Dimexide or dimethyl sulfoxide is a drug that is a transporter of therapeutic components. It accelerates the penetration of active substances through the biological membrane and helps in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. Dimexide is a colorless crystal, which when heated becomes liquid, spreading a specific garlic odor. For cosmetic purposes, the drug is used to treat weak and depleted hair.
The benefits of Dimexidum for hair
Upon contact with the skin, Dimexide penetrates the tissues to a greater depth, delivering the accompanying components to the cells. Mixing the substance in hair cosmetics improves the nutrition of the roots and hair follicles. The hair is noticeably strengthened, intense shine and turgor returns to them, and the rate of loss decreases significantly.
The benefits of Dimexidum for hair:
- Local irritant effect - when using the product, there is a rapid improvement in local blood circulation, due to which the nutritional components penetrate directly to the hair root much faster and better;
- Due to the more intensive transportation of nutrients, in the presence of Dimexide in the composition of a cosmetic hair mask, metabolic processes in the scalp are accelerated significantly. Due to this, regeneration processes for damaged and weakened hair occur in a shorter time;
- The local irritating effect of Dimexide causes a more rapid transition of hair follicles into the phase of active growth, removing them from the resting phase.
Rules for the use of Dimexide
The stimulating effect of the use of dimethyl sulfoxide is very high, but so that its use is beneficial and not harmful to the hair, observe the following regulations:
- Pharmaceutical release options are offered in concentrated form of the active active substance (99%). Before use, always dilute it with clean, heated water in a ratio of 1: 3 or 1: 5;
- Apply masks and other formulations with Dimexidum only on clean and dried hair. When washing your hair, do not use hair conditioner or nourishing oil;
- Always test for an allergic reaction before using dimethyl sulfoxide. To determine the degree of your sensitivity to the drug, apply 1 - 2 drops to the skin on the wrist or bend of the elbow from the inside. If swelling, severe itching, erythema and other allergic manifestations occur within 24 to 48 hours, do not use Dimexide for hair;
- The main purpose of dimethyl sulfoxide is to improve the conductivity and functions of other substances, therefore, it is not used in its pure form. Dimexide should be added to mask formulations with other ingredients;
- When using dimethyl sulfoxide, strictly observe the proportions given in the recipe.An overdose of the drug can cause burns and seizures of the scalp, the appearance of seborrhea and loss of part of the hair;
- Regular use of Dimexide to improve the condition of the hair is allowed for no more than 90 days. After this period, a break is made for 40-60 days, otherwise the development of side effects is possible. Remember that prolonged use of the substance has a toxic effect on the excretory system of the body.
When using Dimexide for the treatment of hair loss, do not use only masks and other topical formulations. Therapy should be comprehensive and include a regulated and adjusted diet, multivitamin preparations, treatment by a neurologist (in the diagnosis and identification of psychoemotional factors that provoked hair loss).
It is important to remember: at the initial stage of using masks with Dimexidum, an increase in hair loss can be observed. This is an acceptable side effect that must pass over time. However, this can also be a consequence of the wrong dosage of the drug, so carefully monitor your condition and well-being.
Also, full or partial alopecia is often the result of hormonal imbalance, so it is especially important to consult a physician and endocrinologist before using dimethyl sulfoxide.
Dimexide Mask Recipes
Before applying any mask with Dimexidum in the composition, pay attention to special Conditions under which this procedure will bring maximum benefits:
- The mask is applied only in protective gloves - dimethyl sulfoxide, even when diluted, is quite hot and can dry out the skin of the hands;
- The composition of the mask should not be too liquid, otherwise the liquid draining onto the face will cause burns;
- Apply the mask strictly on the scalp, without leaving the area of the hairline;
- At the time of applying the hair mask, constantly stir the composition so that Dimexide does not fall to the bottom in the form of a precipitate;
- If you feel a burning sensation and a strong local increase in skin temperature in areas where a mask with dimethyl sulfoxide is applied, rinse off with warm water to prevent water from entering the eyes. This effect suggests that you used too much Dimexidum in the preparation of the mask;
- With individual intolerance to dimethyl sulfoxide, the development of allergic reactions is possible, up to erythema, swelling at the site of application of the composition and other signs of an provoked increased release of the histamine hormone. In case of side effects, immediately rinse off the mask and, if necessary, consult a doctor.
Depending on the composition,mask with Dimexide is aged on the hair from 30 minutes to an hour. For the first time, try to hold the composition for 20 minutes, observe your condition and, in the absence of side effects, lengthen the period of aging of the mask. The frequency of hair treatment with Dimexidum using nourishing masks should not be more often than a single procedure every 7 to 10 days.
Vitamin mask
Mix ginger juice and jojoba oil (1 tablespoon each) with castor oil (15 ml), oil solutions of vitamins A and E (1 ampoule) and a teaspoon of Dimexidum. The mask is applied to the hair before bathing, the application area is the hair roots. Wrap your head with polyethylene and put on a cap for insulation. After an hour, wash your hair with shampoo and apply balm on the ends. Such a mask can be done every 4 to 6 days for a month.
