Do’s and Don’ts for Regular Hair Care

Everyone dreams of long, thick, lustrous hair and I believe it is not impossible to possess it if we stopped manhandling our hair and gave it the care and attention it deserves. After all, it is a part of our body and should be given the same treatment that we give our nails, skin, etc. Here are some tips that you could follow to maintain the texture and color of your hair.

Do invest in a good hairstyle that will define your features and your personality. Changing your hairstyle once in a while will make you more confident and stylish.

Do shampoo your hair using genuine herbal products that are suitable to your hair type.

Do buy herbal shampoo that is not combined with a conditioner. A conditioner should be in a separate bottle.

Do use a good quality clarifying shampoo once in two weeks, especially if you are prone to use hair sprays, gels, mousses often or if you go swimming often on account of which there could be chlorine deposits in your hair.

Do have a shower before stepping into a pool, as wet hair will ward off the bad effects of chlorine on your hair. Better still, wear a swimming cap to protect your hair.

Do wash your wash right away after a swim, in order to rid your air of chlorine.

Do remember to brush your hair in the morning and before going to bed at night. Brushing will remove dirt and other waste particles from your hair in addition to stimulating blood supply and distributing sebum evenly to the hair follicles.

Do buy a good brush that will not damage or pull at your hair. A good scalp massager brush will be extra beneficial for stimulating hair growth.

Do wrap your hair with a thick towel after shampooing, in order to absorb all the water. Then, vigorously towel your head to stimulate blood flow through the hair follicles.

Do let your hair dry naturally instead of using a hair dryer every time. Excessive use of hair dryers can turn hair dry and brittle.

Don’t brush wet hair, as the hair follicles are weak when wet. Use a wide-toothed comb, by combing the ends of your hair first before moving slowly up to your roots.

Don’t run your fingers through your hair too often, as it could pull the strands and damage the cuticles.

Don’t walk under a very hot sun, exposing your head. Cover your head with a cap during that time.

Don’t forget to keep your brushes and combs always clean. Always use your own combs and towels to prevent dandruff, as dandruff is contagious.

Don’t use tooth clips or banana clips too often as it could make your face look long and drawn. Adopt hairstyles that give your face a soft look.

Don’t pull your hair tightly back from your scalp and tie a pony-tail. Pony-tails put undue pressure on your hair roots and will eventually lead to hair loss.

Don’t treat your hair excessively to perms, colors, blow dries and curls. All these treatments will ruin the texture of your hair and damage the hair shafts.

Don’t forget to treat your hair with hot oil massages with coconut, almond, olive or castor oil, at twice a week. This will not only stimulate hair growth but will prevent hair loss and grey hair.

Don’t use blow dryers every time to dry your hair. If you must use it on a day when you are in a hurry, use the blow dryer for a few seconds first and then switch to cold air to close the hair shaft and make it look glossy and smooth.

Don’t grow your hair when you get old. Short hair looks smarter and more stylish as you get old. The trick is to choose a good style and look younger.

Don’t forget to eat a protein rich diet. Nutrition is of utmost importance for good hair. All external treatments are in vain if your diet is very poor. Eat plenty of eggs, dairy products, lean meats, fruits and vegetables. As you get older, take supplements to fulfill your nutritional needs.

Don’t forget to be a part of a regular fitness program. Be physically active. Join yoga for enhancing inner peace and improving all round health.

Brush Your Hair to Good Health

Brushing or combing your hair the right way is important for healthy growth. Brushing is the best cleanser than a shampoo because brushing removes impurities and hair deposits that are embedded in your scalp and entangled in your hair. It also stimulates blood circulation to the hair follicles.

Brushing also triggers oil glands and hormones, thereby opening up the pores and maintaining natural oils in the hair.

Imbalances in the natural oil producing sebaceous glands can cause hair loss, dandruff and other hair issues. When the glands produce excess oil, the nourishment to the hair follicles is hindered, causing the weak hair to fall out. When the glands produce very less oil, the hair follicles lose their strength, become brittle and fall out. So, it is important to maintain the right balance in the sebaceous glands.

