Two major factors influencing the health of the hair are diet and lifestyle. Poor diet, vitamin deficiencies, illnesses of different kinds can conduce to hair problems like dandruff, hair loss, thinning hair, balding, premature graying, etc. Sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excessive stress and an unhealthy diet conduce to deplorable hair. Moreover, regular cleaning and brushing of the hair is also important, as the oil-producing glands in the scalp get stimulated when the hair is brushed. It is this natural oil that makes the hair glossy and healthy. Paying heed to some natural hair care tips will help maintain the hair, however, the tips on hair care will depend on the hair type and texture. For example, natural black hair care will have daily care for black hair tips, while natural hair care for black women will have a different set of tips. Let us look at some of them.
Natural Hair Care Recipes
These hair care recipes can be used by all hair types. Some simple, yet effective hair care recipes are as follows:
Hair Rinses: Hair rinses help clean the hair and also enhances hair growth. To prepare a hair rinse, all one needs is 2 cups of warm water and 1/2 a cup of lemon. Mix these two ingredients and rinse the hair with it. Massage the hair gently and allow the solution to sit on the hair for 10 minutes. Rinse out, condition and style.
Hair Treatment: This treatment recipe is beneficial to those who swim often and it will protect the hair from breakage and will also enhance hair growth. For this treatment, you need 1 egg, 1 egg shell's worth of olive oil, 1 quarter of peeled cucumber and mix them together. Apply this mixture to the hair and allow it to stay for 10 minutes, then rinse. Read more on natural hair care for black women.
No Shampoo Recipe: Dissolve 1 tablespoon baking soda in 2 cups of warm water and pour it into a cup or spray bottle. Pour or spray the solution on your hair and allow the mixture to sit for 1 minute and then rinse it out well. Condition and style the hair. This recipe is good when your hair feels really yucky, as it will make your hair clean and shiny. However, do not exceed the amount of baking soda added, as this will only make your hair brittle. Read more on hair mask recipes for damaged hair.
Leave-in Conditioners: Heat 3 tablespoons of honey in the microwave and mix 1/4 cup of olive oil into it. Work small amounts of this mixture into the hair at a time, until the entire hair has been coated. After 30 minutes, rinse and dry well. This conditioner will help make the hair soft and shiny. Read more on hair conditioning treatments at home.
Natural Hair Care Tips for African American Women
In case of African American hair, the most important point to be taken into consideration is preventing breakage of hair, improve brittle texture of the hair and prevent hair loss. Some of the African American natural hair care tips are as follows:
- Massage the scalp regularly with oil, as it enhances oil production and reduces dryness. Hot oil massages should be carried out once a month to moisturize the hair.
- You should condition your hair with hair care products especially made for African American natural hair. However, while selecting these shampoos, avoid buying shampoos that contain alcohol. Moreover, do not shampoo your hair daily. Shampooing once in every 3-7 days helps maintain the hair's oil balance.
- You should not comb your hair while it is wet. Wait till your hair dries a bit, before combing it, so as to avoid breakage. Moreover, if you have excessively curly hair, just use a wide toothed comb to brush your hair (starting from the ends and gradually moving to the roots). This reduces breakage.
- Get your hair trimmed once every 2-3 months, to avoid split ends and do not wear braids for more than 8 weeks. Allow your hair to remain free before braiding it once again. This helps prevent a receding hairline.