The 4 Best Natural Chelating Agents for Hair
Discover the 4 Best Natural Chelating Agents for Hair in 2019
We hear plenty about detoxification of the body these days, but when was the last time you heard about the detoxification of the hair?
In this blog post, I will explain how these 4 Best Natural Chelating Agents can help detoxify your hair from harmful pollutants in our environment.
- Chelating Shampoos that use EDTA to remove healthy metals
- The Effectiveness of Club Soda
- Strengthening your hair follicles with Apple Cider Vinegar
- The Miracle of Catalase and how it can help prevent gray hair
Firstly, you might be wondering “What is a Chelating Agent?” Let’s start by answering this fundamental question…
Table of Contents
What is a Chelating Agent?
Let’s first start by breaking down chelating agents and discovering why at least 85% of Americans are in dire need of them to rescue their tresses. Simply put, chelating agents can be used to detoxify, or draw out, a toxic metal.
The very brief science behind it is summarized here: “[c]helating agents are chemical compounds whose structures permit the attachment of their two or more donor atoms (or sites) to the same metal ion simultaneously and produce one or more rings. These molecules are also called “chelates” or chelating groups, and the formation of rings is called “chelation.” [1] The graphic below illustrates how a chelating agent works:
Sourced: https://bit.ly/30NpmVB
The use of chelating agents in medicine certainly isn’t a new concept, although as a form of medical treatment it is quite controversial. A Harvard Health article states that “[c]helation therapy is an FDA-approved therapy—for treating mercury, lead, and other types of heavy-metal poisoning, as well as for iron overload (hemochromatosis) and some types of anemia.” [2]
However, the use of chelating agents for hair is non-invasive and, therefore, not at all controversial. I know what you’re thinking- “why on earth does my hair need chelation?” Keep reading!
Why Use a Chelating Agent on Your Hair?
You may have heard of clarifying shampoos, which work to rid your hair of dirt and oil build up. Chelation is taking it a step further by detoxifying your hair of mineral and potentially toxic metal build up.
Detoxes are super trendy right now and we shouldn’t neglect our hair and scalp. But why does your hair and scalp need a detox? There are a number of factors that can cause build up on your hair and scalp. Continued use of hair products such as gel or dry shampoo can cause excessive build up. However, even more vexing is the build-up of heavy metals and minerals. Most homes are equipped with copper pipes and the water that runs through those pipes is not immune to contamination.
Even more frightening is older homes and buildings that are still outfitted with lead pipes. Additionally, the Water Quality Association explains that “[h]ard water is a common quality of water, which contains dissolved compounds of calcium and magnesium and, sometimes, other divalent and trivalent metallic elements.” [3]
Home Water 101 estimates that about 85% of homes in the United States are equipped with hard water. Additionally, some heavy metals are naturally occurring in tap water. Essentially, the water you wash your hair with is a major culprit in this metal and mineral build up.
“When hard water minerals build up in your hair, they can dramatically change the way it looks and feels. Residue can weigh down your hair, making it look dull and lifeless. In addition, hard water minerals strip moisture from your hair, which is why it becomes dry and frizzy.” [4]
Extreme cases of prolonged hard water use can even lead to hair loss. Hard water not only leads to mineral build up on your hair and scalp, it also wreaks havoc on the pH balance on your noggin. PH balance is essential for healthy hair and a healthy scalp and can help prevent hair from breaking and help your hair to better hold moisture. “Chelation neutralizes your hair and scalp to restore its natural pH balance.” [5] Check out this video for more info:
Not sure if, or how, hard water is affecting you? Well, calcium and chlorine essentially choke your hair at the root; magnesium takes the shine off your hair; sulfates can strip natural oils; iron causes excessive dry feeling and changes hair texture; copper discolors your hair; silica forms a hard and insoluble deposit on surfaces; and lead prevents chemical services, such as perms and colors, from processing. [5]
And there’s worse news for blondes- “you’re more likely to see your hair turn orange…Water with high amounts of calcium and magnesium makes blonde hair brassy.” [5] Do any of these “symptoms” hit close to home?
Other than doing extensive research to find a place that is devoid of hard water, packing up, and moving there, what can you do about it? FYI, if you decide to go this route, steer clear of Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Antonio and Tampa- they have some of the hardest water in the country. However, if you don’t see a move in your near future (at least not because of hard water) chelating agents can certainly help breathe life back into your hair.
The 4 Best Natural Chelating Agents for Your Hair in 2019
- Chelating Shampoos
There are a number of shampoos on the market that are marketed as “chelating shampoos.” The active ingredient in these products that serves the chelating purpose is typically Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or EDTA. Before I try any new beauty product, I typically check the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database (https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/) to ensure that it is something safe that I am comfortable putting on my hair or skin. Or, in this case, I checked out the active ingredient, the EDTA.
Before and Aftering a Clarifiying EDTA Shampoo! Sourced: https://bit.ly/2Yh5757
EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database rates products or ingredients on a scale from 1-10; 1-2 is “low hazard,” 3-6 is a “moderate hazard,” and 7-10 is a “high hazard.” The EWG is transparent regarding the amount of data available when making their determination and is forthcoming with this information. The EWG investigates numerous factors when determining a product’s grade and even grades each category individually.
