Does Baking Soda Help Brighten Gray Hair? We Tapped An Expert To Find Out The Truth

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Google "Does baking soda help brighten gray hair?" and you'll probably find some mixed messages. Some outlets and social media users swear by the method, and there's chatter about it on Reddit too. But is it true or just an old wives' tale? Well, according to our hair expert, Penny James of Penny James Trichology Center, the claims about this pantry staple are not totally fictitious. "Baking soda's gritty texture helps dislodge unwanted minerals and residue build-up in the hair shaft, which can cause hair to look yellow and flat," she says. But don't reach for the little box just yet.

While baking soda, also known as Sodium Bicarbonate, can be used to brighten gray locks, James exclusively tells us that there are a few rules to follow to ensure it doesn't cause damage. "Baking soda has a natural pH of 9 alkaline. Your scalp is around pH 5.5 and the hair shaft is naturally acidic, falling into the area of 3.5 to 5.5," she explains of the product, which can also create a natural makeup remover and can keep your white sneakers pristine. Alkaline products open the hair's cuticles, making your locks more susceptible to breakage and moisture loss. That's why James recommends always fully hydrating the hair and scalp after each application to help prevent breakage or the scalp becoming dry, as gray hair is already more fragile. Living Proof's Scalp Care Dry Scalp Treatment can do the trick on your scalp, while the Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Hair Mask will keep your hair from feeling dry and brittle.

Though Penny James exclusively tells Women.com that baking soda is a low risk way to make gray tresses look brighter, low-risk doesn't mean no risk. In addition to ensuring your hair and scalp are properly hydrated, she suggests only relying on the baking soda hack it once a month. "If you use it more often, your hair could become prone to breakage," she says — and there will be tell-tale signs when your hair is damaged. It's also wise to use pure baking soda without other ingredients. It's Just's Baking Soda is food grade and 100% pure Sodium Bicarbonate, so shouldn't aggravate the skin. Arm & Hammer's Pure Baking Soda is too.

The best way to apply the product is by mixing two or three tablespoons with hot water (but not too hot!) and pouring it over your head in the shower or bathtub. Test a small amount of the mixture on your skin 24 hours earlier to ensure it won't irritate. James recommends properly removing baking soda using apple cider. "[Apply this] all over the head and hair. The apple cider neutralizes the hair, restoring it to a normal pH," she says.

It's important to remember though that while baking soda is generally considered safe for your mane and skin, not everyone recommends it. Speaking to Byrdie, James Kilgour, MD, founder of KilgourMD and dermatologist, suggested steering clear and instead using shampoos that offer the same results alongside a moisturizing conditioner or hair mask. Matrix's So Silver Purple Shampoo is specifically designed to neutralize yellow tones, while L'Oreal Paris's EverPure Silver Care Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner are made to brighten and nourish gray locks. If you have concerns about using baking soda, it's best to speak directly with your own dermatologist.