Is it time you detoxed your hair regimen?

It’s January so everyone is talking about detoxing our bodies, but could your hair be in need of a detox? Key signs that your hair could need a detox include - dullness or lack of shine, difficult to manage, lots of build up at roots and top of hair, and dryness. Causes can be from a number of external factors including: pollution, which damages our hair just the same as it does our skin; over-use of products, which over time can build up causing dullness and adding dead-weight to hair; and over-styling which can cause dryness and frizz.

Hair can also be affected by the winter weather, the low humidity can also dry our hair out. Our diet may not always be as complete and balanced in the winter months, and this can also leave our hair a little lacklustre. Coming in from the cold and into overly warm centrally heated offices can also contribute to the dreaded frizz.

To kick-start your hair detox, we recommend a homemade hair mask created by mixing JASON aloe vera gel, bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar in proportions 2:2:1. Apply to scalp and full lengths of hair, put a shower cap on and sit back for 20-30 minutes. Whatever you do, don't leave the mixture on for too long, as if the clay dries it will be very difficult to remove! Next, take a cupful of apple cider vinegar and rinse hair with it, then follow up with a clarifying organic shampoo. Be sure to also use a natural or organic conditioner, and a leave-in conditioner, such as Giovanni 2Chic Ultra Moist Leave-In Conditioner & Styling Elixir if your hair is super dry.

During your hair detox, try to get into the habit of washing your hair less; every 2-3 days at most, and less if you possibly can. Try to also avoid chemical-laden products and particular look for products that don't contain: Sodium Lauryl and Laureth Sulfates (SLS/SLES) - lathering agents which may cause irritation and may upset your scalp’s natural production of oils; Isopropyl Alcohol - derived from petrochemicals, this is a solvent that cleans and dissolves oils and may upset your scalp’s natural production of oils; Formaldehyde - a chemical preservative and a known carcinogen; Propylene Glycol; a small alcohol compound associated with skin irritation, contact dermatitis and urticaria.