Don't wash your hair during THAT time of the month?

[chasturner84]

Today was wash day and while I was sealing, my mom came in the room with this horrified look on her face. I asked her what was wrong and she said "you washed your hair?" I replied "of course. I wash my hair every week!" She said that you are never to wash your hair when you are on your period. I asked why but she just replied "you just don't do that."

Ladies, is there a valid reason why one should not wash their hair while on their period? I have never heard of this before. What am I missing?

 

[angenoir]

Never heard of this either.

 

[tailormade84]

are supposed to skip out on brushing your teeth too?

Hygiene is hygiene - if it's time to wash your hair, please wash your hair.

 

[robot.]

No. Sounds like your mama is tripping.

How does she wash her hair normally? Does she shower or bathe? That could have something to do with it.

 

[FlowerHair]

It doesn't make sense to me.
If anything, I feel the need to be even cleaner (body and hair) than usual at that time of the month...

 

[DivineNapps1728]

I've heard this before; it's some old wives tale. I've never heard any reasoning behind it, it was just something people used to say.

I think you can wash your hair & bathe anyway you want despite what time of month it is!

 

[Lynnerie]

I've heard not to dye your hair during that time of the month because of the changes your body is going through but not to wash your hair? Naw never heard of that.

 

[chasturner84]

I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't the one trippin' y'all. I don't know if it's an old wives tell, but I'm going to wash my hair whenever I want.

Robotxcore, my mom goes weeks without washing her hair and it is APL. To answer your other question, she showers and only bathes when she's stressed. I do the same. I can see why you wouldn't bathe when it's that time, but washing your hair? C'mon!

 

[Bene]

This is

Can't think of any rational reason why a menstrual cycle should prevent someone from washing their hair. I'm really curious about the reasoning behind this. Does she think it brings bad luck? I'm fascinated by these traditions.


Personally, I tend to do more cleaning when I'm on my period. The hormones make it so clutter drive me nuts and I go on these rabid cleaning binges. Same with grooming and hygiene. I'm more likely to do a cassia treatment or shave my legs when I'm on my period.

 

[robot.]

I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't the one trippin' y'all. I don't know if it's an old wives tell, but I'm going to wash my hair whenever I want.

Robotxcore, my mom goes weeks without washing her hair and it is APL. To answer your other question, she showers and only bathes when she's stressed. I do the same. I can see why you wouldn't bathe when it's that time, but washing your hair? C'mon!

You know how some people are about their old wives tales. But sounds like she hasn't had any setbacks because of it, so no harm done, I suppose.

 

[Vshanell]

I've never heard of that one.

 

[chasturner84]

I've heard not to dye your hair during that time of the month because of the changes your body is going through but not to wash your hair? Naw never heard of that.

Really? I have never heard of this one. hmmmm

This is

Can't think of any rational reason why a menstrual cycle should prevent someone from washing their hair. I'm really curious about the reasoning behind this. Does she think it brings bad luck? I'm fascinated by these traditions.


Personally, I tend to do more cleaning when I'm on my period. The hormones make it so clutter drive me nuts and I go on these rabid cleaning binges. Same with grooming and hygiene. I'm more likely to do a cassia treatment or shave my legs when I'm on my period.

Bene, she just said that my grandmother and great-grandmother always told her not to do so. She never asked why. ITA with the bolded. I clean like crazy when on my period. I take multiple showers and I scrub my body so much it's ususlly sore when I'm finished. It's like an impulse that I can't control and only happens during that time. Weird.

 

[Tee]

Yes, some people seriously believe in this. (and many more strange wise tales) But I wash my hair whenever. But I am told this as well by mother to this very day!!

 

[Tene]

I heard this before, I've also heard you shouldn't bathe while on your period.

 

[femmemuscle]

jeez, when i was growing up, and my sisters had their periods, it was Muskogee indian tradition that they weren't allowed to touch the food in the house.

It supposedly poisoned the food. They never cooked anyway. I did all of the cooking for them. Lucky for them i was the last daughter, i and left home at 15. I didn't start my period until about 17 years of age. They would have starved to death.

Also, there are tribes that still exist that have "period" huts. so for 5-7 days out of the month, the women who are mensing have to sit in a hut with each other (gawd help 'em). That sounds like a "cage drama" waiting to happen. Either that, or a mass murder. I can't be around a bunch of folks when it's that time of month. Thanks to my livelihood, they get on my damn nerves any other time of the month, having a period just makes it worse.

 

[Bene]

I heard this before, I've also heard you shouldn't bathe while on your period.

Okay, not to be intolerant of other people's beliefs or anything... but how in the hell are you gonna walk around all dirty when you're on your period??? Who does this??? I don't want to know. I really don't want to know.

