Vaseline is the name of a brand for petroleum jelly. It is the by-product of crude oil refining. Due to its thick and greasy consistency, it is commonly used to moisturize and protect the skin and chapped lips.
But people should be aware that it is also very beneficial for hair. It is composed of natural wax and mineral oil that can help hair to retain moisture. If you are thinking about applying Vaseline to hair and wondering what if it sticks and how to get Vaseline out of hair, we have got you covered.
Keep reading!
Vaseline creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture when applied to the skin. For the same reason, many people add a conditioner to the hair and finish off with Vaseline to get silky and shiny hair.
Vaseline also helps to treat dry scalp and dandruff. It is lightly used on the ends to curb frizzy, fly-away hair and protects from breakage, too. Moreover, it reduces the likelihood of split ends.
It can be used as a styling gel or hair mask.
Why Does Vaseline Stick to Hair?
The only downside of using Vaseline on the hair is that it can be challenging to wash away. This happens usually when you apply too much of the product on your hair. However, always make sure to use a pea-sized amount of Vaseline on your hair, which is good enough. And it would help if you never used it more than once per week.
Since it creates a barrier, it also traps dirt, excess sebum, and other contamination in your hair follicle when not properly removed. That may lead to the build-up of products and hair issues.
The Challenge of Removing Vaseline from Hair
Vaseline is a clingy and stubborn substance that sticks to the hair effortlessly. Since it is an oil-based product, it is therefore insoluble and repellant to water.
If you don’t know how to remove Vaseline from the hair properly, it might lead to hair tangling, greasiness, and even hair loss.
How to Remove Vaseline from Hair?
If you have accidentally applied too much Vaseline to your hair, don’t panic. There are several standard methods you can use at home to remove it.
1. Clarifying Shampoo
The easiest and most common method to cleanse Vaseline from your hair is to use a clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoos are specifically composed to wash any build-up and type of residual product away.
Wash your hair using clarifying shampoo, warm water, and conditioner. Rinse thoroughly. This shampoo might leave your hair looking dry. Using a conditioner or conditioning treatment will help retain the moisture.
2. Glycerin Soap
Glycerin soap is made of fats and natural oil, which makes it the best soap to remove Vaseline from hair. It usually comes in the form of a bar or liquid soap. It is an oil-based soap.
Yes, an oil-based soap helps in removing an oil-based ointment. It is oil that absorbs oil, not water. That means glycerin soap can effectively dissolve and remove excess dirt on your hair and make it clean.
Wet the glycerin soap bar with hot water. Get some of it and massage on the affected area using downward strokes. Keep massaging it out of your hair until it creates a soapy lather. Wash it from your hair using warm water and shampoo.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda or bicarbonate is excellent in soaking up oil and grease. It is highly absorbent and hence a perfect solution for removing oil and grease from your hair.
Remove excess Vaseline from the hair using a paper towel. Apply plenty of baking soda to the greasy part of the hair. Gently rub it with your fingertips and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to absorb excess oil. Gently wash your hair afterwards using shampoo and warm water.
If required, you can redo the process to make sure all the petroleum jelly is soaked.
4. Baby Oil
Using baby oil to remove Vaseline might sound unreasonable, but it works big time. Oil breaks down the hydrocarbon chains of Vaseline. That makes it easier to remove from hair. Along with baby oil, other oils like olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, can also help with removing Vaseline from hair.
Start with rubbing around two tablespoons of oil in your hair strand affected with Vaseline. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Blot the grease from hair using a paper towel. Or wipe it from the hair in the downwards motion. Wash it using shampoo and warm water. Keep repeating the process if required.
5. Eggs
Yes, you read it right. Whisked eggs are effective in removing Vaseline from your hair. However, the mess and the smell of eggs makes it to be the last option.
Whisk two or more eggs together. You can opt to add olive oil to further absorb the petroleum jelly. You also might want to add a tablespoon of lime juice to reduce the smell of the egg. Sparge your hair with cold water and apply this mixture from root to tip.
Let it sit for some time and rinse with cold water. You can use shampoo and conditioner afterwards to get rid of the smell. But if there is no smell, you can skip this step.
Rehydrating Hair Post Vaseline Treatment
It is crucial to rehydrate your hair following Vaseline treatment in order to replenish moisture. Using various techniques to remove Vaseline from hair could make it dry and dull. Some effective ways to rehydrate your hair:
- Use moisturizing conditioner
- Deep conditioning treatment
- Use leave in conditioner
- Use hydrating hair masks
- Apply natural oil
- Avoid heat styling
- Drink lot of water
- Avoid over washing
Conclusion
You can add Vaseline to your hair care routine or hair styling products. But if you plan to do so, ensure you know how to get vaseline out of your hair to avoid further problems. All you need is to remember and follow the given removal tips.
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