Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
- Bentonite Clay Hair Mask to Hasten Hair Detox
- Essential Oils and Such
- After a Proper Hair Detox, You Won’t Ever Go Back!
- Alternatives to Baking Soda for Hair Cleansing
- Hair Styling During the Hair Detox
- Natural, Nontoxic Hair Color
- Natural Hair Styling During a Hair Detox
- Nutrients to Support Healthy Hair During the Hair Detox
Modern women – both young and old – are beset with media messages conveying an unrealistic and unattainable ideal of beauty at almost every turn. Because of this, many women and girls are lured into altering their hair, their face and/or their bodies in attempts to conform to these false ideas.
Haircare is one area where women can obsess about having the latest and greatest hairstyle. It is easy to fall into the trap of altering one’s locks by coloring it constantly, using products full of chemicals, or frequently changing up the style with the use of high heat.
If you’re like most women, you are guilty of at least one of these. As a result, however, you are probably suffering from dry, damaged and weak hair.
After months or years of being on the haircare chemical/styling bandwagon, some ladies reach the end of their rope and finally refuse to spend another dime or expose themselves to further damaging treatments in an attempt to “fix” these problems.
At that point, a healthier path involves changing one’s mentality away from what society is telling us and embracing inner, natural beauty. This includes using holistic ways to pamper and highlight your locks naturally with results that will surprise and delight you!
Several weeks ago, I remembered that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” There is nothing wrong with being completely, or mostly, natural. Your natural self is more attractive than something chemically or artificially created.
When I realized this I decided to take action: to go green and to go natural with my hair.
After listening to friends and family members who shared their experiences with me, I developed a plan to help restore my natural color, strengthen, lengthen and repair my hair.
How long should this take? Depending on how much you have processed your hair in the past, it could take anywhere from three to six months to completely restore your hair’s natural beauty.
How to Do a Hair Detox
In order to begin the process of healing your hair, you should start with what I call a “Hair Detox.” Now, this is not a normal detox, it is a completely external detox for your hair.
Before you start, you will need to visit your hair stylist and have them cut/trim off all off your dead ends. You may dread this, but it is necessary.
Ideally, hair should be trimmed every four to six weeks. After your hair detox is complete, you need to commit to getting your hair cut as often as necessary to keep it healthy with no dead ends to threaten your new-found natural look. Regular trimming will also rid your hair of old color and chemical buildup.
After you have eliminated all dead ends, you will need several basic items to detox your hair. Most of the items used are products that you will have around the house or can be purchased very inexpensively from the store. You will need:
- Bentonite clay
- Baking soda
- Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
- Raw unfiltered honey
With these four basic products, you will perform a simple hair cleansing and detox regime. Instead of using shampoos and conditioners full of chemicals, you will use the baking soda and ACV.
Hint: homemade ACV is best, but if you can’t make it yourself, buy this brand of raw ACV packed in glass. ACV packaged in plastic has leached toxins in it!
Raw honey, preferably locally sourced, is used for deep conditioning.
Hair Care Procedure
- Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of filtered water in a bowl.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with one cup of filtered water in a second bowl.
- In the shower, work the baking soda mixture through your hair as a first step. Rinse with cool water.
- Follow with the apple cider vinegar mixture and rinse with cool water.
- For added condition and shine, use a generous amount of raw honey after the ACV rinse. While your hair is completely wet, massage the raw honey through your hair, let it sit for a few minutes and rinse.
Now, the more often you wash your hair with baking soda and ACV, the faster your hair will detox. If your main goal is to detox, you can wash your hair with these mixtures every day.
Bentonite Clay Hair Mask to Hasten Hair Detox
To quicken the process, you can also use a Bentonite clay hair mask. Food grade bentonite clay, essentially absorbent ash, draws the toxins and excess oils out of your hair and scalp.
Recently, it has become popular for both internal and external detoxing. Many use it externally for the skin, but the same process works on the hair.
The Bentonite clay hair mask is not a part of a daily cleansing regime but should be used at least once a week.
To prepare the mask, you will mix equal parts Bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar until it is the consistency of mustard.
