What Are The Benefits Of Activated Charcoal For Your Hair?

Using activated charcoal for your hair is the best and the easiest way to give it a thorough cleansing. Moreover, it can also help transform your rough and dull hair. You might have noticed that charcoal face masks and charcoal-based detox drinks have been on the trend recently. The products containing activated charcoal exfoliates the scalp and remove the dirt build-up and the excess sebum without causing any side effects. This natural and nontoxic product is apt for all hair types, helps in reducing dandruff, and encourages hair growth. Want to know more benefits? Keep reading.

In This Article

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.

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 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.

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, lets 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

Heat up the coconut oil until it has melted completely.
Mix the activated charcoal powder with the coconut oil.
Apply this mixture to your scalp.
Gently massage your scalp in circular motions. This will boost blood circulation and help in gentle exfoliation.
Keep this hair mask on for about 20 minutes.
Rinse it off with warm water and a mild shampoo.

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. Keep reading to find out the best charcoal products for your hair.

Key Takeaways

Charcoal is a natural and safe way to cleanse your hair and scalp of toxins, debris, and excess oils.
Activated charcoal’s fine texture provides gentle but effective cleansing without stripping your hair of its natural oils.
People with sensitive skin can use activated charcoal to treat various scalp issues such as flaking, inflammation, and itching.

Activated charcoal helps exfoliate your scalp and removes excess sebum and dirt build-up. It is a natural and non-toxic product with several other benefits, including minimizing dandruff and improving hair growth. You may use activated charcoal for hair cleansing and remove toxins from your scalp. You can either add activated charcoal to the shampoo or prepare DIY hair masks and include it in your hair care routine. Since it is a natural ingredient, it suits all skin types and causes no side effects. However, always do a patch test before using it for the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Sources

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

Activated Charcoal: Preparation, characterization, and Applications: A review article,
http://www.oxinchemistry.ir/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ACTIVATED-CARBON.pdf

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Annie Jangam

Annie Jangam is a researcher-turned-content writer. She enjoys dissecting complex clinical studies and shuffling through the scientific jargon to make… more

Madison Dufour

(Barber & Cosmetologist)Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including… more