Excessive use of hair styling treatments, gels, colors, dyes, shampoos, etc., damages the hair follicles and blocks the pores in your scalp. They interfere with the function of the sebaceous glands, causing imbalances and finally hair loss. 

Brushing your hair is as good as a good head massage and will stimulate your oil glands into producing the right amount of oil and promote proper blood flow to the hair follicles.

Brushing is equated to a good hair conditioner because gentle smooth strokes will condition your scalp and hair and make it strong, manageable and smooth.

Brushing the right way plays a key role in reducing hair loss and make it look lustrous and shiny. 

There are two ways of brushing your hair. In the first method, you hold your hair from the middle and brush gently to remove the tangles from the bottom and then work your way up to the top of your head.

In the second method, you bent down from the waist and leave your hair to fall loose down. This posture will also send the blood to flow down well to your hair follicles. Holding the brush in one hand, run it up from the nape of your neck, to the crown of your head and down to the end of your hair in slow easy movements.

Do’s and Don’t’s for Dandruff Free Hair

While you are treating your hair with home remedies to get rid of dandruff, there are certain steps you need to take to maintain your hair and keep it free of dandruff forever.

When using lemon juice as a home remedy for dandruff, never use it directly on your hair. Always mix it with other oils or yogurt or henna or shampoo because lemon juice is highly acidic and may strip your hair off keratin (key protein component of our hair) due the presence of citric acid in lemon.

Comb your hair with a wide toothed comb to stimulate blood circulation in the hair follicles.

Wash your hairbrushes and combs, at least once a week in hot water, using an old toothbrush to remove the dirt between the teeth of the comb.

Use your own towels, pillow covers, combs and hairbrushes because dandruff is contagious.

Avoid using hair dryers, hair straighteners, hair styling treatments excessively, as it could damage your hair texture and infect your scalp.

Avoid washing your hair everyday but wash it on alternate days to keep the scalp clean. Use mild herbal shampoos as opposed to harsh anti dandruff shampoos. Although the market is filled with and they all claim to be effective, it is better to use natural home remedy because they are chemical free and not harmful for your hair.

Massage your scalp with your fingertips in a circular motion once in a while, (while watching TV) to promote blood circulation.

After an intense workout or exercise, that makes you sweat profusely, ensure that you take a shower right away, to wash the sweat off your scalp, as it can irritate your scalp and cause dry flaky skin.

Eat healthy, nutritious food. Maintain good eating habits and avoid processed foods. Drink plenty of water and fresh juices.

Follow these tips and walk proud and free with your friends without having to give in to the urge to scratch your hair and dropping white flaky confetti all over your clothes.

Rid Your Hair of Dandruff Naturally – the Indian Way

Dandruff occurs from poor nutrition, zinc deficiency, constipation, unhealthy scalp, fungus and yeast infection, excessive use of harsh shampoos & hair styling gels, over exposure to extreme weather conditions and stress.

Our body sheds dead skin constantly - which is normal and not usually noticeable - in order to rebuild itself. Dandruff is also a type of dead skin shedding but it becomes noticeable, when a fungus called malassezia goes haywire, thereby shedding more skin that needed, causing greasy or dry scales.

There are two types of dandruff. Dry dandruff found on dry hair types and oily dandruff found on oily hair types. Dry dandruff fall off your hair onto your eyebrows, shoulders and clothes, whenever you comb or brush your hair. In oily dandruff, the dry scales mix with your hair sebum, become thick and greasy and settle on your scalp. Although oily dandruff will not fall on your face or clothes, it will thickly coat your brush or comb whenever you comb your hair. You can decide on a suitable home remedy for dandruff, based on the type of dandruff you have.

There are several home remedies for treating dandruff. You can either try any one remedy or more than one remedy in order to increase the effective of your treatment.

Mix 3 tbsp henna powder, 2 tsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp thick curd (yogurt) &1 egg white and leave it overnight. Next morning, massage coconut oil into your hair and leave for an hour. Then apply the henna paste to your scalp, leave it for an hour before rinsing it off with a mild shampoo.

 Add 10 to 12 drop of tea tree oil to a small amount of mild shampoo in your hand and massage it into your scalp, leave it for ten minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.

