What You Need to Know About Using Baking Soda on Your Hair 2021

+5 What You Need to Know About Using Baking Soda on Your Hair 2021

What are the advantages of using bicarbonate of soda on your hair?

Popularized by the “no poo” method, the bicarbonate of soda hair fad is supposed to exchange commercial shampoos. People report that bicarbonate of soda , dissolved in water, can remove excess oil and buildup, soften your hair, and restore shine. But the tactic isn't foolproof — some people have reported severe damage to their hair over time.

Read on to find out what research says about this treatment and if you ought to use it.

What the research says

There is no evidence that bicarbonate of soda can soften your hair or restore shine. There’s more research to support bicarbonate of soda as a risk for hair damage and skin irritation.

The average scalp features a pH level of 5.5, and therefore the hair shaft features a pH level of three .67. Maintaining this balance helps with hair health, but bicarbonate of soda features a pH level of 9.

ResearchTrusted Source shows that products with a high pH level can increase:

cuticle damage

hair breakage

frizz

irritation

Your skin also features a pH level around 5.5. One study found that an alkaline soap (pH 9.5) significantly decreased the skin’s fat content and irritated the protective layer of the skin.

Evidence to support the advantages of bicarbonate of soda is usually self-reported. It’s possible for bicarbonate of soda to supply benefits initially . Ingredients with a high pH are effective at removing buildup and drying out the scalp, but long-term use also can strip your hair of its natural oils and irritate the scalp.

Evaluating the ‘no poo’ method

The no poo method recommends employing a bicarbonate of soda scrub and a diluted apple vinegar rinse afterward to rebalance your scalp’s pH level.

The no poo method doesn’t balance your scalp’s pH level. In fact, it's going to even stress out your scalp once you introduce a high and low pH level so quickly together. If you are doing prefer to use the no poo method, do so with extreme caution. Patch-test on your skin before using to ascertain if bicarbonate of soda causes any side effects.

Avoid “no poo” if

you have dry or brittle hair

you chemically treat or color your hair

you use heat to style your hair

you have sensitive skin

In general, bicarbonate of soda is abrasive and may leave your hair and scalp dry. Using the powder as a shampoo is more likely to be effective for people with extra oily hair. People with dry hair should consider following the rinse with a conditioner to moisturize the scalp.

What people say

One woman writes that a few of years after starting the no poo regimen, she noticed severe breakage in her very long hair. Another woman stated that after three years of using bicarbonate of soda as a shampoo substitute, she noticed her hair had become brittle and weak. She discovered that the high alkalinity of bicarbonate of soda , which isn't pH-balanced, mixed with the acidity of the apple vinegar , caused the damage.

A different no poo convert shared an identical experience within weeks of starting the tactic . Some users have found that combining bicarbonate of soda with an apple vinegar rinse actually stripped their hair.

What to use instead

The good news is that hair and skin care has increasingly improved since the no poo method. How you select your hair care products, from shampoos to sprays, should depend on:

hair damage (chemical treatment, blow dryers, grooming habits, and environmental exposure)

hair strength (resistance to breakages)

hair type, like thin, thick, strong, curly, or straight

scalp type

Use a clarifying shampoo. If you would like to get rid of product buildup and oil, use clarifying shampoo. These shampoos contain surfactants like sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate to get rid of product buildup. Research shows that these ingredients effectively remove oils but this will cause hair damage, especially if already damaged, dry, or chemically treated. Avoid long-term use.

Use copra oil . copra oil can penetrate the hair shaft and stop hair breakage. It also works pre- and post-conditioner. Use sparingly to avoid an oily look.

Invest during a good conditioner. Conditioner helps create the sleek, frizz-free look many of us want. It also seals the cuticle and creates softer hair. search for conditioners with silicones, keratin, or oils like argan or jojoba.

The bottom line

Baking soda as shampoo has more risks than benefits for long-term use. While some people report loving this natural method, an equal number of individuals say bicarbonate of soda has damaged their hair. Overall, research doesn't support bicarbonate of soda as a shampoo replacement.

There are many other products and ingredients you'll use for hair health. you'll also try taking vitamins for your overall health and for stronger hair growth.