| BEAUTY CORNER |
| Hair today, gone tomorrow? |
Every fortnight, Living features a column on beauty and grooming by renowned aromatherapist Dr Blossom Kochhar. Readers can send in their feedback to dhliving@gmail.com
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 Everybody has a hair problem of some sort — even the most glamorous celebrities. Here are a few tips to help you solve your particular hair problem and help you show off healthy and shining hair.
Common complaints
Oily Hair: Oily hair is a result of overactive sebaceous glands which constantly secrete oil down the hair shafts. Oily hair could mean that your diet has too much butter, chocolate and desserts. Try to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. Lean meat, salads and fruits can help too. Shampoo your hair every day if necessary; it won’t hurt. Use a mild herbal shampoo. Do not use strong shampoos as these strip away too much oil, leaving you with oily roots and overly dry ends.
To get rid of stubborn traces of oil, warm the shampoo first in a pan of hot water, add two drops of patchouli oil and apply it to your hair. Dip cotton pads or a sponge in hot water and apply to scalp and hair. Rinse.
You could also use malt vinegar after a shampoo wash — one teaspoon to a mug of water if the ends of your hair are dry. If you don’t have the time to shampoo, you can clean your hair with cotton pads soaked in cologne. This will wipe away excess dirt and oil, section by section.
Oily hair is the only hair type that can be regularly permed because this process fights natural greasiness.
Dry hair: If your hair is extremely dry, a weekly oil treatment will help before your shampoo. Apply warm oil. Wrap your hair in a steaming hot towel for 20 minutes and then shampoo.
Shampoo every 5-7 days. A cream shampoo or a mild formula should do the trick. Avoid steaming hot water when washing off. Lather up the shampoo and massage it into your scalp. Repeat the process if necessary. Rinse well and finish with a cream rinse because hair is fragile when wet. Don’t rub your hair vigorously. Instead, dry with a thick towel.
Deep conditioning hair treat: Take two tablespoons of olive oil, two tablespoons of malt vinegar, two eggs, five drops of rosemary oil and five drops of lavender oil. Mix the ingredients together, slowly massage it into the hair and comb through. Wrap a towel or cover for 30 minutes and then shampoo. Avoid using a hair dryer.
A faulty hairline at the brow or nape sometimes interferes with styles you might like to choose. If this is your problem, you can correct your hairline permanently through a procedure called laser thermolysis. Get in touch with a licensed technician for this.
Knotty mess
Curls may be the envy of girls with straight hair but they could pose a problem, especially in the mornings. A great deal of control is needed to keep curls from getting tangled. If you have curly hair, spray your hair before going out in damp weather. Brush your hair regularly, once in the morning and once before going to bed. Use a style that highlights your natural look. If you’re still not happy with your curls, you could walk into a good salon in your area and investigate the possibility of straightening your hair.
Hair fall
A little hair fall is normal. But if it means that you have to clear your drain every day, it does seem like you have a serious problem on your hands. Physical or severe pressure on the scalp through a particular style or even shock and anxiety can increase hair fall.
A daily massage with a few drops of lavender oil can control hair fall to an extent.
Increase your protein intake and eat vitamin-rich food. Once a week, massage your scalp with a mixture of coconut milk and lime juice. Allow it to remain on the scalp for 3-4 hours. Follow up with a shampoo wash.
Allergies
Be careful while you try out new hair products. Read the labels carefully. Always try a patch test before using a new spray or shampoo.
Thin or fine hair: Thin or fine hair is an advantage. This type of hair adapts to almost any style. You can get it cut to give it more body, using the straight-across blunt cut for styling. The more frequently you wash your hair, the more body it will have. If your hair is fine and oily, keep it clean even if you have to shampoo it every day. Do not brush your hair vigorously after a shampoo wash.
Thick hair: Keep it styled and do not let it get too long and unmanageable. Brush often for a well-groomed look.
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