Soak 2 tbsp of fenugreek seeds in a little water overnight and grind it to a fine paste the next morning. (Save the water used for soaking the seeds as a final rinse for your hair. Alternatively, soak a cotton ball into the water and apply it to your scalp after shampooing and drying your hair). Apply the paste in your scalp and leave it for ½ hour. Wash your hair well with herbal shampoo, preferably of soap-nut or acacia concinna. This is a good remedy for dry dandruff and should be done twice a week for first two weeks, reducing it to once a week for the next two weeks and then once in two weeks for next month or so.

Vinegar is excellent for treating dandruff. Mix 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar with 1 tbsp water. Add this mixture to a little mild shampoo and massage your scalp with it before washing it off. Or apply the apple cider vinegar with water mixture to your scalp, cover your scalp with a cloth, leave it overnight and wash it off the next morning.

Thyme leaves boiled in a little water, sour yogurt and lemon juice are excellent remedial treatments for dandruff. Mix them together and massage onto your scalp and leave them on for 15 minutes before washing them down.

Mix 1 tbsp coconut oil with ½ tsp lemon juice and 1 tsp neem juice. Massage it to your scalp and leave it on for 15 minutes before washing if off with a mild herbal shampoo.

Use the hot oil massage therapy. Massage your hair with hot sesame or olive oil before going to bed. Next morning, use half a lemon and rub it gently to your scalp 15 minutes before washing your hair. Alternatively, wrap your head with a hot towel after the hot oil massage for 10 to 15 minutes. This is good for dandruff as well as for hair loss.

Mix 2 tbsp of green gram powder to 1 tbsp of curd and apply it to your scalp for 15 minutes before hair wash.

Soak 3 lemon peels in 3 tbsp coconut oil for 10 days out in the sun. Strain it and apply it to your scalp and leave it for 15 minutes before you wash your hair.

Exposing your hair to the sun rays for about 10 minutes is also beneficial for treating dandruff. Additionally, you can also get vitamin D, which is vital for your body.

Massaging your head with a mixture of warm olive and almond oil before your head bath is good for getting rid of dandruff and keeping your hair shiny and healthy.

You can try any one or more of the above remedies for treating dandruff, but remember, you need to be patient. Each one of these remedies will take at 3 months before they start showing results. So, it is important to persist with the treatment and not give up half way. I will post an article on some important do’s and don’t’s about maintaining a dandruff free hair.

(the leftover tea tree oil and olive oil mix can be preserved in the fridge)

Hair Care – Tips on How to Care for your Hair Better Naturally

Hair is a woman’s crowning glory and a good head of hair will make her look smart and confident. In addition to having a well enriched protein and iron diet, you should also follow certain tips on external caring of your hair.

Oiling and shampooing your hair

Always oil your hair before shampooing. Oil your hair and leave it on for minimum 15 minutes before you wash your hair.

Oil your hair twice a week. Once a week, oil your hair, leave it overnight and wash it off the next morning with a mild shampoo.

Massage your scalp with warm oil once a week to improve the blood circulation. Wrap your head with a slightly hot towel and leave it for 15 minutes before washing your hair.

Always use mild herbal shampoos and conditioners. Use a mild herbal antidandruff shampoos for your dandruff. Protect your hair from extreme weather like cold gusty winds, hot dry winds, dust, pollution and dirt. Cover your head with a scarf while travelling on a bike or an open car.

Washing, Combing and Drying your hair

There is no need to wash your hair every day. Excessive washing can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle. Wash your hair thrice a week.

Avoid combing or brushing your hair when it is still wet because hair follicles are weak when wet. Allow your hair to dry naturally instead of using the hair dryer. Use hair dryers only when you are short of time. It would be a good idea to detangle your hair well before entering your shower.

Natural ways of hair care

Once in a while, apply raw milk in your hair and massage well. Leave it on for an hour before washing it off.

Eating plenty of coconut pieces or including them in your veggies dishes is good for your hair. Eat plenty of dry nuts like cashews and almonds for better hair growth.

Drinking coconut water twice a week will bless you with a healthy skin and healthy hair too.

Massage your hair with olive oil and wrap a warm towel around your head and leave it for ½ hour before washing it off.

