8 Homemade Hair Treatments

Eggs, yogurt and honey are, at first glance, all components of a tasty breakfast—but they also happen to be hair treatment ingredients, and affordable, all-natural ones at that. And they’re not the only ones. Did you know, for instance, that the oils in avocados more closely resemble our own skin’s oils than any product in the beauty aisle does? Or that the mild acidity in lemon is an effective—and gentler—alternative to chemical-laden products? Next time your locks need a lift, save money by using one of these kitchen fixes.

For All Hair Types

hair masks“The [raw] egg is really the best of all worlds,” says Janice Cox, author of Natural Beauty at Home. The yolk, rich in fats and proteins, is naturally moisturizing, while the white, which contains bacteria-eating enzymes, removes unwanted oils, she explains.

To Use: For normal hair, use the entire egg to condition hair; use egg whites only to treat oily hair; use egg yolks only to moisturize dry, brittle hair, Cox says. Use 1/2 cup of whichever egg mixture is appropriate for you and apply to clean, damp hair. If there isn’t enough egg to coat scalp and hair, use more as needed. Leave on for 20 minutes, rinse with cool water (to prevent egg from “cooking”) and shampoo hair. Whole egg and yolks-only treatments can be applied once a month; whites-only treatment can be applied every two weeks.

Photo by Shutterstock.

For Dull Hair hair masks

Styling products (as well as air pollution) can leave a film that both saps moisture and dulls shine—but dairy products like sour cream and plain yogurt can help reverse this damage. “Lactic acid gently strips away dirt while the milk fat moisturizes,” says Lisa Belkin, author of The Cosmetics Cookbook.

To Use: Massage 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt into damp hair and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, followed by cool water, then shampoo hair as you normally would. Treatment can be applied every other week.

Photo by Shutterstock.

For Itchy Scalp  hair oil

To fight flakes—brought on by poor diet, stress and climate, among other factors—try a lemon juice and olive oil mixture in your hair. “The acidity in lemon juice helps rid your scalp of any loose, dry flakes of skin, while the olive oil moisturizes the [newly exposed] skin on your head,” says Cox.

To Use: Mix 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 Tbsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp water, and massage into damp scalp. Let mixture sit for 20 minutes, then rinse and shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every other week.

Photo by Shutterstock.

For Limp or Fine Hair   04-DIY-hair-masks

To add body to hair, reach for an unlikely beauty beverage: beer! The fermented drink contains generous supplies of yeast, which works to plump tired tresses, explains Cox.

To Use: Mix 1/2 cup flat beer (pour beer into a container and let it sit out for a couple of hours to deplete carbonation) with 1 tsp light oil (sunflower or canola) and a raw egg. Apply to clean, damp hair, let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Or add flat beer only to a spray bottle and spritz onto dry hair. “When the liquid evaporates, the remaining protein residue (from the wheat, malt or hops) continues to strengthen and structure hair,” says Belkin. Treatments can be applied every other week.

Photo by Shutterstock.

For Dry or Sun-Damaged Hair05-DIY-hair-masks

Whatever your hair-dehydrating demon—hard water, sun overexposure, your trusty flat iron—nature’s sweetener can help. “Honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts and locks in moisture,” says Cox.

To Use: Massage approximately 1/2 cup honey into clean, damp hair, let sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. You can also add 1 to 2 Tbsp olive oil to loosen the honey for easier application. For extremely sun-damaged hair, trying mixing honey with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a protein-rich ingredient, like avocado or egg yolk, which will help replenish the keratin protein bonds that UV rays attack. Treatment can be applied once a month.

Photo by Shutterstock.

For Oily or Greasy Hair  06-DIY-hair-masks

“Used properly, [cornmeal or cornstarch] is an inexpensive way to remove oil and grease,” says Belkin.

To Use: Pour 1 Tbsp cornmeal or cornstarch into an empty salt or pepper shaker and sprinkle onto dry hair and scalp until you’ve used it all. After 10 minutes, use a paddle hairbrush to completely brush it out. Treatment can be applied every other day.

Photo by iStockPhoto.

For Frizzy Hair
07-DIY-hair-masks
Home beauty experts swear by avocado—and not just to repair damaged hair. Its oils (which are light and moist like our own natural skin secretions) and proteins boast the best combination of nutrients for smoothing and weighing down unruly hair, explains Cox.

