Do I have build up?
Hair build up can leave our hair and scalp feeling dry, oily, brittle, and drab.
Some factors that can be a result of build up are:
Itchy Scalp
Greasy Hair
Flakes
Brittle hair that seems to clamp easy
Difficulty styling/holding style
What are our everyday culprits?
Hard Water
Hard water has a heavy mineral count which can attach to the hair shaft. These minerals can alter the color and cause dryness.
Excess Product
Most non professional home care products contain chemicals like resins, plastics, waxes and silicones that are derived from petroleum by-products that are formulated to cosmetically coat your hair shaft. What this does is lay on the surface to create the illusion of hydrated beautiful hair. Repetitive use can cause coats and coats to pile up on the shaft.
Skin Cells
We shed! It’s natural! When our balance of oil and water is off then we can see dry scalp. Oh boy have I had my share of dry scalp.
Sweat
In our hair follicle we find the Sebaceous Gland this is where we excrete an oil called sebum from. Sebum is a natural lubricant and protects the skin and hair from water. The Sebaceous gland works with sweat to help regulate body temperature. In addition sebum contains squalene and other substances that prevent bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms from causing infection.
We are natural eliminating sebum daily. If we are taking a hot yoga class and we don’t have time to take a shower before picking up the kids from school the sebum that was naturally released plus the sweat that was introduced to regulate your temperature can sit in the follicle or on the scalp. This can later cause itchiness, excess oil, and a possible infection. Also, hardened sebum and clogged hair follicles can be a reason for stunted hair growth and loss. These are extremes but something to factor in!
Oils (beware of Coconut Oil)
Most natural oils just coat the hair without penetrating the hair shaft. (I am sorry to all my clients who I recommended this too years ago who wanted an at home treatment!) Thank goodness we have many options and products that have the ability to bring real moisture into the hair. See my recommendations in my next blog post.
Natural Solutions
Good news! Their are natural ways to remove these factors so that we can keep our hair and scalp feeling moisturized and shiny.
The biggest factors that helped to regain my balance was
1. Finding the right shampoo and conditioner
2. Meeting with a Physician to figure out why my body metabolically couldn’t hold on to it’s natural oils.
3. Massaging your natural oils throughout the hair before the shower.
4. Apple Cinder Vinegar rinses! These kills bacteria and balances pH.
I use 1/2 a cup of ACV and 1/2 a cup of water. I will sometimes add my favorite essential oil. You won’t smell like ACV even if you convince yourself you do. I learned this from personal experience LOL.
5. Regular hair brushing to distribute natural oils.
6. Using specific salon grade clarifying products. Please consult with your stylists before using these! They can affect your hair color. Most stylists have these on hand as well. Consult with your stylist and they can give you a professional opinion on what to use in or out of the salon.
One person might not need all these steps, but these are ones that helped me significantly!
DISCLAIMER:
If you are experiencing pain, bleeding, abscesses, psoriasis, and other conditions. This recommendations may not be right for you. Please consult with your Physician on what will work best for you!