Brush your hair gently before going to bed. It will stimulate your blood circulation and promote hair growth.

Gray hair - Causes and Home remedies

Grey hair usually comes around middle age but early graying is hereditary or genetic and you may inherit it from your grandparents or parents. So, if your mother or father had premature graying of hair, there is a likelihood that your hair may turn gray too. Stress, worry, tension, shock, prolonged misery, usage of harsh shampoos and malnutrition may be other causes of gray hair. However, it may be possible to slow down or delay graying with a good, nutritious, balanced diet and a stress free life through meditation and yoga.

Gray hair occurs when the production of a pigment called ‘melanin’ that gives the dark color to your hair and which is present in the hair follicles, reduces or stops. As a young person, melanin is produced in plenty but as you age, the production of melanin is reduced considerably, with the result that your hair starts showing more grey hair. However, scientists have still not been able to fully discover the exact reason for hair turning gray.

The belief that pulling one hair causes two or three other grey hair to grow in its place is a myth. I admit I used to think the same too and would be afraid to find out if it was a myth or not. Chances are that coincidently, the neighboring hair may have started turning grey too around the same time, leading you to believe that it has happened because you pulled out one hair.

Heavy smokers are more prone to graying faster than non-smokers. Smoking accelerates hair loss and gray hair about 4 times more than non-smoking. So, it would be a good idea to stop smoking for good healthy dark hair and to maintain good body health as well.

Deficiency in vitamin B12 has been associated with premature graying. Meat, eggs and milk are rich in vitamin B12. Irregularity in thyroid can also cause grey hair. Start on medication to regulate it. Early menopause which causes hormonal imbalances in the body may also be attributed to gray hair.

Homemade remedies for gray hair

Gray hair is a condition of a low protein diet. So, have a protein enriched diet of lean meats, whole grains, eggs, soy, cereals and lentils. Iron is also necessary for healthy hair. Dark green veggies, dry nuts, liver, yogurt, beets and fruits should be included in your diets.

Iodine that is found in salt is necessary for producing melanin. Kosher salt and sea salt should be replaced with iodized table salt. Bananas, fish, carrots and radishes are rich sources of iodine.

Butter made out of cow’s milk may be massaged into your hair roots to arrest further graying. Use melted butter for easy application, twice a week and rinse well after ½ an hour.

Juice of amaranth (found in Indian stores) is a good source of folic acid, vitamins and essential minerals. Consumption of amaranth juice of its leaves or seeds is good for retaining the natural color of your hair. Application of juice of amaranth leaves on the hair will keep your hair soft and retain its dark color.

Eating chutney made out of curry leaves is excellent for gray hair. Alternatively, add the curry leaves to your dishes like stews, soups, curries, sauces or yogurt. Eating it raw is also good. Boil a few curry leaves in coconut oil, cool it, store it and apply the oil in your hair for an hour, before shampooing, whenever you wash your hair.

Take 6 tbsp of henna powder / paste, 1 egg, juice of ½ a lemon and 1 tbsp of instant coffee powder. Mix them all together and apply it on your hair. Wash with a gentle shampoo after an hour.

Make a paste of 6 tbsp henna powder, 1 tbsp yogurt, 1 tsp fenugreek powder, 1 tsp coffee powder, 1 tsp each of basil and mint juice and apply it to your hair for three hours and shampoo.

Boil 1 cup of amla (dried gooseberry) in 4 cups of water, until the quantity is reduced to 1 cup. After it is cooled down, add 2 cups of henna powder, 1 egg, juice of 1 lemon and mix well. Apply the paste to your hair and rinse off after a couple of hours.

Henna, egg white, yogurt, beer and diluted vinegar are good natural conditioners that will give your hair bounce and volume.

Consume 1 tsp fresh grated ginger with ½ tsp honey every day. It is very good for controlling grey hair.

Try these remedies to arrest gray hair. Don’t forget to fortify yourself with a good diet too.