To Use: Mash up half an avocado and massage into clean, damp hair. Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with water. Amp up moisturizing power by combining mashed avocado with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a hydrating ingredient, like sour cream, egg yolks or mayonnaise. Treatment can be applied every two weeks.

Photo by Shutterstock.

For Residue-Ridden Hair 08-DIY-hair-masks

“Nothing eats through product buildup like baking soda,” Cox says. Sodium bicarbonate essentially breaks down anything acidic.

To Use: Mix 1 to 2 Tbsp baking soda with small amounts of water until a thick paste forms. Massage into damp hair and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with water, then shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every two weeks.

Photo by Shutterstock.

FROM: http://www.womansday.com/style-beauty/beauty-tips-products/8-homemade-hair-treatments-110251

Related articles

Best Way Getting Healthy Hair

A woman’s hair is her primary beauty weapon, and we all want silky, shiny, lustrous locks. Healthy hair equals beautiful hair…so here’s our guide to keeping yours shining with health all year round.

 The keys to healthy hair
A woman’s hair is her primary beauty weapon, and we all want silky, shiny, lustrous locks.

Healthy hair equals beautiful hair…so here’s our guide to keeping yours shining with health all year round. haircare, natural, homemade, what is, how to, asian, Singapore, Laofoye, Lao fo ye

Gentle cleansing

  • Wash your hair every three days – any more often and you’ll produce excess sebum, which makes hair greasy.
  • Use shampoo that’s right for your hair type (dry, greasy, coloured etc.). It should also be gentle, respect the pH of your scalp, moisturise and soften the capillary fibre in your hair.

Washing

  • Start by wetting your hair thoroughly under the shower.
  • Squirt a little shampoo into the palm of your hand and apply to your hair, massaging gently then leaving it in for a moment.
  • Don’t shampoo twice: it only makes the scalp more sensitive.
  • To restore, regenerate and improve your hair’s natural protective film, use conditioner, giving it time to take, and rinse properly. If you’re brave enough, finish your shower with a cold blast of water to tighten the cuticles and make your hair shinier.
  • Let your hair dry naturally. If you blow-dry your hair, start off by towel-drying and then blow-dry on a moderate heat. Use brushes made of natural materials which are gentler on the capillary fibre in your hair.

 Tips and advice

      • Rinse with a mixture of cold water and ordinary white vinegar or lemon to get super-shiny, bright hair.
      • Get your hair cut regularly to help it grow properly.
      • Use a mask once a week to nourish your hair deep down.

Healthy on the inside

  • The secret of shiny, strong hair doesn’t just lie in proper haircare…so how else can you ensure healthy locks?
  • Stop stressing! Stress encourages the production of excess sebum, as well as dandruff and hair loss. Reduce anxiety by taking magnesium supplements, which are excellent stress-busters.
  • Exercise. Physical exertion helps the body eliminate toxins through sweat and sebum. Just make sure you give your hair a good wash afterwards to get rid of all that sweat!
  • A balanced diet helps strengthen your hair. Protein, sulphur, zinc, iron and B vitamins are the 5 supernutrients you need for strong hair.

Advice for specific hair types

If your hair is fragile (too greasy, dry or dull), it needs regular care and attention.

    • Greasy hair
    • Greasy locks and scalps are caused by excess sebum.
    • Caring for greasy hair: To restore balance to greasy hair, you need to regulate its production of sebum and use gentle but deep caring treatment on your scalp. Use a caring lotion and massage it gently into the scalp.

Dry hair

If hair doesn’t secrete enough sebum, the cuticles open and it becomes dry.
Caring for dry hair: Your hair needs moisture! Use a combination of moisturising shampoo and nourishing masks to care for dry hair, and brush regularly with a soft boar hair brush to help spread sebum evenly over all of your hair.

Dull hair

When hair cuticles and follicles don’t reflect light properly, hair becomes dull.

Caring for dull hair: Rinse your hair regularly with a special product to restore its light and shine. And for guaranteed shine, add the juice of a lemon or a tablespoonful of ordinary white vinegar to your final rinse after washing.

 

Article sourced via: http://www.sofeminine.co.uk/guide/beauty/f5168-the-keys-to-healthy-hair.html