It is the dream of almost every woman to have soft and silky hair; unfortunately, this remains an unfulfilled dream for many. The truth is that it is more common to see frizzy, dry and brittle hair, which appears to be damaged. There are several reasons why hair could lose its moisture and shine and become dry and dull. The hair could lose its ability to retain its natural moisture due to excessive exposure to the sun and humidity. Factors like the strong rays of the sun, humidity, harsh chemicals that are present in several shampoos and conditioner and the excessive use of hair products and devices like dyes, gels, mousse, curling irons, perm or straightening lotions, hair dryers and so on are responsible for damaging hair.
While it is true that some women have naturally soft, straight and silky hair, others may have to work very hard at improving or maintaining the texture of their hair. There are many hair care products, treatments and services, offered by many hair salons that claim to improve the feel and texture of the hair. However, most of these products, services and treatment cost a lot of money and some of them are not as effective as they are believed to be. In fact, some commercial hair care products may contain ingredients that have an adverse effect on the scalp as well as the hair, leading to further problems like hair loss and thinning.
There are also many women who have used hair care home remedies for making their hair softer. There are several products that can easily be found at home, which work wonders in conditioning the hair naturally, without leading to any major side effects. Moreover, the use of home remedies for hair conditioning is much easier on the pocket. Most of the home remedies for conditioning hair help to strengthen the hair and reduce severe hair loss problems too. One of the other advantages of using natural ingredients and products for hair conditioning at home is that there are so many options that women can choose from.
Dry hair is a very big problem in several men and women, which should be controlled, as it is as the leading cause of split ends. Dry hair care home remedies usually include the application of herbal products on the hair. Some of the most common herbs that can reduce the problem of dryness in the hair are chamomile, calendula, rose, comfrey, lavender, sandalwood, cedar, rose geranium and rosemary. Some of the herbs can be mixed with oil whereas others may be added to milk or cream, so that they can be applied on the hair. The best way to treat the hair with these herbs is by rubbing a few drops of any such essential oil in the fingers and then gently applying them to the tips of the hair. To maximize the effect of an herbal essential oil, a few drops of Aloe Vera extract can be added to the oil. Several women use Aloe Vera for nourishing the hair and replenishing any moisture that the hair has lost. The juice of an Aloe Vera leaf should be mixed with about 2 teaspoons of petroleum jelly before it is applied to the hair.
Using deep conditioning treatments at home happens to be among the most effective ways of reducing dry hair problems. Several women apply hair conditioner for a period of four or five minutes, before rinsing it off. There are some people who also use a leave-in conditioner. However, deep conditioning refers to a method of conditioning the hair, in which the conditioner gets the chance to permeate the hair thoroughly, since it usually stays on much longer. There are several salons that offer deep conditioning services. However, it is possible to enjoy the same experience of deep conditioning hair at home by using a good brand of hair conditioner.
The best time to deep condition the hair is at night, just before you go to bed. Wet your hair properly, before applying a conditioner and spread it well, so that it covers your damp hair completely. Then you need to cover your hair with a towel or a shower cap, just before you go to sleep, so that the conditioner can be left on all night, giving it more time to repair the damaged hair follicles. When you wake up in the morning, you need to wash your hair properly, with a mild shampoo and lukewarm water. This is among the most effective hair care home remedies for damaged hair.
Deep hair conditioning home remedies could include the use of several other products, apart from a commercial shampoo. Several people apply warm oil on their hair and leave it on overnight. The oil works on the damaged hair all night long and can be washed off properly in the morning. Some of the most effective damaged hair home remedies include the use of olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, castor oil or jojoba oil. Several people also use a combination of two or more oils, for better results and softer hair.
Hair care home remedies for oily hair differ from other remedies. Several people who have oily hair can neither apply oil on their hair, nor are the hair conditioning treatments at home very effective for them. Instead, they need to consider the different oily hair care home remedies that would suit their hair more. Ingredients that can act as an at home hair conditioner for oily hair include vinegar, yogurt and eggs.
Deep Conditioning Treatments for Black Hair
Black hair, also known as ethnic hair requires more care in order to remain soft and silky. Most hair care experts recommend that black hair should be conditioned every day, even if it is not shampooed. Moreover, deep conditioning hair at home for black hair should be practiced at least once a week, if not more often. Black hair should only be washed with cool water and a small amount of oil should be lightly applied to the hair, after a hair wash.
Although the hair care home remedies mentioned above are fairly effective and are known to bring about positive results, it may be best to consult a doctor, in case the hair and scalp continue to remain dry, since there could be a deeper underlying condition that is causing the problem.
Why conditioning is important?
Conditioning is a very important aspect of the hair-care routine, almost all kinds of hair need conditioning to some extent or the other. It is carried out to rejuvenate our hair which is usually robbed of its vitality by the abuse it is exposed to. Conditioning is in fact a restorative routine, and falls in the category of preventive hair-care as explained.
Restores Body and Bounce to limp Hair
There are two kinds of body-building conditioners-the ones you rinse out and the ones you leave in. Both work at adding bulk to the hair by leaving some material on the hair shaft. These materials include polymer fibers and protein.
Restores the Acid Mantle and Removes Snarls from the Hair
The special cream rinse conditioners are designed to untangle the frizz in the hair. Many also add the welcome beauty benefit of high gloss to the locks. The cream rinse coats the hair to help minimize the stress on the hair from brushing, combing, setting and keeps breakage and split ends under control. Cream rinses do not add body but only soften the hair.
Conditioning Restores the Damaged Hair into Full-bodied Hair
We use Deep Conditioners to help restore the dry, damaged hair, plus hair that is brittle excessively and broken in anyway. The deep conditioners contain large amounts of protein. In order that these proteins are absorbed, the deep conditioner should be applied for a longer time. The protein works by repairing hair damage at the area that is badly in need of help.
Conditioning Helps Restore the Loss of Moisture in Hair
Also help in reducing friction and adding comb ability to hair. In addition, they help in removing dryness and moisturizing it.
Home remedy for conditioning your hair
There are several effective and simple-to-make conditioner recipes. The recipes made at home are not as harsh as the chemical conditioners, and are pure and resultful.
The All-purpose Conditioner Rinse
Mix the following to prepare the magic rinse:
The castor oil gives body to hair; the herbal oil acts like a hair tonic, vinega; restores the acid mantle, glycerine moisturises the hair and shampoo is the medium that blends the ingredients. Before washing the hair, apply this mixture to the hair gently and leave it on for about twenty minutes. Shampoo it out with clear water and feel the marvellous change in your hair texture.
Conditioner for Shine and Sheen
Grate few onions and some cabbage together and leave in a copper utensil overnight. In the morning, add few drops of eau-de cologne to remove the onion smell. Add few drops of a herbal oil like Amla or Brahmi and then apply. Shampoo after 20 minutes. Your hair will gain a superb gloss and colour. You may follow this routine once a week.
Henna for Conditioning
The Henna conditioners give color sheen and body to the hair.
A Hair-Setting Conditioner
Mix one teaspoon of gelatin, available in the market, in a mug of water. Rinse your hair with it. Finger-dry your hair and set them as you desire. Because there are different kinds of conditioners, you can be very specific in your choice and use the one that best suits your needs. Use herbal or home-made conditioners preferably.