After making the mask, cover your hair completely from roots to ends with the clay. Allow the mask to sit for about 30 minutes but take care to avoid letting it dry completely. You want your hair to still be pliable in order to easily wash it out.
Essential Oils and Such
During the hair detox, it is very important to avoid using any conventional products. If you’re worried about having shiny or fresh smelling hair, there is hope!
Essential oils are helpful in replacing most conventional products. After conditioning your hair with the apple cider vinegar, you may notice the smell lingering in your wet hair.
Generally, the smell will dissipate in about a month as the detox process continues. Until then, you can use essential oils like lavender, jasmine, peppermint, or any of your favorite scents.
Here are two ways to apply essential oils.
- Before you get in the shower, you can mix the essential oils directly into the apple cider vinegar mix and cleanse as directed.
- When you get out of the shower, you can apply a few drops of your favorite essential oil throughout your hair. Use a wide tooth comb to distribute the oils evenly through your hair. I suggest using a wide tooth comb on wet hair to avoid snagging knots or causing ends to split.
To replace conditioning or moisturizing products after cleansing, there are a number of oils you can use. I’ve had good results 100% pure, organic argan oil to condition and heal the hair. Argan oil has been used for centuries and is made from the Argan tree in the deserts of Morocco.
Wheat germ oil or coconut oil can also be used for conditioning. The great thing about all three of these oils is that they condition the hair as well as protect against the ends from breaking off. As a result, the hair is strengthened which promotes hair growth.
After a Proper Hair Detox, You Won’t Ever Go Back!
While detoxing your hair, it is important to avoid normal shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products. The chemicals from your products will hinder detox progress. After using baking soda and apple cider vinegar for a few weeks, you won’t want to ever go back to conventional shampoos and conditioners! Your hair will look and feel great!
If you don’t believe me, try switching back to conventional products after a month. It will be hard to ignore the difference.
Alternatives to Baking Soda for Hair Cleansing
Baking soda is inexpensive for detoxing your hair, but everyone’s hair is different. If you find your hair is detoxing, but reacting badly, fear not! Instead of the baking soda mixture, harness the benefits of Castile Soap instead. This soap achieves the same detoxing effects and even works better for some people. It’s all about finding what is best for you!
Begin by trying each shampoo substitute for a one week period to find what suits your needs best.
Hair Styling During the Hair Detox
As the days lengthen into weeks, the change in your hair will be very noticeable to you and others.
Through this long process, however, in addition to avoiding conventional hair care products, you will also need to avoid using any heat products on your hair. Blow drying, flat ironing or curling your hair causes the ends to become damaged and break. The only exception I make is for my unruly bangs. I will either blow them out or flat iron them. When doing this, make sure you use an ample amount of pure Argan Oil. It will help to protect your hair from the heat.
While going through this transition phase, it is important to find alternative ways to style your hair. Since using heat is out of the question, experiment with headbands, barrettes, or bandannas.
For some old-fashioned “dos”, try some French braids or regular braids for fun. Braiding the hair before going to sleep, not only protects the ends from breaking off but gives your hair a nice wave when you take them out in the morning.
Letting your hair dry naturally may not always satisfy your desire for style. If you want to achieve natural, perfect curls without a curling iron, check out this video.
All you need is a stretchy headband! I love using this trick overnight; it creates those perfect, “springy curls.” You can use a nontoxic hair gel made with flax seeds to assist the process.
If all else fails, there is always the conventional ponytail or bun. These can be used as a professional or casual style. Always remember, don’t give in to using heat products! You will thank yourself in six months when your hair has achieved its natural beauty. Not to mention, your hair will be growing stronger by the day, promoting accelerated growth.
Natural, Nontoxic Hair Color
By detoxing your hair, you’re ridding the strands of any old color. Most salons use developers and dyes full of chemicals; however, there are some exceptions. Chances are if you have color-treated your hair, you have used dyes full of chemicals.
With this in mind, you must not color your hair during the detox!
Coloring the hair deposits the chemicals and toxins directly back on to the strands. This is a time of reverting back to everything natural. Most women color their hair the appropriate “every four to six” weeks, or when their roots begin to show. During the detox, you must resist the urge to color and embrace your natural hair color.
