<p>Your hair can be your best fashion accessory if it is cared for in the right way. It is a vital part of your looks and personality. Till date, no cosmetologist or trichologist has been able to comprehensively and conclusively describe the reasons for hair loss. </p>.<p>But they do agree on the characteristics of healthy hair. Healthy hair, according to them, is: <br />Thick and dense<br />Fine and silky <br />Lustrous<br />Pliable to styling and setting<br />Full-bodied <br />Cleanse, tone, condition<br /><br />An effective hair-care routine involves cleansing, toning and conditioning on a regular basis. Remember to use quality hair-care products. Different types of hair require different hair products. <br /><br />Cleansing is the foremost routine in daily hair care. The purpose of cleansing is to wash away excess oil on your scalp and remove the dead cells. After cleansing, the scalp and hair need toning. This is achieved by gently massaging the scalp. This massage helps in stimulating the blood circulation required for the healthy growth of hair. <br /><br />The last step in the routine is conditioning. It is a restorative routine. If the hair is stripped of moisture or oil due to harsh cleansing, exposure to the sun or application of harsh chemicals such as perm lotions, conditioning will correct the imbalance. The kind of conditioning required depends entirely on the physical condition of your hair. <br /><br />For oily hair<br />An oily scalp needs frequent cleansing and toning. The routine aims at removing excess oil and exfoliates dead cells which clog the hair follicles. Infection in the hair follicles leads to dandruff, hairfall and premature balding. <br /><br />The cleansing routine involves washing and rinsing the hair. Since the hair has to be washed frequently, a natural shampoo, made with herbs like amla, shikakai or triphala, is recommended. The ideal shampoo is always gentle in action but thorough in dissolving the grime.<br /><br />Massaging the scalp stimulates the follicles and supports hair growth. For dry hair, a scalp massage with olive/ coconut oil is recommended. For oily hair, a massage with a toning lotion is recommended. <br /><br />Tips for luxuriant hair<br /><br />Cleanser: Powder green gram and fenugreek (methi) seeds. Mix two portions of shikakai powder, one portion of green gram powder and half portion of fenugreek powder, and store in a dry, airtight container. When required, mix a tablespoon of this mixture with egg white and use it as a shampoo. It does not lather up like a soap or shampoo, but it cleanses the hair. You could also soak soapnuts (reetha) in water, overnight. Mash them in the morning and strain the soapy solution. Add a teaspoon of shikakai powder and wash your hair with this mixture.<br /><br /> Mint infusion: Boil two handfuls of mint (pudina) in one-and-a-half glasses of water for 20 minutes. Strain the solution and mix it into three tablespoons of shampoo. <br /><br />Toning lotion: Mix a tablespoon of malt vinegar in a glass of water. Add a pinch of salt to it. Rub two tablespoons of the mixture on your scalp and massage it with your finger tips. Leave the lotion on for one hour. Rinse with cool water, brush and set your hair. <br /><br />Dry hair dismay?<br />Dry hair tends to be thin and rough. It can easily cause tangles and split ends. Your priority should be to replenish the oil and moisture in your hair, which is why a conditioning routine is important. <br /><br />Stay away from strong-action products if you have dry hair. A generous (not vigorous) oil massage before you wash your hair is important. Avoid frequent shampooing. A moisturiser application can do wonders to the texture of your hair. <br /><br />Home remedies<br />Given below are a few natural recipes that are time-tested. For long-term results, replace chemical products with these home-made remedies. <br /><br />Beat an egg in a cup of skimmed milk. When the foam becomes consistent, rub it into the scalp. Leave it on for 5 minutes. Rinse the hair thoroughly. Carry out this routine twice a week.<br />Take a cup of coconut milk and add two tablespoons of gram flour or one teaspoon of shikakai. Apply on your scalp and hair and massage gently. Rinse it out after 5 minutes. Follow this routine at least once a week.<br /><br /> Mix together one tablespoon of castor oil, one tablespoon of glycerine, a teaspoon of cider vinegar and a tablespoon of any mild herbal shampoo. Apply this on the scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water. <br /><br />Add a teaspoon of lavender oil to a teaspoon each of castor oil and coconut oil. Heat this until warm and massage it gently on your scalp before going to bed. Shampoo it off in the morning. Follow this routine at least twice a week. </p>
