So this Salt... in the hair thing

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
This make complete and total sense! And explains so much. I am going to do a BS clarifying co-wash and then a quick DC with the salt/citric acid mixed in my con...I don't have the time to do a long DC but it should still make a difference.
 
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! :yep:
I love to soak in Epsoms salts, especially after a workout. Thanks so much for posting this, I am going to stock up.

Does anyone know if they sell ES in bulk at Sam's or Costco?
 
Our natural skin has salt or saline as part of its chemical makeup. When you are hospitilized you may receive saline instead of blood in some cases as a replacement. If you are dehydrating you may be given salt sugar in an iv. So salt does have its place. Lick your so's face and taste the salt on his skin and taste your own tears. They are salty. Eyedrops are often saline combo. We would die without salt in our body combo, I have heard. bonjour
 
well for those using sea salts ya may wanna look into maybe"the great escape" by grassroots. You can get it at kohl's dept store or here:
http://grassrootslife.com/templates...?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY7926&PRODUCT_ID=PROD8290
ingredients:
sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, dead sea salts, water purified, essential oils, eucalyptus, lavender, lavandin, litsea cubeba, geraniol, citral, linalool, coumarin, limonene, clary oil, vanilla, fruit extract, seaweed extract, hydrated silica.

I used this for my feet and it was heavenly. may do a couple strand tests with this one and see.
 
I love to soak in Epsoms salts, especially after a workout. Thanks so much for posting this, I am going to stock up.

Does anyone know if they sell ES in bulk at Sam's or Costco?

Hey, I had saw something on the epsom website about buying it in bulk. Apparently you can get it at places like homedepot or CVS. Here is what the website said:

Question:
Where can I buy Epsom Salt in bulk?
Answer:
Epsom Salt can be purchased at your local drugstore or home improvement center in 1-lb to 6-lb bags. Please contact either your drugstore or home improvement center to inquire about ordering larger quantities.
 
Heres the results of my test:

I used water 1/2 cup each for this test. Mind you are entire house has a basic inline water filter on it so tests elsewhere may be different.

Test strips used are for a chlorinated Hot tub( its what I had available)

Fresh Water - Tap
FCI (free chlorine ppm) 0
ALK (Alklinity ppm) 40
pH 7.2
CH (calcium hardness ppm) 50

Sea Salt only - 1 teaspoon
FCI (free Chlorine ppm) 0
ALK (Alklinity ppm) 80
pH 7.6
CH (calcium hardness ppm) 100

Arm and Hammer Baking Soda - 1 teaspoon
FCI (free Chlorine ppm) 0
ALK (Alklinity ppm) 180
pH 8.4
CH (Calcium Hardness ppm) 50

Sea Salt and Arm and Hammer baking soda - 1 teaspoon each
FCI (free Chlorine ppm) 0
ALK (Alklinity ppm) 180
pH 8.4
CH (Calcium Hardness ppm) 50

If I'm not mistaken, seawater has a pH of 8.0+


-A
 
I used it the other day in my conditioner. I'm transitioning and my roots were shiny and crisp. My relaxed ends felt funny.

Anyone had any good experiences with relaxed hair?
 
Heres the results of my test:

I used water 1/2 cup each for this test. Mind you are entire house has a basic inline water filter on it so tests elsewhere may be different.

Test strips used are for a chlorinated Hot tub( its what I had available)

Fresh Water - Tap
FCI (free chlorine ppm) 0
ALK (Alklinity ppm) 40
pH 7.2
CH (calcium hardness ppm) 50

Sea Salt only - 1 teaspoon
FCI (free Chlorine ppm) 0
ALK (Alklinity ppm) 80
pH 7.6
CH (calcium hardness ppm) 100

Arm and Hammer Baking Soda - 1 teaspoon
FCI (free Chlorine ppm) 0
ALK (Alklinity ppm) 180
pH 8.4
CH (Calcium Hardness ppm) 50

Sea Salt and Arm and Hammer baking soda - 1 teaspoon each
FCI (free Chlorine ppm) 0
ALK (Alklinity ppm) 180
pH 8.4
CH (Calcium Hardness ppm) 50

If I'm not mistaken, seawater has a pH of 8.0+


-A
An interesting fact regarding pH:

<<The ideal pH level for your blood is right around 7.35 and your body goes to enormous lengths to maintain this level.>>

ETA: I looked this up because I remembered that blood and sea water have the same pH which is incredible to me...makes me think of how smart God is :angel:
 
Hey, I had saw something on the epsom website about buying it in bulk. Apparently you can get it at places like homedepot or CVS. Here is what the website said:

Question:
Where can I buy Epsom Salt in bulk?
Answer:
Epsom Salt can be purchased at your local drugstore or home improvement center in 1-lb to 6-lb bags. Please contact either your drugstore or home improvement center to inquire about ordering larger quantities.
Thank you, I'll be stocking up shortly!!
 
does this only work with natural hair, or can it be done on relaxed hair with the same results?

I used it the other day in my conditioner. I'm transitioning and my roots were shiny and crisp. My relaxed ends felt funny.

Anyone had any good experiences with relaxed hair?

I'm texlaxed. Processed 20 mins with a super strength relaxer.

My results are posted in my fotki.

My hair feels a little softer and silkier than usual. There's also a little more shine.
 
well for those using sea salts ya may wanna look into maybe"the great escape" by grassroots. You can get it at kohl's dept store or here:
http://grassrootslife.com/templates...?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY7926&PRODUCT_ID=PROD8290
ingredients:
sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, dead sea salts, water purified, essential oils, eucalyptus, lavender, lavandin, litsea cubeba, geraniol, citral, linalool, coumarin, limonene, clary oil, vanilla, fruit extract, seaweed extract, hydrated silica.

