Baking Soda for Hair: Benefits, Risks, and Alternatives Revealed (2024)

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Is baking soda good for your hair? The short answer is: it’s a mixed bag.

Baking soda can help remove excess oil and buildup, softening strands and boosting shine.

However, its high pH of 9 can damage your hair’s cuticle, leading to breakage, frizz, and irritation.

The infamous "no poo" method using baking soda scrubs and vinegar rinses doesn’t balance your scalp’s pH either.

So while baking soda has some benefits, the risks make exploring gentler alternatives like clarifying shampoos or Coconut oil a wise move.

But don’t take my word for it – keep reading to learn more about examining the pros and cons.

Is Baking Soda Good for Your Hair?

No, baking soda is generally not recommended for hair care. While baking soda can remove excess oil and buildup, it has a high pH level that can damage the hair cuticle and lead to dryness, breakage, and frizz.

Potential Benefits of Baking Soda Hair Treatment

You may have heard that baking soda can help remove excess oil and buildup from your hair, leaving it softer and shinier. With a pH level of 9, baking soda is an alkaline substance that can potentially help break down residue on the hair and scalp.

Removes Excess Oil and Buildup

You crave control over your hair’s greasiness. Baking soda’s absorbent nature helps:

• Soak up excess oils and sweat
• Clear buildup from hair products
• Lift dirt and grime from the scalp
• Prevent dandruff and scalp irritation
• Revive dull, lifeless strands

However, use caution – baking soda can dry out and damage fragile hair types.

Softens Hair

You may have heard that baking soda softens hair. While it can potentially help, it’s important to use it with caution.

Pros	Cons
May temporarily soften hair	Can damage cuticles, leading to dryness
Inexpensive DIY treatment	Alkaline pH can disrupt scalp health

Consider using coconut oil or a gentle conditioner instead for softer, healthier hair.

Restores Shine

Baking soda’s abrasive nature helps remove buildup, restoring shine. However, long-term use risks cuticle damage and frizz. While some swear by this natural method, others report hair damage and scalp irritation. Carefully weigh the benefits against potential risks before incorporating baking soda into your hair routine.

PH Level of 9

While baking soda’s pH level of 9 is often touted as a benefit, it can actually cause:

1. Scalp irritation
2. Cuticle damage
3. Hair breakage
4. Frizz

This high alkalinity can strip your hair and damage its protective outer layer, leading to dryness, tangles, and overall weakening over time.

Risks and Drawbacks of Baking Soda Hair Treatment

While baking soda can initially remove excess oil and product buildup, its high pH level of around 9 can severely damage your hair’s cuticle layer, leading to dryness, breakage, frizz, and scalp irritation. The risks associated with using baking soda as a shampoo replacement far outweigh any potential short-term benefits, making it an unsuitable long-term solution for maintaining healthy hair.

Cuticle Damage

Baking soda’s high alkalinity can chemically burn your scalp, causing dryness, sensitivity, and irritation. Imagine a 4×3 table with your hair falling out, brittle strands, and a raw, inflamed scalp—not pretty! Prolonged use roughens the outermost layer (cuticle) of hair strands, leading to permanent damage and hair loss.

Hair Breakage

You could experience hair breakage from baking soda treatments. The high pH disrupts your cuticle, leading to weakened strands susceptible to snapping. With continuous use, you’ll see split ends and shorter hair over time. Avoid the risks of cuticle damage and scalp irritation with baking soda’s pH imbalance.

Frizz

Hair frizz is another issue with baking soda. You’re stripping your hair’s cuticle, leading to:

• Increased porosity and dryness
• Rough, damaged texture
• Unruly flyaways
• Split ends and breakage

This dull, dry frizz undoes any volumizing or cleansing benefits, especially for color-treated hair.

Irritation

Continuing the discussion on risks, baking soda’s high pH level can irritate your scalp, causing inflammation and dryness. This might lead to an allergic reaction, with redness, itching, and even hair loss. It’s imperative to do a patch test first to avoid any unpleasant surprises on your delicate skin.

The No Poo Method

The "no poo" method involves using a baking soda scrub and diluted apple cider vinegar rinse as an alternative to commercial shampoos and conditioners. However, this method doesn’t balance the scalp’s pH level and may stress out the scalp, so it’s recommended to patch-test on a small area of your skin before using.

Baking Soda Scrub

Baking soda scrubs can lead to:

• Scalp irritation from the high pH
• Long-term hair/scalp damage
• Dryness and brittleness

While touted as a "natural" method, proceeding with caution is wise. Consider:

• Patch testing first
• Using diluted baking soda
• Not overdoing the vinegar rinse

Diluted Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Following the baking soda scrub, you’ll rinse with a diluted apple cider vinegar solution. This vinegar rinse helps remove residue, but it can cause scalp irritation if used excessively. Many claim it promotes hair growth by improving scalp condition, though evidence is limited.

Does Not Balance the Scalp’s PH Level

The pH imbalance caused by the baking soda-vinegar rinse fails to maintain scalp health. Research shows this method disrupts the scalp’s natural pH balance, potentially leading to irritation and damaging hair over time. Exploring alternative methods that respect your hair’s pH needs is advisable for effective results.

May Stress Out the Scalp

The no poo method may stress your scalp out, leading to:

1. Scalp irritation
2. Scalp inflammation
3. Hair follicle damage
4. Scalp dryness or overproduction of oils

This harsh treatment disrupts your scalp’s natural balance. Proceed with caution.

Patch-test on Your Skin Before Using

You must always do a patch test before applying baking soda or any new product to your scalp and hair. Baking soda’s high pH could irritate your skin barrier, leading to redness, itching, or other unpleasant reactions. Protect your skin by patch testing first to check for adverse effects.

Alternatives to Baking Soda Hair Treatment

Instead of using baking soda on your hair, consider gentler alternatives like clarifying shampoos to remove buildup, coconut oil for nourishment, quality conditioners for manageability, silicones for smoothness, or keratin treatments for strength and shine. These options can maintain your hair’s health without the risks associated with baking soda’s high alkalinity.

Clarifying Shampoo

Instead of the "no poo" baking soda method, try a clarifying shampoo. It deeply cleanses hair without the risks of long-term baking soda or apple cider vinegar use. Clarifying shampoos remove buildup while gently cleansing, making them a safer alternative.

Coconut Oil

Another alternative, coconut oil, offers benefits as a nourishing hair mask: mix it with honey for a hydrating treatment. It’s also an antibacterial skin moisturizer that may promote natural hair growth.

Good Conditioner

After using coconut oil, you’ll need a good conditioner. It replaces lost moisture, smooths the cuticle, and prevents frizz and breakage. Look for conditioners with beneficial ingredients like proteins, ceramides, and oils. Use it after every shampoo for the best hair health.

Silicones

You could also try silicones for hair health. They’re synthetic ingredients that shield strands, taming frizz and boosting shine. But read labels carefully – some silicones can build up over time, requiring clarifying shampoos to remove residue.

Keratin

You could try keratin as an alternative. Keratin:

• Is a structural protein in hair/nails
• Helps repair damage and boost shine
• Comes in treatments, shampoos, conditioners
• May cause build-up or weigh hair down
• Has natural or synthetic forms available

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)