Archive for February, 2010

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Using Tea Tree Oil to Reduce Dandruff and Hair Loss at Home

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Dandruff is a condition which affects the scalp and is characterized by the shedding of white scales and flakes of dead skin from the scalp. It is a very common condition affecting a large part of the population. It is not a serious condition, although it may cause social embarrassment and emotional stress. It usually prioritizes the wearing of light colored clothes so as to avoid public embarrassment caused by the appearance of the flakes on the clothes. Dandruff can also give rise to irritation and inflammation of the scalp, caused by itching. Hair loss is also commonly associated with dandruff.

The symptoms of dandruff such as itching and irritation are what contribute to hair loss. Itching causes the individual to frequently scratch the scalp, and this can weaken the hair roots after a period of time. Weakening of hair roots eventually results in loss of hair. Dandruff may occur due to a variety of reasons. Dandruff may be caused by a certain type of fungus which is found in the atmosphere. Excessive use of hair products, hormonal fluctuations in the body and humid weather can also contribute to dandruff. Dandruff in which the flakes are more powdery is also known to be associated with stress. Excessive perspiration, genetic abnormalities, increased consumption of sugary and fatty foods, and poor hair hygiene are also some of the other causes of dandruff.

Tea Tree Oil for Treating Hair Loss and Dandruff

Tea tree oil is an effective natural remedy against dandruff and hair loss. The best way to use tea tree oil in the treatment of dandruff is to add five to six drops to your usual hair shampoo. There are also many herbal shampoos available that contain tea tree oil. This will result in a clean scalp and will help in arresting dandruff as well.  Tea tree oil must not, however, be used on children.Tea tree oil is antiseptic in nature and hence is effective against fungal infections. It also helps to moisturize the scalp by preventing dryness and scaling.Another way of using tea tree oil is to add a teaspoon of the oil to some hot water. Mix well and then massage into the scalp. Follow with a hair wash using a solution of lemon juice and water, and then rinse with plain water. Then wrap a warm moist towel around the head to allow the oil to penetrate deeper and take effect. Use of tea tree oil on the scalp also alleviates itching and hence helps to prevent hair loss.

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How to Cure Alopecia Areata using Home Remedies

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is a condition characterized by hair loss on the scalp and sometimes, in other areas of the body as well. The hair loss is usually quite rapid and mostly affects one side of the head. It can occur in both females and males, and differs from male-pattern baldness.

The condition is thought to result from a disruption in the body’s immune system. This results in what is known as autoimmunity wherein the immune system targets and attacks healthy cells and tissues of the body, thinking them to be harmful. In the case if alopecia areata, the hair follicles are affected and as such normal hair growth becomes hampered. This condition may be associated with other immunity abnormalities such as thyroid disease, lupus, vitiligo and rheumatoid arthritis. Alopecia areata may also have a genetic vulnerability involved, as it tends to run in families. The condition causes one or multiple patches of hair loss on the scalp. A different form of alopecia areata may also occur in which case the hair all over the scalp starts to thin. In some cases, there may also be complete hair loss on the scalp. In rare cases, there is loss of hair on the entire body. Alopecia areata is more common in children and teens. It is not a contagious condition and is different from the hair loss that is experienced upon discontinuation of hormonal therapies or upon delivery of a baby.

Natural Way to Treat Alopecia Areata

There are some natural ways by which alopecia areata can be treated.

  • Essential oils are an effective way to treat this condition. You can prepare a blend of the essential oils of lavender, cedarwood, rosemary, grape seed, and jojoba. Massaging this into the scalp daily will stimulate hair growth and have a revitalizing effect on the hair.
  • Onion juice, too, is believed to be an effective remedy for alopecia areata. You may extract the juice of an onion and apply to the scalp twice daily. Regular application of onion juice is known to promote hair growth in a period of two months.
  • Another beneficial remedy for alopecia areata is to make a paste of ground fenugreek seeds and a little water. Apply this to the scalp and allow it to stay on for half an hour, before rinsing.
  • Application of the extract of mustard seed is also a good way of treating this condition naturally.
  • A regular scalp massage using rosemary oil is known to enhance hair growth and prevent further hair loss.

