This lockdown has been terrible for most of us- anxiety and depression statistics have risen, people are feeling a lot less themselves because their freedom and movement has become so restricted. But I think one thing I’m thankful for is that I am now able to follow a great skin and hair care routine. I do DIYs regularly, I do a long Korean skincare routine sometimes, I use my jade roller to give myself massages and I try and get in a good eight hours of sleep and my skin has honestly been great for the most part.
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Another hobby that seems very popular these days is baking and that’s another bandwagon I’ve jumped on but did you know that you can use baking soda for hair as well? Yup, I’m going to decode this elusive DIY ingredient for you. Don’t worry about getting baking soda in hair, it will all go well.
Benefits Of Baking Soda For Hair
Baking soda doesn’t only help make your cake rise, it also has loads of benefits for your scalp and locks. Yes, you can use baking soda for hair wash. Read on to find out more.
Treats Smelly Hair
It is alkaline in nature and it basically balances the pH level of your scalp. Smelly hair can be a huge concern for many people and it isn’t discussed enough- your hair attracts pollutants and microbes which lead to a foul smell. Baking soda for your hair can fix that.
Also read hair care routine and hacks
Gives You Squeaky Clean Hair
If you’re using expensive shampoo and your locks still feel dull and lifeless then you need baking soda for your hair. It’s not that your shampoo and conditioner isn’t suitable for you, it’s just that you may have product build-up from all that hairstyling tools. This is especially true if you use clip extensions. Rinsing your hair once a week with baking soda will help you get thoroughly clean hair.
It Livens Up Dull Hair
Is your hair is feeling limp, flat and lifeless? We’ve got the perfect solution for you- try switching your regular shampooing to a routine which will give you umteen good results. This is one of the uses of baking soda for hair. It adds volume, strength and body. You can even add vinegar to this regime and your hair will thank you for it.
Helps In Removing Dandruff
Dandruff is one of those scalp problems that doesn’t really go no matter how hard you try. One of the uses of baking soda for hair is that it gets rid of dandruff and helps treat a flaky scalp for good. It calms down scalp irritation and helps keep the pH level neutral.
Makes Hair Less Oily
If you suffer from an oily scalp, the benefits of baking soda for hair will shock you. This magic ingredient can remove excess oil, leaving your hair fresher and smelling lovely for longer. You can use it in place of your dry shampoo on day three hair and your hair will be refreshed instantly.
How To Use Baking Soda For Hair
Now that you know the many benefits of baking soda for hair, you also need to know how to use it. Here are some DIY recipes for you.
Baking soda for dandruff
One of the main benefits of baking soda for hair is that it combats dandruff really well. Studies have shown that it has antifungal properties and can reduce itchiness and skin irritation. It absorbs sebum from your scalp and washes off the excessive oil that causes a dandruff-ridden scalp in the first place. Here’s how to make a DIY recipe using baking soda for dandruff.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons of baking soda
2-3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
How to make
Step One: Mix the apple cider vinegar with the baking soda in a bowl until both the ingredients are well combined.
Step Two: Apply all of it to your hair and massage it into your scalp for 2-3 minutes. Let it sit for another minute.
Step Three: Wash it off with cool water and repeat this process twice a week for dandruff-free hair.
Baking soda for hair growth
One of the uses of baking soda for hair that we’ve talked about is that it balances the pH level of the hair. If the pH is too high it causes brittleness and causes breakage in your strands. It is also the baseline of having scalp related problems like dandruff, irritation, itchiness, and so much more. Here is a home remedy that’ll solve all of this and result in healthier hair.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon of baking soda
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon of olive oil
How to make
Step One: Slightly warm up the olive oil and add in the egg yolk. Then add in the baking soda and mix it till it completely comes together.
Step Two: Apply this as a DIY hair mask and let it sit on your hair for at least 20 minutes.
Step Three: Rinse it off with warm water first and then with cool water.
Use it twice a week for amazing results.
Baking soda as a clarifying shampoo
Baking soda will help get rid of excessive build-up and product stuck in your hair and even exfoliate your scalp. Dirt, styling products, chemicals from shampoos and conditioners can wreak havoc on your locks- this is why your oil glands could be overworking themselves. Using baking soda as a clarifying shampoo cleans your hair and scalp like never before!
Ingredients
4 tablespoons of baking soda
¾ cup of water
Lavender or Tea Tree Essential Oil
How to make
Step One: In an empty shampoo bottle or jar, mix the baking soda with the water. Add in a few drops of lavender or tea tree essential oil for that sweet-smelling aroma. Shake it well until you see all the ingredients coming together into a paste.
Step Two: Apply the baking soda mixture to your dry or wet hair. Start at the roots and then work it into your ends as well.
Step Three: Let the mixture sit in your hair for one to three minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water and towel-dry your hair.
Use it once a week.
FAQs
Is it safe to use baking soda on hair?
Because baking soda is abrasive in nature, it is a great cleaner for grills, stoves and sinks. However, sometimes these small crystals can be too harsh for the hair. It could cause dryness because while it cleans well, it may also strip off natural oils leading to dry hair. Although too much oil can make the hair look greasy and attract dust, you do need some amount of it for a healthy scalp. One solution to this would be to use an argan oil or coconut oil conditioner to restore the moisture. Sometimes it can also cause hair breakage because of its tiny crystals- if your hair is very delicate it could lead to split ends. It can also cause scalp irritation on some people and those who have conditions like eczema should steer clear of it.
Also read benefits of curd for hair
Can I use baking soda on all hair types and textures?
It is recommended that if your hair is dry then you should avoid using baking soda as it may leave your locks feeling even more dehydrated, dry, lifeless, dull and with faded in colour. For someone who has a lot of buildup of sebum, environmental dirt and residue, sweat or an excessively oily scalp, using baking soda as a clarifying shampoo would be a great idea. It can add volume and texture to limp hair.
Also read Benefits of Aloe vera on skin and hair
Can I mix baking soda in my shampoo?
You can give your shampoo an extra oomph by mixing in a teaspoon of baking soda to your hand and add the regular amount of shampoo and lather it up. Work it into your scalp and massage it well. Do this when you feel like your hair is especially dirty and needs a thorough wash. The reason we’re saying don’t mix it directly into your shampoo is that while there are many uses of baking soda for hair, there are also disadvantages. This way you don’t have to subject your hair to its harshness every time you shampoo but only when you need a deep cleaning.
So now that you know what the benefits of baking soda for hair are and how to use baking soda for hair, we’re sure you’re ready for a squeaky clean scalp. Remember- happy hair, happy you!
Read More –
Baking Soda Benefits for Hair in Hindi
Featured Image Source: Pexels
Want to cleanse your scalp and make your hair look shiny and strong? Using baking soda as a shampoo is likely to be effective for people with extra oily hair.
Those with dry scalp report that using baking soda leads to frizzy, damaged hair.