Home Remedies for Lustrous and Healthy Locks
While women might hide it well, or at least appear to, hair maintenance is one of the most daunting things a woman has to deal with. Apart from the physical effort, the financial expenses can really make you want to chop your locks down to a bare minimum.
Most of us may attest to standing in front of the mirror with the scissors, threatening our hair to behave or else. But what we really want is to have good, shampoo-commercial-hair days without having to break the bank.
While you probably won’t get shampoo-commercial-hair (mostly because the commercials are technically enhanced, there are stylists available for the entire shooting of the commercial and hair extensions are sometimes used), you can breathe easy knowing that you can at least get good hair, even without buying hair products.
One of the best ways to restore your hair is to go back in time, before hair chemicals were a fad. Men and women in ancient times relied on natural resources to maintain lustrous locks, some of which we’ll recommend here for your everyday hair hassles.
Dull/Dry hair:
What it is: Dull hair is hair that lacks shine, looks lackluster and frizzy, and has a course texture to it. It may be oily at the roots but dry at the ends.
How it is caused: There are varying factors that cause dry/dull hair from your physical environment and hair care routine to your health. If you live in a hot, dry climate, spend lots of time in the sun or frequently swim in chlorinated water your hair could become dry. Hair care factors that may contribute to your dry hair are: washing your hair too often, harsh shampoos and conditioners, frequent chemical treatments or heat intensive regimes such as blow-drying, straightening and using a curl iron. Dry hair is essentially caused by lack of moisture from the hair shaft.
How you can fix it:
Olive Oil:
Trying to control my dry hair, I treated my scalp with olive oil before washing it. Worried that the oil might leave an odor, I washed my hair several times. That night when I went to bed, I leaned over to my husband and asked, "Do I smell like olive oil?"
"No," he said, sniffing me. "Do I smell like Popeye?"
Olive oil has been used as a natural hair conditioner for centuries. The fatty acids it is made of coats the hair shaft and gives it a healthier, shinier and smoother appearance.
1. Avocado and Olive Oil Mask
Avocado is rich in vitamin A, vitamin E, and saturated fats that nourish dehydrated and damaged hair.
All you need for this mask is half a ripe avocado and two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Mash the avocado then add the olive oil and mix until you get a thick consistency. Apply the mask after you’ve shampooed and rinsed your hair. Leave in for about 20-30 minutes then rinse off with lukewarm water.
For additional benefits, add an egg to the mask. Eggs are high in protein (which is what hair is made of) so it is naturally good for your hair.
2. Beer
We’ve already established that beer is good for your heart, but your hair?
Yep, beer is said to have added benefits for your hair too. The malt and hops in beer are loaded with protein that nourishes and strengthens the hair. While the protein binds your dehydrated hair, the alcohol in beer also provides Vitamin B which gives your hair shine.
But before you run off to drink a few pints, the trick here is not to ingest the beer but to pour it over your head (insert your hilarious imagination here)
Depending on the length of your hair, you could use one pint or two. Pour the beer evenly over your head, from root to tip and leave on for 2-5 minutes. Then rinse off with cool water to avoid smelling like you fell into a beer barrel.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda is said to do wonders when it comes to cleaning hair and removing impurities. Product build-up causes your hair to become dull over time. Baking soda’s antibacterial and cleansing properties make it a good remedy for hair because it helps remove the residue, making your hair cleaner and shinier for less.
Make a baking soda paste with 1 Tbsp of baking soda and a ¼ cup of water. Apply the mixture onto wet hair and spread it using either a wide-toothed comb or your fingers. Rinse off with cool water. Shampoo and condition as normal.
Note: The baking soda method is not appealing to everyone because not everyone is satisfied with the result. So try this one on your hair as an experiment initially.
Baking soda is also a strong alkali with a pH of 9.0. High-alkali products open the cuticles of the hair and may weaken or damage the hair shaft due to the amount of water absorbed. Apple cider vinegar (see below) counteracts this effect because it closes the cuticles.
Get more DIY remedies for dry hair
Split ends
What it is: Split ends are the result of the hairs protective layer stripping away from the tip of the hair fibres, exposing the inner layer and damaging the hair.
How it is caused: Split ends are caused by harmful chemicals, high-temperature treatments, excessive combing or brushing and coloring.
How you can fix it:
1. Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is an amazing natural and inexpensive hair care treatment.
It contains 3 main ingredients: vinegar, oil and eggs – all which benefit the hair. Mayonnaise gives your hair the benefit of L-cysteine, an amino acid and antioxidant found in eggs which gives your hair structure, strength and shine. L-cysteine makes up 18% of the hair and is a keratin-forming substance that increases the hair shaft and hair growth density.
Make your own hair salad by adding mayonnaise to your hair. Apply enough mayonnaise on your hair to completely cover it. Leave this on your head for an hour and then rinse it off with a mild shampoo. To see the results (nameley in strength and shine) do this twice a week.
