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Baking Soda For Burnt Hair Smell - Does It Work?

Does using baking soda for burnt hair smell really work for getting rid of the stench?

You’ll find out today in this NHP tutorial. I promise.

Look… The smell of burnt hair is one of the most unpleasant side effects of daring to flat iron or curl your hair. Sometimes you start smelling the burnt odor after you wash your hair.

At some point, we’ve all done it. Sometimes we get in a hurry and ignore what we are doing, leading to overheating the cuticle and hair shaft.

Accidents happen despite our best efforts to preserve our hair by using recommended thermal heat protectants and irons.

As a result, we still have to worry about walking around smelling like we singed our hair for days after the event.

If you have processed hair, the risk of having to run around with a burnt hair smell seems to increase ten-fold over having natural hair.

What is one to do about overcoming this problem?

Baking Soda for Burnt Hair Smell...Ugh!

The research is in, and people are boasting about a few DIY natural hair remedies to cure the aroma of burnt hair.

Of course, lemon juice is always a fan favorite because citric acid acts as a natural agent that strips the hair of this gnarly odor.

Clarifying shampoo is another option for those seeking to rid themselves of this smell.

However, the remedy that is getting rave reviews entails the use of baking soda. That’s right!

Baking soda seems to have the perfect blend of natural ingredients designed to rid your hair of that burnt hair aroma.

Baking soda behaves as a natural deodorizer thanks in part to its sodium bicarbonate ingredient.

Similar to its function inside your refrigerator, baking soda is also able to combat the odors that may linger in your hair, such as that pesky burnt smell.

In this case, baking soda eats away at the scent –but not your hair. Of course, there are a few conditions on this last statement that we will address later in this article.

According to an article in Medical News Today, people opt for baking soda as a natural cleanser on their scalp and hair thanks to its ability to remove product buildup and exfoliate the scalp.

We know that a clean scalp is more likely to support sufficient blood flow and the transport of vital nutrients to the region for hair growth. 

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How to Use Baking Soda On Your Hair

To use baking soda on your hair, you will be pleased to know that there are a few options for you to try.

First, you can apply one teaspoon of baking soda to your favorite shampoo.

Once you have this pasty mixture ready to go, you simply massage this mixture into your tresses.

Allow it to sit on your hair for five to seven minutes before rinsing it out of your hair.

Once this process is complete, you have a few options to consider.

You can apply another round of hydrating shampoo to your hair with or without the baking soda mixture if you find that the smell is still present.

You also have the option to applying essential oils after the wash is complete to further enhance your efforts to remove the burnt smell.

Essential oil spritz that features citrus oils such as orange or lemon oil can be extremely helpful in helping you combat that burnt hair smell following the use of your baking soda blend.

Other oils that can have similar impacts include lavender and frankincense oils.

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Can Baking Soda Harm Your Hair

Baking soda should not be left on your hair for an extended period. It is an alkaline substance.

Baking soda has a pH of 9, and can harm your hair and scalp and trigger breakage with misuse.

Also, baking soda contains tiny particles that can prove abrasive for your hair and your scalp.

These characteristics can prove damaging to your hair structure and potentially irritate your scalp, thus disrupting your hair growth cycle.

Disruption of the hair growth cycle ultimately leads to thinning hair and potentially patchy baldness.

Another negative side effect of baking soda use is dry hair.

While the advantage of using a product that helps to remove buildup and burnt hair smell may be appealing, the side effect of dry hair can set you up from additional adverse events such as frizzy hair or split-ends.

[RELATED ARTICLE: Does rice water dry out your hair? Learn now...]

Wrap Up: Baking Soda for Burnt Hair Smell Really Works!

Baking soda for burnt hair smell is a good alternative approach for curing you of living with a burnt hair smell.

However, you should remember to be sparing in your use of this remedy and avoid leaving it on for too long.

Follow it up with a premium shampoo and good deep conditioner to reduce the risk of damaging your hair.

Finally, take steps to use a good thermal protectant when using flat irons or curling irons to avoid that burnt hair smell in the future.

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