Considering its exposure to sun, wind and pollution, as well as all the colorings, perms, blow-drying and straightening we do to our hair, it’s no wonder that so many people have dry and damaged hair. If your hair is dry, and you don’t have the money for a salon treatment, you might be interested in some home remedies.
Food Treatments
You can use common foods to rescue your dry hair. One of them is the egg. Beat an egg in a cup of either milk or yogurt and squeeze in the juice of one lemon and 1 tbsp. of either coconut or olive oil. Massage this mixture into your hair, and then cover your head with a moist, warm towel. Leave this mixture on your head for an hour before rinsing it out with lime juice and warm water.
Mayonnaise is another food product you can use to moisturize your hair. Slather this condiment into your hair and leave there for five minutes to an hour before washing it out, according to Steven Docherty, senior art director at New York City’s Vidal Sassoon Salon
Believe it or not, beer can also give dry hair a healthy shine. Pour some beer in a spray bottle and spritz it on your hair before you blow-dry or style it. Don’t worry, the odor will disappear quickly, leaving your hair sleek and shiny.
Oil Treatments
Besides using foods as hair treatments and moisturizers, you can make your own hot-oil treatments with coconut oil. Measure a half cup of oil and four crushed almonds into a heat-resistant bowl. Steam the mixture by placing the bowl in a pan of hot water. When the mixture gets warm, apply it to your scalp, all the way down to the roots of your hair. Cover your head with a towel, leaving the oil treatment on for half an hour before shampooing it out of your hair.
Another hot-oil treatment combines 2 oz. of castor oil, 2 oz. of aloe vera gel, 8 drops of rosemary essential oil, 6 drops of rose geranium cedar essential oil and 2 drops of ginger essential oil. Warm the oil and apply it to your hair and scalp in sections. Then cover your head with a towel, and leave the treatment on your head for an hour before washing it out. Olive oil can be used in place of castor oil, but it is harder to rinse out.
Other Tips
If you wash your hair every day, you could be drying it out. Try washing it less often and going easy on the shampoo, always making sure that you use conditioner. You should also cut down on your hair’s exposure to heat. Instead, to straighten hair, use unheated plastic cylinder rollers on slightly moist hair for about 10 minutes. If you want your hair to be curly or wavy, use sponge rollers overnight or sleep with moist braids. Also try to protect your head from the sun and wind by wearing hats whenever you are outside. In the summer, use a swim cap while you are in the pool to protect your head from damaging chlorine.
By taking care of your hair, you can have shiny, healthy locks instead of a dry, damaged mane.