JOIN USOur hair takes a lot of heat and damage everyday. Be it the dyeing, the bleaching, the straightening or waving, hair styling techniques do take their toll on our precious mane. Adding to the mess is the rising amount of pollution, dust, dirt et al. As a result, our hair becomes dry and brittle, tends to break off easily and is dominated by split ends. Sometimes, the splits extend almost half the way up the hair shaft.
In reality, damaged hair is a sign of a bigger problem. If not corrected in time, it can lead to loss of your locks. The most common causes of hair damage are hair styling techniques that employ chemical lotions or direct heat applications as a |result of which the hair loses its shine, natural elasticity and resilience.
The chemical lotions disrupt the normal acid-alkaline balance of the scalp too and leave it prone to other problems. According to US trichologist, David Kingsley, too much styling and colouring can lead to loss of volume, breakage, dullness, and split ends. He recommends an easy detox, which is basically discontinuing such procedures for some time.
Reviving your locks
One of the major things to remember is that damaged hair is in a fragile condition. So, ensure you treat it gently. To heal damaged hair, have detox treatments regularly. First of all, have the hair trimmed to remove split ends. Then start with a hot oil therapy. Mix one part castor oil with two parts coconut oil. Heat it and apply on the hair. Remember to apply on the ends too.
Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for five minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap three or four times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better.
Avoid vigorous massage and rubbing when you apply oil. Keep the oil on overnight and wash hair the next day, using a mild herbal shampoo. Avoid very hot water. After shampoo, wrap a towel around the head and allow it to absorb excess water. The best way to disentangle the hair or comb wet hair is to use a wide-toothed comb. Start at the ends and work upwards. Avoid hair dryers and styling rods for some time and allow the hair to dry naturally.
For oily and limp hair, apply a hair pack once or twice a week. Make a clay pack by mixing fuller’s earth with aloe vera gel and apply on the hair. Wash off after 20 minutes. Multani mitti absorbs oil and dirt, while aloe vera softens and moisturises the hair.
Or, soak a cup of broken moong dal overnight. Then grind it in a mixer with enough water, for a smooth paste. Part the hair in sections and apply the paste, so that the entire hair is covered. Keep it on for half an hour and wash your hair well with plain water. Such packs cleanse and revive your hair.
Hair conditioners, rinses and serums help to soften the hair and add shine. They also coat the hair and help protect it. Apple cider vinegar makes for an ideal hair rinse. It detoxifies and also restores the natural balance. Add two tablespoons apple cider vinegar to a mug of water and use as a last rinse.
Apart from vinegar, hibiscus flowers and leaves make for a good concoction. Both hot and cold infusions can be made from hibiscus flowers and leaves. For hot infusions, add the flowers and leaves to boiling water and keep for 10 to 12 hours. Strain this infusion and use it as a last rinse after washing the hair. For cold infusions, soak the flowers and leaves in cold water overnight, in a ratio of one to six. The next day, squeeze the flowers and strain the water and apply. Such infusions can be used to wash the hair and scalp, or applied on the scalp with cotton wool. The paste or juice of the flowers can also be applied on the hair.
To make you hair strong from within, drink herbal and spice tea regularly. Add spices like ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and pepper to tea. Ginger boiled in water can also be a good detox element. Chamomile tea is known to banish toxins and induce relaxation. A happy you means happy hair.
(The author is a beauty expert)