I use baking soda on my hair about once a month to get rid of build up. The small box of soda I keep in the shower kept getting wet and the soda would clump up. As a solution, I saved an empty, large spice bottle with the shaker top to store the soda in. Problem solved.
By Rachel's Mom from Wilkesboro, NC
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Hmm, may I add something to this information and practice? Hair, skin and the products we all use are so varied that the concept is good for some and not so good for others. Most humans do not have the same condition, hair, and skin, any more than we have the same habits. Unfortunately we live in a "too many choices/ options" nation, with way too many "greedy and unscrupulous" manufacturers of beauty supplies.
It's not as simple as blood types to determine when a person has had their last tinting, perm, uses hot water or washes often, has had meds, applied some solution that has a metallic salt in it or is very acidic, or if their diet is
mostly protein/ carbs/ liquid/ electrolytes, been dieting
regularly, uses the same products for years or changes according to sales/ fragrances/ colors/ experimenting often, and even age/ occupation is a very important factor.
Without a full and working knowledge of national origin of a person, the technology involved, and some serious experience with hair/skin chemistry when working with any sort of product on the hair/ skin, it's a toss up as to the microscopic REAL results. Even if it "feels and looks great" afterward, or is shiny/ bouncy/ thinner/ fuller....whatever.
Yes, Henna can be a problem sometimes, leaving some sorts of hair dried out...depending upon the origin of the product, whether or not it has been altered or is pure, and how it is prepared/ with what ingredients brought results?
Yes, oily/ waxy build-up can be addressed and if on more virgin hair/ skin, the baking soda can help, if washed/ rinsed out very well.
Will it work for you? Try it a couple of times to see, but be
cautious because, although unlike AJAX regularly scrubbed on a sink/ counter top -or- smoker's toothpaste on tooth enamel, both of which are irreparable once damaged, by the time you realize any damage with hair/skin that can grow, it could take from six months to years to replace the damage from regular "clarifying"/ deep cleansing.
Suggestion: Rather than just feel a hand full of hair, or fingers through the fluff of clean hair, take only a few dry hairs between your fingers before using the baking soda, then again afterward, and train your fingers to actually feel both the full length of the hairs, going back then to feel the roots, the middle, and especially the ends. Then stretch the hair to see if it is strong or weak, making both mental and written notes. It will speak volumes if you will simply do this with a delicate touch, searching for damaged places, over-slick surfaces/ places, and stubby
ends like when "split".
There will always be "testimonies" about someone thrilled with a product whether simple and basic or expensively
over-rated/ unnecessarily "beefed up". I prefer basic and natural, with the least "chemical" additives, yet I must Henna to cover grey because too many other and darker tints have proven to cause cancer.
Even in knowing just what and how much "build-up" is on the hair/skin between scrubs, does not prevent damage over the term and life of each hair. If thin, it could happen quicker than on full thick Asian hair, or strongest Eskimo hair, for example.
As strange as it may seem, even "touching" the skin is damaging; as well as brushing hair causes damage when wet or with poor quality brushes.
So, please don't be flippant about what appears to be a quick fix "for anyone" if you value your appearance and time. Hair is dead the minute it leaves the scalp, so whatever you do to it will eventually cause it to drop out...and if you are not very careful, damage can come at any time. Best to do trial and error after first examining, then continual examination to try to offset any difficulties.
Natural is always best so keep it ALL simple, watch what you eat, learn about and watch all ingredients, read information articles/ warnings, and heed them all to avoid the pitfalls. Baking soda regularly on teeth can cause a world of damage as happened to my best friend's father, a pastor, who scrubbed away most all of his tooth enamel until it was too late.
He should have tried rinsing a very long time with plain water before brushing with only water, then use only a quick rinse of Peroxide for 15 seconds and spit well. ( I have old fillings from childhood that recently began falling out, leaving teeth problems, so I now eat parsley and take acidophiles and Zinc Chelate to help. Keep in mind that Flouride is a poison, and pastes have sugars in them. Does that make sense?
Baking Soda is very abrasive, regardless. Good luck and God bless. : )
I truly believe that your suggestion to be the best yet! I have damaged hair!
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One of the best tips I have ever gotten though the years (and I've been a tip collector for many years) is one for hair. We spend lots of money for products to remove build up on our hair, but we don't have too.
Here it is: take a cup of warm water add one tablespoon of baking soda to it and stir, when you get in the shower wet your hair first and don't add shampoo yet, pour the water with the baking soda over your hair and rub into your hair. DO NOT RINSE OUT.
Take your shampoo and apply to hair, then shampoo as usual. This makes your hair feel like new! I found I can do more with my hair after I strip all the gunky stuff out of it. I try to do this at least once or twice a month, more if I use more products. If you go to the weekly beauty shop take along a jar with the soda in and have your stylist to apply it to your hair before shampooing.
Source: I really don't know where it came from, I got it from my Grandmother many, many years ago.
By Patty from Hopkinsville, KY
Thanks for your frugal tip, I'll have to try it the next time I shampoo my hair. (03/25/2009)
By Marjorie
You can also mix a little baking soda with shampoo in the palm of your hand before shampooing. (03/26/2009)
I've been using baking soda as a scrub for my skin for years. Don't need those expensive beauty treatments: just wet your face and shake a little baking soda on your fingers and scrub. It is drying, so be sure to moisturize after, but you will have soft, smooth, clear skin. (03/29/2009)
By Aili
I have very dry hair due to application of henna for long duration. I also don't apply oil in my hair because daily, I have to go outside. Only Sunday, that is passed in many household works. I'll apply your tip, and hope I will get benefit of the same. (08/17/2009)
By kuljeet
This is totally true! As a hairdresser for 20 years now, I use this on my hair as well as on others. Another thing that can be used in the same way is Fruit Fresh. Just make sure you use a conditioner of some sort afterward because it really opens that cuticle and you need to fill it with something good. I am NOT one of those gals that say one should only use professional products (although I do like them better) BUT there is a lot of wax and stuff in them so I always recommend using a stripper like this once a month. Why should we have to purchase expensive products when we can just use some simple solutions to do the same thing. OH, if one wants to follow up after this with a deep conditioner? Use the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Product. Put it in your hair, cover with a grocery bag and clean your house or do something that will make you sweat a bit. The heat from your head will allow it to absorb better. For color treated hair, don't do it more than once per month or it may dull your color. (08/18/2009)
By Kim
My hair and skin is very oily so I make a paste with baking soda and water right in the shower. I use some to wash my face (I leave it on for a few minutes) and I put the rest in my hair. Love the way it makes my hair feel! (08/18/2009)
By Kelli
