What Is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal is made by processing carbon-rich materials such as coconut shells, coal, bone char, peat, sawdust, and fruit pits at very high temperatures to form a super adsorbent and fine powder. Who Can Use It? Can be used on all hair types How Often? Can be used weekly as scrub or clarifying shampoo, and up to thrice weekly in case of extreme build up of pollutants Caution It is a natural ingredient and causes no side effects.
It is different from the normal charcoal you get when you burn coal or other substances since it is usually prepared by the gas activation method and chemical activation. It is used for detoxification due to its porous nature and higher surface area (1). Thus, it is commonly used orally to absorb toxins from the stomach and kidney and topically used to cleanse your skin, teeth, and hair. The detoxifying power of activated charcoal has made it a popular ingredient in the cosmetic industry. It is commonly used in face masks, face cleansers, and toothpaste. However, did you know that it can be used for cleansing hair, too? Find out the many benefits of using activated charcoal for your hair and scalp in the next section.
What Are The Benefits Of Charcoal For Your Hair?
There are many alleged benefits of activated charcoal on your hair. These include:
Cleanser: Charcoal is a safe and natural alternative to cleanse and remove toxins, dirt, and excess oils from your hair and scalp. It absorbs all the grime and grease from the scalp, thus leaving it squeaky clean.
Non-Toxic: It is free from harsh chemicals as it is made from organic substances.
Gentle: The fine texture of activated charcoal allows for gentle yet effective cleansing without stripping the hair of its natural oils.
Soothes The Scalp: Activated charcoal can be used by people with sensitive skin to treat various scalp conditions such as flakiness, irritation, and itchiness. Thus, it is recommended for good scalp health and as a popular home remedy for treating dandruff.
Detoxifier: It is used to remove toxins such as chemicals from your hair, especially due to pollution or swimming in chlorinated pools. It is safe to use on colored hair, but it can stain lighter hair colors.
Suits All hair types: Since activated charcoal is made with natural ingredients, it can be used safely by everyone. It does not dry out curly hair.
Volumizer: Activated charcoal removes product residue from your hair, thus boosting its volume. It is especially effective in removing the leftover dry shampoo from your hair.
Boosts Hair Growth: Anecdotal evidence suggests that activated charcoal unclogs the hair follicles to promote hair growth. Thus, it is a popular hair care ingredient used in shampoos for its cleansing and detoxifying properties. Provides Relief From Itching: Activated charcoal may help soothe the scalp and provide a cooling effect. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it may help improve scalp health by effectively getting rid of excess oil and dirt and leaving your scalp squeaky clean. This also may reduce scalp itching. While research on topical use of activated charcoal is limited in this regard, its oral intake has been proven to relieve itching in people with kidney issues (2).
Maria, a lifestyle blogger, shares her insights on using activated charcoal in her skin and hair care routines. About using it for her hair, she says, “Charcoal (activated) is so much better to get rid of hair toxins, adds volume to your hair, and I even use it as a scalp conditioning remedy (i)!” She adds that whenever she uses bleach for hair color treatments, her roots get sensitized, become red, and turn into scabs, but activated charcoal remedies the redness and scabs in a matter of hours. It is important to note that all of these benefits of activated charcoal for hair are based on anecdotal evidence. There is no scientific evidence to prove the same. Now, let’s check out how you can use activated charcoal on your hair!
How To Use Activated Charcoal For Hair Growth
There are two easy ways to use activated charcoal for hair growth.
I. Activated Charcoal With Shampoo
You can just add activated charcoal to your regular shampoo (make sure it is sulfate-free) in a 1: 4 ratio. Wash your hair as usual with this activated charcoal-infused shampoo. Keep in mind that charcoal can stain your hair and is messy to clean. It is better to avoid this method if you have light or blonde hair.
II. Charcoal Hair Mask
You Will Need
2 tablespoons of activated charcoal powder 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
Process If these DIYs are not your cup of tea, there are plenty of hair care products with activated charcoal that you can incorporate into your hair care routine. However, the results may vary based on your hair type and texture, and more so if you have dry hair. Learn more in the next section.
Is Activated Charcoal Good For Dry Hair?
Activated charcoal is not bad for dry hair. You can use it to deep-cleanse the scalp once a week. However, using it in excess can strip off the natural oils and dry your scalp out. Is charcoal harmful to hair? No. Charcoal is a cleanser and detoxifier and may clarify the scalp. However, excessive use of charcoal may dry out your scalp and hair and may lead to flaking. Can activated charcoal darken hair? No. Charcoal can leave temporary stains but it can be dusted or washed away. Can activated charcoal be used on all hair types, including color-treated or chemically-processed hair? All hair types benefit from the use of activated charcoal, whether it be curly, straight, colored, or chemically treated. Can activated charcoal be used as a natural alternative to traditional hair treatments like shampoos or conditioners? Charcoal can be used along with shampoos and conditioners but not as an alternative to them. This is because charcoal only removes impurities but does not moisturize your scalp.
Illustration: Activated Charcoal for Hair – Benefits And How to Use it
Learn how to grow your hair fast with an activated charcoal mask. Watch the easy-to-follow video tutorial to help you improve your hair growth and health.
