Clay Treatments and Natural Hair
Clay Treatments and Natural Hair go together like love and joy! And so for any newbie natural or old hand trying to get an extra edge in their hair health, this technique is a real game-changer.
We unpack all things natural hair and clay treatments by discussing:-
*Read for more insights on this muddy issue.
1. What is Bentonite Clay Treatment?
Bentonite Clay is a fine natural clay that is made from aging volcanic ash and is mostly used in beauty treatments, amongst other purposes.
Bentonite contains natural elements such as aluminum and silica. It is negatively charged, allowing it to attract positively charged ions, like dirt particles, to it. Bentonite Clay also has trace minerals like calcium, zinc, iron, and copper.
What Bentonite Clay does is that it absorbs the impurities that are in your hair, as well as absorbs water. In this way, bentonite clay treatment has a detoxifying, cleansing effect on natural hair.
A Bentonite Clay treatment can be used as a stand-alone treatment or when trying the Maximum Hydration Method.
2. How do Clay Treatments benefit Natural Hair?
If you are not familiar with the positive effects of clay treatment on natural hair, NaHaZo counts all the ways:-
1. It helps to moisturise and condition hair, which in turn leads to a healthier, softer sheen. This in turn helps to minimise frizz and split ends.
2. It is great for enhancing curl patterns and is a favourite go-to for naturals, especially type 4 naturals.
3. This clay treatment is effective in clarifying and removing build-up from one’s hair, and as such, is a great cleansing agent.
4. It contains properties that promote hair growth, such as potassium, calcium, sodium, iron, and copper.
5. It is ideal for treating scalp conditions. This is done by eliminating any dandruff and fungus by cleansing the scalp, thus making the environment not conducive for their growth.
3. How to incorporate Clay Treatments into your hair regime?
This treatment can be messy and time-consuming, so be sure to wear old clothes, and have a free schedule, so you do not have to rush the process.
Method
To make the treatment, you will need:-
- A clean, plastic, or ceramic clean mixing bowl. Avoid using a metal bowl as this can activate the clay before you use it, thus minimising its effect.
- Bentonite Clay
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Mix all your ingredients together and keep on adding water until you have a thick, but not too runny consistency (like yoghurt).
- Apply it to your sectioned hair, making sure that you cover it completely, from root to tips.
- Cover your head with a shower cap and let the mixture sit on your hair for 20 minutes, before rinsing it thoroughly with warm water.
- Once you have rinsed it out, then condition your hair using a sulphate-free conditioner to moisturise your hair again. Make sure you coat it generously and you can cover it (and even introduce a heat cap) before rinsing it all out.
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The Last Word
Most everything in the natural hair journey is trial and error and it is important to remember that there is no one size that fits all.
And so it is important to give it a try and see how well it works for your needs. As to how often this treatment may be undertaken, it is advisable to do it at least once every 3 months.
Also, make sure you taste the treatment on a portion of your scalp to ensure that your skin does not react to the Clay.
Let us know in the comments what your experience using this Clay treatment has been.
