Pamper your crowning glory

BEAUTY CORNER

We have all heard of spa treatments like body polish, foot spa, hair care and more. Here we explore and explain what’s involved in a hair spa treatment.
These are complete treatments for the hair, which include procedures like a head massage, a steam, stimulation of follicles, application of hair packs and deep conditioning.  
Hair spa treatments not only beautify the hair, but also restore the health of your scalp, controlling hair problems and promoting healthy hair growth. They certainly help to improve the look and texture of your hair, softening it and making it shiny. Luxurious deep conditioning, head massage and other procedures are built into hair spa treatments to induce relaxation. 

The treatments are adjusted according to hair type. If the scalp is oily, or if there is dandruff, specialised hair tonics may be applied. Similarly, packs may be adjusted according to skin type or individual need. To improve the condition of dull, damaged or brittle hair, protein packs may be applied. A carnation hair conditioning powder is a widely used conditioner. Along with this, other ingredients are added, like yoghurt, lentils, soybean, eggs (optional), etc. Ayurvedic hair packs are also popular. The pack is kept on for half an hour and then washed off.  

With flower packs, floral extracts are used — extracts of hibiscus and calendula. Sometimes, cold or hot infusions may be used. Hibiscus helps to add shine. Calendula is particularly useful to combat oily hair problems. The pack is left on for an hour and then washed off. 

Hair Butter Pack is a deep-conditioning treatment. It is applied and lightly massaged into the hair. It is left on for half an hour and then rinsed off. It coats the hair and repairs the outermost layer of the hair (cuticle), which gets stripped and destroyed when chemical colourants/dyes, perming and hair-straightening lotions are used. Hair butter pack softens the hair texture and adds lustre. It also helps repair sun-damaged hair.  

Treat yourself

Pamper yourself to a DIY Hair Spa Treatment at home to condition your hair and have it looking silky and shiny within a few hours. It helps to counteract stress caused to the hair by chemical colourants, excessive sun-exposure, dust, grime and air pollutants.

You will need the following:

*A mild herbal shampoo
*A plastic shower cap
*Towels,
*Comb with large, wide teeth
*Hair conditioning ingredients mentioned below.

If you have dull and damaged hair, try  a hot oil treatment. A self-massage technique can be easily followed. You can choose from pure almond oil, pure sesame seed (til) oil or pure olive oil. Warm the oil and pour it on the centre of the head.

To determine this point, measure eight finger widths from above the eyebrows, towards the centre of the head. Smoothen the oil by massaging both sides of the scalp, moving towards the ears.

Pour some oil on the back of the head and massage the oil along the sides and back of the head. Gentle tapping movements should be followed all over the head, to stimulate circulation. With your fingers, rub it all over the scalp and try and move the skin of the scalp gently. Then wrap the hair in a hot towel for twenty minutes, before washing the hair. 

For very dry and damaged hair, mix together:

*An egg
*A tablespoon of castor oil
*Juice of a lemon
*A teaspoon of pure glycerin

These ingredients should be well mixed. You can use an egg beater for better consistency. Massage this into the scalp and apply on the hair too. Wear a plastic shower cap and relax for an hour.
 
Wash the hair with shampoo, rinsing well with water. Give your hair a last rinse with a lemon and tea mix after shampoo. To the juice of a lemon, add ‘tea water’ – tea water can be made by boiling used tea leaves repeatedly in 4 to 5 cups of water. Cool and strain. Use it as a last rinse. It leaves the hair clean and shiny. 

Or, have a beer rinse, which also helps to add shine. You can add the juice of a lemon to the beer. Pour on the hair, leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse with plain water.