Why do they add salt to shampoo and is it worth doing so: a trichologist and hairdresser answered a popular question

Many beauty bloggers recommend adding salt to shampoo - they say, after this, hair will begin to grow three times faster, will stop falling out and will stay fresh longer, and dandruff will disappear, if not forever, then at least for a long time. Salt is also recommended for curly hair, promising easy combing. We asked a hairdresser and a trichologist whether sodium chloride crystals really have such magical properties. Experts have assured that there is no point in “salting” shampoo.

Sodium chloride + shampoo - how does it work?

By its nature, salt, regardless of whether it is kitchen or sea salt, has two abilities:

• absorb fat (it’s not for nothing that oil stains on fabric are covered with it);
• act as an abrasive (so it can be used to clean off carbon deposits from a frying pan).

By pouring spoons or pinches of salt into your shampoo, you can expect it to absorb excess sebum and at the same time scrub your scalp, removing dead flakes called dandruff.

However, if you plan to wash your hair with salt shampoo to reduce the greasiness of your hair, then this is absolutely pointless for two reasons:

• firstly, the detergent already contains components that break down fat;
• secondly, these components work much more efficiently than sodium chloride.

If you want to get rid of dandruff, there is no point in using this method either.Dandruff does not appear on its own, but for a number of reasons: it can be increased dryness of the skin or diseases (fungal or hormonal). Can these causes be eliminated with salt? The answer is obvious.

How to use salt for the head to have an effect?

The use of sodium chloride for the head is not a myth or a momentary invention of bloggers. It makes excellent scrubs that help cleanse the skin of everything that is “stuck” on it.

You can prepare scrubs with either sea salt or regular table salt, because what is important here is not the salt itself, but its texture, which works on the scalp like a grater, removing fat and dirt that clog pores.

An important rule is that coarse salt must be ground into powder before use. Otherwise, the sharp tips of the crystals will leave scratches on the skin.

To prepare a scrub, mix salt with a few drops of essential oil. Immediately massage it into damp scalp. At the same time, try not to touch the main length of the hair, otherwise you risk injuring it. After 2-3 minutes, you need to wash your hair as usual, using shampoo or another detergent you are used to.

Questions and answers

How much salt should I add to my scalp scrub?

Prepare as much scrub as you can use at one time. Typically, one tablespoon of sodium chloride and two to three drops of essential oil is sufficient.

What oils can be used to make a scrub?

Tea tree oil (it has antimicrobial and antifungal properties), lemon and sweet orange oil, lavender, rosemary, ylang-ylang, eucalyptus. Instead of essential oils, you can use basic oils - coconut, olive, burdock, flaxseed.Or you can do without oils altogether, the main thing is to first moisten your scalp with water.

Why do they add salt to shampoos in production if it has no effect?

In this case, sodium chloride works as an antifoam agent. It is needed to make it easier to wash off the foam from your head, and not to improve the condition of your hair.

What happens if you pour salt into a shampoo bottle?

Over time, the salt will dissolve, since the shampoo is 95-98% water. As sodium chloride reacts with other chemicals, the physical qualities of the shampoo - color, consistency, lather - can change.

As you can see, there is no point in pouring salt into shampoo. However, if you have already done this, do not worry - such an additive does not pose any danger to your hair.