How Well Do Homemade Hair Treatments Work?

Shine and Deep Conditioning

For adding shine, softening and deep conditioning hair, many homemade treatments work better than their commercial counterparts. Stylists to the stars often admit to using homemade products on their clients, such as olive oil for shine and honey for conditioning. These kitchen or home solutions owe their effectiveness in large part to the absence of additives like alcohol and stabilizers that can reduce the effectiveness of commercial products.

Shampoos and Conditioners

Depending on hair type, needs and products used, homemade hair treatments like shampoos and conditioners may work well or may not meet expectations. Individuals with oily hair often report great success with shampoos made with baking soda as a main ingredient, while those with dry hair may prefer a homemade shampoo with glycerin that helps add and retain moisture. The effectiveness of homemade hair treatments depends on choosing the right ingredients for your hair type.

Dye

Homemade hair dye treatments work well initially, but do not last as long as commercially produced dyes. On the other hand, however, they are usually not as damaging to the hair and can be repeated more frequently. Their effectiveness also depends on hair type and the type of dye used as well as whether the hair has been previously colored. The trade-off for less damage versus longer lasting color is a matter of personal preference.