Archive for November, 2009

Natural Treatment for Frizzy Hair | Frizzy Hair Conditioner

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Cause of Frizzy Hair

Frizzy hair tends to be very curly, dry and difficult to maintain. Frizzy hair can be a problem as it gets tangled very easily, leading to breakage and damage. Hair tends to become frizzy on account of several factors. Improper hair care, weather conditions, certain chemicals in hair products and pollutants tend to contribute to frizzy hair. The simplest method of controlling frizzy hair is to follow a good hair care routine and to invest in products and hair styles that are best suited to your hair type. Since frizzy hair tends to tangle easily and is very dry, it is best to get a layered haircut. This ensures minimum breakage while combing or styling your hair everyday rather than forcing frizzy hair into a style suited for other hair types. Ensure that you trim your hair regularly to minimize breakage and split ends. While styling your frizzy hair, take care to avoid causing dryness and friction. Extreme heat in the form of curling irons or hair rollers will cause frizzy hair to become even drier and lead to damage. Use natural methods of styling your hair to control your frizzy hair. Do not use rubber bands to tie your hair together as this will cause frizzy hair to become tangled and break. You should however, keep your hair tied to avoid breakage and friction.

Homemade Conditioner for Frizzy Hair

A healthy diet also contributes to lessening the frizz in your hair. Increase your intake of foods that are rich in iron. Foods that are rich in vitamin B and zinc are also very effective in reducing frizz and dryness of the hair. You should consume a lot of protein and nutrition in the form of wholegrains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Increase your intake of silica as it is known to contribute to healthy hair and reduces frizz. Silica adds strength to hair and minimizes breakage. Frizzy hair tends to be very dry and requires moisture to prevent friction. It is therefore essential to drink plenty of water. Increase your intake of olive oil to add sheen and vitality to frizzy hair that is dull and dry.

You can try to apply a few home made conditioners to care for frizzy hair at home. Eggs are an excellent conditioner, and you can make an effective treatment for frizzy hair using two egg yolks, honey, a few drops of rosemary oil and a few drops of sandalwood paste. Apply this to your hair and then cover with a towel for at least an hour. Wash your hair with water that is a moderate temperature and then dry your hair with a towel.

Simple Tips for Hair Scalp Care

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Hair and Scalp Protection

Caring for your hair begins with caring for your scalp. The skin of your scalp sheds and grows again every twenty eight days or so. You must take care to protect your scalp so that it does not succumb to common problems like dryness, itchiness and flaking. One of the simplest ways to protect your scalp is to keep it covered while going outdoors. Exposure to extreme weather conditions can cause damage to the scalp. Therefore, exposure to direct sunlight can damage the scalp and cause it to become dry and itchy. Cover your head when you step out into the sun to protect the sensitive skin on your scalp. Similarly, extreme cold and harsh wind can also lead to damage not only for your scalp but your hair as well. You should also take care to protect your scalp from extreme temperatures. Avoid using heat to style your hair as this leads to dryness of the scalp. Avoid using water that is very hot to wash your hair as this leads to dryness and itching and tends to damage the scalp. There are several scalp disorders that arise as a result of high stress levels, pollutants, everyday buildup of sweat and grime and harsh chemicals in addition to extreme temperatures.

Avoid Hair and Scalp Problems

Several of these problems can be avoided by exercising care and patience with your scalp. Wash your hair regularly to remove dirt and everyday buildup but ensure that you don’t wash it too often. Washing your hair too often causes moisture from the scalp and hair to be completely stripped and causes dryness. Read the labels of hair products very carefully to ensure that your shampoo or other hair products don’t contain harsh chemicals or ingredients that you are allergic to. Ensure that you use shampoo that is suited to your hair type or that is meant for the nature of common scalp problems you experience. This will ensure that your scalp and hair are not damaged as a result of an allergic reaction. Ensure that you wash your hair thoroughly after a swim as most swimming pools have a high chlorine content that wreaks havoc with hair.

Massage your scalp regularly with your fingertips to ensure effective blood circulation as this will promote hair growth and maintain the health of your scalp. Do not share your hats, caps or combs and brushes with others as many hair conditions spread through such means. Dandruff or lice for instance is communicable from one person to another through sharing towels or other personal hair care products.

Natural Treatment to Stop Loss of Hair

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

What Causes Hair Loss

Hair loss is a common problem and has several causes. Everyday exposure to harmful pollutants, contaminated or harsh water, chemicals in hair care products and extreme weather conditions are few of the major causes for hair loss. There are also several conditions that cause hair loss, like a thyroid dysfunction or a nutrition deficiency. A deficiency of folic acid may also lead to hair loss. There are several ways to stop hair loss and the most important is a proper hair care routine. When you hair becomes entangled, ensure that you don’t use a brush to remove these knots. Brushes tend to damage and break the hair, resulting in hair loss. Instead, use a wide toothed comb or your fingers to gently undo entangled hair. Use a good brush and don’t wash your hair too often. Excessive washing of hair makes the hair brittle and leads to hair loss.

