Washing with a solid shampoo bar can be intimidating if you are new to the zero waste lifestyle. These tips can help you to transition to using a #shampoobar with better success, especially if you are struggling with chemical, wax, or silicone build-up from bottled shampoo and hair products. Shampoos from a bottle strip your hair and conditioners use silica or silicone, and waxes to make hair feel soft and smooth again. Because of this stripping process, your hair and scalp have compensated by producing extra oils to make up for this loss on a regular basis. Until your hair and scalp become accustomed to not needing to produce extra oils and detox from the chemicals it has become addicted to, some people go through a week or two of their hair feeling and looking greasy, flat, or dull as shampoo bars struggle to remove build-up residue.
Removing Residue
There are two natural methods you can choose from to clarifying your hair and scalp weekly during this initial phase of transition. Many opt to continue this routine even after the transition, as a way of conditioning the hair. One method is using ordinary baking soda, and the other method is using apple cider vinegar.
Baking Soda Rinse: 1 tbsp baking soda combined with 1-2 cups warm water
OR
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse: 1/2 - 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar (less for dry hair, more for oily hair) combined with 8 oz water
Before shampooing, wet hair and rinse with baking soda or ACV rinse
Rinse well and shampoo hair with shampoo bar
Rinse completely
Shampooing
Short Hair: Wet hair and shampoo bar. Rub bar directly on hair or work a lather with your hands/loofah. Be sure to rinse well.
Long or Thin Hair: Do not rub the bar directly on your hair or your will have tangles and frizz. Use the lather from the bar the same way you would liquid product from a bottle, working into scalp and hair., starting from the top Rinse well. If desired, rinse with the ACV rinse above as a conditioner. Rinse a second time. Comb out hair starting from the bottom and work your way to the top.
*It is worth noting that hard water might make rinsing the soap out take longer.
Need help choosing a bar that is right for your hair type? Please see the following link for helpful information: https://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com/blog/posts/tips-adjusting-to-shampoo-bars/
Comments