Since its inception, TikTok has been churning out bizarre and hilarious content, and we’re so here for it. From slugging to celebs teasing candle-making lessons (?!), there’s always a hack being introduced to the masses. Like, did you know your Nutella jar of goodness holds a secret mini knife? Now you do, boo!
Another outstanding TikTok x YouTube hack? Washing natural hair with Dawn Dish Soap. If you haven’t heard of this questionable hack yet, creator extraordinaire @DannyDoesHair introduced it, and since then, the video has garnered over a million views.
@dannydoeshair I used Dawn dish soap to wash my hair! #naturalhair #fyp #fypシ #dawn #dawndishsoap #texturedhair #curly #curlyhair #hair #washdayroutine #okaaycurls #comethrucurls #washday #naturalhairtiktok #naturalhairjourney #naturalhaircommunity #brownskin ♬ original sound – jayvocapalot
So, does this hack actually work? And does it really (really) improve hair growth? Keep reading to find out.
Can You Use Dish Soap For Hair?
Yes, you can.
Washing your hair with dishwashing liquid, whether it’s the Dawn Dish Soap or another brand, can help remove all the product buildup and lift color off your strands.
However, most of these products contain sulfates, so you need to use them in moderation, especially if you have naturally curly hair.
Why The Blue Dawn Dish Soap Specifically?
TikTokers and YouTubers recommend using the Blue version of Dawn Dish Soap to cleanse your strands. Why? Because that’s the “original scent” version. This makes sense since Blue dish soap doesn’t have any fancy stuff or extra features that might irritate your scalp or damage your tresses.
For instance, the apple blossom (green) or orange scent from Dawn are antibacterial, and the Refreshing Rain option is “platinum”, which doesn’t sound good or healthy for your mane.
That said, some of the other options have the same ingredient list ad the Blue version. Therefore, if you’re determined to use the Dawn Dish Soap as shampoo, you have some nicer-smelling options.
Is It Safe To Use Dawn Dish Soap For Hair?
Dawn Dish Soap is technically safe for your strands, though it isn’t recommended. It contains ingredients that help remove stubborn dirt, grease, and grime from dishes, pans, and pots. However, when using it on your hair, be sure to do so in moderation.
Is Dish Soap Bad For Your Hair?
Dish soap contains harsh chemicals such as silicones and sulfates, which can particularly damage your hair shaft, leading to hair loss. To prevent any form of hair damage, make sure to be gentle with your products and techniques. Also, use dish soap in moderation – at least once every month.
Sulfates also tend to strip your shaft of natural oils. This is a significant problem for curly hair types (types 3 and 4) since oil doesn’t move through their tresses as fast, which is why it’s crucial to moisturize and oil curly hair frequently.
So, if you’re in the curly hair type community, you’re less likely to benefit from using Dawn Dish Soap since it incorporates elements that strip your strands of their natural oils.
Benefits of Using Dawn Dish Soap As Shampoo
Washing natural hair with Dawn Dish Soap can be a cool beauty hack but only when used properly. Here are a few benefits of using it in your haircare routine:
Dawn Dish Soap Removes Product Buildup
Dawn dishwashing liquid contains ingredients that help wash off dried dirt, oil, and stubborn stains on dishes. So, it’s not surprising that it can also help eliminate stubborn dandruff, dirt, and gunk from your strands.
Regular shampoos might not be equipped to remove tough grease and heavy oils from your tresses. Queens with dreadlocks or thick hair extensions will also benefit from using this dish soap since they’re likely to get a lot of buildup in their strands.
Dawn Dish Soap also lathers easily, whereas newly improved shampoos often don’t foam quickly because of the removal of harsh elements.
Dish Soap Helps Lift Color Off Your Tresses
Say you dyed your hair pink and now look like a crazed clown. If you move quickly, you might get most of the color out by cleansing your strands with dish soap immediately.
Its surfactants Robert McCall (Denzel in The Equalizer), your hair by getting inside and dragging out the color molecules.
However, dishwashing liquid is only good when you need an emergency dye job removal.
It Can Help Lighten Your Hair
When your hair shade is too dark and you want to lighten up a bit, dishwashing liquid can help lighten it. It definitely won’t work like professional dye products, but it can help lighten your hair color.
To achieve this, though, leave the product about 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it out with warm water.
