We have all experienced days when our tresses are dry, frizzy, and refuse to be tamed. Hair care is an area on which we spend a lot of time and money. Most of the hair care creams, gels, and mousses flooding the market have ingredients present in your own kitchen. Most of your hair care woes can be solved by simply using these common kitchen essentials.
Composition of hair
Your hair is essentially non-living fibers and is composed of amino acids and proteins. Hair is made up of a protein called keratin which gives your hair flexibility and strength. It is also impermeable to water and thus protects your hair.
A strand of hair has three parts:
- Medulla: It is the innermost oil producing layer.
- Cuticle: It is protective and thin. It is the part that nourishes hair and helps it grow.
- Cortex: It adds elasticity and bounces to your hair. It is the main component of hair.
Why does hair fall?
On an average, we lose about 100 strands of hair every day. Your hair strength and hair fall rate are altered by factors such as hormones, genetics, diet, stress, and any diseases you are suffering from. Diseases such as overactive or underactive thyroid gland and disorders such as polycystic ovary can make your hair limp and increase hair fall.
Kitchen hacks for your hair
From dry hair too oily hair, frizzy hair to split ends- your kitchen has all the things you need for a luscious mane.
- Tea therapy for your tresses
Tea not only relaxes you after a long day at work, it can also work wonders for your hair.
- Tea boosts hair growth and also produces compounds that retard hair loss.
- Tea also has tannin that helps in maintaining the acid base pH of your scalp. For those with dry hair tea hydrates and moisturizes your scalp. If you have oily hair it regulates oil production and lowers sebum.
- Tea has anti inflammatory properties that soothe the scalp and prevent irritation and dandruff.
- Tea has vitamin C and vitamin E that strengthen and nourish your hair making it glossy and shiny. Tea leaves contain panthenol that can also cure split ends.
- Sage (Kari Patta) infused tea is known for its effects in reversing graying of hair and it also prevents thinning.
- Black tea darkens your hair and makes it glossy.
How to use this: Add 2-3 tea bags or tea leaves to warm water. Keep periodically stirring for an hour. Rinse your hair with this tea enriched water after your regular shampoo. Wash off with normal water.
- Besan (gram flour) hair pack
Besan not only has cleansing properties but also exfoliates. A besan pack acts as a natural conditioner and makes your hair softer. It nourishes the scalp and also makes your hair longer.
How to use this: Add a few tablespoons of besan in a bowl. Squeeze a lemon and add a few drops to the besan. Now pour some curd in the bowl. Mix the batter vigorously. If you want, you can use a hand mixer. Ensure the consistency is not thick otherwise the gram flour may not be washed off easily.
- Honey
With its antibacterial properties, honey can make sure your scalp is rid of any unwanted bacteria, lice, or worms. It also has moisturizing properties because it draws water and oil to your scalp. It also repairs damaged hair.
How to use it: Add water to honey to make it thinner. You can also add olive oil to the mix for an even healthier scalp.
- Hot oil
Oiling is one of the most effective treatments for dry hair. You can customize the mix to suit your hair needs. The oils mix also repairs split ends.
How to use it: Take a few teaspoons of almond oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and olive oil in a pot. Warm it gently. Don’t overheat. Massage the blend onto your scalp and let it stay. Wash your hair after 30 minutes.
-
Beer
Yes don’t drink it but wash your hair with it! Beer is fermented so it has vitamin B and proteins that moisturize your tresses and also repair damaged hair. The malt in beer restores your hair’s volume. It is also known to reduce dandruff.
How to use: Coat your hair with beer. Rinse and dry to a healthy mane.
So the next time you have hair woes, head straight to your kitchen!