Archive for April, 2009

« Older Entries

Symptoms,Causes and Home Remedies for Head Lice

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Head Lice Symptoms and Head Lice Causes

Head lice are tiny parasitic creatures that infest the head and feed on blood from the scalp. Head lice are resilient creatures and are very quick to spread from one head to another. The common symptoms of head lice are itchiness and a tickling sensation of the scalp. On close observation you will see small red bumps on the scalp – these spots are the result of lice sucking blood from the scalp. Besides these, you also see small white lice eggs (known as nits) appearing on your hair. These nits may resemble dandruff, but unlike dandruff, they are much more stubbornly attached to the hair.

A head lice infestation is a common problem and it can affect a wide variety of people. Head lice is not always a sign of poor hygiene – you can get head lice from an infected person easily enough. Although not a serious disease, head lice can become a major nuisance to you and your family. Constant scratching can damage your scalp and lead to other infections. Therefore, it is important to take precautions and treat the whole family once a member is found to be infested with lice.

Head Lice Remedies

There are some common and effective home remedies available for fighting head lice.
•    Apply lemon juice or apple cider vinegar on your scalp and hair to get rid of head lice. This a good remedy for head lice infestation. For better effect, you can also add a bit of garlic paste to the lime juice or vinegar and then leave the solution applied to your scalp for about half an hour. Thereafter, wash your hair thoroughly with water and comb your hair once dried.

•    Another effective treatment for head lice is to apply a paste of neem (margosa) leaves on your head. Crush neem leaves to make a paste, apply it on your hair, and leave it to dry up. Once the paste has dried up, wash off your hair with water.

•    You can also try the olive oil treatment for head lice. Apply generous amount of olive oil on your hair and scalp and the wrap your head with a showering cap (or, a plastic bag). Try this method before going to sleep so that you can keep your head wrapped up overnight. In the morning, wash off your hair with water.

You should also take some precaution to prevent a head lice infestation. Do not share combs, caps, scarves, or other personal items with others.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Hair Problems | No Comments »

How to Stop Hair Breakage

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Hair Breakage Causes

Hair breaks when it does not get the proper nutrients or moisture. It is natural for the hair to become weak with advancing age, however if hairs start to break prematurely it is a cause for worry. Premature hair breakage is an indication that you should take adequate care for your hair.

Tips to Prevent Hair Breakage

Here are a few tips that can help you prevent hair breakage and make your hairs stronger:
•    Wash your hair regularly with a shampoo that is suitable to your hair type. A good shampoo will cleanse your hair of dirt and grease and also provide nourishment to the hair. However, you should not use too much of shampoo wash as it may take away the natural oil and moisture from your hair. One to two shampoo washes per week should be sufficient. For best results, after every hair wash, you should also use a conditioner on your hair.

•    Massage your hair regularly with coconut or almond oil. This will help stimulate blood circulation on the scalp and also provide nourishment to the hair roots. Use heated oil on your scalp and massage gently with your fingers. Once in a month you can follow a deep moisturizing treatment, which is leaving the oil in your hair overnight by wrapping your head with a towel.

•    Care must be taken while drying your hair so that you do not entangle or weaken the hair roots. Do not use a towel vigorously on your head to dry your hair as it may lead to knotted hair. The correct practice is to gently soak the water from your hair with a dry towel and let the remaining water dry itself normally in air. You should also avoid using blow dryer as the heated air may make your hair excessively dry.

•    You should also take care with the way you comb your hair. Regular combing is good for stimulating the scalp and removing the dead cells. However, improper way of combing the hair can also make your hair break. One basic rule of combing is not to use it when your hair is wet. Also, do not force the comb through entangled hair as it can weaken the hairs and lead to breakage.

•    Diet is also plays an important part to make your hair healthy and strong. Be especially careful to include foods rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Milk and eggs are two essential foods for healthy hair.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Hair Care Tips | No Comments »

Is Egg Yolk Good for Hair and Are there any other Tips to Condition Hair

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Egg Yolk Hair Conditioner

It is important to use a hair conditioner to impart shine and improve texture of your hair.

Egg yolk is indeed a very good hair conditioner that makes your hair soft and shiny. You should take raw egg yolks in a bowl and beat them for a few minutes until they become frothy. Now apply the beaten egg yolk on your hair and leave it for about 5 to 10 minutes. After the stipulated time, wash your hair thoroughly with cold water.

Besides egg yolks there are several other conditioners that you can easily prepare at home. Here are some of the natural hair conditioners that will help your hair.
•    Milk and avocado – take a ripe avocado, peel the skin and take out the pulp. Mix the avocado pulp in a cup of milk and put them in a blender until you get a smooth texture. Apply this as a conditioner on your hair and leave it for about 15 minutes before you wash off with water.

•    Banana – banana pulp can also be used as a hair conditioner. Take ripe banana pulp and mix it with yogurt and olive oil. Apply this paste on your hair and leave it for about 15 minutes before you wash your hair.

