So this Salt... in the hair thing

[Arcadian]

That's funny!!
But, all the same, there are commercial sea salt products made specifically to give the hair curl....so, who ever was saying that (I didn't dig to see the whole thread) wasn't just blowing smoke...



See, I know they use salt to soften water, but I'm not sure how. It's not like they just pour the salt in the water, and it becomes soft - there's some sort of chemical process going on, too.

Not to say that something like that process might not be going on with the conditioner, as well, but it might be a bit of a jump from one to the other.

Its softened using a filter. What is in the filter? Usually resins. I don't know what kind though. but here's something from Wikiepdia:

The water to be treated passes through a bed of the resin. Negatively-charged resins absorb and bind metal ions, which are positively charged. The resins initially contain univalent, hydrogen, sodium or potassium ions, which exchange with divalent calcium and magnesium ions in the water. This exchange eliminates precipitation and soap scum formation. As the water passes through both kinds of resin, the hardness ions replace the hydrogen, sodium or potassium ions which are released into the water. The "harder" the water, the more hydrogen, sodium or potassium ions are released from the resin and into the water.

I also found this:
Citric acid's ability to chelate metals makes it useful in soaps and laundry detergents. By chelating the metals in hard water, it lets these cleaners produce foam and work better without need for water softening. In a similar manner, citric acid is used to regenerate the ion exchange materials used in water softeners by stripping off the accumulated metal ions as citrate complexes.[/quote]

So where Am I with all this? I dunno!! Seems to me that citric acid and salt both can be used to effectively soften water, and with that, you may have a more effective product by using them.

Humectress does have citric acid in it as well as sodium. I don't know how much though as they're both far down the list. Can adding more make it more effective? Possibly. but then again, I'm not a scientist (I think we sure could use one)

-A

 

[HairHustla]

Hi ladies,

Very intriqued by this and plan on trying it. While searching around for some answers about this, I ran across this:

Does Salt and Water really make hair wavy???

if so how much of salt and water do I use? Hot water or cold water? real salt or something salt. (idk. I just saw some1 saying not to use real salt) and is there chances of my hair ruining b/c of this? I have medium length hair and I want it to be a bit wavy for church....so do you have an ideas? thx!!

• 1 month ago

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Yes. I do it all the time to get beachy waves.
Especially on a nice Summer Day.
I don't know why people are saying no....?!
I've done it 235702157021 times and it works. So.. ya.
Get a spray bottle, and get 1 1/2 tablespoon of salt.
Doesn't matter what kind you use, really.
Fill about 4-5 cups of warm water, and shake.
Spritz it all over 80% dry hair.
Then, take a blowdryer and blow your hair out.
When it's all dry, spritz your hair multiple times again,
and shape them loosely and let it all fall into place.

The only damage it will do to your hair is
take a drying effect. But that's easy to manage.
After your day, use Pantene Pro-V Restoratives.
It's the most INTENSIVE daily conditioner you'll ever use.
Trust me, I swear by Pantene hair conditioners.
They're just so moisturizing. It'll bring back all the hydration.

You're gonna look gorgeous. Have fun!

• 1 month ago

• • Other Answer:

It has to be sea salt. It can't be regular table salt. I grew up in Miami and when I had somewhere to go (event, date, etc.) I would go to the beach a couple of hours before and 'wash' my hair in the ocean. We don't really wash the hair, but we do soak our hair in the ocean water. It does the most amazing things for the hair and the skin. I have naturally curly hair and the water would make my curls luscious.

• • Hope this begins to shed a little light on this phenomena!

 

[JustKiya]

nooo not the drinking type

the medicinal type

i dunno says on my bottle can be used as a hair tonic

i'm not about to try it though

no salt no vineager i'm no french fry!

I hear ya!

So where Am I with all this? I dunno!! Seems to me that citric acid and salt both can be used to effectively soften water, and with that, you may have a more effective product by using them.

Humectress does have citric acid in it as well as sodium. I don't know how much though as they're both far down the list. Can adding more make it more effective? Possibly. but then again, I'm not a scientist (I think we sure could use one)

-A

You are telling the truth for real!!

Hi ladies,

Very intriqued by this and plan on trying it. While searching around for some answers about this, I ran across this:

Does Salt and Water really make hair wavy???

if so how much of salt and water do I use? Hot water or cold water? real salt or something salt. (idk. I just saw some1 saying not to use real salt) and is there chances of my hair ruining b/c of this? I have medium length hair and I want it to be a bit wavy for church....so do you have an ideas? thx!!

