For a person working in the highly demanding corporate industry, or meeting assignment deadlines as a college student, or even being a travel blogger – the mane is what gets neglected the most.
We corporate employees get so engrossed in working hard for that raise, or that promotion, or just that word of appreciation by our bosses that we forget to hydrate ourselves during the day. Dehydration is a major cause for most of the hair damage, along with pollution and an imbalanced diet.
Dandruff:
Dandruff breakout is caused by a bacteria called eczema, that multiplies in the scalp if not treated on time, which in turn causes hair fall, severe flaking (which is extremely embarrassing and shows visibly on the gorgeous LBD you decide to wear on a date night), along with rashes on the skin. Well, the good news is, that the ingredients needed to treat and prevent Dandruff are right in your kitchen!
a) Apple Cider Vinegar – This ingredient that gives your salad a distinct taste, is also what can shoo the flakes away! Just take 1-1.5 tablespoons of it and add it to a cup of water to dilute it. While showering, rinse your hair with this diluted solution (after/ before shampooing) and then rinse it again with normal water under the shower. This is known to show extremely fast results and I have tried it myself. Also, you can use it to just simply wash your hair (the same diluted
solution) when youʼve just got back from the gym, without using any shampoo at all. The lesser the chemicals on your scalp, the better. Itʼs a good alternative for shampoo sometimes. Make sure to rinse your hair with it twice a week and see quick results!
b) Lemon – I like to call Lemon a super food. From boosting body metabolism, to being a key component of body scrubs, it also fixes the scalp. While showering, just take some lemon and rub it onto the scalp.
Be mindful of applying it only on the scalp and not on the shaft of the hair because it can dry up the shaft. It works wonders in removing eczema from the scalp. This can be done twice a week. If you feel the lemon being too acidic while applying (a slight burning sensation), you can always mix it with water in a cup, dilute it and then apply. Also, you can use it to just simply wash your hair when your is only slightly oily, without using any shampoo at all. The lesser the chemicals on your scalp, the better. Itʼs a good alternative for shampoo sometimes, when you’re running short of time or shampoo!
c) Coconut Oil – Oiling the hair is known to be an age old tradition that originated in India and later spread to the Middle East. Grandmothers in India, to this day, pass on ancient remedies to their families and force their millennial grandchildren into getting an oil massage for their luscious locks. To get rid of Dandruff, squeeze a Lemon into a cup of hot coconut oil, in equal parts, and apply it to the scalp two hours before showering. This allows coconut oil to nourish the scalp as well – it is the best for stronger, thicker and healthier roots. You can even apply it the night before and let the oil and lemon seep through the scalp overnight.
d) Tea Tree Oil – This is a magic potion that works like a miracle upon using it the first time itself. I had the fastest results with this technique, and my dandruff doesn’t even come back now. Just take 5 drops of authentic Tea Tree oil and add it to heated coconut oil, and apply on the scalp two hours before showering. You can even apply it the night before and let the oils work their magic overnight.
e) Yoghurt – Take a cup of yoghurt, apply it to the scalp and leave it on for 30 mins. Shampoo thoroughly and repeat this thrice a week. Personally for me, this had the slowest results.
Hair Fall:
The reason for hair fall varies from protein insufficient diet, to using a shampoo that doesn’t work for your hair, to extreme exposure to pollution and chemicals, to using rough hair ties that cause hair to fall apart while untying that perfect ponytail and of course, negligence.
Coconut Oil – I cannot emphasise the importance and miracle of coconut oil enough. It is the biggest promoter of hair growth. I used to have a bob cut earlier, but after regular usage of coconut oil, I now have thick hair up to my waist. Apply coconut oil twice a week and watch the hair growth speed up!
Shampoo – Make sure you pick the right shampoo for yourself, and one that doesn’t contain Parabens, Sulfate or Silicone. Also, use a conditioner every time after shampooing.
c) Stress Management – Stress contributes heavily to hair fall, so make sure to meditate or do yoga to battle hair fall.
d) Diet – Eat a balanced diet rich in proteins, they are the building blocks of our body and help in promoting hair growth.
e) Choosing the right hair brush – Use a brush that has slightly smoother bristles, as they are not harsh on the hair.
f) Use a clutch/clip to tie your hair up in a bun, as opposed to a hairband, as it doesn’t allow hair breakage at all.
g) Egg Mask – Separate one egg white in a bowl and add a teaspoon each of olive/coconut oil and honey. Beat to make a paste and apply it all over from root to tips. Wash with a mild shampoo after 20 mins.
h) Fenugreek Mask – Fenugreek or Methi seed is among the most effective home remedies to stop the hair loss. It repairs the hair follicles and helps in re-growth of hair.
Soak the fenugreek seeds overnight in water and grind it to a fine paste, apply it to your hair and scalp. Leave the paste on your head for about 30 minutes and you can cover your scalp using a shower cap to keep it moist. Rinse it off with normal water, you don’t even have to use any shampoo. Do it twice a week for a month to control hair fall.
i) Green Tea Mask – Soak 2-3 teabags in 1-2 cups of hot water depending on the length of your hair. When it cools, pour it over your scalp and hair, while gently massaging your head. Rinse with cool water after an hour.
j) Aloe Vera – Egyptians used to call it the plant of immortality in ancient times. It is an effective home remedy for hair loss and to boost hair growth. It is also effective in fixing an itchy scalp/flaking. Take the stalk of Aloe Vera and extract the pulp. Apply it to your hair and scalp and leave it for about 45 minutes. Rinse with normal water. You should do this 3-4 times a week to see better results.
k) Diet – Include Spinach, Carrots, Indian gooseberries (Amla), Eggs, Walnuts, Almonds, Lentils, Chicken, Strawberries, Greek Yoghurt and Sweet Potatoes in your diet every day and watch those luscious locks sway at the dance floor when you hit the club next time. These are super foods that are the gateway to perfect skin, and perfect hair.
l) Shower – Avoid extreme hot water on the hair while taking a shower, it promotes hair fall. Also make sure to never comb wet hair, and minimise the use of hair dryers/straighteners/curlers as much as possible, as it makes the hair dry and brittle over a period of time and causes hair fall.
Hair Dye-
To tackle greying, apply pure Henna on the hair instead of expensive hair dyes that have chemicals. Henna is a natural plant based extract, that won’t have any damaging effects on hair. It is an age old technique to keep the hair young, in many Asian and Middle Eastern countries, that is widely practiced till date.
Hair Spa at Home-
To do a hair spa at home, and save some money along with avoiding chemicals, take a bit of heated coconut oil and massage it onto the scalp for 5 mins. Take a clean towel, and dip it in slightly hot water. Remove the excess water from the towel so that it is damp and wrap it around your head. This allows the oil to soak into the scalp extremely fast and well. Relax with the towel on for about 30 mins. Wash your hair with warm water and a mild shampoo, and start applying a hair mask once your hair is partially dried. To prepare a hair mask for dry and damaged hair, pour ½ cup (175 gm) of honey into a small dish. Stir in 1-2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) of olive oil and 1-2 tbsp (15 to 30 gm) of avocado or egg yolks. Apply the mask to your hair, wait for 20 minutes, then rinse it out with warm water. You can wear a shower cap on the damp hair while preparing the hair mask, as it would help trap the heat in the scalp, which in turn will allow the hair mask to seep in better.
Note: I use Parachute Coconut Oil and Organix Mantra Tea Tree Essential Oil.
Let us know in the comments section below if these remedies helped your hair trouble! We’d be happy to help you with FAQs.
