Today, more and more people are dealing with scalp tenderness but what does a sensitive scalp mean? It is an issue linked with several medical conditions like sunburns, rashes, head lice, insect bites, psoriasis, dandruff and more. Tenderness is typically defined as inflammation, pain, numbness, tingling, itching, irritation, or throbbing. In order to deal with the sensitivity of their scalp, people are usually advised to use natural hair products as they contain no harmful chemicals. Synthetically made shampoos and conditioners include a range of harmful chemicals in their composition, which can only make your condition worse. On the other hand, using shampoo and hair conditioner with naturally derived ingredients will clean your scalp without stripping it of its natural oils. This is extremely important for maintaining a healthy scalp and hair.
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Are organic hair products sulfate free?
Yes, they are free from sulfates and many other harmful ingredients such as parabens, silicones, artificial colours and fragrances. Instead, they contain shea butter which acts as a shield against damage and dryness and aloe vera which promotes the growth of thair stimulating hair follicles. Honey is another ingredient commonly found in these products as it serves as a strong antibacterial ingredient promoting healthy and long-lasting shine. Most natural hair conditioners and shampoos also contain coconut oil, which is known for its great hair strengthening abilities. It also prevents the raising of the cuticles, keeping your hair lively. Another common ingredient is tea tree oil which soothes the scalp, removes dead cells, unfetters hair follicles and prevents dandruff and lice.
What does conditioner do for the hair?
One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to adding a conditioner to their daily routine is not understanding what the product does for their hair. The purpose of sulfate free hair conditioners is to restore hydration to the strands, specifically to the ends which are generally the driest part of the hair. No matter whether you have frizzy, colour-treated hair or whether you are heat styling it often, using a conditioner is a must. As a rule of thumb, you should choose your shampoo according to your scalp’s condition and your conditioner based on your hair condition. For example, if you have an oily scalp but dry ends, choose a shampoo that is made for oily scalp and conditioner that will hydrate your dry ends.
- Oily, limp hair – If you are dealing with greasy or oily hair, you may skip the part where you’re using a conditioner, but it’s good to know that there are some products that can help you deal with oily hair. Avoid conditioners labelled “moisturizing”, “hydrating” or “smoothing” as they usually contain too much moisture which will make your hair limp. Instead, look for labels like “light”, “balancing”, “strengthening” or “volumizing” as they are less moisturizing and thus more effective in removing the excess oil from your hair. You should use a small amount of conditioner and rinse it properly.
- Damaged, dry, dull or brittle hair – In this case, choosing the right silicone free hair conditioner can make or break your good hair day. The product should help you prevent further damage, so avoid ones that are labelled “volumizing”, “fortifying” and “strengthening”. If your hair is just a little dry, you need nothing more than a shampoo that hydrates it. They are great for maintaining balance as they don’t contain too many ingredients that weigh your hair down. On the other hand, if you have pretty damaged hair, a conditioner that promotes frizz control and repair is a perfect choice. Deep conditioners are a great option for damaged and dry hair.
- For intense damaged hair repair, you can try some coconut oil treatment. You might have been wondering is coconut oil good for hair, and the answer is an absolute yes. Coconut oil is a very popular way to condition your hair. It is perfectly safe to use and worthy if you want to try something natural. By using it, you won’t expose your hair to additives like fragrance and dyes as much, however, it may feel a little bit heavier. This is one of the reasons why oils are usually recommended to be used as a deep conditioner. Try to use coconut oil for a week or so just to see how your hair will react.
Do you leave conditioner in your hair?
Well, it all depends on the type of conditioner you use. You may be using a synthetic or a natural one, or a rinse-out or leave-in. So what’s the difference and what are the pros and cons of both?
- Rinse-out conditioners – Most shampoos include a rinse-out container in their content. They are the most commonly used type and work pretty well. They make the hair easier to comb, smoother, shinier and more manageable. They are a good choice for women with normal to thick hair, but if you have fine hair make sure you use a natural conditioner as your hair doesn’t really need the silicone present in synthetic products.
- Leave-in conditioners – While some people think that these products are heavy and will weigh down their hair, they are actually light. These conditioners are designed to be effective without overwhelming your hair. They also may be too light for women with frizzy or thick hair. Leave-in conditioners are also good for protecting your strands against heat damage.
What happens if you only wash your hair with conditioner?
People who have extremely dry hair may prefer not using shampoo at all. This is a very normal method which is known as co-washing. For some people, this is the best method for keeping their hair healthy as washing it only with conditioner is gentler. However, co-washing will leave a lot of the product on the hair so you need to use shampoo every two weeks to clean the buildup. It is a low-risk method that is worth trying, especially if you have hair that is already prone to breakage.