Hair Loss Tips – Home Remedies

Hair loss is a problem we all face in our life. The sight of your hair in your brush or comb can be stressful but you can combat it with these useful tips. However, it should be understood that a good nutritious diet is the first step to combat hair loss. Plenty of dark veggies, fruits, nuts, yogurt, cheese and lean meats is a must. Protein rich food is necessary because your hair is made up of proteins.

Mix 4 tsp of henna leaves with 1 cup of mustard oil and boil. Strain the mixture after cooling and store. Massage the oil periodically and leave it on for 15 minutes before shampooing.

Soak 2-3 tsp of fenugreek seeds overnight. Next morning, drink the water in which the seeds were soaked. Try it for a month and your hair fall will be cut down by 50%. Crush the soaked seeds and mix 1 tsp curd to it and apply the mask to your hair for 15 minutes before rinsing it off.

After washing your hair, rub your scalp vigorously for a few minutes. It is a natural hair loss remedy.

Cut an onion in half and use one half to rub it on a bald patch on your head until the area turns red. Later apply a little honey on the patch. It is said to be effective for treating bald patches.

Mix a beaten egg with honey and massage it well into your scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing it off with shampoo.

Heat a cup of coconut oil and fry 10-15 curry leaves in it. Turn off the heat and let the oil to cool. Store it in a bottle. Whenever you take a little oil from it, warm it up just a little bit before applying it to your hair;

Massage your scalp with Aloe Vera gel and leave it on for ½ hour before rinsing, three times a week.

Add a tsp of lemon juice in 1 tbsp of coconut oil and massage it to your scalp to reduce hair loss.

Mix 3 tbsp of henna with a paste of three hibiscus leaves and 1 hibiscus flower. Apply it to your hair and leave it for 1 hour before washing it off.

Castor oil has therapeutic benefits and good for hair loss too. As it is a thick oil, you will have to mix with almond oil, coconut oil or olive oil. Apply it only on your roots. Click on the link below to see how to apply castor oil.

Hair Care – Indian Style

Indian women are known for their long, dark and lustrous hair since ancient times. The scriptures have stories of women using aromatic oils and herbs to give shine and strength to their hair. It is the culture and tradition in India for women to keep their hair long and healthy. Men generally love long hair and it would seem long hair is another way of entering a man’s heart, besides his stomach, of course. Right? :-D

Long and lustrous hair is a reflection of the state of your health. If you are healthy, your hair will show it. Therefore, nutrition can affect the health of your hair. Good nutrition will bless you with good hair and vice versa. Protein is very important for hair growth because hair is essentially made up of protein. Add eggs, dairy products, dark green veggies, broccoli, whole grain pulses, walnuts, almonds, flax seeds, berries and lean meats in your diet. External application of oil alone is not enough for lustrous hair. Combine it with good nutrition for an excellent head of hair

Hair Care Tips

Mix 1 cup of coconut oil with 1 hibiscus leaf, 1 hibiscus flower, 3 peppercorns, 1 sprig of curry leaves and lightly heat it so that the goodness of the herbs get infused into the oil. Use the oil after it is cooled. You can store the oil for as long as you like.

Mix together 2 tbsp each of castor oil, mustard oil and coconut oil. Periodical application of this oil is good for hair growth.

Almond oil has excellent qualities for promoting healthy hair. Early Egyptians discovered its benefits and used it to good benefit. Regular application prevents hair fall as it contains vitamin A, B1, 2, 6 & E which enhances blood flow through your hair follicles and moisturizes your hair.

Although almond oil is good by itself, when mixed with castor oil, its benefit increases two-fold. Mix 1 tbsp each of almond oil and castor oil and massage it into your scalp well, leave it for 15 minutes before washing your hair.

Mix 12 drops of jojoba oil with 2 tbsp of almond oil, 1 yolk of egg and 10 drops of lukewarm water. Apply this concoction after shampooing your hair and leave it on for ½ hour before rinsing it off.

Mix 1 tbsp lemon juice with 2 tbsp thick curds (yogurt) and 2 tbsp tea extracts. Use it as a hair mask for 15 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo. This mask is good for oily hair and dandruff.

Always Oil your hair before shampooing. Once a week, oil your hair and leave it overnight.

Although the above tips will help your hair, a good balanced and nutritious diet is a must and the best hair care tip.