought that your kitchen remedy of baking soda and apple cider vinegar was a healthy alternative to shampoo and conditioner, think again — it turns out your kitchen remedy is more harmful than healthy. You might enjoy those sulfate-free bubbles, but according to Gross, that homemade cleanser is actually damaging your hair. And ACV is even more destructive on your new dye job than sulfates, because just like lemon juice, apple cider vinegar is acidic and can make your hair change color.