As mentioned before, there are alternative hair color options that are non-toxic. Hemp is frequently used as an effective all-natural hair dye. Even still, it would be best to avoid using even natural hair color until at least two months of the hair detox is complete.
For the women that choose not to use any color, there are ways to naturally highlight or lighten your hair. As your old color grows out, it will be easier to enhance your hair’s natural color. Most of you have heard about using lemon juice while out in the sun.
This method, while old-fashioned, works the best. To use this method, you must use lemon juice directly from a lemon. Pre-made juice from jars does not work as well.
Squeeze one lemon in about 1 cup of water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. I would suggest spraying it directly onto damp hair and combing it through. After applying, you will need to get at least 30 minutes of sun exposure.
If lemon juice would be too harsh for your hair, you can also brew a pot of Chamomile tea and use the same method. When you are done with either the lemon juice or Chamomile tea, use the baking soda and apple cider vinegar to cleanse your hair. Repeat the process over several days to see the beautiful results.
Natural Hair Styling During a Hair Detox
It is extremely important to keep all chemicals off your hair while in the midst of a hair detoxification process. If you need to tame your locks during this time, try using a natural flaxseed gel for hair instead. This recipe is easy to make and works beautifully even for hard to control curly hair!
Nutrients to Support Healthy Hair During the Hair Detox
Focusing on your internal health is just as important to natural hair beauty as what is done externally. As a result, when trying to repair and strengthen your hair, you may wish to add a couple of supplemental aids to your regime.
The following is a list of supplements that can be used to help heal, strengthen and lengthen hair as necessary based on the needs and goals for your own personal hair detox.
- Biotin is one of the most common supplements for aiding in hair health. Biotin is a naturally occurring B-vitamin, specifically Vitamin B7, which is produced in the intestines but can be found in leafy green vegetables. For the purposes of hair health, the supplement form will better help to renew the follicles and roots of the hair. The result is thicker, healthier, and fuller hair.
- Silica comes in two forms: liquid and capsule. The capsule form is more commonly known as Horsetail. Silica in its liquid form is more potent and more effective. I recommend putting the drops in a glass of water with lemon juice and drinking first thing in the morning.
- Coconut oil is not only good for external health, but for internal health as well. It aids with digestion and strengthens the immune system. You can consume coconut oil a variety of ways. Each morning and each night, I take a tablespoon of coconut oil and chase it with some iced lemon water; however, you can also put it in your tea or smoothies. Either way, try to take at least two tablespoons a day for hair health.
- For some reason, if you do not see immediate success with the above supplements, there is a liquid “Hair, Skin and Nails” supplement that will make a huge difference (very fast results for me) but is rather expensive.
- The three nutrients collagen, keratin, and elastin can help improve your health from the inside out as well. Find them in liquid form for the fastest absorption.
No Time for a Hair Detox? Try This Instead
If you don’t have the time to do a full-blown hair detox, you can repair hair naturally and without chemicals using organic oils (this brand is excellent).
The organic oils and natural emollients do the work while you sleep. If you’re in a hurry, just 30 minutes will also do the trick.
If you leave it overnight, use your normal (organic) shampoo and conditioner the next morning, then rinse and repeat as needed.
Use twice a week to maintain the softness and smoothness.
More Information on Healthy Ways to Detox
7 Ways to Avoid Detox Symptoms on a Cleanse
Detox Baths: Which are Best and for What Ailments
Coffee Enema: Unmatched Detoxification for Health and Recovery
Castor Oil Pack Detoxification
How to Gently Detox in Preparation for Pregnancy
Detoxification Using a Castor Oil Pack
Rebounding: A Great Way to Gently Detox
Juicing 101: Why Do It, Which Juicers are Best, Recipes to Try
For those asking about hair still being oily when using the baking soda for “shampooing,” I had the same problem at first. My hair is quite oily at the scalp, but dry and frizzy at the ends and I was about to get discouraged washing with baking soda. I found that using a rinse of apple cider vinegar, letting is stay on for a minute or two before rinsing, did the trick with getting rid of the oily look and feel. I couldn’t tell from your comments if you have already tried this, but it absolutely worked for me. I use about half water and half vinegar after. I would guess that you might need to experiment with the strength that works best for you, probably starting with a more dilute solution at first. Hope this helps!
