Organic Hair Salon

It’s normal for us to visit a hair salon every once in a while. Not only is it a basic part of our grooming routine, but it also helps us look more polished and put together. Taking care of your hair is great for you both mentally and physically. Most of us visit regular hair salons, not even considering what type of products the salon uses or the methods which are used for different hair treatments. More and more people are starting to realize many hair care products contain harmful chemicals and can be quite damaging for our hair. It’s important to avoid chemicals in products, but of course not every salon uses organic products. That is why there are so many new organic hair salons that are being opened and are gaining popularity. What exactly is an organic hair salon and what type of services does it provide?

Organic Hair

What is an organic hair salon?

Organic hair salons are eco-friendly hair salons that use all organic, natural products. These products contain pure ingredients only, free from artificial colourants, fragrances, parabens, PEG’s or petroleum. They use natural treatments, usually handmade, on hair. Organic salons also support zero waste, try to reuse their products and avoid using plastic. Embracing an organic approach can benefit the beauty industry in many ways. Not only are these salons helping save the planet, but they are also providing their clients with amazing hair services.

What does a salon need to contain in order to be considered organic?

The most important thing your salon needs is all organic products. No leather chairs or plastic items, everything should be recyclable and non-harmful for the environment. All of the actual hair care products should contain organic ingredients, no harsh chemicals. Most organic salons make their own products that involve hand-mixing plants, herbs, clays, essential oils, hydrolysates and mud. They aren’t too difficult to make and give amazing results. Pure raw products are considered to give the best natural results. An organic salon values health, your wellbeing, the essential quality of life and the general satisfaction of its customers. Products should always be high quality and contain transparent ingredients easily available for customers to check. A lot of the time available products are branded as “naturally derived”, but in reality are only covered in images of plants and contain hardly any natural ingredients. Most good quality products can be found in your local health food store- look for the certified stamps that have the word “organic” or even vegan-friendly products.

Hair Salon

Why are organic salons becoming so popular?

As you may have noticed, today’s society is more aware of the dangers of harsh chemicals, non-eco-friendly products and is focused on saving the planet. People try to incorporate eco-friendly products into their daily routine and use as little plastic as possible. Zero waste is also a huge trend that many are following and trying to reuse anything they can. Being more aware of the damage we cause our environment is very crucial and beneficial since we can make a change and help stop the negative impacts. Having a clean diet and exercising often is known to have amazing effects on your physical appearance, but people are also realizing that what you actually put on your body is just as important. Our skin is our biggest organ and everything we apply onto it is absorbed into our bloodstream. Synthetic chemicals disrupt our system and cause many medical problems. This is why the beauty industry has seen a 10% increase year on year in organic beauty sales and it’s only growing! An organic salon is an amazing option for people with sensitive skin and damaged hair since they use delicate products that won’t irritate the scalp or your skin.

What should a typical visit to an organic salon look like?

Every salon has its own way of doing things, but in general, each visit should look similar. Usually, a hair stylist starts by examining a client’s scalp and determining what type of treatments are needed. It also depends on what the client wants to do with their hair, whether it be to dye or cut it. After evaluating the scalp and hair, a good option would be a relaxing hair mask mixture made from all natural ingredients such as aloe vera, clay, althea, pineapple, essential oils and different plants or herbs. Steaming the hair after applying the mask is an amazing way to lock it in and let’s not forget how relaxing it feels. After steaming, the hair is washed (oil head massage included) with only organic shampoos and conditioners. An additional acid-wash mix of different plants closes the cuticles and leaves the hair shiny. Next, either hair dye is applied, the hair is cut, blow dried or only styled. The whole process may seem more like a hair spa experience leaving you feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Organic Hairdresser

What should organic salons value?

The most important thing for this type of salon should be their customers’ satisfaction. This, of course, should be a priority in every hair salon, but organic hair salons care more about the wellbeing of their clients. Using natural products that aren’t harmful to the environment and healthy for the hair shows that these salons aren’t only in it for the profit. Having a nice, relaxed atmosphere should be another characteristic of this type of salon. A lot of salons like to decorate with many plants and greenery. Remember not to overdo it though, keep it clean and fresh. A popular theme is light, usually white furniture, relaxing background music and herbal tea to serve to clients while they wait.

What should the price range be of these salons?

On first thought, you may be frightened to think of the prices in organic salons. For some reason, organic products are always associated with crazy prices. Of course, you usually do have to pay a little more to get better quality products, but in the case of organic salons, it isn’t a significant difference. In fact, it may actually be cheaper depending on which salons you go to and how often you get your hair done. Most organic products are more expensive than mainstream drugstore brands but less expensive than professional salon-level products. Keep in mind that organic products differ from mainstream products- they usually have different textures and can require a little more effort to work them in.

Popular organic salon treatments

After visiting an organic salon you’ll probably feel inspired to do many of their salon treatments by yourself. Here are some of the most popular hair masks and treatments organic salons use on clients:

-Coconut Oil And Almond Milk Hair Mask- mix together three tablespoons of egg white, four tablespoons of almond milk and two tablespoons of coconut oil. Apply the mixture onto your hair and leave it on for about 10 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water and notice how shiny and nourished your hair feels!

-Olive Oil And Avocado Hair Mask- this mask is great for damaged hair. Blend one avocado with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Apply onto hair for 10-15 minutes and rinse off thoroughly.

-Massaging the scalp- this may seem funny, but massaging your scalp helps a lot with hair growth, especially when used with hair oils. Try a mini head massage next time you’re washing your hair.

-Aloe Vera- leaving a thick layer of aloe vera on your scalp and hair for a few minutes can really strengthen your follicles.

-Egg mask- one of the most popular hair masks. It adds texture, rebuilds damaged ends and removes excessive oils. Make an egg concoction and leave it on your hair for 20 minutes. It’s important to rinse this mask with cold water before washing it with shampoo and conditioner.

-Honey and Banana Hair Mask- mash a banana in a bowl until smooth and add in a few teaspoons of honey. Apply to clean, slightly damp hair and rinse after 20-30 minutes. Your hair will be super soft and smelling amazing after!

-Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse- mix a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with water, pour it over your hair and let it sit for a few minutes. It brings your hair to its ideal acidity and leaves it looking and feeling healthy. It also helps with those struggling with dandruff.

All of these treatments are commonly used in organic salons, but these recipes are simplified so you can easily remake them at home.

Organic Hair Products

Chemicals you should avoid

These chemicals are widely found in the ingredients of many available hair products. They aren’t the best for your hair, so before buying or using a product, make sure you check the ingredients to see if it contains any of these:

-SLS- sodium lauryl, aka sodium laureth sulphate. This chemical is in a lot of shampoos, so it can be hard to avoid. It dries your hair out and strips it from its natural oils. Sulfates can cause irritation, redness and itching, especially if your scalp is sensitive.

-PEG or polyethene glycols. These are synthetic petrochemicals found in hair care products, especially hair dyes. They also dry out the hair and leave it brittle.

-Triclosan- this antibacterial agent weakens the immune system and creates abnormal levels of hormones and the endocrine system.

-Synthetic fragrances- these can cause many bad reactions such as headaches, chest tightness and asthma. Fragrances are often used in hair care products to give a nice scent, but most people don’t know that they don’t serve any functional purpose. They should especially be avoided by those with sensitive skin.

-Propylene glycol (PG)- found in many shampoos, conditioners, styling gels and lotions. They break down healthy proteins and cellular structure and cause scalp irritation.

Organic product recommendations

When it comes to actual healthy products, here are some examples of shampoos, conditioners, hair dyes and hair-styling products:

-John Masters Organics

-Rahua

-Burt’s Bees

-Green People

-Aveda

-Nourish

-Naturtint

-Natulique

Keep in mind that organic salons are made for your well-being and support personal care. Taking care of your hair is an essential part of your physical appearance. Give it a try and see how fantastic you will feel after visiting one

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