Are Bath Bombs Bad for Your Hair?


There is a lot of confusion when it comes to washing your hair whit bath bombs. Every time you soak in a tub filled with bath bombs, you wonder whether this is the right thing you’re doing with your hair or not.

Discover the ‘secrets’ Professional Bath Bomb Makers use to create luscious bath bombs with this step-by-step guide. You’ll have a priceless reference collection of product recipes with natural ingredients designed to create a relaxing spa atmosphere in your own home.

Bath bombs are not bad for your hair. You can soak your hair in a tub with bath bombs without much worry as it may not have a significant impact on it. Ingredients such as essential oils and citric acid present in bath bombs may even give your hair a soft, lustrous shine. It’s, however, advised to rinse hair thoroughly after each wash with plain water.

Discover the ‘secrets’ Professional Bath Bomb Makers use to create luscious bath bombs with this step-by-step guide. You’ll have a priceless reference collection of product recipes with natural ingredients designed to create a relaxing spa atmosphere in your own home.

In a nutshell, water infused with bath bombs won’t have any unfavorable effect on your hair. But that doesn’t really mean they are the most befitting option to use for hair wash. Therefore, it’s advised you rinse hair thoroughly once you dip the hair in a tub containing the ever-sparkling bath bombs.

Are bath bombs bad for your hair?

Bath bombs are primarily formulated with mild ingredients, so we don’t expect them to ruin your hair. However, there is a great chance that these sweet-smelling bombs will scent your hair for the rest of your day. So, if you are sensitive to smell, you may want to think it over before jumping into it.

Adding homemade bath bombs to a hot water tub means the addition of marvelous ingredients, either organic or chemical. However, when these bath bomb fizzes come with organic ingredients, they can do wonders to your skin, making it glow and without the worry that it may hurt your scalp or hair.

On the flip side, bath bombs with synthetic ingredients are another story. They’re not an encouraging option to choose from if the health of your hair is important to you. These bath bombs have a likely chance to damage your hair, especially when the citric acid lowers your hair’s natural PH. However, you can avoid this by rinsing your hair after a bath. This way, you won’t face any hair issues as most of the bath bomb ingredients dilute in the bathtub.

TIP: It’s healthier to rinse your hair properly with plain water to eradicate the residual and resolve any hair or scalp problems.

Can I wash my hair in bath bomb water?

Washing your hair with bath bomb water is possible. Most bath bombs don’t have any damaging effect on your hair. Water that had bath bombs in it won’t clean your hair as a shampoo would, but it will make your hair smell nice. It’s advised to wash your hair with regular shampoo.

A good number of bath bombs are infused with hair-friendly, safe ingredients. Formulations with natural ingredients don’t possess any major danger. However, if you use synthetic bath bombs, look carefully at the ingredients before you dip your hair in a cascade of bath bombs. 

Even if you’re going for a natural bath bomb, wet your hair in the bath bomb water. But to wash your hair, you’ll need shampoo, conditioner, and clean water from the showerhead. The bath bomb water won’t clean your hair because it doesn’t fulfill the purpose of a hair wash.

Note: If you are using bath bombs ingrained with dry-effect ingredients, don’t forget to use a conditioner after rinsing.

Go for bath bombs loaded with ingredients that moisturize your hair, such as coconut and apricot kernel oil. Both have a promising effect. If you want velvety bangs with an energetic body, put your finger on bath bombs that don’t dry. What is more important is to keep an eye on the essential oils present in the formulation, as some are more suited to your hair than others.

How do the ingredients of a bath bomb affect hair?

Bath bombs that contain baking soda are very abrasive on hair and strip it of its natural oil balance, which will impact the healthiness or beauty of your locks. Many bath bombs do have ingredients that may dry out one’s scalp, so people who don’t have healthy hair will be affected by this the most.

The majority of people have similar concerns regarding bath bombs stripping their hair of natural oils. Do we need to take this as truth or just an underlying myth? Let’s look deeper into some interesting facts about these components and why they affect your hair this way.

Baking Soda:

Can your hair endure a baking soda rinse? You may need to follow with a little bit of apple cider vinegar (ACV) to balance hair pH. Baking soda has great benefits for the hair and scalp if used properly. It helps exfoliate the scalp and remove the toxins accumulated from the excessive use of chemical-based products. It also helps remove the dirt and scum amassed due to pollution. Overactive oil glands can be naturally treated through baking soda. Hence, the occasional use of diluted baking soda boosts your hair care routine.

Citric Acid: 

Here again, you need to be vigilant. Can your hair tolerate the citric acid effect? When diluted, citric gives softness, shine, volume, and thickness to your hair. It’s advantageous for hair and cures dry scalp and dandruff. If used in greater quantities, it can make your hair dry and brittle. Fortunately, your bathtub containing one or two bath bombs does not contain a noteworthy amount of citric acid to cause dry hair. Don’t miss a generous hair wash with plain water after coming out of a shower brimming with fascinating bath bombs. 

Epsom Salt:

Epsom salt is a fair addition to your hair care routine. It’s not a bad idea to look after your hair as this salt helps in giving volume to the hair. Magnesium is an essential mineral that helps nourish the scalp and strengthen your hair. The focal point is that using a reasonable quantity of Epsom salt won’t damage your hair.

Researches show that salt granules are an exemplary product for exfoliating the scalp to remove dead cells and other impurities. Nevertheless, using salt is not likable if you have color-treated hair. The probability of losing color increases if they constantly come in contact with salty water. It’s necessary to use an invigorating shampoo after using Epsom salt for scalp treatment. 

