Give Yourself a Hair Detox
Photo: Alexander Straulino/Trunk Archive
When your body needs a break, you might think about doing a detox. But did you ever stop to think about what you’ve done to your hair? Perhaps a hair detox is in order.
“It’s a perfect thing to do in January to recover from the holiday party circuit,” explains Philip B., a beauty-industry scalp authority. “Styling products build up, and anything sticky like hairsprays attracts dust like dirt on window glass, making hair look dull and feel dirty. Add a chemical beating (bleach, relaxers or keratin straighteners) or backcombing, and you need serious deep conditioning.”
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“Harsh chemicals in styling products can really damage hair,” says Chaz Dean, celebrity hairstylist and creator of WEN hair care. “A good test is to apply your hairstyling products to your hands and just wait. If they dry your hands and/or cause stickiness, you know what’s happening to your hair.”
Both hair experts recommend the best way to start a hair detox is to replenish your hair “Always start with a botanical oil treatment — it’s one of the most transformative things on the planet,” says Philip B., He suggests running a generous dollop of a healthy hair oil like his Rejuvenating Oil ($30) through dry hair. “You need the right type of oil for the detox to work, and botanical oils are light enough to slip under the cuticle and plump the strands from the inside out. They work on all hair types.” Apply blow dryer heat for a few minutes so it dissolves the styling product residue, then leave it on for at least 20 minutes. Work a clarifying shampoo through your hair adding small amounts of water to lift away any residual oil, and finish with an amino-acid rich conditioner to strengthen your hair and restore its natural luster.
Now that your hair has been detoxed, how to you maintain the results?
Know your products. “No more harsh chemicals, no more surfactants,” says Dean, whose Cleansing Conditioner ($32) has kept his salon sulfate-free for decades. “Opt for products that utilize essential oils and botanical extracts. You need some preservatives to make sure the products don’t decay, but generally you should recognize the majority of ingredients (at least two thirds) you’re using on your hair.”
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Use protection when heat styling. Philip says to make this your New Year’s resolution, if possible. “Aggressive styling and repeated heat exposure wreaks havoc like nothing else, especially if your hair’s chemically treated. A thermal protection spray will go a long way toward preserving shine and bounce for maximum youthfulness.”
Try nightly treatment oils. “Since your body works to renew itself at night, it’s the perfect time to refresh and repair the scalp and hair,” explains Dean, who suggests looking for essential oil blends like his Tea Tree Eucalyptus Oil that contains stimulating oils including rosemary.
Lay off the bleach and chemical processing. All that blonde ambition is wrecking your hair. “Get off the bleach,” Dean cautions. “Going super blonde causes so much damage and breakage. Go lighter gradually and ask your stylist to use lower-strength formulas.”
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Despite what you’ve done to your hair, there’s always a chance to hit the “reset” button and start all over again. It might take a little longer to undo the damage, but starting the year with healthier, stronger hair might give you just the added boost of confidence you need to tackle those other resolutions.
