Detoxing your hair

Why detoxing your hair is important

After years of using commercial, over the counter products on your hair, there is likely to be a build up of product that may take some time to remove.  Also, your scalp becomes “used” to the products you use on your head.  Detoxing your hair is a simple way to remove build up and freshen up your scalp.

Detoxing is essential if you want to switch to a more natural haircare regime, such as from regular shampoo to using shampoo bars.  It can take a long time for your hair and scalp to adjust. Some find it takes a few weeks, some a few months. 

The shampoo to shampoo bar transition phase

Your scalp and hair might feel horrible during the transition phase. While you are getting used to a new regime, your hair might feel dirty and oily, and look a bit gross.

Just remember – and I can’t stress this enough – DON’T GIVE UP!  I promise you that if you can manage this awkward stage, the rewards will be worth it.  Wear hats, use headbands, whatever it takes.

Some people can’t cope with the way their hair feels while during this transition.  They give up, go back to their regular, chemical-based products and have to start again. Don’t do that – it undoes all the good work you have done so far!

I have thick, blonde, frizzy curly hair, and I found this transition stage really challenging!  My hair was gross, felt weird, knotty and dull. It felt like straw!

But… I persevered (ok I admit I gave up twice and had to start again), and it was soooo worth it!  My hair is shiny, feels and looks healthy, and amazing.  I’ll never go back.

I have since found out that you can speed up the awkward transition process by detoxing your hair with a homemade hair mask, and boy, I wish I had known that earlier. Now I regularly use the mask on my hair, because:

  • I find it gives my scalp and hair a boost
  • It is really easy to make at home
  • Only three ingredients are needed!

Hair Detox Mask Recipe

Here is a recipe you can try. If you scroll down further you will see a link to the products on Amazon. The great thing is, all of the ingredients in this recipe are so versatile and are used for lots of other things.

Detox Mask Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup bentonite clay powder (you can also use this for face masks, beauty products and digestive aids)
  • 1/2 cup aloe very gel. (also used for homemade hand sanitizer, easy to make at home!)
  • 1/4 apple cider vinegar (you can also use ACV as a hair rinse, health tonic, and so much more)
  • Extra apple cider vinegar for a rinse.

The bentonite clay powder has a mix of natural minerals. It helps soften and condition, and reduces frizz. It is also great for soothing irritated scalps, and because of this is often used to help treat psoriasis.

Aloe vera gel is just magic! Cooling, soothing, moisturizing. Because it is has so many uses, we always have a bottle in the cupboard for cuts, grazes, burns, sunburn, and of course for making hand sanitizer (click for a hand santizer recipe).

Apple cider vinegar is the ultimate ingredient. If you’ve spent any time on the internet at all you’ve probably seen articles and recipes everywhere, praising its benefits and many uses for health, beauty and household cleaning.

Instructions:

  1. Mix the bentonite clay, aloe vera and 1/4 cup of the apple cider vinegar together.
  2. Massage the mask mixture into your hair.
  3. Allow to sit for 20-30 minutes (maybe put a shower cap on, you don’t want it to dry).
  4. Rinse it out as best you can with water.
  5. Rinse with apple cider vinegar. That’ll get any residue out.
  6. Wash the vinegar out. Easy.

The recipe and process couldn’t be easier. Here are the ingredients on Amazon. I’ve put a couple of bentonite clay powder options on my list. They are both great.

I really do recommend detoxing your hair. It helps strip off the product buildup and get your hair back to its “natural” state. The recipe above couldn’t be easier.

If you are interested in more hair mask recipes you can try at home, I recommend popping over to www.mygatewaytobeauty.com (click here and you’ll be taken to her page on DIY hair masks for damaged hair). It’s full of tips for keeping your hair healthy and a range of recipes that are easy to make at home.

 

 

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