Baking Soda Scrub & Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse...Natural Clarifiers

Baking Soda Scrub and Apple Cider Vinegar Rinses can be used as natural clarifiers. Baking soda scrubs can also be used to open up the cuticle in low porosity hair, or close the holes in high porosity hair. Whenever a baking soda scrub is done, it MUST be followed by an ACV rinse to get the hair's PH back to normal. Here are the recipes:

Baking Soda Scrub:

1 Tsb of baking soda
1 palm full of co-wash conditioner
Scrub this mixture on your scalp as you would when co-washing. You can also put it through the length of your hair.

ACV Rinse:

1 Tbs Vinegar mixed into 2 cups of cool water.
Can be used after a Baking Soda Scrub (a must), OR on its own after a deep treatment to close the cuticles. You take the ACV Rinse and you pour it down your hair. You can scrub your scalp for 30 seconds if being used as a clarifier. A lot of curlies don't rinse afterwards, but I prefer to rinse for a few seconds with cool water after.

Deep Conditioning

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Deep conditioning is a very essential part of a natural hair care routine. Deep conditioning provides extra moisture, and should be done 1-2 times a week. I do mine 1x a week because I have a young daughter and I am taking a heavy course load of online classes, so I usually don't have a lot of time to do it more than 1x a week. I have honey pictured because it's AWESOME when combined with your deep conditioner. I don't know anyone with dry hair who does not loveeee adding honey to their deep treatmenets! Here are different ways to do your deep treatments with your favorite deep conditioner:

1. Apply your deep conditioner and put on a plastic cap while you do chores, for a minimum of 1-2 hrs.
2. Apply your deep conditioner, put on a plastic cap, and sit under the dryer or steamer for 20-30 min.
3. Apply your deep conditioner, put on a plastic cap, put on your satin cap over it, and do a deep treatment overnight.

Tips:

For my low-porosity hair, the last two work for the best me. I usually do mine overnight since it's the easiest, and it's very effective. I rinse with cold water to ensure that my cuticles are closed.

For the lucky regular porosity people, I don't believe that there is any special way you should deep condition your hair. I may be wrong, but I have never heard of a regular porosity person having problems with deep conditioning.

For high porosity hair I advise to do your deep treatment (any way you'd like), and then after you rinse do an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse. Since Apple Cider Vinegar is Acidic, it helps close the holes in your hair that are open, and keeps moisture in your hair. You may also benefit from adding a protein like yogurt to your Deep Conditioners to give your hair the needed protein, and help repair any holes.

Tip: I add EVOO & Honey to my DC's. My hair cannot get enough moisture, and these two natural humectants really up the moisture for me! I don't measure it any certain way, I just put as much as I think I need. Also, If you need added protein, there are plenty of natural sources such as yogurt and avocado.

To Seal, or Not to Seal?

Many of you may be unsure as to what it means to seal your hair? Sealing is a crucial and beneficial aspect of caring for 3C-4B hair. The reason that sealing hair is important is because it helps to retain moisture in your hair. When you retain moisture, you have less breakage, and your hair is able to grow longer. So how do you seal? You first start with a water-based leave in conditioner (any conditioner or leave in conditioner that has water as the first ingredient), then you seal with the oil of your choice (a dime sized amount). After you seal then you can add your gel of choice if you'd like, and style your hair. Some natural ladies with fine hair find that sealing the ends is all that is required for them.

There are many different oils that are beneficial, and there is no "one size fits all" oil. Many naturals have success with EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil), Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, and Jojoba oil to name a few. Some people also have success with Whipped Shea. I currently use a EVOO/Castor oil mix because Castor Oil alone is too thick for my taste. I also want to try making whipped shea to try, so as soon as I make it I will post about that. Hope this helps! :)

Note: Some oils such as EVOO can also penetrate the hair, so these are more of a lighter sealant. EVOO is great added to DC's to up the moisture! Also, if you have low porosity hair you might not even have to seal!

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