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Never Use Bar Soap On Your Hair!
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Karen Shelton View Drop Down
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Joined: November 26 2000
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Points: 4515 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Karen Shelton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Never Use Bar Soap On Your Hair!
    Posted: January 06 2002 at 1:05am
Hi,

For some reason over the last few days I have been getting several different emails asking if it is OK to use regular bar soap on hair.

Not a good idea.

I think maybe the confusion about bar soap is because of all the new shampoos that are made like bar soaps. Burts Bees has their new shampoo soap bar, Lush makes soap bars and so does JR Liggett. Knotty Boy has a special dread shampoo that comes in a bar.

Regular bar soap like Dove or Ivory or whatever usually contains hard detergents that can dry out just about any type of hair. The usual bar of soap is very damaging to the hair because it can leave an alkaline film on the sclap, even after the hair has been completely rinsed. This alkaline film or deposit can clog the hair and oil openings in your scalp and its drying qualities can even lead to flaking and dandruff.

Bottom line, use the bar soap for your hands and body but keep it away from your scalp and hair.

Best wishes,
Karen
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)
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GloryGirl View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GloryGirl Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 07 2002 at 2:05am
My best friend used to use Ivory Soap on her hair and her hair always looked waxy and super dry. However, she decided that it was the best thing for her and the went with it although it trashed her hair.
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foxfan318 View Drop Down
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Joined: December 13 2000
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Points: 288 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote foxfan318 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 07 2002 at 8:58pm
Yes Commercial Soap on the hair is not cool. The reason being is it is not real soap. it is detergent. Commercial soap is stripped of it`s natural glycerine. The glycerine is more valuable if sold separately which leaves you with this harsh bar of detergent.

Shampoo bars and homemade soaps still retain the natural glycerine from the saponification process, and also has added oils for hair or soft skin..etc. I have been using handmade soap now for almost a year and have noticed a definite difference in my skin.

My next step is to start making shampoo bars.... ;)

Trix
Hair type: fine but thick; natural blonde with 15% grey
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Karen Shelton View Drop Down
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Points: 4515 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Karen Shelton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 08 2002 at 12:46am
Hiya FoxFan,

Have you checked out the Burt`s Bee new shampoo soap bar? Although I would not recommend it for someone with really long hair, it is wonderful for scalp only shampoos for long locks or for short to medium hair. I have a male with short hair at HairBoutique.com testing it and he likes it although he told me that it probably would not be as good for longer hair because while it tingles and helps with itchy scalps, it may be a little drying for delicate hair.

Thanks for the scoop on your handmade soap. It sound divine. :-)

Karen
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)
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Jennifer View Drop Down
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Points: 748 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jennifer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 08 2002 at 1:00pm
Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine using Zest (or the like) on my hair! However, I do know a man with super short hair (never any longer than 1/2 inch!) who is very frugal and uses bar soap on his hair. Since he gets a haircut once every 10 days or so, I suppose the hair never gets long enough to get damaged! Yet, I can`t imagine that it would be good for the scalp.

Btw, I`m sure this isn`t new to very many people, but I found a great use for the small bottles of shampoo that hotels provide in bathrooms -- laundering hosiery or even clothing in the sink when on a longer trip!

Jennifer
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foxfan318 View Drop Down
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Points: 288 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote foxfan318 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 08 2002 at 10:05pm
Originally posted by Karen Shelton Karen Shelton wrote:

Hiya FoxFan,

Have you checked out the Burt's Bee new shampoo soap bar? Although I would not recommend it for someone with really long hair, it is wonderful for scalp only shampoos for long locks or for short to medium hair. I have a male with short hair at HairBoutique.com testing it and he likes it although he told me that it probably would not be as good for longer hair because while it tingles and helps with itchy scalps, it may be a little drying for delicate hair.

Thanks for the scoop on your handmade soap. It sound divine. :-)

Karen

No I haven`t... I will have to check it out....

We can make shampoo bars for oily, dry and normal hair just like you can buy the liquid stuff. it`s determined by the type of fixed oils and essential oil combos u use.
Hair type: fine but thick; natural blonde with 15% grey
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