Archive for February, 2010

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Tips for African-American Hair Care

Friday, February 26th, 2010

African-American hair is curlier, dryer, coarser, and sometimes more brittle than the hair from those who are not off African descent. First and foremost hair care does not begin on the scalp but from within and it is essential that you eat healthy.

African-American Hair Care Tips

  • Your diet must include fish, lean meat, green leafy vegetables, pulses, legumes, nuts, and fruits to keep both the body and hair healthy.
  • Drinking at least 5-6 litres of water a day is essential to keep your body and scalp hydrated.
  • Massage your hair regularly to stimulate the scalp so that it produces enough oil to battle the dry hair. Heat a little coconut, olive or almond oil and massage into your scalp. Leave it on overnight or if you are in a hurry, let it soak into your hair and scalp for an hour or so before washing it off with a mild shampoo.
  • Shampooing on a daily basis may not be a good idea as it strips the hair of its essential oils and you may shampoo it once in every three days or so. In case you engage in daily activities which cause you to sweat more, you can rinse out your hair with water but do not use shampoo too frequently. However, if you feel the need to use a shampoo, you can go ahead but make sure it is mild and has low PH levels.
  • It is advisable to not use a 2 in 1 shampoo with conditioner as this does not suit dry hair. Use a separate shampoo and conditioner instead.
  • While washing your hair, rub it into your hair and in only one direction to avoid unnecessary tangling.
  • Shower with cold water or if it’s too cold outside, use warm water but never water that is piping hot as this can damage the roots of your hair.
  • After shampooing, oil your hair while it is still moist and use a wide toothed comb to brush out to the ends of your hair.
  • Do not at any cost rub your hair dry after a wash as this will only damage it. Instead gently blot out the water and allow it to take its time and dry naturally. Since hair is extremely fragile when it is wet, do not brush it out. Use your fingers to disentangle it and let it dry a bit before using a comb.
  • Use a satin or silk pillow case rather than a cotton one as hair often gets caught on cotton pillowcases especially if you toss and turn a lot in your sleep.
  • Avoid shampoos that have alcohol as an ingredient as these will only dry out the hair and cause damage.

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Importance of Using a Hair Serum

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Benefits of Hair Serum

Hair takes a lot of abuse in terms of brushing, coloring, styling, blow drying, ironing and so on. In time your hair may have a tendency to look dry, frizzy and dull. Hair serums are used to control the frizz and regain some of the lost sheen. While making it easier to comb your hair, serums are also capable of stopping breakage to some extent. They protect your hair from the harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays of the sun and from a build-up of styling products. After shampooing your hair, you can take a dollop of serum, about the size of a dime and apply it onto your hair by first rubbing it between your palms before application. Those with curly hair might require a little more serum. The serum must be distributed evenly across the strands of hair beginning from the ends of the hair and working up towards the scalp and roots. If you have an oily scalp it would be advisable to not spread it over your scalp and hair roots as it will only make it look oilier. Once the serum has been applied, the hair must be allowed to dry naturally and if you prefer it can be blow dried and styled the way you normally do. Hair serums are known to protect the hair from the harmful effects of using a straightener, curling irons or straightening irons. However, it is best to avoid using blow driers and any hair curling or straightening mechanism as it will adversely affect your hair texture in the long run and the protection offered by the hair serum is only temporary.

You can make a hair spray at home by chopping a lemon, or if you have dry hair- an orange. Place the chopped fruit in a pot and add two cups of water to it. Boil under low heat until half of the original amount of water remains. Once the mixture cools down, strain it and pour into a spray bottle. You can then store it in the refrigerator and if you feel that the consistency is too thick and sticky for you can add more water to it.  If you wish to keep it unrefrigerated, you can add an ounce of rubbing alcohol to it as a preservative and can use it for the next two weeks.

Another popularly used serum that you can make at home involves mixing two ounces of camellia oil, an ounce each of castor and avocado oil. Mix the oils in a four ounce bottle and store it in a cool and dark place for use as and when necessary.

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Itching Dandruff - Itchy Scalp Dandruff Treatment & Tips

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Dandruff and Itchy Scalp

Dandruff forms as the result of a fungal infection of the scalp. As a consequence, the scalp begins to form white ‘flakes’that settle on the clothes, shoulders and face of the person suffering from dandruff. Dandruff also causes a severe itching sensation in the scalp and sometimes even causes skin inflammation and bleeding. Dandruff may either be waxy or dry, depending upon how it forms. Dry dandruff tends to be scattered loosely in the hair while waxy dandruff tends to mix with the sebum on the skin and sticks to the scalp or hair in patches. There may be several factors that contribute to the formation of dandruff. Some of these factors include yeast infections, poor nutrition, fungus, zinc deficiency and even the overuse of harsh, alkaline shampoos and soaps.

Tips and Home Remedies for Dandruff and  Itchy Scalp

Symptoms of dandruff and an itchy scalp can be easily treated with the help of a few simple home remedies and hair care tips.