I used baking soda and vinegar for a few months but sadly it completely destroyed my hair, even using it only a couple times a week. Now I wash my hair once a week with organic shampoo and brush it with a natural bristly brush. It took a while for it to adjust to weekly washings but now it looks beautiful, clean and shiny all the time. I’m 40 and I’ve never colored it and never will but I’m lucky that I only have a couple gray hairs so far.
I would caution people about using raw honey directly on your hair, as honey can be used for hair lightening, and if you don’t want to change the colour of your hair, it’s best to gently heat the honey first to kill the enzymes (which is something we generally prefer not to do before ingesting, I know!).
I have been using Dr Bronner’s to wash my hair, with a dilute ACV rinse. I do find baking soda can be a bit harsh (something others have experienced to).
I used to use henna for hair colour, which I LOVED but I got tired of the upkeep, so decided to go natural, and have recently cut all the colour out of my hair, and so far I quite like it (for all that I have a lot of grays!). I think my real fear with henna and graying is that the regrowth was only going to look worse the more my hair grayed, and henna is VERY permanent if you use it frequently (unlike chemical colours, after I stopped hennaing, there was absolutely no fading of the colour… although when I hennaed as a once off years ago, it did fade over time).
I have tried and tried the no-poo and after a while it feels like my hair god dipped in oil and then dusted with powder- scummy. Then I tried diluted honey (1/4 cup h to 1 cup water) and that was ok, except it STILL looks like I’m a greasy hippy. I can’t get my hair to stop making me look like a homeless person and it’s been nearly a year. I keep thinking I have to figure this out pronto because I don’t want to be The Dirty Mom, but I really, really don’t want to go back to using store shampoo. Any idea on what gives?
Are you using Baking Soda as your shampoo? If that is still making your hair appear greasy, try the Bentonite Clay Mask. I have also utilized Dawn Dish-washing soap as shampoo. Using Dawn to often; however, will dry out your hair. You can try using it every few days for a week, and see what works best for you. From experience, I have found that Castille soap will moisturize more, while the Baking Soda and Dawn will help cut back on oils in the hair. Also, did you start out your “No Poo” regime with cutting off all dead ends first?
A while back, I tried no-poo with baking soda and ACV after, my hair appeared too oily. My hair does get oily even using a regular shampoo. I also tried Dr. Bronner’s castile soap and got the same greasy look. I’ve used baking soda alone and had good results for a time or 2, then it gets too dry. The way I’ve applied the baking soda and water is with a ketchup/condiment bottle. I saw another method advising to apply using a spritz bottle, for the BS and ACV, haven’t tried that. I went back to a store bought shampoo but I think it is better than most common ones. I’m white and found it in the section for ethnic hair (at Walgreen’s). It’s called Shea Moisture organic Yucca and Baobab. After washing, the first day my hair looks good but it will get oily not too long after. But continued use doesn’t end with my hair being too dry as with the BS. I could probably figure out a way to use the BS and/or ACV but I don’t have the time or patience it seems to require! Sometimes if I don’t feel like washing my hair when it’s oily, I will apply some baby powder which helps absorb the oil. I know baby powder isn’t good, have some Bentonite clay I may try.
I really wish I could wash with BS and Vinegar. I have tried on many occasions, but I have oily hair, and the oil production just doesn’t seem to slow down! After several days, the BS doesn’t seem to get my hair clean! I no longer dye my hair, and use SLS free shampoos etc. I have tried liquid castile soap as a shampoo with disastrous results- incredibly icky build up very quick! I’ve read this may be due to water quality. Any help or suggestions would be really appreciated!
I tried the no poo approach for about 6 weeks. I couldn’t take it anymore than that. My hair felt different and like straw. I have been using soap nuts and like very much.
