Why should you care about your hair and scalp?
Puzzled by damaged hair? Firstly, if you realize the root causes of the damage, determine proper care habits to prevent further damage, and select targeted treatments to help repair current damage. Damaged hair can be a frustrating topic, but with the right care, restoring your locks to their former glory is possible.
Hair is made up of three parts: the Hair Cuticle, the Cortex, and the Medulla.
Hair is approximately 90 percent protein called keratin. The remaining portion is a combination of water, minerals, lipids, and pigments.
The hair cuticle, which is the outermost layer, protects the cortex. In healthy hair, the cuticle lies flat, but during chemical services, it will soften and swell, allowing the chemicals to penetrate the cortex. The surface of the cuticle is hydrophobic, therefore, it repels water. Due to this property, it can easily bind to oils.
The cortex is made up of millions of polypeptide chains. It is the fibrous protein layer. It is responsible for the hair’s strength, elasticity, and color, and accounts for about 90 percent of the hair’s weight.
The medulla is the innermost layer found in coarse hair and beard.
Why does damaged hair occur?
Hair damage can result from various factors, such as heat styling, brushing the hair, and scalp buildup. Particularly, when they are wet, they have chemical treatments and any environmental stressors. Scalp care is extremely essential. When sebum, dead skin cells, sweat, and different styling product residues accumulate on the scalp, it can clog the follicles. This can lead to inflammation, making the hair prone to damage. Check out the guide to hair scalp treatment.
To battle this, incorporating the best hair oils for damaged hair and products specifically designed for damaged curly hair is essential. Specifically, curly hair is considered to be drier than other hair types, mostly because the shape of the curl makes it hard for natural oils from the scalp to move down the hair shaft.
What is the mystery behind the hair oil?
Undoubtedly, hair oils can be “sealants” and “penetrating”. They help soften the hair cuticle, lower styling breakage, while reducing frizz.
Using a hair oil can be a great way to hydrate and nourish the hair, promote growth, and help to prevent further damage.
Penetrating oils can effectively hydrate and nourish hair from within, as they penetrate the hair shaft.
Oils like coconut oil, argan oil, olive oil, and grapeseed oil are excellent choices for their deep moisturizing properties, helping to repair, soften, and strengthen hair from within. These oils are effective for addressing dryness, damage, and internal hydration loss.
- Coconut oil reduces protein loss when used as a pre-wash treatment. It is effective on both damaged and undamaged hair, and traps moisture inside the hair
- Olive oil protects against UVB rays, traps moisture in hair by sealing the cuticle
- Argan Oil protects hair from oxidative damage, significantly increases hair elasticity, and moisturizes the hair due to its high water-holding capacity
- Grapeseed oil is lightweight and readily absorbed, and penetrates the hair shaft
Sealing oils help to lock in moisture and provide shine and luster by providing a protective coating.
When applied to damp, towel-dried hair, these oils can help seal in hydration from leave-in conditioner or moisturizing products.
- Jojoba Oil is an excellent natural oil. It forms a protective barrier over the hair without making the hair feel greasy.
- Jamaican castor Oil, although thick and viscous, is known for its sealing properties.
- Sweet Almond Oil is an effective sealant; it helps maintain moisture balance, adds shine, and also reduces hair damage from styling tools and environmental stressors.
To use a hair oil, start by selecting an oil that is suitable for your hair type and needs. Then, apply a small amount of oil to your hair, focusing on ends and mid-lengths. Gently massage the oil into your hair, using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. You can use it as a pre-shampoo treatment by applying it to your hair before washing.
Damaged Curly Hair
For damaged curly hair, products like the Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil and SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner are highly recommended. These products provide hydration, reduce frizz, and enhance curl definition, making them perfect for damaged, curly hair.
What are the best tricks to protect your pretty hair
- Buy a satin pillowcase – The cotton or any other material pulls out the moisture from your hair.
- Oiling before every hair wash and conditioning is a great way.
- Always mix shampoo, which doesn’t contain any sulfates or parabens, in the small container with water and then apply it, so the chemicals don’t directly affect your hair.
- Apply conditioner below the mid-length of your hair, do not put it on your scalp.