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How to Make Natural Homemade Hair Tonic

Friday, February 26th, 2010

A hair tonic is used in styling of the hair. It is usually used on wet hair and helps to make the hair appear healthier by adding sheen and luster. There are many types of hair tonics available, and one can select the right one depending upon their type of hair. Natural hair tonics are very popular and can be easily made at home using essential oils and other natural ingredients. These hair tonics are not harsh on the scalp and do not produce any side effects. They can be used on a daily basis to enhance hair growth and add shine to the hair. Here are a few easy to prepare homemade hair tonics.

Homemade Hair Tonic Recipes

  • A beneficial tonic for treating dandruff and oily hair involves the use of mint leaves. Take a handful of mint leaves, add 1/8 liter of fruit vinegar and 1/4 liter of distilled water. Boil the mint leaves in the vinegar and water for ten minutes and then allow it to cool. Strain and store in a bottle and use daily.
  • You can also prepare a boxwood hair tonic by soaking 20 grams of boxwood leaves to 1/4 liter of wine vinegar for a couple of days. Then strain and add glycerin before storing in a bottle. Massage this tonic into the scalp on a regular basis for revitalizing the hair.
  • Another good herbal hair tonic for all hair types is a stinging nettle hair tonic. Boil a handful of nettle leaves in 1/4 liter fruit vinegar for ten minutes. After it cools, filter and add two tablespoons of lemon juice. Use this on the hair daily for a beneficial effect.
  • Onion is known to promote good growth of hair and an effective hair tonic can be made using onion and 50% alcohol. Finely chop an onion and place into a bottle. Fill the bottle with the alcohol and allow it to stand for a month. Then filter if and use daily on the scalp.
  • You can even make a parsley hair tonic by grinding a handful of parsley leaves with two tablespoons of water, until it becomes a puree. Apply this to your scalp and wrap a warm moist towel around the head for half an hour, before shampooing.
  • Another good homemade hair tonic can be prepared with egg yolk and gin. Beat two egg yolks until they become frothy. Then add a couple of teaspoons of gin and beat the eggs until the consistency is foamy. Massage this into the scalp and hair shaft, and then rinse with lukewarm water. This tonic may also be made and stored in the refrigerator for about a week.

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Newborn Hair Care - How to Care for your Newborn Babies Hair

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Newborn Hair Loss

Though hair follicles develop in a fetus by the sixth month of pregnancy, some babies are born with absolutely no hair on their head while others have a thick growth of hair on their scalp at the time of birth. Some infants may also have reddish patches on their scalp or have minor bruise-like bumps on their heads, which gradually even out on their own. Caucasian babies have a greater incidence of being born bald or with very fine, light colored hair. The baby may also have hair of a color that is neither of the parents has. Usually, the fuzzy hair that some infants are born with falls off naturally within a few months and is replaced by a fresh growth of hair that may be of a different color than before. None of these is a cause for worry so long as your baby does not have any dermatological problem. Some infants have very fine and soft hair on their body called lanugo, especially on the back, shoulders and forehead. This is more common in prematurely born babies. Lanugo disappears naturally within a few weeks.

Newborn Hair Growth

Irrespective of whether your baby is born with a thick growth of hair or no hair at all, it is important that you take good care to keep her or his scalp. Make sure you keep your baby’s scalp clean all the time in order to prevent bacterial or fungal infections on its delicate and vulnerable scalp. In some cultures, the baby’s hair is shaved off before she or he is a year old in the belief that this aids faster hair growth. Though it may be easier to keep the baby’s scalp clean after his or her scalp has been shaven, it does not hold that the hair will grow faster or healthier as a result of this. Since infants have a very soft scalp and delicate hair, they do not need washing and shampooing every day. Untangle knots in the infant’s hair very gently using your fingertips before washing his or her hair. You should be very gentle while washing the baby’s scalp and hair. Use a mild baby shampoo and be careful not to hurt the soft, central portion of your baby’s head while drying the scalp. Use a baby comb with very soft bristles after drying the infant’s hair. Sometime, infants suffer from what is popularly known as “cradle cap”, a condition in which small, red flakes appear on the scalp. This can easily be treated through topical application of cortisone creams usually prescribed by doctors in such cases.

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