  • Proper hair care is an effective means of preventing the occurrence of dandruff. Avoid using excessively hot water to wash your hair as this tends to make the scalp dry and prone to dandruff.
  • Avoid using harsh soaps or shampoos to wash your hair.
  • Choose your hair styling products with care to ensure that your dandruff is not an allergic reaction to harsh chemicals in your shampoo or other hair products.
  • In addition to maintaining a proper hair care routine, you can try a few simple home remedies to help curb dandruff.Lemon is an excellent remedy for dandruff and an itchy scalp. Take a few lemon peels and soak them in a cup of coconut oil. Place this mixture in the sun for at least ten days and then strain it before applying it on your hair. This helps reduce dandruff effectively.
  • Hot oil therapy is another effective means of treating dandruff naturally. Ensure that the oil is not too hot before applying it on your hair.  Once you have tested the oil’s temperature, massage it into your hair and scalp. Do this before going to bed at night and leave it on until the morning.
  • Before washing your hair the next day, apply some cosmetic vinegar and lemon juice on your scalp. After you have washed your hair thoroughly, rinse it using a cup of warm water and lemon juice. This should be done at least once a week for three months to help treat dandruff effectively.

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Natural Hair Glossing | Natural Hair Gloss Treatment

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Difference Between Hair Glaze and Hair Gloss

Hair glossing techniques are a popular styling technique that involves adding shine and luster to your hair. These shine or gloss treatments generally last for a few days and can be carried out both at home and in a salon. Many gloss treatments can be procured at a local drugstore and then carried out at home. You should however, bear in mind that your gloss treatment depends upon your hair type. Another important thing to keep in mind is the difference between hair glaze and hair gloss. This is important because a hair glaze lasts for a much shorter period compared to a hair gloss treatment.

Hair glaze involves the coating of the shaft of hair to give it extra shine. This ‘glaze’ lasts no more than two weeks. Hair gloss on the other hand, lasts for up to four weeks and is considered to be more “permanent” compared to a glaze treatment. This is because hair gloss treatment penetrates the cuticle of the hair while coating it. It is also important to keep in mind your hair type and color since this will also help you decide on the kind of hair shine treatment you would like to get. If you are not in the habit of coloring your hair, then a hair glaze treatment is more ideal as it will help boost the natural color of your hair and will add more shine to it. If however, you have recently colored your hair or if you color it often, a hair gloss treatment will suit you better than a glaze. A hair gloss treatment will help protect your color and add a natural shine to it. It is advisable to wait at least two weeks before a hair gloss treatment for colored hair. If you are attempting a hair gloss treatment at home, then the ideal method is to apply the gloss treatment immediately after shampooing your hair. Leave the treatment in your hair for at least three minutes before washing it off for the best results.

In addition, you can try a few natural hair gloss treatments to help revitalize your hair. Again, the nature of treatment depends upon your hair type and color. For instance, chamomile tea is an excellent shine booster for blonde hair. After washing your hair, rinse it with some chamomile tea to add a glossy shine and to highlight the lighter tones of blonde in your hair.

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Home Remedies to Get Rid of Excessive Facial Hair

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Excessive Facial Hair

Excessive facial hair can be very embarrassing and tends to make the skin’s natural complexion appear a few shades darker. Facial hair poses a greater problem compared to unwanted hair in other parts of the body because the skin on the face is very sensitive. Women may find that regular hair removal methods like waxing or shaving may be effective for arms and legs but facial skin is far too sensitive for these methods. In addition, hair removal techniques like shaving tend to provide very short term relief from unwanted hair and are consequently, unsuitable options. There are a number of causes for a sudden increase in the growth of facial hair. One of the major factors that influence unwanted facial hair growth is hormonal imbalances. These hormonal imbalances may be caused by medication, pregnancy, menopause, or even puberty.

To help diminish unwanted facial hair, you can try a few simple home remedies that will be gentle on your skin and will help get rid of facial hair effectively. Natural methods of removing unwanted facial hair are safer on your skin. Chemicals and other harmful ingredients in hair removal creams may trigger an allergic reaction, causing acne or rashes when the make contact with sensitive facial skin.

Home Remedies Removing Unwanted Facial Hair

One of the easiest ways to reduce unwanted facial hair is to use facial bleach. Bleach helps lighten the color of your facial hair, thereby lightening your skin tone and effectively camouflaging facial hair. You can alternatively use a natural bleach to help diminish the appearance of facial hair. Lemon juice is an effective natural bleach that will help lighten your facial hair and skin tone.

In addition to trying a natural bleach, you can make a few face masks using simple ingredients from your kitchen to help reduce facial hair. An effective hair removal face mask can be made using lemon juice, sugar and water. Make a thick paste using these three ingredients and apply it on your face. Gently massage the face mask in the direction of hair growth and leave it on for at least fifteen minutes. Then wash thoroughly with cold water to help remove unwanted facial hair.

Another simple and natural face mask can be made suing milk cream and turmeric powder. Make a paste using turmeric powder and milk cream and apply it on your face. Once the paste has dried up, scrub your face clean using cold water to help reduce facial hair.

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