Category: Our Bodies

Solid shampoos are nothing new although not known to be as old as the original soap made by ancient Babylonians in 2800 B.C.. Soap shampoo has been around for over 100 years. In the early days of shampoo soap, stylists would boil shaved bar soap and use this to cleanse their customers hair. They could add other botanical ingredients making it aromatic as well as practical. The next step would be to bottle that and sell it! It didn’t take long for someone to figure out how to do just that.

Shampoo as we know it now, detergent in liquid form coming out of a plastic bottle, is fairly new on the scene (only 70 years old). The first liquid shampoo is credited to a German scientist in 1927. The first commercial shampoo wasn’t introduced until the 1930’s and it really took off into what we know today in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Somewhere along the way, we picked up conditioners along with the shampoos because of the fact the chemicals used in the shampoos were causing damage to the cuticle and the hair fibers. Of course, we were told it was to give us silky manageable hair. For the manufacturer, their one bottle customer just became a two bottle customer and bottles started flying off the shelf. Bottled shampoo is a major market segment with staggering revenue and only one piece of the hair care market segment.

So in a short 60 -70 years we went from zero to $87.9 billion, yes Billion, dollar hair care industry filled with waste and excess that is not even needed. The global shampoo market alone is with $25.7 billion dollars. So you can see how there is a good deal of interest for big business to keep you bottle fed.

The problem with the bottle

The average person goes through 10 shampoo bottles a year and 11 shower gel bottles. As one individual you may be saying that 21 bottles is not that much of a difference. But here is where you need to understand the compounded impact. 21 bottles over a 10 year period becomes 210 bottles. That’s just one person. Très Spa has been around longer than 10 years and we have a consumer base larger than one person so can you imagine how many plastic bottles we have diverted? What about the impact if it’s a family of 4? Multiply the savings from one person by, let’s say 10% of the planet population and what do you get. If the planet is currently 7.79 plus billion people that would be 779,000,000 plus 1 (you). That’s a huge number of people!

So let’s just talk about the USA, where we are and where Très Spa is created (act local and think global). Let’s imagine we were able to get just 10% of the population to make a difference and switch over to solid shampoo and soap for their shower. The current US population is 328 million people so 10% of that population is 32,800,000 for a total of 6,888,000,000 bottles per year. That’s the difference if only 10% of the USA population dropped the bottle and picked up a bar or two for a year! If they made it a lifestyle choice over 10 years that would be a savings of 68,880,000,000 plastic bottles diverted from choking the planet and devastating natural habitats. I can’t even imagine what that many bottles would look like.

Sure there are recycle and reclaiming programs that work to a certain percent but a good deal still ends up in land fills. So why create the need when you don’t have to? Seems silly when there is a better way, don’t you think we should take advantage of the savings where they are easiest? Save the bottles for when you have to use them. You don’t have to when it comes to shampoo or hand and body soap. There is a better way.

Sustainable Packaging

You can never fully escape the need for at least some amount of packaging. But the fact the bars are solid, you have more planet friendly options available. You will find that most of the companies who create solid shampoos, also work hard to make sure their shampoo packaging is sustainable. For Très Spa, we’ve tried a few options. One For a time we opted for custom printed boxes but the cost verses the value to our customers just didn’t support it. Eventually we took a simple approach. We wrap our bars in 100% post consumer recycled paper and the labels are printed on 100% post consumer paper as well. The only way to improve on that is to hand you an un-wrapped bar. We tried that for a bit but, oddly enough, it created to much waste via damaged product. So far the tissue seems to be the best solution for our Green Warriors.

More reasons to make the change

It’s cheaper! Solid shampoos have a far higher use rate over a bottle. For example, just one of the Très Spa Organic Shampoo’s last our average customer 8 to 9 weeks compared to the 5 week average of a traditional bottle of detergent shampoo. And, since our shampoo’s have no harsh chemicals, there is no need to use excessive amounts of conditioning agents to repair damage from the harsh chemicals found in traditional liquid shampoo.