• 1 month ago

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Yes. I do it all the time to get beachy waves.
Especially on a nice Summer Day.
I don't know why people are saying no....?!
I've done it 235702157021 times and it works. So.. ya.
Get a spray bottle, and get 1 1/2 tablespoon of salt.
Doesn't matter what kind you use, really.
Fill about 4-5 cups of warm water, and shake.
Spritz it all over 80% dry hair.
Then, take a blowdryer and blow your hair out.
When it's all dry, spritz your hair multiple times again,
and shape them loosely and let it all fall into place.

The only damage it will do to your hair is
take a drying effect. But that's easy to manage.
After your day, use Pantene Pro-V Restoratives.
It's the most INTENSIVE daily conditioner you'll ever use.
Trust me, I swear by Pantene hair conditioners.
They're just so moisturizing. It'll bring back all the hydration.

You're gonna look gorgeous. Have fun!

• 1 month ago

• • Other Answer:

It has to be sea salt. It can't be regular table salt. I grew up in Miami and when I had somewhere to go (event, date, etc.) I would go to the beach a couple of hours before and 'wash' my hair in the ocean. We don't really wash the hair, but we do soak our hair in the ocean water. It does the most amazing things for the hair and the skin. I have naturally curly hair and the water would make my curls luscious.

• • Hope this begins to shed a little light on this phenomena!

Most interesting! This ties into the 'BeachHead' hair sprays - it still doesn't explain the softness though - and I think most ladies are seeing - dare I say - less curliness?

 

[Neith]

So I posted my results in my fotki...

http://public.fotki.com/Neith/hair/salt-experiment!/


My hair came out MORE curly... a little more silky and soft when it dried. I didn't see any big difference other than the curl pattern changing!

I'm gonna do this when I straighten my hair

 

[JustKiya]

VERY interesting Neith!!!! Your hair looks - different, somehow, but I can't quite put my finger on it -is it just that the curls are better defined? It looks shinier, too. :scratchch

So, you would do this before you straighten your hair, then straighten?? Innnnteresting.

 

[Neith]

VERY interesting Neith!!!! Your hair looks - different, somehow, but I can't quite put my finger on it -is it just that the curls are better defined? It looks shinier, too. :scratchch

So, you would do this before you straighten your hair, then straighten?? Innnnteresting.

They were less defined when wet, but better defined when dry. It's the funniest thing!

Yeah, I think the extra silky feeling would help for straightening! Plus it'd be easier to work with more stretched out hair.

 

[JustKiya]

They were less defined when wet, but better defined when dry. It's the funniest thing!

Yeah, I think the extra silky feeling would help for straightening! Plus it'd be easier to work with more stretched out hair.

Oh, yeah!! I think that this is going to result in a SLAMMING twist-out, too. I used salt+conditioner Wednesday with my hair still in twists - and I think it'll be really pretty.

 

[BrooklynSouth]

careful of eventual breakage

why do you think hair looks like pretty spirally after swimmin in the sea

it looks cute

but its not good for the hair

salt dries out the hair

the reason why it works is because it seals the cuticles tight shut, but will do what it does say if you gargle is...dries out moisture

iof you use it, rinse it out a million times

you could see this as a cuticle/porosity treatment i GUESS but i dont think you will have any long term benefits, its short lived ...

So right...my hair did look so crinkly and pretty after a sea dip-in the pre-JAWS no fear of deep water days...light and airy too but I always did a serious shampoo afterward.

 

[Neith]

Oh, yeah!! I think that this is going to result in a SLAMMING twist-out, too. I used salt+conditioner Wednesday with my hair still in twists - and I think it'll be really pretty.

I can see that working

So right...my hair did look so crinkly and pretty after a sea dip-in the pre-JAWS no fear of deep water days...light and airy too but I always did a serious shampoo afterward.

I aint never been swimming in the ocean since I saw that movie

 

[AtlantaJJ]

I'm going to ask DH (he's a chef) what the difference is between table salt and kosher salt, as I think you are the second person who got 'okay, but not fabulous' results from using kosher salt. Hrm, hrm, hrm.......

Oh Snaps, I was going to use kosher salt, perhaps I'll hold off until we prove the theory....

 

[JustKiya]

Oh Snaps, I was going to use kosher salt, perhaps I'll hold off until we prove the theory....

