Detox Your Hair by hairstylist Stephanie Stevenson

Why should you DETOX your hair?

"Detox has been the new buzz word for hair and products, but most of us have no real idea of why we need to detox. 'If I wash my hair regularly it's not dirty, so why would I need to detox it?' It's with this in mind that most of us bypass the detox products and carry on as normal, - therefore forgoing the real chance to transform our locks simply because we didn't 'get it'. 

So here I'll attempt to explain to you the reasons why you simply must detox your hair and the benefits to your hair will be instant. Literally after the first detox you will see and feel the difference and you will be hooked, but it's not about the hair itself, it's all about what we put in our hair, it's the shampoo that keeps it 'clean' and the styling products we pile on to create that perfect look that's sold to us. From serums to keep it sleek and straight, to pump up to get the to-die-for volume, on to curl effect to stop frizzy curls... need I go on?

As a stylist I too recommend all these products and boy do we stylists have a choice these days. We all have our favourites, our die hard, we can't live without, and on shoots and videos we proudly announce to anyone who will listen what amazing new star find we used to create this look. Sadly we never so proudly remember to tell the models or celeb or band, how to detox to get all these chemicals out and that is what detox is all about removing the chemicals not dirt!

That gorgeous shiny hair in the TV commercial is created by us, using synthetic materials that cling to the hair shaft long after I've gone home. Dimethicone is the most commonly used chemical, found in 90% of hair products, check the back of your bottles and there it is, that magic name that gives us our shine.

Dimethicone and other silicone derivatives coat your hair, trapping all of the synthetic chemicals in the hair shaft. This ingredient is so strong, one application of a natural shampoo won't take it off. Depending on what products you've been using, how long you've been using them, and your own body chemistry, it can take 2-6 weeks to totally detox your hair. For some it could take 3-4 months.

But don't despair after the first detox you will see and feel a difference, maybe to start with you could use detox for a week, especially if you have been using a lot of products and you know deep inside your hair is probably overloaded, then simply once a week, maybe a Sunday night is detox night, ready for a nice new week of loading the hair again and removing it all by Sunday night! That would be a perfect way to keep your hair in tip top health.

Stephanie Stevenson's tips on how to Detox:

Product loaded hair becomes lank and heavy. If your hair drops a curl quickly or is heavy and lacks luster, chances are it's in need of a detox. Product build up can make hair heavier. Fact.

1.Use a gentle Detox Shampoo to strip the hair of any product build up. Specifically created Detox Shampoo's will protect the hair during this process to eliminate damage.

2.Use a Scalp Exfoliator- Yes just like you exfoliate your skin, your scalp needs exfoliating too! Rub the scalp exfoliator into your scalp in a circular motion then make your way from the root to tip. It will feel a bit like sand to begin with, but it will do your hair wonders! Then rinse with fresh water.

3.Wash your hair again using the Detox Shampoo to remove any remaining scalp exfoliator

4.Use a nourishing and soothing conditioner to add moisture to your scalp and hair follicle.

5.Rinse with cold water as this will close the cuticles and add a beautiful sheen.

6.Result. Your hair and scalp should feel fresh, light and squeaky clean! "- Steph Stevenson