Natural hair treatments are the ideal way to make sure your hair is shiny, bouncy and healthy looking. There are many hair treatments on the market today that contain harsh chemicals that can damage rather than help your hair as they claim to do. Understanding exactly what your hair needs is the first step to beautiful hair.
It doesn’t look it, but all that beautiful hair on your head doesn’t have a breath of life in it—it is all dead tissue. The follicle under the scalp which grows the hair is the only part of your hair that is alive and it is important to keep them healthy. Putting chemicals on your hair to color it can destroy your hair follicles no matter how many “healthy” treatments you apply to your hair. Likewise, many shampoos will destroy hair follicles and cause your hair to thin. Natural hair treatments can benefit your follicles as well as give your hair new life, bounce and shine. And you don’t need spend a lot of money!
The lecithin in egg yolks condition hair shafts without making hair heavy and it nourishes the skin of your scalp. Apple cider vinegar is a natural astringent that tightens the cuticle and adds shine to the hair. Raw apple cider vinegar (with a cloudy appearance) is good for all types of hair and cleanses without stripping important oils. Cocoa butter protects from dryness and makes it harder to damage the hair shafts.
If you want to improve the health of your scalp, use peppermint oil by itself or add it to your rinse. It cools and stimulates the scalp, improving blood flow and thus the health of hair follicles. Essence of rose petals is almost as beneficial as peppermint.
Honey has many health benefits and is hair friendly. Dissolve a spoonful of honey in 3-4 cups of warm water and use it as a rinse. Pour it over your hair, pat dry and style your hair as usual. It leaves your hair soft and shiny and not sticky at all.
There is no need to buy expensive hot oil treatments, even though it gives new life to your hair. Use olive oil or soybean oil; heat it in a small container in a cup of hot water then comb through your hair and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse as usual then wash it with a moisturizing natural shampoo.
You can make a nourishing of one whole egg mixed with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Work it into your hair and don a shower cap, letting it soak in for ten minutes. Rinse as usual. The protein and amino acids in the mixture will strengthen the hair shafts and add shine while the olive oil softens and conditions the hair.
The most important thing you can do for your hair is to avoid shampoos containing sodium laurel (or lauryl) sulfate, an engine degreaser that is added to shampoo to make it lather. Shampoo that lathers does not necessarily clean your hair better than one that doesn’t and the harsh chemicals can damage or kill your hair follicles. Even some shampoos that claim to be natural contain this ingredient so read the label carefully!
