Who doesn’t want beautiful, healthy hair? The majority of us want it to look amazing but are afraid of the costs of treating hair and don’t put much effort into it. Little did you know taking care of your hair doesn’t even require that much work, and there are many methods, tips, tricks and natural treatments that keep it shiny and moisturised.
Avoid hot water
Try to wash your hair with lukewarm water instead of steaming hot. Hot water can make your hair dry and brittle and strips it from its protective oils. The temperature should be a bit warmer than your body temperature. It’s also recommended to rinse the hair with cold water after you finish washing it.
Don’t use a lot of products
Stick to shampoo, conditioner, and a serum. Avoid extra products as much as possible; they create buildup on your scalp and can even cause dandruff. It’s also sometimes recommended to take a break from traditional shampoo and wash your hair with different organic rinses.
Try oil massaging
A traditional remedy for shiny and soft hair is oil massaging. You can use a natural oil, such as coconut oil, almond oil or olive oil. Warm the oil and massage it to your scalp thoroughly. Leave it on for about an hour and rinse it off after. Olive oil strengthens the roots and stops hair from breaking. You can even try leaving it on overnight for deep conditioning.
Avoid tight hair ties
Try scrunchies with cloth and fabric around them. Tight hair ties pull your hair and are painful. They also increase friction and cause breakage.
Baking soda mixture
Take three tablespoons of baking soda, add some water and stir well. Rinse your hair with this solution after you shampoo it. Let it sit for around five minutes before a final rinse. This will give your hair a thorough cleanse.
Strawberry hair mask
Strawberries are natural hair conditioners and are excellent for luscious hair. Take eight mashes strawberries and mix them with one tablespoon of mayonnaise. Massage it into your hair and leave it on for a while. Wash it off with shampoo and conditioner. This will leave your hair shiny and soft!
Egg treatment
Use an entire egg to condition your hair. Egg whites are great for moisturising your hair, especially for dry or brittle hair. Use half of cup of any egg mixture and apply to clean damp hair. Leave it for around 30 minutes and rinse it off with cool water.
Don’t wash your hair too often
Try to wash your hair every 2-3 days to keep your natural hair oils at a stable level. Your hair will have body and lustre when you wash it less often. If you have hair that gets oily quickly, try to get your hair used to not washing it and wait about two weeks for your oil levels to be regulated.
Protect your hair before swimming
Pools contain harsh chemicals that can damage your hair and leave it dry. Add a little conditioner to your hair before you swim to prevent it from being damaged. It’s a simple, proven tip that helps those who spent a lot of time in pools.
Brush your hair properly
Don’t use combs with plastic bristles- they create breakage from static electricity. It’s best to brush out tangles at first and then brush from the roots of the hair to the ends. This will properly spread your hair’s oils and prevent breakage.
Almond oil
Almond oil is great for dry and damaged hair. Take some of it into a bowl and heat for a little less than a minute. Apply it evenly onto your hair and leave it on for around 30 minutes. Rinse it off with shampoo and conditioner in cool water. This will make your hair stronger and less prone to breakage.
Air-dry your hair
Instead of using heat and unnecessarily damaging your hair, try leaving it by itself to dry. If you don’t have time to let it air dry, use your blow dryer on the lowest heat setting. It’s also not recommended to sleep in wet hair since it’s more prone to damage from friction.
Olive Oil And Avocado Hair Mask
This mask is great for damaged hair. Blend one avocado with two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Apply onto hair for 10-15 minutes and rinse off thoroughly. Make sure you repeat this mask at least once a week for lasting effects.
Cut and trim frequently
Try to visit your hair stylist once every few months to trim off the damaged ends. Split ends are super common which is why you should be trimming them at least five times a year for healthy hair. Split ends appear because of heat damage and improper hair treatment. If you like cutting your hair at home, remember to use special scissors and be as precise as possible.
Always use a heat protectant
Even if you do use heat products on your hair, you should always use some protectant that keeps your hair from being damaged and prevents split ends. Heat protectants are usually available in spray, serums or lotions. They also add shine and silkiness to your hair. Of course, it’s best to not use heat products (flat irons, curlers, blow dryers) at all!
