If you have dry and/or damaged hair, your routine shampoo And conditioner may not be enough to find dream hair. Sometimes we need extra care: mask, oil bath... We take stock of the best methods for your hair... and for the planet 🖤
1/ THE OILS
The hair oil bath is trendy and it’s natural. Yes, BUT you have to understand how hair works for the treatment to be effective. If used incorrectly, oil can dry out or weigh down hair.
We know many women who have had the opposite effects to those expected: dry, rough or dull hair due to improper use of oils. So what are the right actions to adopt to avoid this?
# Choosing the right oil
Above all, it is important to carefully select your oil (or oils) based on their action on the hair. There are two types of oils:
- Penetrating oils: those which can penetrate inside the hair.
- Non-penetrating oils, also called coating: those which do not penetrate the hair, but which remain on its surface or coat it.
It is very important to consider this distinction depending on the purpose of using the oil. We do not select the same type of oil for straightening hair or for an oil bath.
For oil baths, it is recommended to choose PENETRATING OILS (for example: coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, almond oil, castor oil, etc.). These oils are ideal for an oil bath before shampooing or a swimming session to protect the hair. Since hair is permeable, it absorbs water, which weakens it when shampooing. Penetrating oils will therefore strengthen the hair fiber and limit water absorption by the hair.
If you are looking to coat your hair and smooth the scales, it is best to choose NON-PENETRATING OILS such as jojoba oil or sunflower oil.
# Mistakes we have all made at least once
- Let sit for too long
It is not recommended to leave the oil baths on for too long, such as 3 days or even a week. Indeed, excess oil can weigh down and suffocate the hair, which also needs to breathe. Instead of protecting the hair, a prolonged oil bath can instead dry it out and suffocate it.
- Use an oil daily
Using non-penetrating oils every day to style your hair can also suffocate it, as can oil baths. This practice can especially dry out the upper part of the hair which receives oil regularly.
- Rinse the oil by shampooing several times
Rinsing out an oil bath using multiple shampoos can negate its protective effects. It is important to choose an oil that penetrates the hair well to avoid having to use too much shampoo to rinse it.
- Apply oil to the roots
Greasing the scalp with oil can also suffocate it and saturate it with oil, especially if the scalp already produces natural sebum. This can make the roots very oily and even cause dandruff.
- Choose the same oil as your girlfriend
Each hair type reacts differently to oils and it is important to choose an oil that suits your hair type. Some oils may not be suitable for fine, thick or afro hair due to their different properties and compositions. It is therefore advisable to test different oils to find the ones that best suit your hair.
In summary:
Oil can easily suffocate hair. Indeed, it is not soluble in water and has a very dense texture which allows it to protect the hair, but excessive use can suffocate and dry it out.
2/ AYURVEDIC POWDERS
An alternative to oils to take care of your hair in addition to your solid routine Homnès, these are masks based on Ayurvedic powders.
These powders from India have multiple beneficial properties for hair, such as strengthening, hydration, repair, stimulation of growth and the fight against dandruff and excess sebum. Ayurvedic powders are made from plants, herbs, spices and dried plant materials.
# Choose your Ayurvedic powder wisely
For oily hair:
Ayurvedic purifying powders are effective in combating oily and heavy hair. By using a detoxifying mask based on these powders, you can obtain healthier hair that re-greases less quickly, while reducing dandruff and itching.
🌿 Rhassoul, Nettle, Neem
For dry and damaged hair:
If your hair is damaged, dull or lacks volume and vitality, you can use other specific Ayurvedic powders to regain healthy, strengthened and shiny hair.
🌿 Aloe Vera, Baobab, Hibiscus, Fenugreek, Kapoor Kachli
To stimulate hair regrowth:
🌿 Amla, Brahmi, Orange
# Some Ayurvedic mask recipes
Simple recipe to stimulate hair growth:
- Take 1 tablespoon of castor oil: It repairs and nourishes dry hair while promoting growth.
- Add 1 tablespoon of mustard oil: It promotes hair growth and makes it thicker.
- Incorporate 2 tablespoons of Organic Amla powder: It tones, strengthens and stimulates hair growth.
- Optional: Add a few drops of grapefruit essential oil known to promote growth, tone and purify the scalp.
Apply this treatment to your scalp before shampooing. Leave on for at least 10 minutes. If you have time, leave it on for 1 hour for a deep treatment. We recommend performing this treatment twice a month for optimal results.
Homemade scrub to fight dandruff:
- 1 tablespoon of Organic Neem: this powder is detoxifying, cleansing and soothing.
- 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar: this ingredient is cleansing and sebum-regulating, it helps regulate the pH of the scalp.
- 1 tablespoon of sugar: excellent gentle exfoliant that removes dead skin.
- Optional: Tea Tree essential oil: purifying, it helps fight against oily dandruff.
Mix the Neem powder with lukewarm water until you get a smooth paste without lumps. Add the sugar and mix again.
Apply the scrub to your scalp before shampooing and massage gently. Leave it on for about 10 to 15 minutes. You can do this scrub once or twice a month.
Detoxifying hair mask:
- 1 tablespoon of Organic Neem: detoxifying, cleansing and soothing.
- 1 tablespoon of Organic Stinging Nettle: remineralizing and purifying.
- 1 teaspoon of Organic Marshmallow: moisturizing, detangling and softening.
- Optional: Cider vinegar and tea tree essential oil.
Mix the powders with hot water until you obtain a suitable paste, without lumps if possible. Apply to your scalp before or after shampooing. Leave on for between 10 and 30 minutes. You can make this mask once a week.
Caution: It is important not to let the powders dry on the hair.
THE VERDICT
Having tested both, we have a preference for Ayurvedic powders. They seem more effective to us and take effect quickly. But again, it depends on your hair, so we invite you to test different formulas to find the one that suits you best! Are you ready to get started?
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