Category: Home remedies

Home-made shampoo update

I raised a rather sensitive, itchy scalp topic here about  2 weeks ago. I promised to drop off an update about how things were working out, so here it comes.

 

Background info:

I have suffered from dandruff-like flakes for over a year now, I have tried almost all anti-dandruff shampoo brands in normal stores or drug stores, but it looked like my condition is only getting worse. Until I had found something on the incomprehensible Internet. :)

It was about making your own home-made shampoos and conditioner. - It was hard to believe that it actually would work, but I thought I was worth a try before I rush to my dermatologist and buy medicine for a lot of money.

Well, folks, I have actually tried both the shampoo and the balsam/conditioner.

As a matter of fact, I haven’t washed my hair with anything else, but this for 2 weeks. I wanted to be totally sure to have done this experiment long enough to be able to update you with both believable and reliable facts.

 I really thought that I was going to have disgusting greasy hair.

 

My experiences:

I was a bit scared excited when I marched into my shower for the first time. I had no idea what to expect. Would the mixture explode on my head? I was also afraid of my highlights to fade or turn into green color(?)…

So I started with the “shampoo”, I poured it over my hair slowly and carefully and started to rub it into my scalp and hair. First it felt like I was rubbing plain water (with no effect whatsoever), and a slight skepticism started to surge through me until I started to experience some kind of slight soapy and rubbing effect. I rubbed for a couple of minutes and my scalp felt totally clean when I rinsed it off. – Wow!

I lifted the bottle containing my home made balsam with a bit more bravery, applied it to my wet hair, and rubbed it in carefully, then I let it soak in for some minutes. Note, that I was still very afraid of my hair turning into green! :)

Since I have had scars on my scalp, and my shoulders were slightly sunburned, both my scalp and shoulders started to sting because of the vinegar I guess, but it stopped after I rinsed it off.

When I dried my hair with a towel and was going to brush it before blow-drying, I was surprised to discover that I did not need any anti-tangle product to put in my hair to be able to comb it (note that I was going to avoid it totally). My wet hair felt smooth and soft directly.

The hair was much easier to style, and the result was a softer dry hair. As a plus, the itch did not come right after I washed it, as a matter of fact, it only came on the 3rd day (I usually wash my hair every third day).

I have been doing this for 2 weeks now, and I am quite satisfied. Besides the costs were very little.

 

Good to remember when you are washing your hair with home made shampoo and balsam/conditioner:

  • Do not wet your hair before pouring your “shampoo” on it.
  • Do not expect the shampoo to foam (although it has very good cleaning effect).
  • ALWAYS rinse the shampoo before applying the balsam/conditioner (baking soda and vinegar is NOT a good combination)
  • Try not to use any hair styling product afterwards, your hair should be easy to deal with, less tangles, more shine thanks to the apple cider vinegar rinse.

 

Please tell me if you would try this or not. What are your experiences in case you have tried it? Please share below!

When it is not what it looks like – Dandruff

I have had dandruff-like flakes for over a year now, I have tried various anti-dandruff shampoos from every single brand that was available in normal stores or drug stores, but it looks like my condition is only getting worse.

 

Not only that those white flakes are still there, they are getting bigger (looks like dry skin) and my scalp has started to itch very much. In fact the itch is becoming unbearable, causing bad day mood…

 

 

The itch usually comes right after I wash and blow-dry my hair, but gets better after a day or so. This is why I started to suspect dryness as the cause of the itch, and started some research in the Internet about this. My discovery was surprising.

I might not have dandruff, rather some kind of scalp problems which could be a result of some improper use of products that contain harmful ingredients. It could be eczema or something more serious, like psoriasis! I should really go and get a diagnosis at a dermatologist.  This freaks me out big time.

I hate doctors, so I decided to try some home remedies first, before I run to the doctor.

There are some simple rules I shall follow from now on:

  • Skip using my anti-dandruff shampoos and conditioners, because they dehydrate the scalp, making my condition and the itch even worse.
  • I should throw away my ordinary shampoos and conditioners, as they can (and in most cases do) contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which is a chemical, causing itch, and even cancer, I learned.
  • I should stop using styling products, as they contain chemicals, causing wax build-up.

These are all poisons!

We are being poisoned by The Cosmetic Industry!

 

I stumbled upon a video today (which inspired this post), about making your own shampoo and conditioner, and since it seems very simple, I decided to give it a try.

This is what I am going to need to wash my hair:

  • 2 empty bottles (any kind, but at least 1 liter each)
  • 1 tablespoon of baking soda (if you have long hair, take 2 tablespoons)

  • 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (if you have long hair, take 2 tablespoons)

  • 1 liter of warm water (if you have long hair, take 2 liters)

 

 

This is how to make your shampoo (double for long hair):

  • put 1 tablespoon of baking soda into one of the empty bottles
  • pour half a liter of warm water over it
  • close cork and shake well

 

This is how to make your conditioner (double for long hair):

  • pour 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into the other empty bottle
  • pour half a liter of warm water over it
  • close cork and shake well

 

This is how to wash your hair:

Apply your ready made shampoo on dry hair, rub it into your scalp and wet your hair thoroughly. Be prepared that it’s not going to foam at all, but it should have a good cleaning effect.  Rinse well.

 

This is how to apply conditioner in your hair:

Apply your ready made conditioner on your hair that you RINSED with water before, rub it into your scalp and hair thoroughly. Leave it in for a couple of minutes.  Rinse well.

 

I am giving this a try today, and I’ll let you know how it went soon. Stay tuned!

 

Do you have some advices against dandruff or itchy scalp? Please share below!