2. Eggs
As mentioned before, eggs are amazing for your hair. To make a good, split-end combatting conditioner, mix an egg yolk, a spoon of olive oil (or almond oil) and a spoon of honey. Apply this to your hair and scalp, leave in for an hour and then rinse off with cold water.
If you don’t have oil or honey; just mixing an egg yolk with water and applying it to damp hair should also be suffiecient in combatting split ends. Condition/Mask your hair with egg yolk twice a week for results.
3. Papaya Pulp
Good news for you if you don’t like the taste of papaya but have relatives who constantly bring some over – just use it on your hair. It contains Vitamin A, Papain, Carotene and is low in sodium.
Papaya is rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes that help to safely remove dirt, oil and chemical build up in the hair. Papaya leaf extracts can be used as a conditioner, adding shine to your hair.
Take the pulp of ripe papaya and mix it in yoghurts (enough to cover your hair and scalp) Leave it in for about 30 mins before rinsing it off with warm water. It is recommended that you do this regularly to get rid of split ends.
What it is: Frizz is your hairs rebellion against any salon hairdo (or home hair ironing) at the first hint of humidity. It’s going from sleek and smooth to lion’s mane, basically.
How it is caused: Humidity (which is always beyond your control), harsh shampoos and conditioners, poor nutrition, not protecting your hair overnight and several other reasons. Frizz is caused by the hairs loss of moisture and natural oils.
How you can fix it:
Some might say that there is no remedy to frizz and that you should just work it. But if you still have faith in taming your fluffy mane, there are a few inexpensive alternatives to all those hair products you’re tempted to buy.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
For all its health benefits, apple cider vinegar is one of the most useful substances to have in your cupboards. Use it as a rinse for your hair (which is especially good if you’re using baking soda as a pre-wash)
So if you have a bottle of apple cider vinegar, simply pour some over your hair.
After you shampoo and rinse your hair, pour enough apple cider vinegar to cover your hair. Leave it on for about 30 seconds and then rinse off with cool water. Condition your hair as normal.
It is said that the acidity of the apple cider vinegar helps to smooth the hair and give it a healthy shine.
2. Avocado & Olive Oil Mask
This mask is good for both dry hair and frizzy hair. This is because avocado and olive oil both have hydrating benefits. Just like the above avocado recipe, mash your avocado, add a small amount of olive oil, mix together and apply to your hair. Do this after you have shampooed and rinsed your hair. Leave the mask on for about 30-60 minutes then rinse out thoroughly.
3. Carbonated Water Rinse
Similar to the apple cider vinegar rinse, rinse your hair with carbonated water to help reduce frizz.
More Frizz-free solutions Visit 5 Natural Home Remedies For Frizzy Hair | Free People Blog
Dandruff and Flaky Scalp
What it is: A flaky scalp is the result of excessive dandruff that appears on the surface of the scalp
What causes it: Dandruff and itchy scalp has various contributing factors and anyone may be susceptible to suffering from it. Dry weather conditions, skin disorders, overexposure to the sun, hair products containing more alcohol and chemicals than natural ingredients, excessive shampooing and the excessive use of a hairdryer that strips the air of its natural oils are all causative factors.
How to fix it:
1. Lemon Juice
Lemon contains acids that help get rid of yeast causing dandruff.
Mix 2 Tbsp of fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp of olive oil and 2 tbsp of water. Massage this into your scalp and leave in for about 5 minutes before rinsing off and washing and shampooing as regular.
2. Aloe Vera
Fresh Aloe Vera gel is said to be one of the most effective ways to combat flaky hair. Apply the gel directly for a few minutes before washing your hair with mild shampoo. Repeat twice a day if necessary. Aloe Vera’s antibacterial, antifungal and healing properties help control dandruff.
3. Fenugreek
Crush Fenugreek seeds into a fine powder. Mix with water to make a thick paste. Apply the paste to your scalp and cover with a muslin cloth or towel. Leave in for about an hour before washing out.
Have home remedies worked for you?
Historical Hair Facts:
| Useful Hair Tips
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As early as 1000 BC henna was grown in the Middle East and Africa and exported to Europe. It was particularly popular amongst the aristocracy during the Renaissance. Henna was used to dye hair, nails and skin. The leaves were dried, ground and mixed with a small amount of acidic liquid (lemon or tea).
| Shampooing your hair daily will strip it of its oil and make it dry and frizzy. Do not shampoo your hair every day.
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Around 1715 powdered hair was a trend in Europe and amongst the elite in North America. Both men and women powdered their hair. The powder (made of various materials from corn and wheat flour to milled and sieved starch) was apparently used to degrease the hair. (especially since hair was not washed regularly back then)
| Wash your hair with lukewarm water while shampooing and with cool water after conditioning. Cold water seals the cuticles and makes the hair less prone to frizz. Avoid ever using hot water.
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In 17th century India natural ingredients such as coconut oil, almond oil and honey were key ingredients that formed ghee (purified butter) and was used as base of hair care.
| Don’t brush or comb your hair while it is still wet. Because your hair is fragile when it is wet, it is prone to breakage.
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You are now well on your way to fabulous, frugal-friendly hair.
- The Jetstream Team