Solid shampoo’s are the best travel companion. They are compact and take up very little space. Since it is a solid product, you don’t experience the same limitations you would have with a liquid. You can travel across any border on the planet with your Très Spa Organic Shampoo and no one will confiscate it. Having your shampoo travel with you also means you wont be dependent on the mini bottles of liquids found in hotel rooms. You can use your shampoo to clean your whole body, not just your hair. *I have even used it to clean clothes in a pinch. They will lift out dirt but they are superfatted so they aren’t the best for laundry purposes. Still, it works in a pinch and it wont harm streams or rivers or natural habitats.

One of the other significant planet saving features of some solid shampoo’s is what goes into them. We’ve all heard the turn of phrase “what you put in, you get out.” The same is true with consumer products. The ingredients that go into a product can have a huge impact on the planet from the raw materials to the run off after consumer use. For Très Spa, our commitment to sustainability is etched into the keystone of our company. The reason we formulate with ingredients from nature is so they can be harvested and processed for formulations and go full circle returning to nature without causing harm. Up stream and downstream, we pay attention to the impact our product may have. Sustainability is a full cycle loop.

The first step is to think beyond you hair and look at the entire hair system. Conditioning starts with the food you eat, getting plenty of fresh water, and a proper amount of rest. Conditioning includes the root supply, the sebaceous glands, the scalp, the porosity of the cuticle, and the texture of the hair. You should find the method and interval that works for your specifics when creating your hair routine.

When it comes to conditioning you have many options available to you. There are several types of conditioners each having their own Rinse-Out, Leave-In, and Deep conditioners. For Très Spa, our philosophy is to keep things simple and in harmony with nature. Our conditioning starts with the organic shampoo, long before conventional conditioners would start, and carries over to our leave in products.

Rinse-Out Conditioning

Rinse-Out conditioners include lotions and creams that are typically used immediately following shampooing. Suitable for any hair type or scalp condition. It’s applied root to tip and massaged in then once it has rested a minute or tow it gets rinsed out. They are made of oils emulsified with water and other ingredients. They are used to undo any damage done by the shampoo. They claim to protect the hair by coating the hair in a protective film layer. If you don’t rinse thoroughly they can build up and leave the hair feeling heavy and even greasy. So with all the rinsing off, how much really stays behind to continue conditioning.

Leave-In Conditioning

Leave-In conditioners are lighter and stay in the hair after shampooing, drying, and styling. These are suitable for any hair type and any scalp condition. Leave-In conditioners can be oil based, water based, or an emulsification of oils with water base. They can be used in place of the rinse-out conditioner or along with. This is the category that the Très Spa treatments fall under. Leave-In conditioners are great for pre-styling as they act as a barrier to protect against heat damage. Since they are left in the hair they can help to protect the hair from environmental damage. They also help fight the frizz and can enhance the shine of healthy hair.

Deep Conditioning

Deep conditioners are much thicker and denser than the more common conditioners. They are used less frequently and typically only for extremely dry or damaged hair and scalp. Although anyone could benefit from a deep conditioning as they can be nutrient rich. Hair masks are a thick liquid that is applied to the hair and/or scalp and then allowed to rest. They are often activated with the use of external heat. For at home DIY hair masks, the hair and scalp may be wrapped in order to promote trapping natural heat.

So which one is the best one?

Ultimately the choice should be determined by analyzing your unique hair system. Experiment with different products and techniques to find what works best for you.

What is a Hair Mask

A spa inspired hair treatment that will wrap you in lush moisture. A mask for hair, just like the ones we use for our face and body, is used to deeply nourish your scalp and your hair from root to tip. You could buy pre-made in a jar but I say save the money and mash up your mask from things you already have in your kitchen. Masks can easily be made fresh at home on demand with whole foods that you already have in your kitchen. Incorporating a hair mask can add luster, shine, and strength to your hair. It also helps in preventing hair frizz, breakage, and splitting. Hair masks do not replace your conditioning practice in your hair care routine, they augment it.