Cornstarch:

Cornstarch is known to have mesmerizing effects on hair as it adds thickness and volume. It also takes up grease from the hair when your scalp is moist or oily. Especially after a workout, if you don’t have time to wash your hair, you can gently dab your hair with cornstarch for shine and luster. 

Colorants:

Colorants are not appealing for a flashy, stylish hair look. They probably will stain your hair, especially if you have blonde hair or salt and pepper grey. If discolored, you will need to wash them multiple times with shampoo to eliminate the color. 

Essential Oils:

Essential oils are not an awful option. They have their own nourishing and moisturizing effects on the hair and scalp. Lavender, peppermint, rosemary, cedarwood, lemongrass, thyme, and tea tree oils are apt for hair nourishment. Though, they may leave a greasy layer over your hair.

Coconut oil-based bath bombs are optimum to avoid losing their natural oils and keeping them conditioned and moisturized.  

Bath bombs are formulated to provide relaxation rather than cleaning. For that reason, it’s better to follow your hair care routine after every bath. 

Glitter:

Who doesn’t like the glitter floating on your bathtub? An aura of twinkling stars attracts your attention but remember. They will stick to your hair for weeks ahead. It’s hard to get rid of glitter with only one or two washes. This beauty further clings to your hair on drying. To avoid this hassle, don’t immerse your hair in shimmering water. 

Surfactants

Don’t fret over surfactants present in the bath bombs as they are found in your shampoo, soap, and shower gels too. They create bubbles, foam as well as remove dirt, grease, and grime effortlessly.

Should you wash your hair with a bath bomb?

Bath bombs offer a charming experience, but they’re not specialized cleaning products. Thus you shouldn’t see bath bombs as a replacement for your shampoo. 

For prime hair care, regular use of shampoo and conditioner for deep cleaning your hair is vital. Even if the bath bombs contain surfactants, they don’t work to clean hair but only to embellish them. It’s ok to spend on luxury bath bombs if you want. Your hair will be fragrant for the rest of the day and smell good if you like the smell.

But be aware, with bath bombs that have decorative material like glitter, no one wants something clinging to their hair.

Make sure to keep your hair free of bath bomb residue. With this end in mind, use a shower head to wash your hair.

Which bath bombs with surfactants are the safest for your hair?

Surfactants happen to produce bubbles and foam in bath bombs and other cleaning essentials. These products help us clean the grime and greasy lubricants sticking to our skin for the spotless result (or any other surface). 

If you squeeze a satisfactory amount of surfactants in your tub along with bath bombs to highlight the effect and get clean hair.

Most people are concerned about the presence of SLS in their hair products. However, Dr. Stefanie Morris, an expert dermatologist and Medical Director at European Dermatology London believes that when we rinse an SLS-containing product, it only remains on the negligible skin amount. This amount is not likely to cause skin irritation or any other side effects. 

However, it’s necessary to rinse the hair carefully after using SLS to guarantee it’s absent in the hair and scalp.

SLS has a drying effect on hair; it’s appropriate to add moisturizing material such as butter and oils to the bath bomb. In place, you can also use bath bombs with SLS, which is a milder form of SLS.

Here is a hair-friendly bath bomb recipe

Almost all the basic bath bomb recipes are composed of similar ingredients and quantities. Used moderately, the ingredients bring a positive, healthy impact on hair and scalp simultaneously. Citric acid plays a vital role in the whole picture.

Ingredients:

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  • Baking Soda: 1 cup
  • Citric acid: ½ cup
  • Epsom salt: ½ cup
  • Cornstarch: ½ cup
  • Water: 1 tsp
  • Oil: 2 tsp (sweet almond, jojoba, or coconut) 
  • Essential oil: 2 tsp (lavender is best for hair)
  • Food coloring: avoid if you fear your hair might catch the stain
  • SLS, or any other surfactant if you intend the bath bombs for cleaning your hair.

Method: 

  • In a mixing bowl, add baking soda, Epsom salt, and cornstarch.
  • In another mixing bowl, add both oils and mix well.
  • Now pour the oils into dry ingredients and mix well using your hands.
  • Add the citric acid to this mixture. The mixture will fizz slightly at this normal stage.
  • If you are using a surfactant, add it too.
  • At this stage, the consistency of the mixture should be similar to wet sand.
  • Pack the mixture in your desired molds tightly.
  • Take out the bath bombs on wax paper and leave them to dry for at least 24 hours in a humidity-controlled environment.
  • When they are completely dry, pack them as desired.

What to do after if you wash your hair with a bath bomb?

If your vanity room is decked with a bath bomb that embodies bath melt inside, remember that your hair will be slippery and oily. It’s useless washing your hair specifically with a bath bomb, except that it will smell like a bath bomb for the rest of the day. 

You would wet your hair with bath bomb-filled water, don’t dream of getting cleaned, unsoiled hair. Bath bombs are not for cleaning purposes. In the end, wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. Lastly, rinse your hair with fresh water. 

If you think your hair doesn’t require cleaning, just rinse them downright with fresh water using a showerhead.

It’s a joy to see your bath bombs ready right in front of your eyes. Just throw one in your bathtub to get a burst of colors, fizz, and relaxing aroma. Take a deep breath, sink-in with your hair confidently and ease your senses. You have earned the sweet fruit of your hard work. No harm comes. Just give a quick rinse before you leave the bathtub. 

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