Archive for August, 2009

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

How to Get Rid of Oily Dandruff and Scalp Problems

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Dandruff is a condition of the scalp that is common in both men and women. There are mainly two types of dandruff. One is the oily kind and the other being the dry kind. The dry kind takes the appearance of white flakes that are loosely suspended on the scalp and hair. The oily kind on the other hand is sticky and has a yellowish hue to it. This type of dandruff may also have an unpleasant smell. This form of dandruff is common among adolescents and individuals that have very oily skin. Some of the basic causes of dandruff are stress, hormonal imbalance and unhealthy scalp conditions. All of these tend to trigger an extra secretion of oil or sebum from the sebaceous glands, along with an accumulation of dead skin cells on ones scalp. Dandruff is contagious and can be spread through the sharing of combs and brushes.

Home Remedies to Treat Oily Dandruff

In the case of oily dandruff, the scales tend to adhere to the scalp in lumps; oily hair is also more susceptible to catch dirt and grime. This condition however can be treated at home itself, if one follows a few simple remedies. Oily hair has to be washed on a regular basis to keep the scalp clean and oil free. Take 2-3 carrots and blend them into a thick puree. Apply this onto the scalp about 15-20 minutes before your shower. It will help in getting rid off all the accumulated dirt. To two teaspoons of lemon juice, add a teaspoon of aloe vera gel and quarter teaspoon of shampoo. This will combat both the problem of an oily scalp as well as oily dandruff. Take ½ a cup of water and add mint (2 tablespoons) to it. Boil the two on a low flame for about 5 minutes. Strain the decoction and add it to your bottle of shampoo. You can use this every alternate day to rinse your scalp.

Avoid the excessive use of chemicals on your hair as they contribute towards dandruff to a very large extent. Maintain a diet that is rich is Vitamin B, carotene and Zinc. Incorporate wholegrain cereals such as millets, kidney beans, legumes and millets into your diet. They are high in proteins and nutrients. Try and eat at least one green vegetable daily as they are rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin A which happens to be very good for the scalp.<

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

Relaxed Hair Care - How to Take Care of Relaxed Hair

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Relaxed Hair

Relaxed hair is hair that has been structurally altered and is damaged due to the chemical process called relaxing. This kind of hair has very specific requirements that have to be met, in terms of hair care. Always bear in mind that consistency is important while caring for this kind of hair. One of the prime concerns of women that have relaxed hair is breakage and dryness. The treatment will always be based on the overall texture of the hair. For example; if your hair is fragile and weak then you need to give strengthen it and if your hair is brittle and hard then your focus should be on adding moisture.

Tips and Remedies to Treat Relaxed Hair

Try out these home remedies to improve the texture of your hair. Natural plant oils are very good for the hair. Almond oil, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil and jojoba oils are some of the few oils that are known to work very well on relaxed hair. Simply massage a teaspoon of any of these oils into your scalp daily. It will help in strengthening the hair from the roots. Take two egg yolks, one small avocado, a tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of mayonnaise. Mash the avocado into a smooth paste, after which add the mayonnaise, olive oil and egg yolks. Mix them all together. Apply it onto your hair while ensuring that you cover the tips as well. Wrap your hair in a warm towel and leave it on for an hour, after which you can wash it off with shampoo and warm water. This treatment will prevent the hair from drying out, by restoring the moisture that it has lost.

Mayonnaise when applied to the hair serves as a great moisturizer, but make sure that you wash it off thoroughly. Safflower oil is also known to work well for relaxed hair.  It works as a leave on conditioner. Remember to use a just a few drops though. However, external remedies are only one half of the required treatment. This means that we need to be healthy internally as well, so that the result is visible in our hair. The healthier the hair is when it grows out, the increased are its chances of withstanding the chemical damage caused by relaxers and styling products. Drinking a lot of water will help. This will keep both you, as well as your hair follicles well hydrated. A nutritious diet is important. The vitamins present in veggies are good for not only our bodies, but our hair as well.<

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

What Causes Static Hair - How to Prevent Static Hair

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Causes of Static Hair

Static hair or fly away hair appears dry and frizzy and may give one the look of an eccentric scientist. This kind of hair can be unmanageable and wild. Dry air or low humidity levels in the air can cause your hair to look dry and coarse. This kind of hair is caused when the hair loses moisture to the dry surroundings. When the hair is dry it tends to accumulate a negative charge. When the hair picks up this electrostatic charge the strands begin to repel each other. This is similar to how like poles of two magnets repel one another. The problem worsens when one combs their hair excessively, as this action can actually generate more electrostatic charge, thus stripping the hair of its moisture and making it even drier to give it a fly away look. The best solution to this problem would then be to restore the moisture that the hair has lost.

Home Remedies to Get Rid of Static Hair

This kind of hair condition can be treated with a few home remedies. Mash together 2 over ripe bananas and one equally over ripe avocado. Make a thick paste and apply a generous layer over your hair. Let the application stay on for a good 30 minutes, before you rinse it off with lukewarm water. Take an egg and separate the yolk from the whites. Beat the whites of the egg thoroughly. Now add 2 teaspoons of water to the egg yolk and mix them well, after which you can mix the yolk and the whites together. Apply this mixture onto slightly damp hair and gently massage it into the scalp. Let this application stay for around 20 – 30 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.

