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Bentonite Clay Treatment – Welcome Back!!!

Today i have returned to my all time favourite treatment – the Bentonite Clay Treatment. I didn’t do it at all last month as i was reviewing the curl harmony range exclusively so now i’m done with that i can return to what i know my hair loves. Don’t get me wrong, the Curl Harmony products worked very well on my hair but i am happy to return to my natural treatments.

I started by gently heating a can of coconut milk in a pan on the stove. I dropped in a few chunks of cocoa butter and added a little bit of water to increase the overall amount. I poured this mix in the blender and added in 1/2 Teaspoon each of Hydrolysed Wheat Protein and Silk Amino Acids for an extra protein Kick. My hair really needed it after a month without any kind of protein aside from that which i put in my Leave-In Conditioner.

I turned the blender on and added 1-2 tablespoon of Rhassoul Clay and 2-3 tablespoons of bentonite clay until it was nice and thick. I poured it into a plastic bowl and measured the pH of the mix out of curiosity. It measured a 7, which is fine to use on the hair and scalp as this is within the safer pH range but (you know me) i wanted it closer to the hair’s pH range so added in a 1/4 teaspoon of Citric Acid which lowered it right down to 4.5. Nice. If you don’t have Citric Acid you can use ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) or Aloe vera juice in place of the extra water added which should bring the pH range down.

Once the mix was ready i co-washed and detangled first with Curl Harmony Cleansing Conditioner a section at a time and Clarified with an ACV Rinse. I didn’t rinse out the ACV i just squeezed out the excess. I then applied the Clay Mix a section at a time. There was a lot of mix so i didn’t hold back at all. I really smothered my hair and scalp with it and clipped up each section out of the way. I smoothed some of the left over mix on my face for a nourishing face mask. I left it on for about 30mins.

I rinsed it out a section at a time. I love this clay treatment. It really works wonders for my hair. The extra protein made a difference as my hair felt strengthened, but not hard or wiry. The clay itself is SO EASY to rinse out and it doesn’t leave any grittiness in the hair. My hair felt silky smooth, soft and yet strong. It was great!

For a picture tutorial of how i make and use the Clay Treatment see my previous post Here.

I deep conditioned with my favourite DC Conditioner JASON’s 84% Aloe Vera Conditioner, mixed with a little honey and oil. I applied it a section at a time and covered my hair with a plastic bag. I left it on for about an hour before rinsing it out under cool water. Mmmm Soft. Lovely. lol

I towel dried, smoothed in some leave-in conditioner and Shea Butter mix, Buttered my scalp and braided my hair to air-dry, all a section at a time.

My hair feels wonderful – So soft and silky. What a difference a ‘clay’ makes. lol.

 

For my previous post on the benefits of Bentonite, Rhassoul Clay and Coconut milk click here.

 

 

 

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The Benefits Of… Bentonite Clay, Rhassoul Clay & Coconut Milk

So, my last post was about a bentonite clay treatment, which consisted of bentonite clay, Rhassoul clay and coconut milk. I just wanted to post the benefits of each ingredient to show why they are so good.

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite, also referred to as Montmorillonite, is one of the most effective and powerful healing clays which has been used for centuries for both internal and external maladies. It is a sedimentary clay from volcanic ash.

Once combined with water, bentonite has an enormous surface area that stretches open like a highly porous sponge. The toxins are drawn into these spaces and then eliminated.

“Clay has a negative electrical attraction for particles that are positively charged.  Most of the toxic poisons are positively charged.
These toxins are irresistibly drawn towards the clay. The very minuteness of the particles of Bentonite gives a large surface area in proportion to the volume used, thus enabling it to pick up many times its weight in positively charged particles.”
Source:
Robert T. Martin, Ph.D.
Mineralogist at Massachusetts’s Institute of Technology – an authority on Bentonite.

“Bentonite can absorb pathogenic viruses, aflatoxin (a mold), and pesticides and herbicides including Paraquat and Roundup. The clay is eventually eliminated from the body with the toxins bound to its multiple surfaces.”
Source:
The Canadian Journal of Microbiology (31 [1985], 50-53)

Bentonite contains over 70 natural occurring trace minerals like:
Silica- 61.4% (required for strong healthy hair growth and skin tissue regeneration)
Aluminium- 18.1%
Iron- 3.5%
Sodium- 2.3%
Magnesium- 1.7%
Calcium- 0.04%
Titanium- 0.02%
Potassium- 0.01%
Moisture- 7.8%
pH – 8.3 – 9.1

Bentonite has a high percentage of naturally occurring Silica & Iron than most other naturally occurring clays.
Silica & Iron deficiency may lead to:

• Skin becoming loose and dehydrated
• Lack lustre hair
• Poor bone development
• Brittle nails

Effective & powerful when taken:
Externally as a poultice, naturally curly Afro hair mask, face and body mud pack, sprinkled in the bath, and/or to reduce swelling.
Internally as a supplement for those with mineral deficiencies.

Hair Care Benefits:
After you Shampoo
One single treatment of Bentonite Clay will remove build-up from your scalp leaving naturally curly and Afro hair clean and clear.
As a shampoo replacement
Bentonite Clay may also be used like a shampoo trapping and removing dirt, debris, build up and other particles from your hair and scalp.

Rhassoul Clay

Rhassoul is a spa quality mineral-rich clay from Morocco. It’s quite different from other cleansing clays, being exceptionally gentle and beneficial even for dry hair and sensitive skin and scalp conditions

It’s extraordinary ability to absorb water and form a gel-like consistency makes rhassoul more effective than other clays for cleansing skin and hair and enhancing the hair’s texture and volume. Indeed, if you dream of big hair, rhassoul may well please you!

Rhassoul contains high levels of skin-healing silica, potassium and magnesium. Clinical studies have been conducted by two research laboratories in the USA (International Research Services Inc. and Structure Probe Inc.) to evaluate the effects on the skin of using rhassoul clay masks.
Even a single application of rhassoul results in measurable improvement to the skin:

  • Reduces dryness (79%)
  • Reduces flakiness (41%)
  • Improves skin clarity (68%)
  • Improves skin elasticity/firmness (24%)
  • Improves skin texture (106%)

This silky brown clay has the following main advantages:

  • Completely non-irritating to skin and scalp
  • Cleans skin and hair without removing all of its protective sebum
  • Removes surface oil and oil from inside and around comedones (blackheads and whiteheads)
  • Leaves hair soft and shiny and enhances its volume
  • Gradually reduces the need for frequent hair washing
  • Removes dandruff and eases problems of excessively oily hair

Unlike most other clays used in face and body packs, rhassoul will not dry out the skin and hair and is even suitable for sensitive skin.
IMPORTANT: When seeking spa quality mineral clays, please don’t confuse rhassoul with cheap Moroccan red clay. This exerts a strong ‘drawing’ action and is totally unsuitable for sensitive and dry skin. Indeed, Moroccan red clay is useful only as an occasional deep cleansing treatment for oily skin. Rhassoul, on the other hand, is suitable for all skin and hair types and is gentle enough for daily use.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk contains proteins, which strengthen hair and can help to minimize breakage. It also has properties which protect hair and scalp from UV rays. It is a rich source of vitamins A and E, potassium and calcium

  • Using coconut milk for improving hair growth is another simple home remedy for hair loss that some claim to offer results. Apply all over your scalp with fingers and give your scalp a deep massage so that the coconut milk reaches the roots of your hair.
  • It serves to nourish the hair and promote the growth of new hair. In addition, it keeps the existing hair in a healthy condition. It gives your hair shine, softness, and promotes hair growth!
  • It is good for the health of your skin and hair. It is widely used as a base in many cosmetic applications and products like hair oil and skin moisturizers. It is an excellent hydrant.
  • It is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help the body to hold against ageing, sagging of the skin, poor vision and low bone density.
  • Presence of lauric acid in coconut milk renders anti fungal, anti bacterial and anti viral properties to it. The effect is that it is excellent when it comes to fighting infections.
  • It is good for the heart too. The lauric acid present in it, helps to unclog the arteries.
  • In spite of the fact that coconut milk contains saturated fats, it helps in weight loss too. The fat consists of short chain and medium chain fatty acids as a result the body converts it into energy and does not store the same as fat.
  • In addition to all of the above, it also aids in digestion and is also used as a laxative.
 