- Apply natural hair masks that moisturize the hair. For instance, oil together with an egg yolk and honey.
- Do not shower with super hot water, as the heat will dry out hair as well.
- When styling your hair, always use heat-protecting products first.
- When brushing the hair, use a wide-tooth comb with lots of conditioner.
- Trim split ends regularly.
- Manage stress levels.
What are the options for low pH moisturizing masks
However, oils are not for everyone. Therefore, instead of using oil for dry, damaged curly hair, select moisturizing masks and conditioners. Low pH products will soften and smooth the cuticle, preventing tangling and interlocking of the cuticles.
Moisturizing masks are specifically created to penetrate deep into the hair’s cuticle. This will help to soften and rehydrate dry, damaged, stressed-out strands.
Snack on some Hair Supplements and Vitamins
- Biotin supplements for hair growth are a vitamin B7, which supports many parts of the body, including the nervous system, eyes, liver, skin, and hair. It is an essential nutrient for hair growth and scalp health.
- Riboflavin – vitamin B2, deficiency causes hair loss.
- Too much vitamin A can cause hair loss.
- Low iron, folate, vitamin B12 supplements for hair, vitamin D, and selenium are associated with premature graying of the hair.
- Niacin – Vitamin B3 can contribute to the maintenance of scalp health and an increase in the hair diameter. It can help promote thicker hair growth by improving blood circulation to the scalp.
- Vitamin B6 and B12 are essential for improving hair structure and are used to treat psoriasis and dermatitis
- Folate – vitamin B9 deficiency can cause skin, hair, and nail changes.
- Vitamin D supplements can help with hair loss if you have a deficiency.
- Lysine is an essential amino acid known to restore scalp condition and reduce hair loss
Revitalize Your Locks: Homemade Hair Treatments for Damaged Hair
When it comes to repairing damaged hair, sometimes the best solutions can be found right in your kitchen. Here are some effective homemade hair treatments that can help refresh your hair’s health and shine:
- Avocado and Olive Oil Mask
- Ingredients: 1 ripe avocado, 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Instructions: Mash the avocado and mix it with olive oil until smooth. Apply the mixture to your hair, focusing on the ends. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse and shampoo.
- Avocados are extremely moisturizing and nourishing because they contain natural oils and both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. These oils are especially beneficial for dry, dehydrated, and damaged hair.
- Coconut Oil and Honey Treatment
- Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of honey.
- Instructions: Warm the coconut oil until it becomes liquid, then mix in the honey. Apply the mixture to damp hair, cover with a shower cap, and leave it on for 20-30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and shampoo.
- This treatment is a rich, hydrating remedy that can help with dry, frizzy hair or damaged hair.
- Banana and Yogurt Hair Mask
- Ingredients: 1 ripe banana, 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt.
- Instructions: Blend the banana and yogurt until smooth. Apply the mixture to your hair, from roots to ends. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse and shampoo.
- Banana and yogurt hair masks deeply moisturize, reduce breakage, strengthen hair strands, add shine, and promote overall hair health, particularly effective for frizzy hair and damaged hair.
- Egg and Olive Oil Treatment
- Ingredients: 1 egg, 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Instructions: Beat the egg and mix it with olive oil. Apply the mixture to your hair, focusing on damaged areas. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with cool water and shampoo.
- This particular homemade hair treatment for damaged hair deeply conditions and nourishes hair, leaving the hair softer and shinier due to the combined moisturizing and strengthening properties of both ingredients. It also has antioxidant properties. Olive oil may improve scalp health and reduce dryness and flakiness.
- Aloe Vera and Almond Oil Mask
- Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel, 1 tablespoon of almond oil.
- Instructions: Mix the aloe vera gel with almond oil and apply it to your hair. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse and shampoo.
- The benefits of using aloe vera gel in a hair mask include anti-inflammatory actions that may help reduce scalp irritation, it has moisturizing effects, helps repair hair, and almond oil can also help with hair growth, and is recommended for frizzy hair.
Conclusion
Please, help your hair grow! By incorporating all these methods into your hair care routine, you will be amazed at how it can help repair and nourish your damaged hair naturally.