How to Metal Detox Hair for the Healthiest Mane
How Do Metals Get Into Hair?
There’s a silent aggressor that could be affecting your hair . Although you can’t see them, heavy metals wreak havoc on locks, causing everything from colour fade to breakage. But, how exactly do they get in? Well, quite simply, they’re everywhere. Environmental metals in the air can attach themselves to strands, and you can even ingest heavy metals from the foods you eat.
However, one of the most common ways for metal deposits to get inside your hair is through the water you wash with. If the plumbing in your salon or home is made up of copper pipes, these can erode over time to release microscopic metal particles. On their own, these metals aren’t actually considered harmful to the body, skin, or hair. The problem occurs when they encounter certain chemicals, such as peroxide. This can trigger oxidative damage by releasing free radicals, and it’s these free radicals that then disrupt and damage the hair’s natural protein structure, resulting in colour shift, dullness, and damage.
How Long Do Heavy Metals Stay in Hair?
Often, once these metal deposits get into your hair, they don’t move until you remove them. If left untreated for extended periods, hair can be vulnerable to heavy metal accumulation, where copper and magnesium build up. That’s why, if you suspect toxic metals have worked their way into the hair fibre, it’s important you adopt a routine that restores balance. What you need are personal care products that neutralize metals, keeping the adverse effects at bay.
How Do You Know If Hair Needs a Metal Detox?
All hair types will benefit from a heavy metal detox because those metals are everywhere. But the need for a deep clean levels up if hair is coloured or pre-colouring, to ward off these warning signs:
Hair Breakage
During the colouring process, elevated levels of heavy metals can result in split ends and hair breakage. Why? Because those toxic metals weaken the hair’s inner cortex and damage bonds when they interact with chemicals such as peroxide.
Dullness and Colour Shift
Along with other toxic elements, like pollutant particles, one of the biggest shade fade culprits is heavy metals. They’re responsible for colour shifts, causing hair to turn brassy or lose its vibrancy. In some cases, copper can even cause coloured hair to go green.
Hair Imbalance
Metals sometimes leave a layer of residue on the hair and scalp, resulting in oily roots and lengths that can feel ‘hard’ and rough. This is a sure sign that heavy metal detoxification is needed.
Who Is More Susceptible to Metal Damage?
Ridding hair of heavy metals isn’t just about treating the concerns above but also about preventing them. Long-term exposure to pollutants, like copper, can affect hair colour results – and you might not even know it’s happening. It’s easy to put the blame on more visible aggressors, like heat damage or sun exposure. And, while these are common colour faders, hair needs protection against day-to-day metals too.
It’s also important to remember that metals may affect your hair more if:
You Live in a Polluted Area
Metal-heavy hair is a geographical issue. While metals are in water and air everywhere, they may be more prominent in polluted areas. That’s why, if you live in a busy city, you should be extra mindful of how metal particles might impact your strands (or your client’s).
Your Hair Is Highly Porous
Hair porosity relates to how absorbent your strands are. The more porous hair is, the more it soaks up external aggressors, like humidity, pollutants, and, of course, metals. This is because high porosity hair features gaps and tears along the cuticle, through which those metals can be absorbed, and moisture can escape.
How Do You Reduce Hair’s Heavy Metal Levels?
The first and most effective way to remove metals from the hair is with a specialized shampoo.. It detoxes damaging metals from the hair fibre to leave locks clean, purified, and balanced. Now there’s no compromise on hair damage.
But these shampoos don’t just neutralize metals; they also answer some of your biggest hair concerns. Here’s how to pick the perfect one for glossy, radiant, healthy hair:
- For Coloured Hair: Choose a shampoo that not only detoxes but also protects and enhances your colour.
- For Dry Hair: Opt for a formula that provides intense hydration while removing heavy metals.
- For Damaged Hair: Look for products that repair and strengthen hair fibres while detoxifying.
By incorporating these specialized shampoos into your hair care routine, you can effectively combat the negative impacts of heavy metals, ensuring your hair remains vibrant, healthy, and beautiful.
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