Okay, I just asked him - the only difference between table salt and kosher salt is that the kosher salts grains are larger (did the ladies who used the kosher salt make sure the grains had fully dissolved? Maybe that makes a difference), and it's been blessed by a rabbi.

 

[AtlantaJJ]

Interesting - ACV rinses always left my hair feeling rough and stripped - rather like how sea water leaves my hair, actually.

And Bay Rum? Like liquor? Pouring good alcohol on your head! See, I draw the line @ rum and avocados - they are both much better in my belly.

Dog your remind me of me! That is so true especially with the avocados, chile them things would never make it to my head other than to go into my mouth. Ya'll can keep the rum!

 

[Irresistible]

Okay, I just asked him - the only difference between table salt and kosher salt is that the kosher salts grains are larger (did the ladies who used the kosher salt make sure the grains had fully dissolved? Maybe that makes a difference), and it's been blessed by a rabbi.

blessed salt? wow thats interesting!

I never thought about this, we bless our food, anybody bless their products?


juss asking cause my brain went there

 

[Neith]

blessed salt? wow thats interesting!

I never thought about this, we bless our food, anybody bless their products?


juss asking cause my brain went there

Oh lawd

It couldn't hurt!

 

[Irresistible]

Its softened using a filter. What is in the filter? Usually resins. I don't know what kind though. but here's something from Wikiepdia:




I also found this:
Citric acid's ability to chelate metals makes it useful in soaps and laundry detergents. By chelating the metals in hard water, it lets these cleaners produce foam and work better without need for water softening. In a similar manner, citric acid is used to regenerate the ion exchange materials used in water softeners by stripping off the accumulated metal ions as citrate complexes.

So where Am I with all this? I dunno!! Seems to me that citric acid and salt both can be used to effectively soften water, and with that, you may have a more effective product by using them.

Humectress does have citric acid in it as well as sodium. I don't know how much though as they're both far down the list. Can adding more make it more effective? Possibly. but then again, I'm not a scientist (I think we sure could use one)

-A

SCREEEECH! Salt softens water?


what????
now I'm really going to look into this

 

[Neith]

SCREEEECH! Salt softens water?


what????
now I'm really going to look into this

It doesn't dry your hair out at all... if you do try it, don't be afraid. Dryness was in the back of my mind when I tried it!

 

[AtlantaJJ]

SCREEEECH! Salt softens water?


what????
now I'm really going to look into this

Since you are in Los Angeles with that hard water, you may end up loving this benefit!! I was just chatting with a member about that!

 

[Irresistible]

So I posted my results in my fotki...

http://public.fotki.com/Neith/hair/salt-experiment!/


My hair came out MORE curly... a little more silky and soft when it dried. I didn't see any big difference other than the curl pattern changing!

I'm gonna do this when I straighten my hair

wowsers it really did loosen your hair. I'm in shizock!

 

[Irresistible]

Since you are in Los Angeles with that hard water, you may end up loving this benefit!! I was just chatting with a member about that!

umm girl most definitely , this may change alot of things! wow! whowouldofthunkit?


I rememeber when I first saw JK say something about salt , I was like HUH????

Then, I thought she should do another thread because I started to think there might be something to it as my mind started to wrap around it a little bit ,now look at all this!!!!!! wow!!!!!

 

[Irresistible]

It doesn't dry your hair out at all... if you do try it, don't be afraid. Dryness was in the back of my mind when I tried it!

haha she knows me already!

thats my main thought! but you know what I'm gonna try it now!

 

[Irresistible]

Oh, yeah!! I think that this is going to result in a SLAMMING twist-out, too. I used salt+conditioner Wednesday with my hair still in twists - and I think it'll be really pretty.

Your now known as the Queen of Salted Hair on LHCF JustKiya!

Wear your crown proudly mama!

 

[Mahalialee4]

The more expensive water softening systems use salt. They provide the container that houses the salt.

 

[Irresistible]

The more expensive water softening systems use salt. They provide the container that houses the salt.

wow wee, what a simple answer!

we can now soften our water the ghetto way

 

[Irresistible]

ok so did anyone decide exactly whats the best salt

Sea Salt or plain ole Table Salt from Mortons?

