What To Expect With Natural Hair Care

If you've been a loyal user of your current hair care products, switching up your routine can be daunting - don't worry, we get it! We went through the same thing! But, as our last couple of blogs explained in detail, making the change might be the best decision of your life. I know, that sounds like an exaggeration but, follow through and you'll realise it's not!

In saying that, it is time that we lay all our cards on the table. While some people reap the rewards of our Natural Shampoo Bars straightaway others experience what is known as a transition period. In reality, switching from a chemical-rich to -free shampoo may be a shock to the system. 

Why? Standard hair care products are rife with chemicals. These strip your scalp and hair of their natural oils, and over time this reduction leads to side effects such as split-ends or a flaky, itchy scalp. More often than not, mass produced products often worsen these symptoms, irrespective of the fact they're marketed to alleviate them. With continued application, your hair and scalp become tolerant to these chemicals. As such, when you remove them, a transition period occurs while your scalp attempts to regulate itself, which may leave your hair with an oily or waxy texture. 

I know - it sounds scary! But, I promise that there is a light at the end fo the tunnel. Push through and you will have the locks that dreams are made of. And to help you out, here are. few insights and tips to help you make it through. 

Where's The Lather?

If you've been using a chemical-rich shampoo for a while now, you probably associate a foamy lather with clean hair. When you switch to natural products, you'll find that these bubbles are no where near as prevalent. I know- shower time will be less fun! But, you'll soon realise that you don't miss them!

The lather than chemical-rich shampoos form is a byproduct o harmful foaming agents and emulsifiers, namely Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate. These are often the culprit of that dry scalp and mane that we're trying to avoid. In other words, foaming in washing isn't the ideal routine! High quality, natural hair products should never include these ingredients and therefore, should never be super foamy. 

Instead, our shampoo bars create a lather reminiscent of hand soap. The lack of foam doesn't at all mean that it's not cleaning you're - so don't worry! To really spread those beneficial ingredients throughout your hair, simply add a little water after you've applied the product. This will help create a slight lather that will treat everything, from your roots to your tips!

Good Things Take Time!

As we mentioned before, if you've been using standard hair products for a number of years, your scalp will likely experience a transition period. When beginning your natural journey, you may notice that your hair is both heavier and oilier than usual - it might even feel like you're in hair care reverse. 

But, don't be discouraged. After a few uses, your scalp will adapt and improve. There's a light at the end of the tunnel! Many people further along in their journeys note that now, their roots are well-hydrated, their scalps less oil and their hair more voluminous. It's well worth the wait!

But, In the meantime?

We get it - the dreaded transition period is daunting. Braver people than us have given up halfway through and reverted to chemical-rich products. But, lucky for you, we have a few tricks up our sleeves that will help make the change more comfortable - you can thank us later!

Baking Soda Wash

Sodium bicarbonate (aka. baking soda) lifts grease and eliminates any product residue. This helps mitigate any greasy by-products when starting out with natural shampoos. It also clarifies your pores from any residual synthetic product build-ups. This helps you scalp release it's natural sebum, protecting and moisturising your scalp. In other words, a baking soda wash can really speed up the transition process. 

Simply take 1 Tsb of baking soda and add it to 2 cups of water. Mix this into a bottle and apply it to wet or damp hair. Leave for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. 

Take the Staggered Approach

Do not - we repeat - do not rip the band aid! To prevent really shocking your scalp, it's best to gradually phase our any chemical-rich shampoos. We recommend starting out by reducing the frequency at which you wash your hair. Skipping just a couple of washes will kickstart a detox process, reducing your scalp's reliance on harsh cleansing agents. After a couple of weeks of reduced hair washing, you can add in your natural shampoo bar. Then sit back, relax and watch the hair gods work their magic!

So, there you have it. What to expect when changing your hair from harsh and chemical-rich, to gentle, natural and nourishing products. It's definitely a journey, but once you start, you won't look back! Treat your locks and check out our shampoo bars today!