Everyone has their own little routine for washing their hair. Maybe you have a specific brand of shampoo you adore, or maybe you prefer to wash your hair in a certain order, like starting with the scalp and working down, scrubbing the oil and gunk out to leave it shiny and clean.
Whatever it is, you know that when you're out of the shower and your hair is dry, it's going to look fabulous.
But hair experts are saying there's a way to make your hair even shinier, bouncier, and cleaner than your usual routine. This beauty ingredient is so simple, it's almost hard to believe.
What is it? Sugar!
It's surprising, right? And it might be because more and more studies have come out showing that sugar, especially refined sugars, can really do a number on your body if you eat too much.
But on your body is a slightly different story.
Dermatologist Dr. Francesca Fusco suggests adding a tablespoon of sugar to your favorite moisturizing shampoo for hair that's even cleaner and shinier than normal. And who doesn't love clean and shiny hair?
So if sugar is so bad for you, how it is good for your hair? The answer is quite simple.
[H/T: Daily Mail, Marie Claire]
If you want to make your shampoo do a little more for your hair than it already does, dermatologist Dr. Francesca Fusco suggests tweaking its recipe at home with something you already have.
And the best part is that this works with any kind of shampoo, although Dr. Fusco recommends using a moisturizing shampoo for this trick.
What's the secret ingredient?
Regular ole granulated sugar, the kind you put in your coffee in the morning, works perfectly. If you want, you can also try an organic raw sugar, as long as you make sure it's good and grainy.
Sugar might be the culprit of a lot of health issues, especially if consumed in excess, but when it comes to the outside of you, it's actually a great beauty aid.
Dr. Fusco recommends using about a tablespoon per your normal amount of shampoo. If you have short hair, you'll likely need less. And yes, it will feel a bit scratchy and weird at first, but you'll get used to it.
Sugar boosts your hair health by gently exfoliating your scalp, sloughing away dead skin and impurities that can cause dandruff, oiliness, and residue that builds up in your hair, causing it to become dull and dirty-looking.
A healthy scalp is integral to healthy hair, allowing new hair growth.
After all, your scalp is skin, and just like the rest of your skin, it needs to be cleansed. In fact, sugar is used by DIYers all over the world to make scrubs for the face and body. It can also be found in professionally made products.
Another neat trick? If you're out of hairspray, a bit of sugar water will tame flyaways. Just be careful not to attract any fruitflies — maybe keep that trick for the winter.
The nice things about using sugar as an exfoliant is that it dissolves in water, so there's no need to worry about it gunking up your drain or getting stuck in your hair. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly.
A word of caution, though: if you have any cuts, abrasions, or irritation on your scalp, don't use sugar. Be careful about washing your hair with regular shampoo in general.
Now you're ready to star in your own shampoo commercial!
Would you try this sugary trick, or does it sound too weird for you? Have you ever used something unexpected on your hair? How did it turn out? Let us know in the comments, and SHARE this trick with anyone looking for some extra oomph.
