Healthy and beautiful hair - the bestdecoration and the main symbol of femininity. Long and shiny locks are a sign of good health, feminine inner strength. So let's urgently figure out how to strengthen hair! The visible segment of the hair is called the shaft. The part that is under the skin is the root or bulb. The shaft is surrounded by an outer layer (cuticle), which performs a protective function. When the cuticle scales are tightly pressed against each other, the hair looks smooth, silky and shiny. If the surface of the cuticle is damaged, the hair becomes dull and the ends split. The hair root is nourished by the sebaceous gland with a special secretion. If there is little secretion, the hair is dry and dull, if there is too much, it quickly gets dirty and looks untidy. So, we have briefly studied the theory, and now let's look at practical advice.
Rules for basic hair care
First of all, choose a shampoo that is suitablefor your hair type. If the shampoo dries out the ends, pay attention to its composition. Most shampoos use sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as a foaming base. Such shampoos foam well and wash your curls "squeaky clean", but often dry them out. If this is your case, pay attention to sulfate-free shampoos with softer washing bases. It is best to give preference to natural products without dyes, with a weak, non-chemical aroma and with slight foaming. After shampooing, be sure to use a conditioner. This product helps to "seal" the hair scales that opened during washing and smooth them out. This means that the curls will be smooth and shiny. When taking a shower, remember that the water for washing your hair should be cool, at room temperature. If your hair is oily at the roots and dry at the ends, apply shampoo only to the scalp. The ends of your hair will wash themselves when you rinse off the foam. When drying your hair, do not rub it under any circumstances. Just gently blot your hair with a towel so that it absorbs excess moisture, and dry your hair naturally. A plastic comb can cause great harm to your hair. The fact is that under the influence of static electricity, not only the hair itself fluffs up, but also its scales - particles of the cuticle, which negatively affects the condition and appearance of your hairstyle. A wooden comb would be a good alternative. But let it be made of hardwood - ash or oak. Softer wood, birch or pine, will be damaged over time and covered with small burrs, and your hair will split. Another great option is a pig bristle brush. It does not electrify or damage your hair. A massage comb with rounded teeth will also come in handy. Combing gently with it, without damaging the scalp, stimulates the nerve endings and activates the blood circulation of the skin, which in turn strengthens the hair and stimulates its growth. And try to take note of a little trick from our great-grandmothers. Braid your locks at night. It is believed that hair rests only when it is gathered, and during sleep it will tangle less. But no tight ponytails!
Beauty menu: hair food inside and out
The condition of the hair depends on the nutrition of the wholeof the body, the flow of proteins, keratins, ceramides, fats and microelements through the blood into the hair follicle. For healthy hair, include foods rich in calcium, iron and protein in your diet. These are greens, vegetables, fatty fish, beans, nuts, eggs, whole grains, white meat, sprouted wheat, cottage cheese. Listen to your body, try to grasp the relationship between your diet and the condition of your hair, and it will suggest a recipe for its health that suits you. The amount and condition of hair primarily depend on genetics, but proper care can significantly improve their appearance. Basic vegetable oils have proven themselves to be excellent - 100% natural oils rich in essential fatty acids. They can be used both in pure form and in the form of mixtures with other oils. Here is a list of the best basic oils for strengthening hair:
- castor oil (nourishes, strengthens, stimulates growth);
- burdock oil (strengthens the capillary circulation, restores metabolism in the scalp, nourishes and strengthens the roots and structure);
- olive oil (contains a whole complex of various vitamins that contribute to health, recovery, and rapid growth);
- coconut oil (makes hair shiny, moisturizes and restores them);
- avocado oil (improves structure, has natural sun protection properties);
- Almond oil (feeding roots, stimulates their hair growth and makes them elastic).
Eating essential oils
A base oil or a mixture of oils can be usedenrich with esters. Essential oil is a fragrant mixture of liquid volatile substances isolated from plant materials by distillation, extraction or pressing. The most powerful hair growth stimulant is bay oil. Here is a list of essential oils that will strengthen your hair:
- essential oil of lavender;
- essential oil ylang-ylang;
- essential oil of rosemary,
- essential oil of juniper;
- essential oil of cinnamon;
- essential oil bei.
Esters must be mixed in vegetable oil.base oil and only then apply to the scalp and hair. The general rule is: for 50 ml of base oil, take no more than 10 drops of essential oils. The finished mixture should be heated in a water bath or rubbed in your palms and applied to the hair and scalp. Leave for at least 20 minutes, or overnight. You can put on a plastic cap and warm your head with a towel for a better penetrating effect. If you apply oil to the scalp, keep in mind that it can clog pores, so do not do this mask too often. Speaking about the strengthening effect, it is worth noting that the hair roots need strengthening first of all, so as a bonus we will get their enhanced growth. In general, you need to select oils and the method of their application individually, depending on the characteristics and needs of your curls, having previously conducted an allergy test. Some oils are dangerous for pregnant and nursing mothers, so carefully read the instructions and beware of fakes and synthetic analogues.
Peeling, aromatherapy and other ways of healing hair
How to strengthen hair additionally?Salt peeling for the scalp gives a good effect. It cleanses the skin from dead cells, stimulates hair growth, nourishes the scalp with microelements and prevents hair loss, strengthening it. To prepare the peeling, you will need a handful of sea salt, 2 drops of essential oils, for example, lavender and bay. Mix all the ingredients and add enough water so that the mass acquires the consistency of a scrub. Apply everything to damp hair and massage for 5-7 minutes. One of the simplest and most pleasant ways to care for your curls is aroma combing. Add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to a wooden or bristle comb and slowly, thoughtfully comb your hair. That's it, you don't need to wash off the oil. The procedure will improve the health of the roots and strengthen them. A mask made from onion juice is also very good for strengthening the roots. To prepare it, grate an onion, squeeze the juice through cheesecloth, rub it into the scalp, hide everything under cellophane and keep it warm. Wash off after about an hour. The mask works very well, strengthening the hair roots, but has one downside - the onion smell, which will remind you of itself for a long time. Another great recipe is rinsing with herbal decoctions. The most useful rinse will be with nettle. It is rich in a variety of vitamins and microelements. And nettle has more vitamin C than apples and lemons, but it is not suitable for light and especially for bleached hair. There is one nuance. Nettle can give a greenish tint to light and bleached hair. But chamomile will give them a sunny shine. Henna has also been used since ancient times to strengthen hair. In masks made from it, 100 g of colorless henna is usually taken per 300 ml of very hot water. The dishes should be ceramic or glass, metal spoons cannot be used for mixing. The duration of the procedure is from 30 minutes to 1 hour. The peculiarity of henna masks is that the hair thickens, becomes shinier and splits less. Of course, these are far from all the recipes with which you can strengthen your hair. Stick to the basic rules, combine masks, oils and decoctions, try, and you will definitely find something that your hair will like. Good luck!