 

[poookie]

i vowed to try it again. i re-vamped my mix: 3/4 cup of trader joe's nourish conditioner, 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 teaspoons of salt.

i deep conditioned with heat this time around, instead of just a rinse-out after shampooing like last time (note: i used a clarifying shampoo, so that's probably why my hair got so tangled).

sat under the dryer for 30 minutes, n let the stuff return to room temperature.

my new growth feels BUTTER soft... and the length of my hair feels so moisturized... usually i stay away from the blow-dryer after i'm 6 weeks post, but i might go ahead and blow-dry it straight after rinsing it out.

i think the heat did the trick... my hair usually only feels like this after using the ORS replenishing conditioner. i'm so in love with morton's table salt!!!

 

[Healthb4Length]

This seems interesting to me. My West Indian Grandma would take us to the sea and throw us in any time we had some sort of skin issues. In fact I remember having perfect skin back in the day...maybe I'll start using the sea salt I have to rinse my skin and help with this ezcema(sp).

I tried some sea salt in my conditioner last night and my hair felt really soft. I don't know if I can say that adding the salt to the conditioner worked because that particular conditioner usually leaves my hair soft...but this time some thing was different. I was tempted to blow dry my hair but I just didn't have the heart to do it so I rollerset instead. I lost very little hair during the process. I will continue to experiment with the salt but I use it in cheapie conditioners that I have.

 

[Serenity_Peace]

This is a very interesting topic. Subscribing!!

 

[Arcadian]

Ok I had another lightbulb moment. (while brining chicken of all things)

When you brine a chicken you use salt to draw in moisture (ie, water and whatever else small enough to penetrate) into the chicken right? If you use citric acid (ie, lemons, limes, or oranges) the effect is intensified.

Seawater (salt water) has a higher density than fresh water.

Soak a chicken in fresh water and a few herbs and you really won't taste the herbs when that chicken is cooking.

Do the same with salt water and BOOM!

So, what if doing the same thing to hair?

Most conditioners contain some amount of citric acid, so IMO, combined with the right amount of salt, it exacerbates the results than by using regular conditoner alone.

I've tried to use my PH papers (they're for the hot tub so not totally sensitive and I got some interstin results so far. I'll post those when I'm done.



-A

 

[HairHustla]

Ok I had another lightbulb moment. (while brining chicken of all things)

When you brine a chicken you use salt to draw in moisture (ie, water and whatever else small enough to penetrate) into the chicken right? If you use citric acid (ie, lemons, limes, or oranges) the effect is intensified.

Seawater (salt water) has a higher density than fresh water.

Soak a chicken in fresh water and a few herbs and you really won't taste the herbs when that chicken is cooking.

Do the same with salt water and BOOM!

So, what if doing the same thing to hair?

Most conditioners contain some amount of citric acid, so IMO, combined with the right amount of salt, it exacerbates the results than by using regular conditoner alone.

I've tried to use my PH papers (they're for the hot tub so not totally sensitive and I got some interstin results so far. I'll post those when I'm done.



-A

Hi There,

Girl your lightbulb is on ultra bright! I am loving this salt thing. I tried my hand at it today and I used an almost empty bottle of Avalon Organics Rosemary conditioner then added a full teaspoon of Sea Salt, the kind that you have to grind in the bottle. I applied it and waited about 30 minutes. I also added it to my 11 yr old daughters hair because for some reason her ends are like sandpaper. Rinsed out and voila, it is a different level of softness, a different texture like soft cotton. I have got to know everything behind this because nothing I have ever used acheived these kinds of results and I would like to feel safe in using it often. Thanks to Justkiya and all for bringing this to the limelight! Keep those lightbulbs shinin!

 

[HairHustla]

Here is some information I found from epsonsaltcouncil.org, so apparently we can add epson salt to the mix: http://epsomsaltcouncil.org/beauty_why_it_works.htm


Epsom Salt is a pure mineral compound (magnesium sulfate) in crystal form that gently exfoliates skin and smoothes rough patches. Mixed with your favorite deep conditioner, Epsom Salt helps to add body to hair. Dissolved in a bath, Epsom Salt is absorbed through the skin to replenish the body's levels of magnesium. Studies indicate this may help to relieve stress in a number of ways, including:

• Raising the body's level of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.
• Offsetting excess levels of adrenaline generated by pressure and stress; magnesium ions relax and reduce irritability by lowering the affects of adrenaline.
• Helping to regulate the electrical functions that spark through miles of nerves.
• Lowering blood pressure.

Researchers have found that magnesium also increases energy and stamina by encouraging the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy packets made in the cells. Experts recommend soaking with Epsom Salt at least three times a week to look better, feel better and have more energy.

It is so funny because most sites say that salt is bad for hair but if an organization is touting its benefits then maybe it is not such a bad thing after all!