Your diet should be rich in protein to ensure a healthy rate of hair growth. Carrots, mango, whole grain cereals, lentils and soybean are all rich sources of protein. Increase your intake of dairy products like yogurt, milk and buttermilk to promote hair growth. Green leafy vegetables, dried apricots, sprouts and wheat germ are also an excellent source of protein for the hair. Vegetables like spinach, turnips, cabbage and carrots are also rich sources of vitamin A which helps promote hair growth. Other foods that enhance hair growth are soy beans, peanuts, mustard and pine nuts. These foods are also rich in iodine and are very effective in promoting hair growth.

Remedies to Promote Hair Growth

In addition to these dietary changes, you can try a few home remedies to promote hair growth. A periodic hot oil massage is very effective in treating hair loss. Massage your scalp regularly to increase the circulation of blood in your scalp and enhance hair growth. Nettle root extract is an effective remedy for hair loss as it is rich in vitamin C and A, and has several essential nutrients that promote hair growth. Sage and rosemary are two herbs that are very effective in treating hair loss. Boil sage, peach leaf, burdock, nettle and rosemary in water and set it aside. After it cools, strain the liquid and use it as a natural hair wash to help treat hair loss. Another effective natural remedy for hair loss is aloe vera. Make a mixture using aloe vera, coconut milk and wheat germ oil. Use this mixture to wash your hair; this will help control hair loss.

Tips To Maintain Healthy Hair

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

How to Get Healthy Looking Hair

Your hair needs special attention as it is susceptible to damage everyday on account of several factors. High levels of pollution and density in cities and high stress levels coupled with irregular eating habits and an unhealthy diet lead to several hair related disorders. Hair is exposed to extreme weather conditions, dust, pollutants and chemicals present in hair care products, daily. It is therefore important to pay close attention to your hair. You may try a few simple home remedies and dietary changes for healthy and beautiful hair. One of the first ways to ensure that your hair is healthy is to practice a healthy hair care routine. Ensure that you shampoo frequently to keep your hair free of pollutants, sweat accumulation and dandruff, but avoid using shampoos that are too harsh, as they will strip your hair of its moisture content. Read the labels of hair care products carefully to ensure that you don’t develop any allergic reaction to any of their ingredients. Don’t shampoo too often, as this will result in extremely dry hair. Always remove hair that is tangled by using a wide toothed comb and not a brush. This prevents damage to hair and prevents split ends.

Another effective way to keep hair looking healthy is to get a regular trim. A trim not only ensures that your hair looks groomed but also eliminates split ends. Eliminate hair loss by making sure that you don’t expose your hair to extreme temperatures. Always use water that is of medium temperature to wash your hair, as water that is too hot will damage your hair. Do not use curling irons and straighteners if you have dry hair, as these devices use high temperatures to style the hair and this can be very damaging. Stress causes hair loss and affects the health of your hair adversely. It is therefore important that you get at least eight hours of sleep to minimize stress. A hot oil massage is a great stress reliever and an effective cure for several hair problems. A periodic hot oil hair treatment should keep your hair looking healthy.

Incorporate a few dietary changes to improve the health of your hair. Plenty of green leafy vegetables promote hair growth. Dairy products like yogurt and milk also strengthen hair and promote growth. Coconut is an excellent food for promoting hair growth. Drinking coconut water or even eating coconut raw in salads or other dishes is excellent for healthy hair. Identify your hair type before buying hair products or while solving hair related problems. This is essential as all products and remedies may not work for all hair types.

Folliculitis Causes And Home Treatments

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Causes of Folliculitis

Folliculitis is an infection that affects hair follicles, causing them to swell and even become infected. Certain kinds of viruses, bacteria or fungi infect hair follicles and then lead to folliculitis. Folliculitis can be very painful and uncomfortable and the infection could even lead to permanent scarring. There are several kinds of infections depending on the kind of bacteria or virus, however, the most common bacteria that causes folliculitis is Staphylococcus aureus. Hair follicles are present everywhere on the body except in places like the soles of the feet, the palms of the hand and mucous membranes. Sometimes when a hair follicle is damaged, it is prone to infection. There are many ways in which hair follicles become damaged and one of the most common is shaving. Using razors that are blunt or improper shaving methods can lead to follicle damage, and as a result foliculitis, and other skin conditions. Other skin conditions that lead to inflammations like acne and dermatitis can also lead to follicle damage. Trauma to the skin during accidents or surgical scars can also lead to the damaging and weakening of hair follicles. Excessive perspiration and tight clothing also sometimes lead to damaged follicles. Exposure to extreme hot, either through a hot tub, a swimming pool that is warmed or contact with heat could also result in follicle damage.

Home Remedies to Treat Folliculitis

There are a few home remedies you can try to treat folliculitis at home. It is essential to maintain a good level of hygiene while caring for folliculitis at home. This is to ensure that you don’t allow the infection to spread to other areas. Apply a topical antiseptic cream or lotion to curb the follicle infection. To alleviate pain and inflammation, apply a hot compress on the affected areas. Ensure that you keep the area clean and exfoliate periodically to avoid the build up of dead skin cells. Apply a soft cotton cloth soaked in vinegar to help alleviate the infection.

There are also several precautions that need to be taken while caring for folliculitis at home. Always wear loose, cotton clothing that will dry easily and not trap bacteria and moisture. Tight fitting or synthetic clothing tends to aggravate folliculitis. While shaving, try and shave in the direction of hair growth to avoid damaging hair follicles. Change your blades regularly to ensure that you don’t damage your hair follicles. Do not share personal articles like razors and towels with others as this increases chances of infection.