How to Detox Your Hair, Get Rid of Chemicals and Boost Your Health!

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Detox. Even the word doesn’t sound fun. I think it’s the presence of the letter x. X, tox, toxic. I understand the etymology but it sounds like it’s going to hurt. But what about a HAIR detox? Now that’s something I could get behind…that sounds painless? I was interested so decided to get some more info from The Purist Company’s in-house Botanical Chemist Annabelle Personeni.

Her four simple suggestions will detox the hell out of your hair and it wont hurt you (or the planet) one little bit!

While silicones might give you hair like this in the short term, in the long run your hair will suffer.

♥ Cut out the silicones

Silicones are like fast food to the hair, a quick fix with immediate results. Often found in hair styling serums, silicone based products don’t actually treat or nourish the hair. Used long term, product can build up, weighing hair down.

BEWARE! Silicones can be found in most “nourishing” shampoos, in almost every conditioner and serum. Products containing silicone may also be listed under its synonyms (i.e. Dimethicone and Cyclopentasiloxane). If there is a cone or silane at the end of an ingredient, it is likely to contain silicones.

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♥ Invest in a quality shampoo and conditioner

To nourish the hair and scalp, switch your silicone based conditioner to a natural conditioner. Using a natural conditioner will “re-boost” your hair with the nutrients and proteins it needs to look shiny and healthy. A deep cleansing shampoo will aid in removing product build up.

Try: Al’chemy Lemongrass Shampoo, Vanessa Megan Tangerine & Geranium Shampoo or (for fine haired ladies) Weleda Calendula Baby Shampoo & Body Wash.

If it is too difficult to part with your current styling regime, try reducing the use of silicones by choosing a natural based shampoo and conditioner but keep your silicone-based serum for a while. Then, slowly reduce the use of the serum and switch to a leave on natural hair conditioner.

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Try: Al’chemy Leave in conditioner

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♥ Make good use of the basics

Break the habit of over washing: Wash hair with a gentle shampoo once every few days as using shampoo daily can strip hair of its natural oils while over stimulating the production of sebum. Those who perspire a lot from physical activity or weather may still rinse hair daily if necessary as perspiration is freely washed off with pure water.
To get the most out of your conditioner, rinse it out in two steps as it enhances the deposition of natural conditioning ingredients. Apply conditioner as usual and but rinse with only ½ cup of water first, followed by a full rinse. Doing so will break down the emulsions, releasing more nutrients to the hair.

Try: Al’chemy Jojoba Light Conditioner, Vanessa Megan Ylang & Lemon Myrtle Conditioner or Dr Hauschka Neem Hair Lotion.

♥ Read your labels

Healthy hair will benefit from products that are free from harsh chemicals like parabens, sulphates, ethoxylated and petrochemical cleansers, silicones, phthalates, mineral oils, DEA and artificial colours. If you come across an unfamiliar ingredient, sites like www.skindeep.org are a great resource for ingredient profiles and its safety ratings.

♥ Just at first!

Thanks Annabelle! And, let me finish off by saying don’t be scared about switching to organic hair care brands! It won’t fall out! It might feel a little straw like for the first few washes but that’s just your hair adjusting back to its NATURAL state and (guess what) DETOX-ing all that silicone out of your hair and out of your life.

Then your hair will return to the lustrous bouncy state of a young maiden who cares for goats and lives in the mountains. Yodel! Stick with it beauties…

More information about Al’chemy products available at www.purist.com

More information about all other products listed, available at Peachy Clean.

Be well,

Adriane

xoxo