These are some super simple ways to detox your hair routine for the best health and hair:
1. Maintaining scalp health
Just like our body, our scalp can get built up with old skin cells, dirt and free radicals (especially if you live in a city). It’s important to make sure to get rid of that so the scalp can breathe and grow beautiful hair! The best way to do this is to use a brush with a mix of boar bristle and nylon to exfoliate your scalp every time before you shampoo and condition, or I use mine every night before bed. This will also promote blood flow and nutrients to your hair follicles, helping your hair grow shiny and strong!
2. Hair mask it up!
Our hair and scalp are exposed to a lot of damaging things even if you don’t color. Harsh weather in the winter, hats, hot water from the shower (this is a big one!), and hot styling tools all deplete the hair and scalp from its natural moisture. My favorite homemade scalp mask is a mix of coconut oil and castor oil. We know coconut oil is soothing, antibacterial and moisturizing, but castor oil also has some pretty amazing benefits including promoting hair growth, detoxification and antioxidants. My step by step video can be found here. For a hair mask, Hydrating Hair Mask is amazing, with flax seed, shea butter, coconut and tamanu oils and quinoa to repair hair.
3. Good quality shampoo and conditioner
Make sure you’re always using high quality, toxin and sulphate free shampoo and conditioner to wash your hair. Some health store brands, although natural, contain wax fillers that can cause scalp issues (dandruff, flaking, irritation) and weigh down your hair. My absolute favourite is the Colour Awakening Hairbath and Colour Radiance Daily Conditioner because they contain pumpkin seed oil, shea butter, aloe vera, avocado, as well as being free of perfume. When you switch, it will take a couple weeks for your hair to adjust and you may not feel that slippery sensation that silicones and waxes give you, but trust me it’s worth it!
4. Low Toxin Haircolour
The two most important ingredients to watch for in hair color are ammonia and PPD/PTD (1,4 Phenylenediamine/1,4 toluenediamine are frequently used chemicals in hair dye). Most companies have created ammonia free lines, but almost all of them still contain a large amount of other not-so-healthy things. Most reactions to hair color are from the levels of PPD. PTD has about 50% less reactivity, but requires higher concentrations. While there’s no alternative, some companies, like Organic Colour Systems, use them in small doses. Organic Colour Systems is ammonia free and uses the lowest level of chemicals possible to create professional, permanent colors! If you’re still sensitive or want your color enhanced without ANY toxins, there are always semi-permanent colours, as well as techniques that don’t even need to touch your scalp like highlights or balayage/handpainting.
5. Internal Support for healthy hair
Last but certainly not least, let’s talk internal support. Many people forget that hair grows from the inside (it’s dead as soon as it leaves your scalp!). This is why making sure the scalp is healthy inside and out is the foundation for healthy, lustrous hair! The key is to drink lots of water or herbal tea, and eat a balanced diet with good protein. An easy way to do this is by adding supplements to your morning smoothie, like collagen and omega 3. It’s also incredibly important to eat when you’re calm. Did you know that when your body is in a stress response it actually shuts down your digestion? What a great excuse to slow down and enjoy your meals.
With these steps, you’re well on your way to growing gorgeous hair! Remember, some changes can take a couple months to really make a difference, while some of them are instant! Be patient with your hair.
