Sis, It's Time for a Detox: 4 Steps to Stimulate Hair Growth

How do you clean your hair and scalp after years of treatments, relaxers, or chemicals?

Many women detox their hair because they’ve been using conventional hair care products made with chemical toxins or low-quality ingredients. A recent study states that up to than 90% of black hair products contain toxins!

A detox can help rebalance your scalp. It rids your hair of smothering buildup while nourishing the scalp. It helps stimulate hair follicles, encourages hair growth, and clears the scalp of dandruff and scabbing. The bottom line, when your scalp and hair follicles are flushed, your hair can flourish.

1. Apply detox hair mask

Look for ingredients like bentonite clay powder. It also absorbs and purges clogged pores, including heavy metals, impurities, and chemicals. Apple cider vinegar is an anti-inflammatory that reduces dandruff. Consider aloe vera gel; it’s a great conditioner, and it helps prevents itching.

2. Massage scalp with the correct oil

For more sensitive scalps, especially people who have had their hair relaxed or treated, an oil-based scalp massage may help.

Choose the oils based on your hair needs. Consider plant-based oils like argan, avocado, jojoba, or olive oil. Massage daily into your scalp for 30-60 seconds. Once a week,  wrap your hair in a shower cap to let it soak while sitting in the sun to let heat open up your hair’s pores. Afterward, use your fingers to distribute oils through the length of the hair shaft. Doing this will help prevent hair damage, enhance shine, and reduce friction

3. Choose the right shampoo for your hair type

Avoid Ingredients that end with sulfate or sulfonate are generally deep cleansing products, which can be harsh for damaged or delicate hair.

When it comes to shampoos, you want to use a cleansing shampoo for your hair type. Ingredients that end with chloride or ions work for softening the hair and supporting your hair and act as a mild cleanser.

Also, ingredients that end with alcohol are mild cleansers and often in conditioners to help enhance damaged hair. You may want to invest in sulfate-free or castile soap-based cleansers.

4. Use hair butters to add moisture to natural hair

There are numerous brands to choose from, and they all come in an array of scents. If you’ve never used hair butter or don’t know what they are, they’re a mixture of oils and butter. Consider mango, avocado, or cupuacu butters. They moisturize and act as a protectant to ensure that your hair doesn’t get dry, brittle, or inevitably damaged.

I think that highlighting these brands can continue the conversation about the health of African Americans and products that promote healthy lifestyles.