In the Victorian Era, hair strands were used as a jewel! Pendants, brooches and watch fobs were made from hair strands of the lost ones to honour the deceased.
Something as precious as a jewel needs to be taken care of heartily. The hair cells are the second fastest-growing cells in our body, but they are also the first group of cells to be affected by changes in diet.
Haircare is a major part of one’s hygiene because no one would like to be seen with oily, frizzy and unhealthy hair. Adopting a hair care regime is no rocket science.
Taking a small step towards self-care is all that you need to flaunt your healthy, well-nourished hair.
1. Oiling is the Key
Organic products always take the beat when it comes to hair. While conditioning provides your hair with nourishment, oil supplies it with essential minerals and vitamins.
The healthy fatty acids present in oils strengthen the roots and improves the overall health of your hair.
Experts mostly recommend coconut oil as it is a prime solution for most of your hair problems.
It is advised to warm the oil before gently massaging into your scalp to produce the best results.
The anti-bacterial properties of coconut oil not only protect the scalp from infections but also help in deep conditioning.
Hair is a total protein composition. Thus, any changes in protein levels adversely affect the health of our hair.
According to researchers, coconut oil is the only oil to reduce protein loss from your hair.
2. Stay Away from the Heat
From curls to ironing, from blow-dry to waves, our hair suffers a lot of heat styling to stay in trend.
Your desire to look trendy can have long-lasting effects on your hair. It surely adds to your beauty, but over time, the same heating tools can do serious damage to your hair.
For an era like this, it is impossible to eliminate these heat styling tools from our lives. But we can surely take some protective measures to reduce the damage.
- The most prominent effect of heat styling is dehydration. Our hair needs constant replenishing to fight the drying effects. Make sure to use hydrating shampoo and moisturizers to reduce the heating effect. It is advisable to carry out a deep conditioning process once a week while taking a shower.
- Protect your hair at all costs! It is strongly recommended to use heat protectants before exposing your hair to irons or curlers. A protective coating is formed around the hair fibre, which prevents moisture loss and reduces chances of dehydration. Not only a protectant, but it also provides finesse to your final look.
- Never use heat styling tools on wet hair! Your hair is already very fragile when wet, and the exposure to heat can make them look lifeless. Just like how a hot pan sizzles when exposed to water, your hair should not!
3. Create Your Own Masks!
The best thing you could do to hair is to enrich them with organic substances. Take a break from additives and give a try to DIY hair masks. The results may not be fast, but they surely last longer than the use of chemical-based products.
Egg Yolk Hair Mask – This is a hassle-free DIY mask that reduces hair fall and adds shine to your hair.
The egg is a rich source of protein and provides moisture to scalp and hair fiber.
- One egg yolk1-2 tbsp coconut oil
- Water (to dilute)
Blend the ingredients to form a mask. Gently massage your hair and scalp and cover your hair for 30-60 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
Banana Honey Mask – Are you looking for ways to get rid of brittle and frizzy hair?
This might be the best choice for you. Banana has become a popular ingredient for homemade masks.
This mask is meant to soften your hair that gives them shine, texture and volume.
- One ripe banana, mashed
- One tablespoon honey
- One tablespoon olive oil or almond oil
Create a mixture of all the ingredients. Apply in small portions to slightly wet hair. Let the mask sit for 30-60 minutes. Rinse off the mask following shampoo and conditioning.
Yoghurt Honey Mask – If you are trying to grow smooth, and healthy hair, then this is just the right choice for you! The lactic acid present in yoghurt cleanses the scalp, clearing away the dead material and nourishes your roots.
- 2 tbsp. yogurt (full fat)
- 1 tbsp. honey
Mix both the ingredients. Apply the mixture from roots to ends of hair. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse well with lukewarm water.
4. Be Gentle to your Hair
How do you expect your hair to stay healthy if you treat them in haste? Little do we know how unhealthy it is for our hair. The major cause of hair breakage is the knots and the tangles found in our hair after excessive styling and processing.
It is advised to brush only twice a day, that too, with a very light hand. Brushing your hair regulates the oil created by sebaceous gland on your scalp and untangles the pesky knots.
Use of non-plastic bristles is highly recommended as it prevents breakage. It is important to let loose your hair occasionally and allow them to breath (literally!) as the constant stretching of your scalp can be harmful too.
Final Words:
Your hair is as important as any other part of the body. Some people like it short, or some people like it long, all they want is them to be healthy.
Apart from the tips mentioned above, you can include iron-rich foods in your diet. While there are many modified tips to your hair care regime based in your hair type, the basic ones remain the same for all.
The good part is that many underlying causes of hair damage can be treated with a mere change in your lifestyle, and then you’re unstoppable!
Author’s Bio: Eeman Mohsin is currently a college student majoring in Biomedical Sciences, and a minor in Psychology.
Her fervent interests include writing and photography. Motivational writing and lifestyle blogging are her passions.
She loves to spend her quality time in nature, broadening her spectrum of thoughts. Eeman can be contacted via her email eemanmohsin01@gmail.com.