Your hair needs a detox too! Here are 6 expert-backed home remedies to detoxify your scalp & mane

After a night of boozing or a day of junk eating, the first thing most of us do is go in for a detox. We understand that it is important to give your body a break and allow it to get rid of harmful toxins.

But have you ever considered that your hair is just as much a part of your body as your digestive system, and might need a detox as well? Yes, you read that right, peeps. 

“Your hair and scalp are coated with dirt and grime, and become oily on a daily basis. Additionally, the various hair products that you use on your hair are full of chemicals that are toxic,” points out Dr Apoorva Shah, founder of RichFeel trichology centre, Mumbai.

This is exactly why your hair needs a clean-up 

According to Dr Shah, a hair detox can clean the hair from root to tip, cleanse the scalp of irritants, and give your hair some much-needed rejuvenation. In fact the resulting clean scalp can pave the way for better absorption of those hair oils and packs that you apply for better hair growth. 

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“It can also help control hair fall by increasing oxygen supply to the hair follicles which strengthens them further,” she adds. Moreover, it ensures a hygienic scalp, keeps the oiliness in check, and helps with dryness and brittle hair as well.

How can you detox your hair at home? 

Now that you realise the importance of a hair detox, go ahead and try these home remedies suggested by Dr Shah:

1. Apply aloe vera gel on your scalp

Aloe vera gel is rich in vitamins A, C, and E–all of which improve cell turnover, i.e. promote a healthy scalp. Moreover, it helps fight flakiness and dandruff and increases blood circulation. Here’s how you can use it: rub an aloe vera leaf on your scalp gently, and let the resultant gel sit for about an hour before washing it off with a mild shampoo.

2. Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar

Rinsing your hair with diluted apple cider vinegar after your normal shampoo routine can unclog your scalp and prevent dandruff without stripping your hair of its natural oils.

3. Cleanse with a baking soda solution

Mix baking soda with water and massage the solution on your scalp for a couple of minutes to remove excess oil and dirt. Shampoo with a mild product.

4. Nourish your scalp with honey

Mixing honey with some water and apply this mixture on your scalp and the length of your hair to detox. Let the masque sit for a couple of hours, before washing it off with a mild shampoo.

5. Treat your scalp with lemon and cucumber

Applying a mixture of lemon juice and cucumber juice on your scalp can keep dandruff at bay and cleanse it at the same time.

6. Eat a proper diet for the best results 

Having a balanced diet can give your hair the right nutrition and detox your scalp from within. Eating foods that are rich in vitamin C like citrus fruits, salads, baked potatoes, oranges, gooseberries, green leafy vegetables, and tomatoes etc. can help increase the absorption of iron in your body, which can further make your hair healthy.

Additionally, zinc–which is found in peanut butter and pumpkin seeds, amongst other things, can strengthen your hair from within. Omega-3 fatty acids present in walnuts and flax seeds can also make your hair healthy. Also, drinking three to four litres of water daily helps in detoxification of the body and provides the trace elements your hair needs.