Volume of your hair speaks volumes about your health!
A scaly scalp and brittle hair not only account for weak hair but are also a testimony to depressed health conditions. When we tend to have hair loss, we are most concerned about our hair, but we should actually be equally concerned about our health.
Hair loss may actually be an after-effect of prolonged health conditions and the best way to battle this, may not be switching to a better conditioning product, or a newer shampoo that advertises the hair you always desired with your favourite actress as the icing on the cake.
Changing your diet and taking health supplements may better target your apprehensions. This uneasiness may fade once you get the required amount of proteins, vitamins (especially A and C), omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.
Causes of hair loss
- Dandruff is among the most abhorred health conditions. Doctor’s do not have reasons to justify this skin condition, but it is most probably an after effect of stress, climatic conditions, oily skin and scalp.
- It may also be the result of aggravated fungal growth on the scalp. There are also chances that you may be suffering from some underlying skin disease which needs a dermatologist’s consultation.
- A gastric bypass surgery may also have led to some protein loss. One of the main causes of hair loss today is a protein deficient diet which results in hair thinning.
- Hypothyroidism is another ailment which may leave your hair limp and dry.
- Anaemia could also be the reason behind that extra hair loss every day. Though it is pretty normal to shed around 100 to 150 hair on a daily basis, that too without fretting the loss; if the number increases, you may have reasons to fret.
So what can be done to get long and shiny hair? Oiling? Conditioning? Wearing a headscarf when in harsh sunlight?
Undoubtedly, you need to follow all the three-regularly, but you also need to bring in a change from within. This change is directly related to what you eat, digest and assimilate and what pampering you offer your hair.
Sometimes… in fact most of the times, your body may not receive as many nutrients that may regularise the health of your hair follicles and scalp; you may require some natural hair masks to counter these symptoms of hair loss.
Hunt the benefits hiding in your kitchen for long and shiny hair:
#1. Onion Juice:
Onion juice has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties, it has sulphur that improves collagen production and increases blood circulation.
- For best results, use red onions.
- Chop the onions into small pieces.
- Squeeze out some juice and apply it to your scalp.
- This can be kept for 15 minutes to two hours.
- Rinse off with a mild shampoo.
#2. Potato juice:
- Potato juice limits hair thinning. It has vitamin A, B and C.
- Apply potato juice to your scalp and let it work for 15 minutes.
- Rinse with a mild shampoo.
- It is also a great remedy for facial sun burns and will repair and protect your hair against sun damage.
#3. Apple cider vinegar:
Each of our body parts has a unique pH level which needs to be maintained. A disturbance in this level causes pathogenic activity and a host of other problems. Apple cider vinegar cleanses the scalp of dirt particles, excess oil and dandruff while maintaining the accurate pH levels of the scalp.
For best results, dilute a little ACV in water and use as the final rinse, i.e. after you shampoo your hair. Get a cleaner scalp and long and shiny hair!
#4. Eggs:
Eggs are rich in protein and facilitate hair growth while providing them nourishment. The hair are shiner, healthier and of course longer. Make an egg mask; it provides your hair with the required supplements it needs in order to grow healthily.
- A teaspoon of each: honey and olive oil.
- You can also add a tablespoon of henna, just for conditioning purposes.
- Rinse it off with plain water.
You can either shampoo your hair or oil them, only to be shampooed the following day. Mixing these ingredients with the eggs decreases the odor of the eggs which is a no-no for most of us.
#5. Amla (Indian Gooseberry):
Amla for hair has been proved beneficial for years now. It is almost a basic ingredient and base in many herbal shampoos and oils. The vitamin C and anti-oxidants make it among the best remedies for long and shiny hair.
- Mix two teaspoons of dried amla powder (that is easily available in stores) with an equal quantity of lime juice.
- Spread it evenly, onto the entire scalp, wait till it dries. Rinse with lukewarm water.
#6. Green tea:
Green tea too, is a hub of benefits. If consumed regularly it causes excess fat to dissolve, when green tea bags are put on the eyes, they have a soothing effect and when put on the hair, they appear lustrous and stronger.
- Apply some warm green tea onto your scalp and let it sit.
- Rinse off with cold water the next morning.
#7. Avocado:
Avocado is great for moisture balancing. It fosters the growth of less frizzy hair that feels great. To make an avocado hydration mask, you need:
- One avocado.
- One egg.
- A tablespoon of jojoba or olive oil.
- A tablespoon of yogurt.
- First wash and towel dry your hair.
- Apply the above paste onto your scalp and hair up to the tips.
- Keep it for 10 minutes and wash with lukewarm water.
#8. Aloe vera:
- Aloe vera is a highly marketed and easily available natural product.
- Take two or three aloe vera leaves and collect the sap.
- Blend it till it has a fine paste like consistency, without adding any water to it.
- Wash your hair and saturate them with the blended Aloe Vera from roots to tips.
- Let it set for five minutes and wash off.
#9. Henna:
- Henna is known for its conditioning properties.
- It is also used as a natural hair colour by many; it also facilitates hair growth while keeping them smooth, soft, long and shiny.
- Make a henna pack by adding at least a cup of dry henna powder coupled with half the quantity of yogurt.
- Wear the mask and leave it on, until the pack dries.
- Wash it off with a mild shampoo.
- You can also add tea water, cloves, olive oil and an egg for better results.
Also Read: Men’s Grooming: Secrets To Maintaining Your Sexy Stubble
#10. Flax seed:
Flax seeds are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids that are perhaps the best kind of fatty acids known to mankind. They promote growth of healthy hair, keeping them smooth, shiny and enviable. The best way of gaining its benefits is by adding flax seed oil to your daily diet.
You can also make a concoction of this oil with other essential oils like: olive and coconut oil and leave it on your hair for about one to five hours before you washes it off with a mild shampoo.
Alternatively:
- Soak three tablespoonfuls of flax seeds in a bowl of water for five days.
- Apply this water to your hair with the help of some cotton balls.
- Wash off after a few hours.
#11. Coconut milk:
Coconut milk is also as beneficial as the oil. It fosters the growth of healthy, less-brittle hair that feel like that lustrous bunch you dreamt of. The essential fats, iron, potassium and protein content keep your mane gorgeous.
- Extract the milk and apply it all over your hair, especially the roots.
- Keep it overnight and let this natural conditioner to work wonders.
- Wash off your hair with cool water the next morning.
#12. Cayenne pepper:
If baldness is a cause of worry, this red pepper may have the solution in store for you. It decreases hair thinning by encouraging hair growth and blood circulation in the scalp.
Cayenne pepper for long and shiny hair
- Apply a teaspoon of dried cayenne pepper powder mixed with two teaspoons of olive oil
- Apply this mixture all over the scalp, targeting the most affected areas and bald patches.
- Keep this for a few minutes and rinse off with cool water.
Our kitchen has a range of benefits to offer which either target our taste buds and offer us strength internally or offer natural cosmetics whose external application leaves our skin glowing and gives us long and shiny hair.
The home remedies mentioned above are just a drop in the sea. There are so many more to explore and exploit. So, dig out you kitchen for home remedies, that have permanent, positive effects without any side-effects.