•    Green tea – green tea is yet another conditioner rich in compounds that are helpful for the hair. Take two tea bags and put them in a glass of boiling water. Now cover the glass and allow the tea bags to steep in the hot water for about 15 minutes. Thereafter, take out the tea bags and let the solution cool down. Use this solution as a conditioner on your hair after you had a shampoo wash.

•    Citrus paste – citrus fruits can also be used as good conditioners. Take orange and grapefruit juice and mix it with corn starch to make a paste. Massage this paste on your hair for about 5 minutes and then wash off with cold water.

•    Beer – beer can work as an excellent conditioner for your hair. Use warm and frothy beer to give your hair a wash. This can make your hair smooth, silky, and shiny.

•    Mayonnaise and yogurt – you can use mayonnaise and yogurt separately or combine them together as a hair conditioner. Additionally, you can also use fruit pulp with them and apply the paste on your hair. Keep the paste applied for about 15 minutes and then wash off with cold water.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Hair Care | No Comments »

Olive Oil for Hair Growth - Why is Olive Oil Good for Hair

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Benefits of Olive Oil for Hair

Olive oil had been in use since ages for various hair care purpose. Olive oil contains vitamin E and vitamin A, which are beneficial for the hair and scalp. The main benefits of using olive oil on your hair are:

•    It acts as a good conditioner for your hair
•    It nourishes the scalp
•    It provides moisture to the hair
•    It provides strength and elasticity to the hair

Olive oil can be used on your hair in several ways. The first and most popular olive oil technique is the hot oil treatment. A hot olive oil treatment is an excellent way to moisturize and shine your hair. For this treatment you will need to heat up the olive oil in a microwave for about a minute. Ensure that the oil is not too hot; you only need the olive oil to be warmed up a little. Pour the olive oil on your hair and scalp and start massaging your head with the fingers. Allow the oil to be soaked properly into your hair and scalp. For deeper conditioning of your hairs, you can wrap your head with a plastic cap and leave the oil for longer period (preferably, overnight). Thereafter, wash off your hair with shampoo and apply a good conditioner.

Another good olive oil treatment can be prepared by mixing it with egg yolk and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply this mixture on your hair immediately after you have had a shampoo wash. Leave the olive oil mixture on your hair for about 5 minutes and then shampoo your hair once more.

Olive Oil for Hair Conditioner

Olive oil can also act as a good conditioner for the hair. Apply olive oil on your hair after you have got a hair wash. If you find the olive oil to be too heavy, you can mix it with equal amounts of coconut oil or jojoba oil and then apply the mixture on your hair. This will help in better absorption of olive oil in your hair and scalp.

Frizzy hairs can also benefit from the use of olive oil. To take care of frizzy hairs, take olive oil in a bowl, dip a comb in it, and then gently brush through the length of your hair. Continue this treatment at least once per week so that your hair becomes smoother and healthier.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Hair Care | No Comments »

What Causes Male Pattern Baldness - How to Treat Male Pattern Baldness

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Male Baldness

Baldness is condition of excessive hair fall that continues till all the hair is gone. A little bit of regular hair fall is normal and acceptable, but it becomes a cause of worry when the hair fall is excessive and the hairline start thinning abnormally at a relatively early age. Male pattern baldness refers to these abnormal hair losses seen in men between the ages of 25 and 40. In men, the baldness usually follows a particular pattern – the hair loss happens mostly at the temples and the crown of the head.

Baldness, in most cases, is genetically preordained in some men. However, hormonal imbalance and lack of proper hair care can also cause baldness. Baldness can also happen as a result of some diseases and medicinal treatments. Other factors that can affect baldness are – lifestyle, diet, stress, and anxiety.

Baldness, once it has run its course, cannot be reversed – the lost hair cannot be grown back on your scalp. Well, unless you go for some expensive surgical methods, that is. However, in general, baldness is permanent and there is no way to restore the hair you have already lost. There are some preventive measures though, which can help you slow down the hair loss process and prevent the condition from deteriorating any further.

Natural Baldness Remedies

So, here are some of the home remedies that you can try out at your convenience to fight balding hair.

•    Oil massage – give your head a good hair massage periodically. An oil massage is good for stimulating blood circulation in the scalp and strengthening the hair roots. You can use warm almond oil, olive oil, or coconut oil for massaging your hair. However, ensure that you massage your head mildly and do not put unnecessary stress on your hair.

•    Use proper shampoo – it is necessary to choose the right kind of shampoo that is particularly suitable for your type of hair. Often, the use of an improper shampoo is found to be doing much damage to your hair.

•    Fenugreek seeds – fenugreek seeds can also be used for preventing baldness. For this treatment, you will need to soak fenugreek seeds overnight in water. Collect the extracted oil in the morning and apply it on your hair.

•    Honey – using honey can also prove beneficial for fighting baldness. Make a paste by mixing honey with cinnamon powder and olive oil. Apply this paste on your hair and leave it for about half an hour before washing off with water. Another honey treatment is to use a paste of honey, egg and onion juice on your scalp in similar manner.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Hair Problems | No Comments »

« Older Entries