For hair growth
If your hair looks healthy in principle, but grows slower than you would like, you can stimulate the growth phase using a special mask that “awakens” the hair follicles. You will need the following components:
- Essential oil (rosemary, orange, lemon or cedar) - 4 - 5 drops;
- Burdock oil (20 ml);
- Vitamins A and E in an oil solution - a teaspoon of each;
- A teaspoon of dimexide.
Mix the ingredients warmed up in a water bath by adding Dimexide at the very end.Apply the mixed composition to the basal zone of hair growth. The mask is washed off after 30 minutes.
To strengthen hair
To restore vitality to the hair, increase turgor and the level of cell hydration in order to reverse the process of degenerative changes, you can use a stimulating nourishing mask, the main component of which is dimethyl sulfoxide. The mask is applied once a week for a month. For cooking you will need:
- Oily solution of vitamin E - 1 ampoule;
- Burdock oil - 30 ml;
- Vitamin A in liquid form - 1 tablespoon;
- Dimexide - 1 tbsp. l
Heat the oil in a water bath and add vitamin solutions. Dimexide is mixed after the composition is removed from the fire. Massage the mask into the scalp and wrap the hair with film and cloth. After washing the hair, it takes place in 2–3 doses so that the oil is washed off from the hair.
Against loss
If hair loss is extremely intense, you should consult a trichologist to determine the cause of alopecia. In the interval, you can try to strengthen the hair with a mask of the following composition:
- Onion juice (1 tsp);
- Liquid non-crystallized honey (tablespoon);
- Cognac (15 ml);
- Castor oil (1 tsp);
- Raw egg yolk;
- Dimexide (1 teaspoon).
Combine the ingredients and spread them over the hair roots with a brush. Put a plastic shower cap on your hair and wrap a towel over the top for warmth. After 40 - 60 minutes, rinse the composition very carefully and apply a nourishing balm to the ends of the hair. At the end of the procedure, rinse your hair with water and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
Dryness
Dry brittle hair not only looks lifeless, but also more prone to hair loss. To restore their elasticity and healthy tone, a mask based on Dimexide and any vegetable oil with a therapeutic effect should be used. Sea buckthorn oil gives the best result..
Mix the ingredients in a 1: 3 ratio and rub into the scalp before washing your hair. Before applying, it is better to slightly warm sea buckthorn oil in a water bath. The product is distributed over the skin along the partings separated with the help of a scallop. After an hour, rinse off the mask by applying shampoo 2 to 3 times.
For oily hair
Under certain health conditions, the production of sebum (sebum) occurs more intensively. This can be due to stress, a breakdown in hormonal balance, eating harmful foods, and other causes. As a result, the hair quickly becomes dirty, look like hanging “icicles” and generally look messy. In especially advanced cases, this can lead to weakening and hair loss.
To solve the problem try a mask with Dimexidum for oily hair. Take 5 - 10 ml of Dimexidum, 30 ml of lime or lemon juice, solutions of vitamins A and E (5 mg each). Dilute dimethyl sulfoxide with a little warm water and mix with other ingredients.
Rub the mask into the roots for 3 - 5 minutes, and then wrap your head in cling film and put on a hat. Wash your hair in an hour. The mask will remove excess secretion of the sebaceous glands and restore health to the hair. The frequency of the procedure is 1 time per week (no longer than 1.5 months).
Contraindications Dimexidum
Since dimethyl sulfoxide has a high penetrating ability, its external use can cause a number of serious side effects in the presence of conditions that are contraindications to the use of the drug. It does not matter if the composition was applied to the scalp, since Dimexidum has a high diffusion reaction.
Among absolute contraindications its use includes:
- Severe hepatic and renal failure;
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system - angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, stroke;
- Ophthalmic diseases - increased intraocular pressure, corneal opacity, retinal dystrophy;
- Coma and precoma;
- Gestational and lactational periods;
- Age up to twelve years, older than 60 years (only with the approval of a doctor).
Dimexide is a bipolar aprotic solvent, therefore, in combination with certain medicines, it is able to increase their activity and toxicity. If you are taking any medications, consult your healthcare provider about the possibility of using dimethyl sulfoxide.
If you ignore the rules for using the drug, development of negative symptoms may be observed. These include various conditions that vary in severity, namely:
- Contact dermatitis, erythema of the mucous membranes (multiform);
- Garlic breathing;
- Hyperpigmentation of skin;
- Dryness, a sensation of painfully tickling skin irritation, causing a need to scratch a specific place;
- Painful sensation in the epigastric region, chest, oral cavity and pharynx and the urge to vomit as a result of a reaction to the smell of the drug;
- Bronchospasm, dry, persistent cough.
In case of aggravation of the described side symptoms, you should immediately seek medical help!
List of drugs and substances, sensitivity to which increases with the parallel use of Dimexidum:
- Chloramphenicol;
- Rifampicin;
- Griseofulvin;
- Ethanol;
- Insulin;
- Acetylsalicylic acid;
- Butadione;
- Digitalis;
- Quinidine;
- Nitroglycerine;
- Streptomycin, monomycin and other antibiotics (aminoglycoside and β-lactam);
- Syntomycin liniment;
- Heparin.
If you accidentally exceeded the dose when applying Dimexidum for hair, which caused swelling, hives, irritation of the mucous membranes, immediately discontinue the drug and rinse the damaged area with running water to rinse off the rest of the substance.
