Natural DIY Hair Reset

When it comes to your personal calling card, your face, hair, and fashion are front and center. Maintaining these aesthetic features could be difficult at times, particularly when it comes to your hair. Although there are many products on the market that promise clean, strong, luxurious hair, the long list of toxic ingredients tells another story. 

From shampoos to hair dyes, over time, the amount of chemical toxins found in many conventional hair products have been linked to endocrine disruption, headaches, fertility compromise, brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities to name a few. 

This natural do-it-yourself (DIY) hair reset offers simple ways to improve your hair and enhance your appearance without the toxic side effects.

Strip Down

The first step is to strip your hair of toxic residue. Daily use of chemically laden shampoos, conditioners, gels, etc. build up on your hair follicles and your scalp. Over time you essentially block the natural oil and sloughing production that keeps your mane healthy. There are several ways to ‘reset’ your hair back to a stripped clean start, however these two are the most effective natural choices:

Baking soda – In the shower use a handful of baking soda made into a paste to massage into your hair and scalp. Let it sit for a few minutes and rinse. Avoid getting in eyes. The compounds in the baking soda will strip your hair and exfoliate your scalp. Run your hand through it when done, it should squeak. 

Vinegar – Some use vinegar to strip out product as well, however by combining baking soda and vinegar, the vinegar could restore the natural hair/scalp PH balance the baking soda can remove built up residue. Any type of vinegar works but apple cider vinegar (ACV) with ‘mother’ is the best choice. Avoid eyes and rinse thoroughly. 

Coconut Oil Pre-Condition

Raw, unprocessed coconut oil is best for making your hair smooth, soft, shiny and strong. Massage a small amount (about the size of your palm) into your hair an hour or so before washing your hair. You can also sleep with it in your hair for optimal effect but be sure and cover your head to protect your pillow case. Shampoo out in the morning (using a natural shampoo recipe below) and feel the difference. Some like to use a small amount of coconut oil as a hair gel but be careful as too much can make your hair greasy. 

In an archived study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science it was concluded that, 

“This study has firmly established the superiority of the protective effect of coconut oil on hair damage in grooming processes when it is used as a pre-wash conditioner…The ability of coconut oil to penetrate into hair cuticle and cortex seems to be responsible for this effect. Coated on the fiber surface, it can prevent or reduce the amount of water penetrating into the fiber and reduce the swelling.This, in turn, reduces the lifting of the surface cuticle and prevents  it from being chipped away during wet combing. A reduction in the WRI is  additional evidence of its efficacy in decreasing water absorption.The data presented in this work clearly show the superiority of coconut oil as a hair damage protectant in the grooming of untreated or damaged hair.”

Specific DIY Shampoos

Depending on your hair you can follow specific recipes that may apply. These are a few (from Instructables) which all contain Castille Soap (Dr. Bronners is a popular brand). This is a safe, easily rinsed, vegetable base soap that is perfect for DIY shampoo formulas. Mix all ingredients, then store in a bottle. Use as you would any shampoo, rinse well.

Basic

1/4 cup distilled water

1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap (unscented or scented)

1/2 teaspoon jojoba, grapeseed, or other light vegetable oil

Stimulating

1/4 cup distilled water

1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap

1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil

1/8 tsp peppermint essential oil

1/8 tsp tea tree essential oil

Moisturizing

1/4 cup distilled water

1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap

1/4 cup aloe vera gel

1 teaspoon glycerin

1/4 teaspoon avocado oil or jojoba oil

Dandruff

1/4 cup distilled water

1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap

1/2 teaspoon jojoba, grapeseed, or other light vegetable oil

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

3 tablespoons apple juice

6 finely ground cloves

In a small grinder or blender, mix all ingredients on low for 30 seconds. Wet the hair with warm water and shampoo the mixture into the hair well. Let sit. Rinse with warm water.

The Final Fix

A leave-in conditioner connects the entire process of your natural DIY hair reset. This Ylang-Ylang Anti-Breakage Formula is one of many leave-in conditioners recommended by the natural hair health group Kinky Curly Yaki. 

Ylang-Ylang Anti-Breakage Leave-In Formula

4 oz. water

6 drops essential oil of your choice (consider rosemary, thyme, or tea tree oil)

2 tsp. aloe vera juice

2 tsp. coconut oil

2 tsp. ylang-ylang oil

2 tsp. coconut water

2 tsp. honey

Combine aloe vera juice and coconut water in a small cup. Add water and honey. Mix well. Combine oils and mix. Add oils to the water solution. Shake well prior to each application and apply liberally. Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, warm it to create your recipe.

Give your hair a natural DIY reset and going forward, keep it out of harm’s way by choosing healthy hair care ingredients.