I used this for my feet and it was heavenly. may do a couple strand tests with this one and see.

There is salt, epsom salt, and dead sea salt in this! :lick: Is made for pedicures cuz it seems like ou could use it for hair or a bath soak too!

I used lemon, salt, and freeman's sea kelp moisturising conditioner iin my hair yesterday and it felt pretty soft. Not amazingly so, but it was pretty amazing considering that my hair gets dry so easy and lemon would usuall make it scream... But I followed it up with an oil rinse and didn't get enough of it out so my hair is too oily.

Soooo.... I mixed up a batch of epsom salts and clay (kitty litter :grin:) and I used it on my face (feels very clean but not dry at all after rinsing) and I will wash it out of my hair shortly...
 
:clap:

So many interesting posts in here!!!

WomanlyCharm is relaxed, and she used it successfully - I'm starting to lose track of who all is using it though.

I really think the brining/body salinity thing might be quite on point. :yep:

I'm wearing a twist-out right now - and *gives her hair the sideeye* I dunno. Something is different up there, and I can't tell if it's that my curls are more defined, or if my hair is a little straighter. Not sure.
 
I want to try Kiya but I's scurred :look: I'll let you guys use this for a few more weeks before I copycat :lachen: I am just now getting my hair in prime condition w/ Wen and I don't need no setbacks.
 
I want to try Kiya but I's scurred :look: I'll let you guys use this for a few more weeks before I copycat :lachen: I am just now getting my hair in prime condition w/ Wen and I don't need no setbacks.

:lol: Girl, I'll never shame (or fault) someone for being scared - trust, if I hadn't done it first, accidentally, I'd be giving the crazy woman putting salt (SALT!?!?!?!?) in her hair the sideeye myself. :lachen:
 
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! :yep:

Interesting...Thanks for posting
 
I did it yesterday with some baking soda and herbal essence hello hydration. I loved it. I kept asking my SO if I had rinsed it all out because my hair felt so soft. I'm going to try it again in a few days with just salt.
 
:lol: Girl, I'll never shame (or fault) someone for being scared - trust, if I hadn't done it first, accidentally, I'd be giving the crazy woman putting salt (SALT!?!?!?!?) in her hair the sideeye myself. :lachen:

:lachen: yeah this turned quite amazing, it got me thinking about my hard water here more seriously too
 
Hello?! This stuff is the TRUTH! I did it yesterday with some cheap table salt and my conditioner and i left it in for an hour. My hair was SOO easy to detangle and style. my hair is so soft and silky. i love this!

is it ok to use this every wash? I may use it every other.
 
I use to live in a coastal city. Whenever I went swimming in the ocean, the next day or so, my curls would hang more and clump together more. So I definitely believe this works. Never thought to try it this way now that I'm land locked. But I definitely will now!
 
I always thought salt was drying to the hair :whyme: I don't think I will be trying this one but for the ladies' it works for, go 'head! Do your thing!
 
I always thought salt was drying to the hair :whyme: I don't think I will be trying this one but for the ladies' it works for, go 'head! Do your thing!

So did I...A few weeks ago, I bought some John Freida Wave Spray b/c it was on sale, but when I saw sea salt as the 2nd ingredient, I promptly returned it. Also, when I go to the tropics, my hair feels 'soft' due to the humid air, but dries out from the ocean water. Not trying to be a pessimist, just adding a diff. perspective :)

Good luck to those who are having success using salt!
 
I just did it again last night. I did a clarify wash, and dc'd with HEHH, coconut oil and a little salt. My relaxed ends don't feel so good to me. I think I'll leave this one alone until I'm done transitioning.
 
I'm wondering if using this is like clarifying the hair? If so, I would think that clarifying and then using the salt would dry it out? I dunno, but I'm guessing!
 
All Hail JustKiya! To the Queen of Salt.. I am but your minion here to serve!!!!!!

This treatment is great. I have tried it 2 times.

The first time, I accidently used coarse sea salt (added to my HH LTR). My hair was softer but my texture was also different. I am texlaxed- my hair came out a bit kinkier. Since I am bunning for the most part, I didn't care for the change because it made my edges a little unruly.

I was feeling bold so I tried it again a few days later with fine sea salt (again with LTR) and got fabulous results. I have naturally soft hair, but this is just ridiculous.

I have been pretty busy as of late, so I just used it as part of my WNG in the morn. Haven't tried with DC yet.

Now that I have figured out what works for me, will probably do about twice a month.

Oh- concerning the kosher salt- not only are the crystals bigger, but they also have no preservatives or additives. That's why most professional chefs prefer.
 
for the ladies concerned about whether or not this is drying:

the original thread said to add 1 teaspoon of salt per cup of conditioner. i don't think that's enough salt to cause significant concern, plus the fact that it's mixed in with conditioner really shouldn't be a problem.

also, think of it this way. many sports soft drinks like gatorade have a tiny bit of salt to increase moisture retention.

a little bit of salt can't be a bad thing!

it's not like yall are doing salt rinses, with equal parts salt and water! (at least i hope not)
 
Well I tried this because curiousity got the best of me :look:. I can't say that my entire head was soft like others claimed but my ends have never dried this soft :grin: I will be trying this again with a few tweaks such as using Epson salt instead and not fully rinsing it out. I think I rinsed it almost completely out afraid of having the salt not fully dissolve in the conditioner. I'll will mos def do this week after next.
 
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