Take a cup of skimmed milk and add one well beaten egg to it. Mix the two ingredients together and then massage it into the scalp. Let it stay for five minutes after which you can rinse it off with cool water. Egg yolk can also be mixed with either almond or olive oil and applied to the hair. Aloe Vera is considered to be one of the best solutions for restoring moisture to the hair. A glass of the juice can be had every morning or you could also apply the gel directly to your scalp.

Avoid brushing your hair too much. Place a humidifier in your room. It will reduce the frizzy appearance of your hair. Use a wooden or rubber comb as they do not generate static electricity.

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

Stronger Thicker Longer Hair - How Grow Long Thick Hair

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Thin hair can lead to a lot of worry and frustration as it gives a scanty, unhealthy and stringy appearance to the hair. The thinning of one’s hair can be caused due to a large number of reasons, namely; scalp health, overall health, genetics, hormones, pollution etc. Some women may experience a temporary thinning of the hair due to hormonal shifts such as during a pregnancy, whereas on the other hand hormonal imbalances caused by other factors such as medication may also cause hair loss. Whatever the reasons may be, every one likes to show off a thick and healthy mane. Maintaining a proper diet and looking after your hair in the right manner can help make it long and thick.

Tips to Get Longer Thicker Hair

Here are a few tips that can help pave the path towards a thick and lustrous crown. Take about 8-10 strawberries and mash them into a thick paste. Add a tablespoon of mayonnaise to this paste and mix the two together. Massage this into damp hair and then wrap a warm towel around your hair. Leave the paste on for 15-20 minutes and then wash your hair with shampoo. This treatment will help in conditioning the hair, and will also give it a rich shine.  You can make your own conditioner at home by mixing together; a tablespoon of glycerin, 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon of protein powder, 1 ½ teaspoon of castor oil and some mild shampoo. This mixture once applied to the scalp should be allowed to sit for 20 minutes, followed by a rinse with lukewarm water. This will strengthen the follicles and prevent them from damage and breakage. Another option would be to make a mixture from the yolk of one egg, the juice of one lemon, two tablespoons of rosemary and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Once all these ingredients have been mixed together, apply it on the roots of your hair and let the application stay for 30 minutes after which you can rinse it off with cold water and then a final rinse with warm water.

The diet that you maintain will also determine the texture and health of your hair, to a very large extent. Have a lot of fruits, green vegetables, honey, sprouts, grains, nuts, cereals, and food that is low in cholesterol. Fish and vegetable salads will also be good for you. A well balanced diet will strengthen your hair from within. Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day. This will help the hair stay hydrated.

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

Causes,Symptoms and Treatments of Telogen Effluvium

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Causes , Symptoms of Telogen Effluvium

Though the loss of some hair is a normal process, new hairs generally replace old ones and thereby maintain a certain balance. However, sometimes a very stressful lifestyle causes hair to fall faster than the rate at which it grows, and this causes thinning of hair. A sudden physical change or shock might also significantly change the cycle of the growth of hair. One such condition is telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium refers to an abnormal condition in which the hair growth cycle undergoes an alteration which causes hair to fall rapidly for a short period of time. This condition is marked by a pronounced thinning of hair, which may begin from the top of the head and gradually move backwards. Abruptly stopping the consumption of birth control pills or adopting a severely restrictive diet often lead to this condition. There may also be a variety of other causes that lead to this problem. Viral fevers, chronic illnesses like typhoid, menstrual irregularities, pregnancy, post-partum hormonal changes, and microbial infections may cause telogen effluvium. Excessive intake of oily and spicy food and consumption of tea and coffee may also trigger and worsen the condition. The loss of hair caused by telogen effluvium is temporary, and the problem disappears on its own in a few weeks or months. There are no specific treatments for telogen affluvium.

Telogen Effluvium Treatments

However, it may be prevented by following a few basic tips. One of the most effective ways of preventing telogen effluvium is to eat a well balanced diet containing all essential vitamins and minerals. Include whole grains and cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and dairy products in your diet. This ensures that the nutrients vital for the growth of hair are supplied to the hair follicles and minimizes the changes of hair loss. The deficiency of iron in food is often held responsible for telogen effluvium. You should consume green, leafy vegetables like spinach, cabbage, lettuce and leeks in order to supply enough iron to the hair follicles. Iron supplements may also be useful in treating this condition. Also, drink at least 10 glasses of water every day, as this improves blood circulation in the scalp and maintains a healthy growth of hair. You should also make it a habit to massage your scalp gently with your fingertips after washing your hair till you begin to feel a mild warm and tingling sensation in your scalp. This is an effective natural way of stimulating the sebaceous glands as well as the hair follicles, which thereby makes hair grow stronger and reduces chances of hair loss.

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

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »