Archive for the ‘Hair Care’ Category

Is Almond Oil Good for Hair

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Almond oil for hair has been recommended by many experts. This is because of the health benefits of almonds and almond oil, for promoting healthy skin, hair and general health, which has been known for centuries. Almond oil is extracted from the kernel of the almonds and is a pale yellow, sweet smelling oil.

Benefits of Almond Oil for Hair

Almond oil hair care is recommended because almonds possess many beneficial medicinal properties. That is why hair care experts advise us to use almond oil for hair growth. They have a high content of Omega-9 fatty acids also known as mono-unsaturated Oleic acid. Almonds also contain substantial levels of other polyunsaturated fatty acids of the Omega-6 group, and smaller levels of essential fatty acids like super-unsaturated Omega-3. This optimum composition of fats and fatty acids helps to nourish, soften and strengthen hair. Since it strengthens the hair roots and controls hair fall, it is helpful to use almond oil for hair loss.

There is another reason for recommending almond oil for scalp. Almond oil has proved to be a good cleaning agent. Apply some almond oil on your hair and leave for an hour. You will find that all the dust and particles of pollution have stuck to it, and these are easily washed off when you shampoo your hair.

Almond oil is a wonderful emollient which is neutral and stable, and therefore, soothes the skin. It contains considerable amounts of Vitamin D, Vitamin E, magnesium and calcium, which stimulate the sebaceous glands in the scalp and skin. That is why almond oil for dry hair and almond oil for dandruff control have also been found to be very effective.

Another reason why many people love using almond oil for hair or skin is because it rarely becomes rancid.

How to Use Almond Oil for Hair

Almond may be a little expensive, but because of its many benefits for skin, hair and general health, it is well worth the cost; and all you need is just a few drops. Pour a few drops of almond oil in a small cup or in the centre of your palm. Dip into it with a finger, and apply on different areas of the scalp, by parting the hair. Massage gently for 5 to 10 minutes. Leave for about an hour or two, and rinse off with lukewarm or cool water.

Eating a few almonds everyday is also beneficial for your hair and general health. You can eat a few every morning before your breakfast, or mix a few in your salad every day.

Natural Hair Care for Babies using Olive and Coconut Oils

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Some babies have a lot of hair when they are born itself whereas most of the babies have very little or no hair. Some babies do not even have any hair growth till they are about 2 years of age which might worry most parents but this is very normal and there is nothing to worry about. Also, because the child is having very less hair, it does not mean that they will not have any hair growth at all in the future. Hair care depends upon the age and type of hair and thus, the way you take care of your hair is completely different as compared to babies hair care.

Olive Oil for Cradle Cap

Your baby’s hair care is important and thus, you should ensure that you wash their hair two times a week. Remember that you do not need to wash their hair unnecessarily but only when it is required to do so. Olive oil is excellent for your baby’s hair care especially if the baby is having cradle cap which is a type of dandruff that causes oily flakes to settle on the scalp. Application of olive oil causes the flakes to loosen and in such a case, you should wash your baby’s hair thrice a week. You can prepare a natural shampoo for your baby at home wherein you take ¼ cup of distilled water and mix it with ¼ cup of herbal green tea as it considerably helps to clean their hair making it strong at the same time. Natural hair care for babies using olive and coconut oils is a simple way to ensure that your baby’s hair and scalp receives an adequate amount of healthy fatty acids.

Baby Hair Oils

You need to know that babies hair are very delicate so while you are washing or detangling their hair, make sure that you are as gentle as possible. Do not use a comb to detangle the hair but do that with your fingers. Coconut oil is also very good for your baby’s hair and you should oil and massage their hair so that it stays moisturized and enhances blood circulation while stimulating the scalp. If you plan to buy oils, you need to buy those that contain jojoba, aloe vera, almond, lavender or vitamin E. You also need to ensure that you do not expose their hair to extreme weather temperatures and each time you step out in the sun, cover their head with a cap. Do not let your baby’s hair grow too long and keep trimming it so that it does not interfere with the eyes or enters the ears.

Foods to Eat for Healthy Hair Growth

Friday, June 4th, 2010

The key to having healthy hair is eating hair growth foods, washing one’s hair well and leading stress free lives with adequate amounts of sleep. Just a shampoo and a conditioner are not adequate for one’s hair to look good. Every person’s hair grows about a quarter an inch per month to half an inch. If a person eats healthy hair foods then their hair growth will always be much faster and the hair will grow out much stronger. However if a person is born with hair that is the finer and thinner type then it is unlikely that it will grow into rope like thickness. But eating the correct foods for healthy hair which contain plenty of iron and protein will help in making a big difference to the hair texture. The foods for hair growth should preferably be obtained from one’s kitchen and not out of some packaged product.

