Tips that will save your hair

Your hair enhance your look.

Paying very close attention to your diet could improve your hair, you also need to consider what kind of product you use on your hair, exercise caution which shampoo, conditioner, cream you use on your hair. Some products contain very poor and harsh ingredient such as lauryl sulfate, parabens, petroleum (most commercial product have it as an ingredient) and some product are more suitable for certain kinds of hair, so it's wise you become knowledgeable of products and about the long term effects on your hair if you choose it.

Next avoid tight hairstyles, it can cause damage to your scalp, give you sores, redness and severe pain, gland inflammation, break your hair from the root which in turn leads to alopecia (bald spot, sometimes irreversible unless diagnosed early). So loosen up those braid(not sloppy but definitely not so tight), feeling beautiful in your hairstyle is cool but if the braids are too tight, your hairstylist does not care about your hair/scalp and if tight braids is continued one day you will develop severe alopecia or loose all your hair.


    *  Avoid heat—using hot products such as straighteners, blow dryers and curling irons can make your hair look great for a time, but can ultimately do long-term damage. By applying too much heat to your hair, you can dry it out, cause split ends and even cause more shedding than normal. To avoid these results, you can find alternative methods to heat, such as drying with cool air, as well as using curling rods that do not require heating.


    * Don’t apply chemicals—to avoid excessive damage to your hair, it is important to avoid any harmful chemicals, such as dyes and permanents (including straighteners or curls). These chemical solutions can lead to dryness, breakage and the loss of hair.


    * Brush properly—while it may seem that brushing your hair is very straightforward, if done incorrectly it can damage your hair and lead to excess hair loss. It is best to brush your hair when it is dry, and to always brush gently. If you must brush your hair when it is wet, you should use a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush and if you have any tangles, it is important to use a detangler to avoid pulling out hair strands as you brush.

    * Avoid tight hair styles—while there are many hair styles that look lovely when done tightly, such as braids or tight ponytails, these can ultimately be harmful to your hair’s health. Tight styles put too much pressure on weak hair follicles and can lead to premature shedding and hair loss.

Avoid stress- stressing out can cause hair breakage and slow down hair growth:
Use a deep conditioning treatment once a week. This treatment will improve the look of healthy hair and also keep your hair in healthy condition. Weekly deep conditioning can deliver nutrients needed for proper hair health, keep hair strand dryness at bay and strengthen hair strands to prevent breakage.

Use Hennas instead of harsh colors/dyes. Buy Henna


Another way to reduce unwanted hair loss is by scheduling a hair cut or trim every six weeks. By keeping hair properly groomed you can reduce the risk of split ends, breakage and excess hair weight, all of which can lead to premature hair loss. Achieving healthy, full hair is easy once you understand proper general hair care techniques. By taking care of your hair the right way today; you can reduce the risks of hair loss tomorrow.

Some herbs to help with  hair growth:-

Horsetail, yarrow, aloevera, stinging nettle, ginkogo biloba, saw palmetto, panax ginseng, algae extract(seaweed), green tea, Arnica, Birch, Burdock, Catmint, Licorice, Marigold, Nettles, Parsley, Sage, Southern wood, Neem.

Herbal remedies increase circulation, disinfect the scalp and stimulate hair growth.

 

Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar and sage tea. This helps hair grow. 

Cat mint or chamomile infusions used as a final rinse can help with itchiness, a source of hair loss.

Aloe, nettles, stinging nettle, birch leaves and watercress are excellent blood and skin cleaners. Drink 1 tbsp. of juice of stinging nettle, birch leaves and watercress, mixed in a glass of water to cleanse the blood.

Licorice extract may help prevent hair loss.

Used as a tea, parsley strengthens the kidneys. A tea made from raspberry and blackberry leaves is also good for they kidney.

Horsetail is a good source of silica. Silica helps to keep hair strong and looking shiny and sleek. To shampoo hair, steep 2 tbsp. horsetail in 4 oz. hot water and add to a baby shampoo.

Massage scalp regularly with tinctures of stinging nettle, birch, horsetail and rosemary for hair growth stimulation, to disinfect the scalp and to increase blood circulation.

Rosemary or stinging-nettle may help combat dandruff, a source of hair loss. Put a large handful of rosemary into a pan and cover with water. Simmer for 10-15 minutes and leave to cool. Strain the mixture through a sieve into a jug containing a few drops of wheatgerm or any oil. Use this as a rinse after you have washed your hair with a very mild shampoo. Finally rinse thoroughly with tepid water.

Arnica, marigold, rosemary, or southern wood are also useful for hair loss. For best results, massage an infused oil into the scalp.

A tea of marshmallow and burdock is good for dry hair. To make the tea, add 1 tsp of marshmallow and 1 tsp of burdock to a cup of hot water.

Oils help hair growth:- jojoba oil, almond oil, cactus, Shea butter, mururmu butter, olive oil, castcus milk, Castor oil, coconut oil, neem oil, grape seed oil, lavender, rosemary oil.