Washing with baking soda was too drying for my scalp and castile soap didn’t work with our hard water. Do the soap nuts work different from the castile soap?
Before you tried the “No Poo” approach, did you cut off all of your dead or split ends? I have found it is more beneficial to get rid of the dead ends before using the “No Poo” approach. From personal experience, if you do not cut your hair first then you will experience this “straw” texture as your hair is detoxing.
I have been reading about “no-poo” and the like for years but have been afraid to do it! I have really thick, curly, coarse hair. If I do not put a mousse or gel in my hair, I have the thickest frizz you have ever seen. I have not know anyone with my type of hair that has done these methods to ease my fears. Does this work for my hair type? Thanks!
I understand your hesitance; I would suggest trying a Pure Castille Soap as shampoo and the ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) to rinse. Castille soap seems to moisturize the hair better and keep down the frizz. Follow with the Raw Honey deep conditioning, and with Argan Oil, which will smooth your hair and add shine. Try this for about a week, washing every couple of days and see how it works for you. Everyone’s hair is different and with every new regime, you need to find what works best for you!
I have kinky curly thick hair and I wouldn’t recommend a baking soda rinse or castille soap more than 3x in a row but acv works great. Curly hair needs to keep a an acidic PH of about 4.5 or your hair will not like it. Baking soda and castille soap are basic and great for stripping silicones and buildup off but go light and not recommended for frequent use. If you eat a lot of good fats and avoid traditional shampoos and conditioners you’ll make good sebum which you can use a rubber tipped brush to brush from your scalp to the ends of your hair. Water, vinegar and elbow grease work well to get out most dirt after detox. Until then transition with a quality superfatted goat milk, shea coconut oil soap from your locals farmer market. olive oil is an amazing pre and post “shampoo” treatment. Essential oils can be added to OO for scent, coconut oil & aloe are better for after. Argan is better for flat ironing curly hair but too much heat will give you dead hair agagain. I only need a trim 2x per year and even then my stylist says keep up whatever I’m doing. Homemade or even crappy store mayo works great as monthly deep conditioners under a hood dryer. Good luck!
I have been using BS/V for a couple years now and love it. The vinegar (I don’t bother with ACV. I either use cheap white or kombucha that went too far to drink) rinse has to be thorough so that no soda remains, since that will turn hair to straw over time. I use henna by hennaforhair.com and find that it keeps down the frizzies while covering my gray. I love that I can apply it, put on a shower cap, and just go to bed. No worries about scary chemicals. I am a strawberry blond, so I use a mixture of mostly cassia with 1/4-1/3 henna and a bit of buxus.
I have been washing my hair with homemade shampoo made of castile soap, tea and aloe vera for a couple of years now. I follow it with an ACV rinse. I would never go back to regular shampoo. However, my hair is getting more grey than I like and just not the rich pretty color it was when I was younger. So, I dyed it. Just this week in an attempt to go natural in that area, though, I dyed it with henna for the first time. You didn’t mention that in your article. What are your thoughts on henna?
Thanks!
This has been years ago, but the times I used henna (and it was in dried plant form), it shredded my hair, meaning: eventually I would have gobs of split ends. Must be other ways to use it in tandem with creams so it doesn’t have the ultra-drying effect.
I have had success with Light Mountain Henna Natural Hair color. It does not last as long as normal hair color, but that is to be expected. Another form of natural hair color that I would suggest is Naturtint or Herbatint. It lasts a bit longer, and is an ammonia-free, plant based hair color. These can be purchased online or at most health food stores.
I’ve been using BS/ACV for a couple years and it works very well for me. Recently I read that it can be damaging over time (something about the ph), but my hair isn’t damaged. Honey was suggested instead. I tried it with awful results. Your idea to “wash” with baking soda and deep condition occasionally with honey makes much more sense after the results I had with honey. I don’t want to give up the hair dye, however. Too many gray hairs for what I feel my age should be.
jmr, you may want to research catalase and supplements you can take to help your body produce catalase. I also have probably at least 75% gray and I feel too young to have that much! I haven’t had the money to buy the specific supplements but when I do I’m definitely going to try that method.