You are what you eat
Drinking lots of water and maintaining a healthy diet is really important for your hair. Fruits and vegetables provide you with essential vitamins for your body, which is why they are great for your hair. Everything you put into your body will show on the outside.
Vinegar rinse
Mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, two tablespoons of olive oil and three egg whites. Rub the mixture into your hair and rinse it through your hair. Leave it on covered in a shower cap for 30 minutes. Rinse it off with water and shampoo (you might have to repeat this process twice).
Rub on avocado for shine
Avocados are rich in minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids that restore your hair and leave it shiny. Mash a ripe avocado with one egg and apply to damp hair. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and rinse it through a few times. Try to repeat this process about once a week. It’s especially great for damaged hair.
Avoid sulfates
Sulfates are found in over 90% of hair products and are known as skin irritants, hormone disruptors and suspected gene mutagens. They are commonly used because they’re inexpensive and effective at cutting through oil. Look for the words sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate or ammonium laureth sulfate in the ingredients.
Essential oil for a dry and itchy scalp
Rosemary and pine essential oil are great for a dry and irritated scalp. Try adding a few drops into your hair and scalp and massage it in for a few minutes. These oils contain antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Jojoba oil for damaged ends
Jojoba oil is naturally rich in lipids and peptides and it also easily absorbs into the hair. A little dab of it on the hair will give it a nice shine and seal damaged ends. Argan oil is also great for damaged hair and can also be rubbed through the length of the hair. Focus the product on the ends.
Avoid colouring dry hair
It’s best not to colour your hair, especially if it’s dry. It damages the hair and strips it of its natural oils. If you’d like to lighten it naturally, it’s recommended to use lemon, honey or chamomile tea. You can also add some lemon juice to water and mist it all over your hair. The tea can be used to rinse your hair, while the honey can be added to the water you use to wash your hair.
Use your shampoo on the scalp
Washing the strands and ends of your hair strips it of its oils. Focus on cleansing the scalp properly, and that’s where you should concentrate the product. When you rinse the scalp with water, it runs through your strands and washes it with soap anyway, so it’s unnecessary to add extra shampoo.
Don’t dry your hair with a towel
It’s not recommended to dry wet hair with a towel because it’s rough on the hair and can damage it. Leave it out to air dry and squeeze off excess water using a cotton T-shirt which is a lot gentler on the hair.
Use rice water as a shampoo and rinse
This is an ancient Chinese remedy used for hundreds of years by women in Chinese villages. Rice water contains components with nutritional value for the hair. Around 16% of these components are proteins which are essential to cell health. Triglycerides and lipids each make up 10% of the rice water components, while starch makes up 9%. Carbohydrates, phytic acid and other organic substances are found in the water. Just use it instead of your daily shampoo or as a quick rinse before washing it.
Try green tea
Green tea contains an antioxidant called EGCG which is excellent for the health of hair follicles and contributes to less hair loss and thinning. Other benefits include treating dandruff and psoriasis. Flaky skin can be treated with green tea, and it regulates the scalps moisture levels while also nourishing and hydrating it. A lot of shampoos contain green tea, but a good idea is to massage a freshly brewed and cooled cup of green tea onto the hair. It makes a great rinse and leaves your hair soft, smooth and more nourished.
Crushed amla paste
The so-called Indian gooseberry is often included in hair products, tonics and medical steam. It contains a lot of vitamin C and helps produce collagen protein, which boosts the regeneration of cells and stimulates hair length and volume. It also contains over 80% moisture. It acts as a natural scalp cleanser, removes germs, and helps prevent hair damage.
Herbal hair mask
Hair masks are extremely nourished and rejuvenating for the hair. Take one teaspoon of Triphala powder and mix it with one tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Add a small amount of water to form a paste. Apply it onto wet hair and leave it on for at least 20 minutes. Rinse it off thoroughly.
Coconut Oil And Almond Milk Hair Mask
Mix three tablespoons of egg white, four tablespoons of almond milk and two tablespoons of coconut oil. Apply the mixture onto your hair and leave it on for about 10 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water and notice how shiny and nourished your hair feels!
Honey and Banana Hair Mask
Mash a banana in a bowl until smooth and add in a few teaspoons of honey. Apply to clean, slightly damp hair and rinse after 20-30 minutes. Your hair will be super soft and smelling amazing after! The banana scent is beyond amazing.