<p>Your hair can be your best fashion accessory if it is cared for in the right way. It is a vital part of your looks and personality. Till date, no cosmetologist or trichologist has been able to comprehensively and conclusively describe the reasons for hair loss. </p>.<p>But they do agree on the characteristics of healthy hair. Healthy hair, according to them, is: <br />Thick and dense<br />Fine and silky <br />Lustrous<br />Pliable to styling and setting<br />Full-bodied <br />Cleanse, tone, condition<br /><br />An effective hair-care routine involves cleansing, toning and conditioning on a regular basis. Remember to use quality hair-care products. Different types of hair require different hair products. <br /><br />Cleansing is the foremost routine in daily hair care. The purpose of cleansing is to wash away excess oil on your scalp and remove the dead cells. After cleansing, the scalp and hair need toning. This is achieved by gently massaging the scalp. This massage helps in stimulating the blood circulation required for the healthy growth of hair. <br /><br />The last step in the routine is conditioning. It is a restorative routine. If the hair is stripped of moisture or oil due to harsh cleansing, exposure to the sun or application of harsh chemicals such as perm lotions, conditioning will correct the imbalance. The kind of conditioning required depends entirely on the physical condition of your hair. <br /><br />For oily hair<br />An oily scalp needs frequent cleansing and toning. The routine aims at removing excess oil and exfoliates dead cells which clog the hair follicles. Infection in the hair follicles leads to dandruff, hairfall and premature balding. <br /><br />The cleansing routine involves washing and rinsing the hair. Since the hair has to be washed frequently, a natural shampoo, made with herbs like amla, shikakai or triphala, is recommended. The ideal shampoo is always gentle in action but thorough in dissolving the grime.<br /><br />Massaging the scalp stimulates the follicles and supports hair growth. For dry hair, a scalp massage with olive/ coconut oil is recommended. For oily hair, a massage with a toning lotion is recommended. <br /><br />Tips for luxuriant hair<br /><br />Cleanser: Powder green gram and fenugreek (methi) seeds. Mix two portions of shikakai powder, one portion of green gram powder and half portion of fenugreek powder, and store in a dry, airtight container. When required, mix a tablespoon of this mixture with egg white and use it as a shampoo. It does not lather up like a soap or shampoo, but it cleanses the hair. You could also soak soapnuts (reetha) in water, overnight. Mash them in the morning and strain the soapy solution. Add a teaspoon of shikakai powder and wash your hair with this mixture.<br /><br /> Mint infusion: Boil two handfuls of mint (pudina) in one-and-a-half glasses of water for 20 minutes. Strain the solution and mix it into three tablespoons of shampoo. <br /><br />Toning lotion: Mix a tablespoon of malt vinegar in a glass of water. Add a pinch of salt to it. Rub two tablespoons of the mixture on your scalp and massage it with your finger tips. Leave the lotion on for one hour. Rinse with cool water, brush and set your hair. <br /><br />Dry hair dismay?<br />Dry hair tends to be thin and rough. It can easily cause tangles and split ends. Your priority should be to replenish the oil and moisture in your hair, which is why a conditioning routine is important. <br /><br />Stay away from strong-action products if you have dry hair. A generous (not vigorous) oil massage before you wash your hair is important. Avoid frequent shampooing. A moisturiser application can do wonders to the texture of your hair. <br /><br />Home remedies<br />Given below are a few natural recipes that are time-tested. For long-term results, replace chemical products with these home-made remedies. <br /><br />Beat an egg in a cup of skimmed milk. When the foam becomes consistent, rub it into the scalp. Leave it on for 5 minutes. Rinse the hair thoroughly. Carry out this routine twice a week.<br />Take a cup of coconut milk and add two tablespoons of gram flour or one teaspoon of shikakai. Apply on your scalp and hair and massage gently. Rinse it out after 5 minutes. Follow this routine at least once a week.<br /><br /> Mix together one tablespoon of castor oil, one tablespoon of glycerine, a teaspoon of cider vinegar and a tablespoon of any mild herbal shampoo. Apply this on the scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water. <br /><br />Add a teaspoon of lavender oil to a teaspoon each of castor oil and coconut oil. Heat this until warm and massage it gently on your scalp before going to bed. Shampoo it off in the morning. Follow this routine at least twice a week. </p>