Finally, your nutrient matters, get vitamin and mineral supplements- Vitamin A(beta carotene), Vitamin B(complex), B-1(thiamin), B-2(riboflavin), B-6(pyridoxine), B-12(cobalamin), Biotin(vitamin H), Choline, folic acid(folate), Inositol, Niacin(nicotinic acid), pantothenic Acid, PABA(para-aminobenzoic acid), Vitamin C(ascorbic acid), Vitamin D(calciferol), Vitamin E(tocopherol/tocopheryl), Vitamin F(unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid) Vitamin K(phylloquinnone), Vitamin P(bioflavonoids, rustin,  hesperidin), copper, iodine etc. 

Find Hair conditioners and skin supplements

Source: Nontoxic Lifestyle  
            Natures Plus
            Holistic Hair online
            Hair expert
         

Daily Hair care

Daily Hair Care

How you treat your hair on a daily basis can make a real difference in your appearance. Learn the best daily hair care practices so you can get the shiny, healthy hair you want and deserve!

Regular-care
Shampooing, conditioning, hot oil treatments, serums, and sprays — what do we really need to do to keep our hair healthy and looking its best? Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your daily hair care routine.

Daily Hair Care
Washing your hair too often or not often enough, using the wrong hair products, even how you brush your hair can either enhance its luster or cause dryness and damage. Daily hair care also includes caring for your scalp because that’s where hair develops. The hair below the surface of your skin is the part that’s alive; you need to nourish these roots in order for the hair shaft — the part of the hair that’s exposed — to appear healthy and lustrous. Choosing moisturizing hair care products and minimizing blow drying and chemical treatments to your hair keeps your scalp — and your hair — looking its best.

Why Wash?
Washing your hair is the most critical element of daily hair care. Throughout the day, hair collects dirt and grime from everything you’re exposed to — pollution, cigarette smoke, dust, etc. Even if you stayed inside all day, you would still have buildup of dead skin cells from your scalp which can cause infection if not washed away on a regular basis. Regular shampooing is essential for removing this buildup from your hair and scalp and keeping it clean.

What Makes Hair Oily?
In addition to buildup of dirt, many women also complain about buildup of natural oils. What you think of as oil is actually sebum, a substance produced by glands in the skin of your scalp, which nourishes and protects the hair. However, too much sebum — as you probably guessed — can make hair look oily and clump together. Washing hair with shampoo helps remove excess sebum along with other dirt particles, leaving hair feeling fresh and clean again.

How Often Should I Shampoo?
Although daily hair care implies daily shampooing, women who are lucky enough to have normal hair — that is, not too dry or too oily — achieve the best results when they wash their hair only every other day. Washing hair too often can over dry the hair from the astringents in most shampoos; it can also cause an overproduction of sebum, which makes hair extra oily. However, if your hair tends to be oily, you probably need to shampoo every day. On the other side of the spectrum, dry hair is often most manageable and soft when you wait at least two or three days between shampoos.

Each time you shampoo, pay close attention to the way you massage the shampoo into your hair. Many women rub shampoo into the scalps vigorously; this both loosens scalp cells — think big white flakes on your shoulders — and can also split or break hair, especially if your hair is long. Use a gentle touch and always apply shampoo at the hair roots, slowly working it out towards the ends.

Do I Need Conditioner?
Yes, conditioner is a key hair product necessary for moisturizing and maintaining soft, healthy hair. Women with oily hair may find thick, creamy conditioners to be too heavy for their hair; a light, clear conditioner is better for their daily hair care. Those with dry hair should opt for the creamy conditioners, leaving them on the scalp for several minutes each time to ensure the moisturizing ingredients penetrate the hair. In addition, women with dry hair should apply a deep conditioning hair product to their hair once a week to promote both softness and shine.Toxic free organic conditioners
Combing and Brushing
Combing and brushing your hair serves several functions in daily hair care: untangling knots, removing debris, and distributing sebum throughout the hair. When your hair is wet, it is most vulnerable to damage, so comb your hair after your shower only with a wide tooth comb — no brushing until it’s dry. For optimal softness and shine, brush your hair with a boar bristle brush instead of a plastic brush. No need to count to 100; just brush softly from your roots to your tips. It may also be helpful to divide hair into several sections before combing or brushing. Always clean your comb and brush after each use.

A few more things to remember:

* Avoid tying hair too tightly — it can damage or break hair. Never use rubber bands — instead look for elastics that won’t damage your hair.
* Wrap hair in a silk scarf for sleeping to avoid tangles.
* Use minimal amounts of hair products. They can weigh down hair or cause dryness or flakes.
* Go easy on the heat. Daily blow-drying, curling, and straight-ironing take a toll on your hair. If you blow-dry every day, use the cool setting and keep curling and straightening to a minimum.
* Your hair’s health will reflect what you eat, so drink plenty of water and follow a balanced diet.

It’s time to take a close look at your daily hair care regimen. Vibrant, healthy hair can be yours as soon as today!
                     

O.A