Phases of Weaning off Unhealthy Hair Products

Phases of Weaning off Unhealthy Hair Products

Hair is made up of proteins (keratin), lipids, and water. Hair damage is the result of compromising the structural integrity of these components. When we focus on nurturing hair from the inside out, not only can we repair existing damage, but we can also encourage new, stronger hair growth.

If you are using hair products or styling agents that contain parabens, sulfates or silicones, cease and desist (see previous blog post for a breakdown of Ingredients Commonly Found in Other Hair “Care” Products). The first phase of weaning off unhealthy hair products is to replace them with clean products. The simplest way to narrow down your clean product options is to focus on Leaping Bunny Certified products. The Leaping Bunny Certification requires all raw ingredients, fragrance components and manufacturers of a product to be 100% cruelty free (we will expand on this topic in a future blog post). Focus on one product at a time--find a clean shampoo and conditioner, then look at your styling agents, then take steps to avoid heat damage--integrate clean beauty into your lifestyle. Remember, anything that is put on the skin or scalp is absorbed into the bloodstream; the food and products we consume code our DNA and fuel cell growth. You truly are what you consume. 

Let the healing process begin! The second phase of weaning off unhealthy hair products is to encourage the hair and scalp’s natural healing process. Your hair has been through weeks, months or years of routine damage--understanding that damage can help us heal faster:

• Parabens are carcinogens, which are linked to causing cancer. Help your hair rid itself of this waxy preservative by using a shampoo with Aloe Vera as a main ingredient. Aloe Vera is a natural cleanser, containing thousands of antioxidants that help inhibit the growth of bacteria. The restorative properties of Aloe Vera make this the perfect natural hair healing ingredient.
• Harsh detergent sulfates strip hair of natural oil and proteins, leaving hair malnourished. Encourage natural oil production by calming scalp irritation with a conditioner that contains Sunflower Seed Oil. The high levels of Vitamin A found in Sunflower Seed Oil help the glands on the skin produce sebum, an oily substance that naturally moisturizes the scalp. This miracle oil is also a natural UV protectant, shielding hair from sun damage.
• Silicones give the illusion of soft shiny hair. When you use products that contain silicones, plastic barriers form around the hair strands, from the roots to the ends. This barrier prevents the follicle from breathing and absorbing nutrients. When the hair follicle cannot breathe or absorb nutrients, it dies. The best way to aid hair in healing from silicone damage is to regularly use wet and dry hair products that contain Rose of Jericho, also known as The Resurrecting Plant. The importance of applying products to hair when it’s wet is because your cuticles open when it’s wet, so the product goes in and fills the cuticle, locking it into hair as it dries. The importance of applying products to dry hair, like a balm or salve, is to maintain hydration and provide hair with the nutrients it needs during the healing process.

Finally, the third phase of weaning off unhealthy hair products is to maintain a clean hair care lifestyle and be aware of “necessary damage”. As long as we are washing and styling, we will continue to inflict damage upon our locks--even the humidity from a shower is actually causing damage to the hair, so awareness is key. If we know what we are depriving our hair of, we can make up for it with self-care. Regularly using hair care products that support the nutritional needs of hair and maintaining a healthy diet will provide hair with the necessary fuel to thrive.