Does Dawn Dish Soap Really Work For Hair Growth?
No. It doesn’t.
Washing hair with Dawn Dish Soap doesn’t make your hair grow. In fact, there’s no special product that can give you overnight hair growth.
Hair grows about half an inch every month, though this varies depending on factors such as genetics. Despite what you do, your hair is always growing.
But the reason you might not be seeing the growth is that you’ve not been retaining length. Length retention depends on numerous factors, including moisture and protein balance.
Also, your hairstyle options might be why your strands are breaking. While protective styles are super-duper incredible, your strands will break off when you don’t take them out patiently and properly.
During your wash day routine, choose a hydrating hair shampoo that’s sulfate-free to achieve a clean scalp and moisturized hair. Nonetheless, sulfate-free shampoos might not be strong enough to eliminate buildup, so you need a clarifying shampoo for your hair growth journey.
Dawn dish soap also shines here since it’s formulated with ingredients that help clarify strands and remove product buildup, boosting healthy hair growth. However, clarification with dish soap should only be done once a month for the best results and a healthy hair growth journey.
How To Use Dawn Dish Soap On Hair
Remember, babe. It would be best to use dish soap for natural hair in moderation. And to use it correctly, be sure to:
Pre-Poo Before Using Dish Soap
This involves applying conditioner or oils to your tresses to prepare them for a satisfying wash. You can also opt for a hot oil treatment with coconut and olive oil before cleansing your strands. This prevents hair from being completely stripped of natural oils.
Measure Out The Amount Of Dish Soap You Want To Use
The amount of dish soap you use depends on hair density. Also, ensure to section your strands to easily access the scalp. However, large amounts (more than two pea-sized) and frequent use of the product might trigger excessive dryness.
Dilute Dawn Dish Soap With Water
Wet your hair first, or dilute the dish soap with water for the best result. Moderation is the key here, people. And also, ensure to do a patch test on a small section of your hair before using it on a full head of hair.
Massage And Rinse Out Completely
After massaging it into your scalp while washing (it promotes hair growth) and leaving it on your strands for 15 to 20 minutes, rinse it out completely with lukewarm water.
Apply Deep Conditioner
While using too much deep conditioner is frowned upon, using deep conditioner can’t be overemphasized when trying to maintain moisture balance in your strands.
It’s even more vital when your hair goes through a stripping process. The Sheamoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Treatment Masque is an incredible option.
Also, leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it out.
Moisturize And Seal In With An Oil
After rinsing out the deep conditioner, apply a leave-in conditioner and seal it with natural oil or butter. Doing so helps you retain moisture and keep your tresses feeling amazing.
Who Shouldn’t Be Washing Hair With Dawn Dish Soap?
As mentioned, Dawn Dish Soap can be used moderately to cleanse the scalp and strands. However, some people are advised against washing hair with dish soap. These include:
- Queens with dry or damaged tresses
- Individuals with a sensitive scalp
- If you struggle with any scalp condition or infection – including scalp burning, swelling, irritation, and redness
- If you’ve been struggling with hair loss
- If you recently bleached or colored your strands
- Queens who’ve undergone chemical hair treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dawn Dish Soap Cancerous?
There’s been a wave of concern that Dawn Dish Soap can have cancer-causing effects. Nonetheless, no published scientific data indicates the product can have carcinogenic effects.
How Long Should You Leave Dawn Dish Soap In Your Hair?
After diluting Dawn Dish Soap with water (to avoid a negative reaction), wet your hair and massage in the mixture until it starts lathering. Leave it on for about 15 minutes, then rinse it with warm water.
What Happens If You Mix Bleach or Hair Color With Dawn Dish Soap?
Bleached or colored hair with Dawn Dish Soap is a no. In fact, make it a hell no!
Mixing the two products might release toxic gases, irritating your eyes and skin. So don’t, boo!
Evidently, using Dawn Dish Soap for hair shouldn’t be completely written off as a beauty hack. It does help rid your strands of stubborn buildup. However, it shouldn’t be a staple in your wash day routine and should only be used once every month.
Dawn Dish Soap Videos
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@avondiaaaa28 Love a good silk press???? #fypシ #GenshinImpact34 #naturalhair #silkpress #silkpressseason #hairgrowth #avondiaaaa28
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