Healthy Foods for Hair Growth

Some of the main healthy foods for hair include eating salmon on a regular basis. Salmon are foods that contain omega 3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are a great source of iron and B12 which are essential for a person’s hair growth and hair nourishment. Essential fatty acids like omega 3 fatty acids are required for good scalp health. When there is a deficiency of these vitamins in a person’s diet then they suffer from dry scalp problems and also hair which ahs a dull look to it.Eating flaxseeds regularly is also a great food for one’s hair.

Dark green vegetables also help in providing the Vitamins C and A to one’s hair which are essential to help the hair produce sebum. Some of these vegetables are broccoli, spinach and even Swiss chard.Sebum is required by the hair follicles and works as a natural conditioner for one’s hair. These dark vegetables also help in providing one’s hair with calcium and iron. Beans are another great hair food. They are very good sources of zinc, iron and biotin. A biotin deficiency can cause one’s hair to become brittle. Nuts are also very essential for one’s hair to stay and healthy and for overall good health too. Walnuts are great sources of alpha linolenic acid and also of omega 3 fatty acids. Cashews, almonds and pecans are also a good source of zinc which can prevent hair shedding. One should ensure that they eggs and poultry regularly too to help in getting vitamin B12 and biotin.

The Benefits of Emu Oil for Hair

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Our hair is exposed to lots of pollutants in the form of the harsh chemicals that one finds in the shampoos and soaps and hair rinses. Hair can get damaged and rough, split ends can develop, hair loss etc are all the results of our modern day lifestyles. Hence to keep one’s hair looking healthy and to prevent hair loss, one needs to try to avoid using commercially produced shampoos and rinses and switch to natural products. One should also oil one’s hair occasionally. Emu oil for hair is considered to have various benefits. Emu oil for hair growth is excellent as is emu oil for hair loss and emu oil for hair regrowth. There are also various shampoos available that contains emu oil. Similarly there are conditioners and hair rinses that contain emu oil.

Emu Oil Benefits for Hair Growth

Emu oil is said to have great regenerative properties. It can be used for one’s skin as well as for treating one’s hair. It has been found that emu oil can stimulate hair to grow to three times the regular cellular activity. The main results are seen as healthier, more resilient and livelier hair. This hair that is regenerated is stronger and able to withstand its surrounding environments and also other stresses like hormonal stress. Emu oil has anti fungal properties as well as anti bacterial properties, thus it is useful in getting rid of any residues that one finds on the scalp by helping to break it down at the roots. Thus this helps in increasing the hair’s manageability and also its volume.

Emu oil also has great moisturizing properties and thus makes an excellent base for a conditioner. It is mainly gentle and natural oil which is great for treating all kinds of hair. There have been studies conducted that indicate that ability of emu oil to help in the prevention of hair loss. This oil is natural oil that is found to contain omega 3 fatty acids as well omega 6 fatty acids. These oils penetrate through a person’s skin and help in cell regeneration. Emu oil is said to help in the awakening of the hair follicles on a person’s scalp thus causing hair growth and increase in hair volume. Hair which previously appeared to be dead or even damaged will now seem to have regained new life and vitality. Thus hair loss and emu oil are said to go well together.

Homemade Hair Care Packs - How to Make Hair Packs at Home

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Natural Hair Care Packs

Beautiful and healthy hair is the main accessory to any outfit which also tends to boost one’s self confidence level. However nowadays with the rising levels of stress and pollution, washing and oiling the hair frequently is not sufficient. Hence rather than using chemical based products which are readily available most people prefer using homemade hair packs which are specific to the type of hair namely dry, greasy, discolored hair etc.

  • A popular oil mask for dry hair involves mixing equal quantities of palm, sweet almond, castor and olive oils. This mixture should then be applied all over the scalp and hair along with a gentle massage which tends to stimulate the scalp. Leave the oil mixture in the hair for at least 2 -3 hours and then wash it off with a gentle shampoo and warm water.
  • One of the popular natural hair packs at home for dry hair involves mixing two tablespoons of mayonnaise with the juice of one fresh lemon. This pack should be applied to the lengths of the hair and allowed to remain for 30 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo.
  • A papaya pack is an excellent natural remedy for addressing the problem of split ends. To prepare the pack, remove the seeds and the skin of a ripe papaya and blend it well in a blender. Thereafter add half a cup of plain yogurt and mix all the ingredients well to form a smooth paste. Apply this paste thoroughly in the hair and on the scalp. After about 45 minutes wash the pack off with some warm water.
  • Many people also suffer from the problem of limp hair which mostly occurs due to an iron deficiency. Limp hair can be naturally made shiny and bouncy by a spinach hair pack .To prepare this pack blend a cup of fresh spinach leaves with one cup of water in a blender to form a smooth paste. Then add one teaspoon of almond oil and 2-3 teaspoons of honey to this paste and mix well. Apply this paste evenly all over the hair right from the roots to the tips and let it remain for 30- 40 minutes before washing it off with water and a relatively mild shampoo.

Regular use of natural hair care packs result in shiny hair which is soft and healthy. The natural ingredients in the packs also promote hair growth as they strengthen the roots thereby reducing hair loss and retaining the natural color of the hair.