 

[Dani.Nicole]

I wash my hair in the shower normally. But on those days, I will be dunking my head in the tub on my knees because quite frankly, I don't like feeling like a running faucet erplexed That's just nasty That's the only rationale I can think of lol

 

[DivineNapps1728]

Other period related old wives tales I've heard:

-Don't swim while menstruating because the chlorine will jack up your uterus, but I don't ever remember learning that a vagina is an open cavern

-Don't tend to plants while menstruating or you'll kill them

-Don't eat food with red sauce made by a woman you don't know... My great uncle lives by this one

 

[DDTexlaxed]

I've heard that chemical services such as relaxers and hair dyes don't take as well when you're on your period. Whether it is true or not, I don't know.

 

[Bella02]

I've heard that chemical services such as relaxers and hair dyes don't take as well when you're on your period. Whether it is true or not, I don't know.

Same here, my old stylist would refuse to do any chemical treatments during that time of the month. I thought she was crazy-- not sure if it's true or not either.

 

[DarkHair]

The reason why you aren't supposed to wash your hair, take a BATH, or walk around barefoot (on cold floors) is due to cramps. I asked my mom why, and it makes sense to me. Its something about the cold temp that makes cramps worse. To this day (and I do mean THIS day) I wear thick socks, and take showers. I do wash my hair, but I make sure to do it all quickly and sit under the dryer often.

 

[chasturner84]

jeez, when i was growing up, and my sisters had their periods, it was Muskogee indian tradition that they weren't allowed to touch the food in the house. It supposedly poisoned the food.

Also, there are tribes that still exist that have "period" huts. so for 5-7 days out of the month, the women who are mensing have to sit in a hut with each other (gawd help 'em). That sounds like a "cage drama" waiting to happen. Either that, or a mass murder. I can't be around a bunch of folks when it's that time of month. Thanks to my livelihood, they get on my damn nerves any other time of the month, having a period just makes it worse.

That is so interesting! I couldn't imagine having to stay in a special hut because I had my period. I would feel like a complete outcast.

Other period related old wives tales I've heard:

-Don't swim while menstruating because the chlorine will jack up your uterus, but I don't ever remember learning that a vagina is an open cavern

-Don't tend to plants while menstruating or you'll kill them

-Don't eat food with red sauce made by a woman you don't know...

All of these were interesting! The red sauce one is so gross!!!

 

[butterfly_wings]

These old wives tales kill me,

 

[chasturner84]

The reason why you aren't supposed to wash your hair, take a BATH, or walk around barefoot (on cold floors) is due to cramps. I asked my mom why, and it makes sense to me. Its something about the cold temp that makes cramps worse. To this day (and I do mean THIS day) I wear thick socks, and take showers. I do wash my hair, but I make sure to do it all quickly and sit under the dryer often.

Thanks for this answer! I have never had a problem with cramps but it does make sense. I guess I should tell my mom why she was probably told not to wash her hair.

 

[melissa-bee]

I only used to relax my hair on when i was on. I don't know why but if i needed to do it i would wait 2 weeks untill it came. Obviously not every 30 days though.

 

[Nova]

When I was a child, this warning was the norm for my household and my friends. My mother never told my sisters and me the reason. Back in those days we did as we were told. However, being my parents most defiant child, I washed my hair: 1) because it needed washing, 2) I was curious to see what would happened if I did wash my hair while on my period. Nothing happened...needless to say I washed my hair ever since.

 

[ladysaraii]

Okay, not to be intolerant of other people's beliefs or anything... but how in the hell are you gonna walk around all dirty when you're on your period??? Who does this??? I don't want to know. I really don't want to know.

I hope they just mean not take a bath, but you can still shower.

There is no way I couldn't shower during that TOM, I feel so icky

 

[chasturner84]

When I was a child, this warning was the norm for my household and my friends. My mother never told my sisters and me the reason. Back in those days we did as we were told. However, being my parents most defiant child, I washed my hair: 1) because it needed washing, 2) I was curious to see what would happened if I did wash my hair while on my period. Nothing happened...needless to say I washed my hair ever since.

Exactly! I have been washing my hair while on my period without nothing happening then after all these years I hear that you're NOT suppose to do it. Makes no sense.

I hope they just mean not take a bath, but you can still shower.

There is no way I couldn't shower during that TOM, I feel so icky

LOL! Yes, we meant not to sit in a tub of water, you could still shower

 

[Poohbear]

My mother has said not to wash your hair or take a bath/shower while on your period too, but I do anyway. She said her mother (my grandmother) told her that. She said if you do it, you'll have more hard times (something like that) when you get older.

 

[Almaz]

Old wives tale