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Clay Treatment – Tutorial

So, it’s the first Sunday of the month and i’m due a shampoo and protein treatment of some sort. The first wash of the month is when i spend the most time on my hair.

A good friend of mine told me how good coconut milk is on the hair and how protein rich it is. I was also told about using bentonite clay on hair and how good it is so i thought i would combine the two treatments together to make a coconut clay treatment. So here’s what i did on my wash day:

  • The night before i did an oil treatment using my oil mix, sectioning my hair into four and applying oil and then twisting the sections. I put a plastic bag over my head and then wrapped my headscarf round my head and went to bed.
  • I shampooed my hair using Aubrey Organics J.A.Y Revitalising Shampoo for dry/damaged hair concentrating on my scalp mostly, rinsed and then final rinsed with ACV diluted in water. About 1/4 cup ACV to 500ml of water. I didn’t wash out the ACV but left it on my hair as i went to prepare the bentonite clay.
  • Things You Need Things needed are: Bentonite clay, Rhassoul clay, Coconut milk, water, Olive oil, Cocoa butter, blender/hand blender, pot.
  • First, i added about 200ml of coconut milk to the pan and about the same of water and warmed it gently on the stove. Whilst it was warming i added in a chunk of cocoa butter and let the heat of the milk melt it. Then i added in some olive oil.
  • PICT0705 I put the milk mix into the blender and turned it on low. I added 1 tablespoon of Rhassoul clay and then slowly added in 2-3 tablespoons of bentonite clay until the mix was just a bit thicker than the thickest yoghurt.
  • Mixed This is what it looked like. I immediately rinsed out my blender as i did not want the clay to tarnish the metal blades. With the clay mixed i went back upstairs to continue with my wash routine.
  • I applied Herbal Essences Hello Hydration and detangled using the Denman brush by taking one section at a time untwisting, brushing, rinsing and retwisting.
  • Applying Clay I towel dried my hair and one section at a time took down the twist and applied the clay mix to my hair. I tried to make sure i really covered my scalp with the mix as well.
  • PICT0717 I also applied it to my face as i know bentonite clay is really good for the skin. If you suffer from acne then i would do this with caution as there are oils in the mix.
  • I left it on for about 15 mins and then rinsed it out, making sure i retwisted the section once fully rinsed.
  • I deep conditioned with JASON’S 84% Aloe Vera conditioner mixed with honey, macadamia oil and avocado oil. I left it on for about 2 hours with a plastic bag over my head.
  • I rinsed out the DC without taking down the twists, towel dried, applied my leave-in conditioner, shea pomade and hair oil, oiled my scalp with the pomade and braided my hair into four large braids to dry.

Notes – I really don’t like the way my hair feels after i shampoo it. It feels so striped. It’s dry and squeaky and horrible. I notice this as soon as i rinse out the shampoo. I tried to make sure i just shampooed my scalp but inevitably it got into my hair and striped it. I’m really starting to reconsider shampoo in my regular regime as i don’t think my hair likes it very much. What i’ll do is i’ll try using a different shampoo next time and see if that is the cause. If there’s no difference in feel then i think i’ll shampoo only occasionally and use the herbs, ACV and the clays to cleanse my hair.

Also, next time i’ll definitely leave the clay mix in my hair for bit longer, maybe 30 to 45 mins and see if i can get an even better result. When i was rinsing out the clay my hair felt so good, nourished and conditioned but on the inside. I can’t quite explain it but i know my hair liked it lots. The coconut milk really strengthened my hair whilst the oils conditioned and the clay’s removed any impurities and also added essential minerals into my strands.

I’ll probably follow this post with the benefits of each clay and coconut milk.

I bought the Rhassoul clay from Sheabutter Cottage
The Bentonite clay i bought from Naturally Green

 

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