exfoliation.

[supercarrot]

i'm brainstorming what might be a good exfoliant without chemical action

Comments

[prettydark]

I like coffee grounds.

Aspirin. When you don't grind it into powder before dissolving, but just dissolve it in water, it's very gritty.

[prettydark]

Oh I've used nutmeg too. Works fine for me.

[prettydark]

Aspirin isn't water-soluble except in boiling water and generally needs to be dissolved in alcohol first. So I suppose that the fact that it would retain it's grittiness could be a plus.. But it would take an awful lot of aspirin, wouldn't it?

[prettydark]

But it would take an awful lot of aspirin, wouldn't it?

It takes as much as you use. I personally threw two aspirin pills in my 'wash' bottle, applied to my scalp, and scrubbed in with my fingertips.

[supercarrot]

oh, i hadn't used the DE yet. i was just wondering aloud. :-) thanks for the breathing in tip. i think i won't use it on my hair. seems too risky.

[jenbeckpdx]

diatamacious earth (im probably spelling it wrong) is horribly toxic if inhaled or if it comes in contact with the skin. even a small amount is poisonous.

[supercarrot]

i think you might either be thinking of something completely different, or the drying effect when being handled dry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth

as diatomaceous earth are mainly silica based diatom skeletons. nothing really chemical about them. but they are very mechanical, and that's why care needs to be taken when dealing with them.

[jenbeckpdx]

i was going to get it to kill ants in my kitchen, but then the guy at the garden shop said it would make my daughter sick if she inhaled it or got any in her mouth.

[supercarrot]

well, there's a difference between chemical toxicity and mechanical "toxicity" check out the wikipedia link.

[auntgertie]

almond meal or apricot meal might work.

[supercarrot]

ohhh. i have almond flour in the fridge. but i think it might also be slightly too soft for me.
(or do you mean the hulls?)

[impchild]

meal is a much coarser grind than flour... think cornmeal consistancy.

[supercarrot]

oooh! cornmeal! good idea. :-)

[darkvervain]

I would think white vinegar for the flakes would help.. first 3-4 months I did retarded things with concentrations of vinegar and baking soda (like half 'n' half vinegar and water, and making a thick paste of baking soda.)

It did clear up not only the flakes, but the red raw itchyness I had. No problems since.

Maybe you need more vinegar in your solution to make it clear up the scalp?

[supercarrot]

i've been using 1:1 and full strength ACV for the past few months (no BS, just ACV), and it works really well, but i think i just need help in the exfoliation department.