When looking at cosmetics, the EWG considers cancer risk, developmental and reproductive toxicity, allergies and immunotoxicity, use restrictions, and overall hazard. The EWG’s report of EDTA is very favorable, rating it a 2, thus classifying it as a low hazard.
Chelating shampoos contain a “high concentration of chelating agents that surround minerals making them more soluble so they can be washed away.” [6] Chelating shampoos also help your conditioner and other hair products work better. The chelating agent purifies the hair and rids it of buildup allowing the product to actually get to your hair to do its job. You shouldn’t use chelating shampoo every day.
Use it about once a month or before any sort of scheduled chemical treatment, such as coloring.
If you are looking for a high quality EDTA shampoo, I recommend “Advanced Thinning Hair Treatment” formulated by Dr. Proctor. It is made in the USA with over 20 years in proven results. Click Here to see it on our website!
- Club Soda
Club soda is a great do it yourself way to chelate your hair. Club soda effectively breaks up mineral deposits and won’t harm your hair. Club soda also works to neutralize the pH of your hair and scalp, as it has a stable pH of 5.
How to apply Club Soda in hair! Sourced: https://on.today.com/32LQLsG
Using club soda as a chelating agent is super easy- just pour a can over your head after shampooing and let it fizz. After rinsing the club soda, follow it up with your usual conditioner. Lastly, using club soda to chelate your hair is cheap and easy so it’s a great option if you’re not sure your hair needs chelating. [5]
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another great at home chelating agent. “Apple cider vinegar, while being acidic, is only slightly so—just enough to balance the pH of your hair (and scalp), not strip it. And because it’s a chelating agent, apple cider vinegar grabs the minerals and metals (mostly from hard water) that build up and dull your hair.” [7]
The Before and After using Apple Cider Vinegar in hair! Sourced: https://bit.ly/2LAkvUc
Apple cider vinegar is beneficial to your hair in many other ways, as well. It helps strengthen your hair and can help to unclog hair follicles. To try it out just add one to three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar per one cup of water and use it just as you would shampoo. [7]
Apple cider vinegar won’t harm your hair and there’s really no over doing it so you can use the solution a couple of times a week. There’s not much that apple cider vinegar isn’t good for. And, again, apple cider vinegar is super cheap, and you can get it anywhere so it’s a great alternative to spending $20-$30 on chelating shampoo.
- Prevent Gray Hair!
Hard water can be especially unkind to gray hair. The minerals build up on the lighter hue locks and create a brassy or even yellowish tint. However, there’s a product on the market that can help. And I’m not talking about covering up the grays, this product can actually prevent gray hair from forming.
Life Vitality’s “Gray Hair Rescind” with Catalase is a safe and innovative product that can stop and prevent gray hair from growing. Check out this video to see for yourself:
Life Vitality’s “Gray Hair Rescind” with Catalase is packed full of beneficial vitamins, nutrients, and herbs, but the crucial ingredient is the Catalase. “Catalase is a common enzyme, found in nearly all living organisms. It catalyses hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen and protects organisms from free radicals…” [8] “According to recent scientific studies, low levels of Catalase in your body can turn your hair gray. Hydrogen peroxide cannot be broken down. This causes the hydrogen peroxide to bleach the hair from the inside out, making it gray.” [9]
If you’re battling gray hair and need an anti-aging solution, this supplement is definitely worth a shot. Click Here to see Gray Hair Rescind on our website! It’s super reasonably priced and a great addition to your supplement routine.
Conclusion – Use This Information!
Now that you’re educated on chelating agents, hard water, and the havoc it can impose on your mane, you’re better equipped to take care of your tresses.
Whether that means dousing your locks in apple cider vinegar or adding a supplement to your nutrition tool box you know what to do. You’re ready to rid your hair of crippling toxic metal and mineral buildup or prevent graying hair and that inevitable yellow tone hard water can inflict.
Thank you for taking the time to read The 4 Best Natural Chelating Agents for Hair .
Your success is our passion. If you have any questions or contributions, please contact us via email or phone-call. We are constantly looking for new information to promote wellness – and hearing from you would make our day! Feel free to reach out to our free Health and Wellness Consultation headed by our Certified Health Consultant, Kurt LaCapruccia, D.S.S. (Diploma in Dietary Supplement Science).
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References:
[1] Govinder Flora, … Swaran J.S. Flora, in Handbook of Arsenic Toxicology, 2015
[3] https://www.wqa.org/learn-about-water/perceptible-issues/scale-deposits
[4] https://www.water-rightgroup.com/blog/hard-water-hair-skin-problems/
[5] https://www.botoxforhair.net/clarifying-shampoos/hard-water/
[6] https://www.elle.com/beauty/hair/news/a19099/spring-hair-detox/
[7] https://www.byrdie.com/apple-cider-vinegar-for-hair