Who should use hair masks

Everyone with hair. Anyone can really benefit but the ones who really should are people who have frizz and breakage challenges as well as those who suffer from dry conditions. Also if you have long hair masking the ends can be beneficial. People who have chemically altered their hair through dyes or perms or relaxers could also benefit. Chemically processing your hair causes damage to the shaft and even the scalp so you’ll want to replenish your hair systems nutrients. A hair mask can help for all of these situations.

When to use a mask and how often

We recommend only masking your hair once a week at most. If you have damage that you need to repair, we recommend a solid hair care routine that nourishes the entire system and give it time. Hair masks can be very restorative and hydrating but if they are used to often or left on for to long they can be deleterious to your hair health. We recommend leaving your hair mask on for 5 minutes to no more than 20 minutes.

What you need to get started

• Hair towels
• Shower cap
• Wide toothed comb or hair pic
• Freshly blended hair mask *see below for our pics and recommendations

How to apply the Hair Mask treatment

Fresh Hair Mask

All of our recommendations are Planet friendly and Vegan friendly. You can read our article on Feeding Your Hair to get the particulars of the what and why to add various ingredients to your mask but here is our short list to get you started:

• Wetting Agents – two purposes, 1) to add nutrients and 2) to help blend a smooth mask
  • Plant Milk – You can easily make your own by blending the nuts, seeds, or shreds with water. Simple!
    • Coconut Milk
    • Hemp Milk
    • Flax Milk
  • Other Wetting agents:
    • ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar)
    • Lemon Juice
    • Très Spa Hair Hydro
• Base – this is the other plant matter used to provide hydrating nourishment to your hair.
  • Fruits
    • Avocado
    • Banana
    • Strawberry
  • Other Plants
    • Pumpkin
    • Aloe Vera
    • Oatmeal – this can help thicken your hair mask if it is too runny. It is also very soothing for damaged scalp.
• Extra – Consider using one of these to really spice up your hair mask.
  • Spices and Herbs:
    • Cinnamon
    • Rosemary
    • Peppermint
    • Très Spa Hair Hydro

When I am making fresh masks, I never measure. I am only obsessed with measuring when I am formulating Très Spa Products. When I am making fresh masks for my personal use, I let go and let the mood and inspiration carry me. As a general guidance I would offer this advise, start with the base and add liquid to the desired consistency. Anytime you are making a really wet (thin) mask, use oatmeal to thicken it. Always use your food processor or blender to mix your hair mask. You want a smooth rich blend that will be easy to rinse out. Mix up enough to generously cover your hair and /or scalp.

Some suggested blends to help inspire you:

• Scalp Repair – Hemp or Flax milk, Oatmeal, Avocado, and Peppermint *add aloe if you have some. This one is lovely for those who suffer from dry scalp conditions or Psoriasis or Eczema of the scalp.
• Stimulating Hair Grower – Hemp milk, Pumpkin, Cinnamon
• Clarifying – Strawberry, Lemon juice, Peppermint
• Frizz Tamer – Banana, Coconut milk, ACV, Aloe

Where is the oil?

OK by now you should have noticed that I did not add any kind of oil to any of my ingredient lists for your hair mask. Are you wondering why? Well I’ll tell you even if you weren’t. Chances are you are already using some form of oil in your regular hair care routine. Hair Masks are special. Adding too much oil can cause build up issues for just about every hair system. It should only be used if all other botanical treatment blends do not work or for supper delicately brittle hair and when you have highly porous hair cuticles. Each and every one of your hair follicles has a sebaceous glad with it. The sebaceous gland produces sebum to help lubricate the hair follicle and provide nourishment for strong healthy hair. We need to support our hair systems natural ability and not clog up the pores with excess oil that is more difficult to wash away.

We are not your Doctor

The Très Spa website may contain articles on science, or medical topics; however, no warranty is made that any of the articles are accurate.There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on science or medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. The overwhelming majority of such articles are written, in part or in whole, by nonprofessionals. Even if a statement made about science or medicine is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms.

The information provided at Très Spa is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). None of the individual contributors, nor anyone else connected to Très Spa can take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented on this web site.

Nothing on Très Spa’s site or included as part of any project or product of Très Spa, should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.