Our hair is our crowning glory, so what natural hair care tips, remedies and fixes can we try, to keep it looking at its most shiny and healthy best? From boosting the circulation with Indian Head Massage to giving dandruff the brush off with aromatherapy blends, make every day a good hair day with these easy natural tips and tricks.
1. Show Dandruff the Door with This Hair Care Tip
When you’re suffering from dandruff, it can be tempting to reach straight for a strong medicated shampoo but before you do, it’s worth considering the power of natural oils. A few drops of essential oils with antiseptic qualities such as tea tree and eucalyptus can be very effective when added to gentle unperfumed shampoos to treat dandruff and soothe an itchy, flaky scalp. The oils also have the added benefit that as you breathe in their cleansing aromas, your mind will be given a refreshing boost, making them perfect for a morning shower. For this hair care tip, simply add 3 drops of each essential oil to 50ml of unperfumed pH-balanced shampoo. Shake well and use regularly in place of your usual shampoo.
2. Just Add... Avocado!
The answer to your dry, parched locks could lie nearer than you think – in the kitchen! Mash a ripe avocado and mix with an egg yolk for a dry hair treatment that will leave your hair looking super-shiny and healthy. Apply to damp hair and leave on for 15-20 mins before shampooing off several times using tepid water (don’t use hot water as this will cook the egg!). If you have very dry and brittle hair or a dry scalp, try adding a tablespoon of avocado oil to the mix and massage it through thoroughly. This hair care tip may sound a little odd but all the nourishing vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids in your homemade mask will leave your hair gleaming.
3. Help Yourself to Better Hair Health
Eating a balanced diet with plenty of lean proteins, fruit, vegetables and wholegrains is the best source of the nutrients needed to boost hair health. Omega-3 fatty acids – which our bodies do not naturally produce – is another source for this hair care tip, as they also provide a whole host of hair benefits, from helping with dandruff and itchy scalps to boosting hair growth. Good sources are oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, trout and sardines, as well as nuts and seeds. A handful of walnuts or some chia or flax seeds each day could see you achieving the gleaming sheen of your dreams!
4. New Life for Lank Locks
You’d be forgiven for thinking that adding oil to already oily or greasy hair would just make hair lank and lifeless but choosing the right oils can make a difference. Mineral-rich jojoba oil, in particular, is a light oil which can help to stabilise and regulate the scalp’s sebum production and dissolve any excess sebum which may be clogging the follicles. Massage the oil through the hair using your fingertips and leave on for 15 minutes before washing your hair as normal. If you wish, add a couple of drops of purifying cedarwood essential oil to the jojoba oil for an aromatic treatment. Avoid cedarwood oil during pregnancy and if breastfeeding.
5. Heavenly Indian Head Massage
Treating yourself to a regular Indian Head Massage is one of the best (and most relaxing!) hair care tips that will help you to look after your hair and manage the stress that can so often lead to lacklustre locks or even hair loss. Releasing tension from the neck and shoulders and massaging the scalp stimulates blood flow to the follicles which in turn delivers the nourishing nutrients needed to promote healthy hair growth. By learning the ancient art of Indian Head Massage for yourself, you could help others to discover the benefits of this wonderful stress-busting treatment too.
6. It’s a Wrap!
If you regularly blow dry your hair, you may worry that you’re drying out and damaging your hair by subjecting it to too much heat. If you haven’t got time to allow hair to dry naturally, a good hair care tip is to avoid blasting the hair with too much heat is to buy a microfiber hair wrap to partially dry it first. It’s ideal for keeping your hair away from the face while applying make-up, and by the time you’ve done this, much of the water will have been absorbed resulting in less drying time, less brushing and less damage! Available at very little cost, this hair care tip is an inexpensive and fuss-free way to cut back on frizz.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Many aromatherapy essential oils are contraindicated for use during pregnancy and for those with certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure and epilepsy so always check with a qualified practitioner if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Avoid nuts and nut-based products if you have a nut allergy. Always consult with your GP if you are concerned about any hair/scalp condition.
At the time of publishing, entering the code SOOTHE at checkout will reduce the price of our
Indian Head Massage Diploma Course to £39.
