Baking soda can effectively remove oil and buildup for very oily hair, but its high alkalinity often leads to dryness, frizz, and potential damage (breakage, cuticle disruption) for most hair types with regular use, potentially worsening scalp conditions like eczema. While some find it beneficial for volume or clarifying, it's not a recommended long-term shampoo replacement, especially for color-treated or dry hair, and should be used sparingly with deep conditioning to counteract its harshness.
I used baking soda to strip color out of my hair, mixed with a clarifying shampoo. It worked well, however, the baking soda itself will build into your hair. It also makes it scary dry, but it's just because it's hard to wash out in one go. It didn't actually damage my hair, but it was gross.
Healthy hair care tips from dermatologists
Dryness: Baking soda can strip natural oils, leading to dry hair and scalp. This can also make hair look dull and less voluminous. Breakage: Baking soda is a crystalline salt that contains abrasive crystals. The hair is delicate, and those tiny crystals can tear hair fibers, which means split ends and breakage.
Sometimes, melanocytes - the pigment-producing cells in hair follicles may start functioning again, leading to darker hair regrowth. This is rare, but not unheard of in people recovering from hormonal shifts, an illness or medication adjustments. The other possible cause is your medication.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a natural cleanser that removes buildup, restores scalp pH, and adds shine to your hair. Its antimicrobial properties also help combat dandruff and itchiness. Unlike shampoo, ACV cleans without stripping essential oils, making it ideal for oily hair or those prone to buildup.
Scalp build-up as a result of not washing your hair could also lead to the follicles becoming clogged, potentially affecting your hair growth and increasing the chance of ingrown hairs.
5 Signs of Damaged Hair
Unfortunately it is untrue that baking soda can treat hair loss.
Stick with scalp-safe options: apple cider vinegar rinse (1 tbsp : 1 cup water), silicone-free co-wash, or gentle clay cleansers. Skip the hacks: dish soap, DIY hair care products, hand sanitizer, straight lemon juice, or undiluted ACV wreck your scalp's natural pH (≈4.5–5.5).
What Damages Hair?
The "Big 3" in hair loss treatment refers to a popular, multi-pronged approach using Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Ketoconazole shampoo, targeting different aspects of hair thinning (like circulation, DHT, and inflammation) for potentially better results than single treatments, often used for androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness). While Minoxidil promotes growth, Finasteride blocks follicle-shrinking DHT, and Ketoconazole reduces scalp inflammation, sometimes Microneedling replaces Ketoconazole as a "Big 3" component.
Good hair health starts from the inside – so build up your hair's strength with protein-rich foods like eggs, oily fish, beans, nuts, whole grains and lean meats, like chicken. Protein is important because each strand of your hair is made of keratin, a tough protein that's also used to create fingernails and skin.
There is a general consensus on how long is too long to go without shampooing. According to Fernández, it is not advisable to go for more than a week without washing hair, as “follicles become clogged and do not get oxygenated,” she explains.
Signs That You Aren't Cleaning Your Clothes Enough
The reason is, after a few days of not washing your hair, as we know, the natural oils have returned to your scalp and begin making their way down your tresses. Though this is great for maintaining the condition of your hair, it doesn't always look that great.
Papaya: Papaya is known for keeping hair shiny and smooth. Gooseberry: Gooseberry too is known for its positive impact on hair health. Watermelon: Watermelon is known to be a natural DHT blocker that is known to prevent baldness. Guava: This fruit is a rich source of riboflavin that promotes hair growth.
Hair washing without commercial shampoo, sometimes called no poo, includes water-only hair washing or hair washing with non-commercial products, such as baking soda or vinegar. Advocates argue that commercial shampoo is an unnecessary expense, creates an artificial cleansing cycle, and may contain harmful ingredients.
It may appear wispy or delicate in texture. Initial growth can be short, with new strands only a few centimeters long. The length may not be immediately noticeable. Some individuals experience soft and feathery new growth, particularly in areas that have been thinning.
Coffee contains natural pigments (tannins) that can temporarily stain the hair, making it appear darker and shinier. It's chemical-free, easily available, and gentle on the scalp.
Sodium lauryl sulfate, isopropyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol...do these sound like chemicals you would willingly apply to your hair? The truth is, most hair products contain a multitude of chemicals, alcohols, and silicones, that only give your hair short-term softness and shine.