Bentonite clay has been used as a natural remedy to treat various diseases and conditions for hundreds and thousands of years. From skin conditions and dry hair to gut issues and topical concerns, bentonite clay can treat a wide range of concerns.
This clay has been used for centuries, so it must be extremely beneficial for our bodies, both inside and out. But can bentonite clay affect your hair? We’re always on the hunt for a life-changing DIY hair recipe, but does it really work?
Does bentonite clay remove hair color? Unfortunately, there is little evidence claiming that bentonite clay has any effects on your hair color. However, there are some articles and studies that explain how bentonite clay can fade away your color.
If you color your hair frequently, one of your main concerns is most likely to preserve your color for as long as possible. On the other hand, you may want to remove your color quickly and effectively after a bad dye job without having to go to the hair salon.
So, what is bentonite clay exactly? How did it become popular in the beauty world, and does it have the power to remove our hair color? We will answer these questions and see how your hair can react to a natural remedy like bentonite clay.
What Is Bentonite Clay?
According to Healthline, “bentonite clay is a mud-like substance derived from volcanic ash. It’s sometimes used in the personal care industry as a face mask… it can also be used for the hair as a natural way to add moisture and remove toxins.”
In addition, bentonite clay has been found to be incredibly healing for the body both inside and out. It’s known to be great for detoxing the skin and even draws out impurities from the hair.
Bentonite clay is phenomenal at dealing with synthetic products too. It’s also noted that this clay is highly absorbent like charcoal.
Bentonite clay is also packed with minerals that the body will love. For example, you’ll find zinc, calcium, iron, copper, and more. These minerals are another reason why people have found bentonite clay beneficial as a natural remedy for centuries.
Another reason why bentonite clay is used frequently to treat a wide range of concerns is because of its little to no side effects. That’s not to say the product is entirely safe, so always conduct a skin patch test to ensure you aren’t allergic.
Before you start incorporating bentonite clay into your routine, it’s crucial to note that you can always receive different results when using this clay. Healthline explains that “this has to do with variations in bentonite mineral deposits.”
Now that we have reviewed what bentonite clay is, we can dive into how to incorporate bentonite clay in your beauty routine. More importantly, we can see if it will remove your hair color or at least help it fade quicker than it normally would.
Uses For Bentonite Clay
Bentonite is known to be anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, so it’s no wonder why thousands of generations before us found infinite ways to use this clay. Bentonite clay has been used to treat various concerns in the body concerning skin, digestion, and hair.
One study concluded that “bentonite, as an abundant natural element, holds the properties to be regarded as a therapy in a broad spectrum of disorders.” So, what exactly can bentonite clay treat, and how can you incorporate it into your hair routine?
Benefits Of Bentonite Clay On Hair
One of the most popular ways to use bentonite clay on your hair is to make a mud mask. Bentonite clay is known for its detoxifying and purifying properties, which is why many individuals create their own bentonite clay mask at home.
According to Hair Explainer, bentonite clay can offer various benefits to your strands like “removing dirt and impurities, adding moisture, eliminating and preventing dandruff, adding additional shine to the hair, and defining curls.”
In addition, bentonite clay can promote healthy hair growth since it prevents dandruff, tends to the scalp, and is packed with various minerals. Well, if it can remove dirt, impurities, and dead skin cells, can bentonite clay fade your hair color away quicker?
Can Bentonite Clay Remove Color?
A widely debated topic is if bentonite clay is an efficient product to remove hair color. This scenario can go two ways. First, you want to prolong your hair color as much as possible, so avoiding something that removes color will be beneficial.
On the other hand, you may be bored of your hair color or see it slowly fading away, and you’re ready for a refresh. Then, using a bentonite clay mud mask or product will help you quicken the wait time so you can change your color without the salon.
However, while it’s still unclear how effective bentonite clay is at eliminating hair color, there is some evidence floating around that it can potentially weaken the structure and vibrancy of your hair color. Now, whether this is good or bad is up to you.
One claim that suggests bentonite clay will remove your color is that it’s recommended to avoid using this clay on chemically-treated hair. So now the question is, does colored hair fall under the chemically-treated category?
If you’re unsure, this is where you should consult a professional and licensed hairstylist before you decide to make any drastic moves. Not only will this save you a lot of time, money, energy, and heartbreak, but you can still maintain your healthy strands.
Science Of Bentonite Clay
According to Naturally Curly, “When the structure of your hair is altered with chemical treatments, Bentonite being a negative ion seeks out positive ions to remove from your hair.”
As a result, bentonite clay will want to eat up any synthetics that are on your strands. However, Naturally Curly also claims that bentonite clay will not remove hair color but it may fade it because it can easily cleanse away toxins and dyes.
Some argue that because hair color is made from various chemicals and artificial dyes, there is a potential for bentonite clay to either remove or fade away color. Likewise, others claim that a natural remedy like bentonite doesn’t have that power.
However, if you’re interested in seeing how bentonite clay affects your hair, seek advice from a licensed hairdresser. Also, consult what other benefits you can reap from bentonite clay.
In addition, if you find out bentonite clay is suitable for your needs, you can easily make a mud mask at home. Even if you can’t remove your color altogether, it is possible for it to fade over time, and your hair will gain additional benefits from bentonite clay.
How To Fade Color With Bentonite Clay
If you’re looking to fade your hair with bentonite clay, there are a few factors to consider before treating your hair at home.
First, it’s crucial to keep your expectations limited because there is still little evidence to prove the effectiveness of bentonite clay in removing hair color. While some argue that it’s possible, others disagree. Everyone’s experience can differ greatly.
Next, it’s crucial to conduct a patch test to ensure your skin won’t react negatively. Patch tests are necessary when incorporating any new products into your routine so you know if you can handle the product without adverse side effects.
DIY Bentonite Clay Hair Mask
Healthline shares an easy recipe to follow and make your own bentonite mask at home: “create your own mask at home with equal parts clay and water, and a half part of apple cider vinegar.”
Apple cider vinegar is a common pantry ingredient that will come in handy when you’re mixing up your bentonite clay masks. According to Healthline, “ACV may help balance out the acidity in your hair, leading to better shine and overall health.”
Mix your ingredients until you have an even consistency. Then, use this mask in place of shampoo and conditioner. In addition, you’ll want to leave the mask on your strands for about 10 minutes. Then, rinse thoroughly and that’s all you need to do.
This treatment can be used one to two times a week depending on how sensitive you are and how quickly you are trying to fade your hair color. Note that patience is key, and while you may not see your color disappear immediately, it may take time.
However, if you want to prolong your hair color, it may be beneficial to stay clear of this process. In addition, bentonite clay is safe to use on natural hair that is not colored or chemically treated.
So if you’re interested in seeing how bentonite clay can affect your hair, it may be time to start safely experimenting so you can achieve your desired results.
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