How to maintain healthy hair?

Hair is one of the important aspects of our life. Hair fall, bald patches, thinning hair, dandruff etc make us conscious which in turn builds an inferiority complex. Natural remedies come with no side effects hence trying DIY hair masks can result in no harm to hair care.

Sulfate-free shampoo and conditioners can prevent hair damage. However, trying new hair products can be tricky because once you start losing hair then it is difficult to bring them back. Hence it is very important to take care of your hair from the beginning. Even if you don’t have any hair problems, you should make sure that hair is getting all nutrients.

Following a regular haircare routine is always recommended. Regular hair massage, shampooing, using hair masks are a few of the main steps to be included in this routine. Along with this, you should be aware of must-know hair care tips in order to have healthy hair.

Let us look at those hair masks which can be easily prepared at home. One thing to highlight is, these come with no side effects!

1) Aloe Vera and Castor Oil Hair Mask

Ingredients;
  • 1 Long Aloe Vera Leaf
  • 1 Tablespoon of Castor oil
How to apply;
  • Take out the gel from Aloe Vera Leaf.
  • Add Castor oil into the bowl and combine everything properly.
  • Apply this mixture to the scalp and then to the entire hair.
  • Use a comb to spread the mixture evenly throughout the length of the hair.
  • Leave for 30 minutes and then wash with your regular shampoo.
Why this works?

Natural enzymes in Aloe Vera repairs dead skin cells of the scalp, removes dandruff, cures itchy scalp, and thus improves overall scalp health. Aloe Vera also acts like a natural conditioner leaving hair smooth and shiny.

On the other hand, Castor oil is known for its hair care benefits. Castor oil promotes hair growth by enhancing the health of hair follicles. When Aloe Vera & Castor Oil are combined together it is definitely one of the best hair masks. You can use Aloe Vera gel as well but for more accurate results use the Aloe Vera directly from the plant.

2)  Fenugreek Seeds and Yogurt Hair Mask

Ingredients;
  • 20g Fenugreek Seeds
  • 1 cup Yogurt
How to apply;
  • Soak fenugreek seeds overnight.
  • Next morning grind these soaked seeds by adding little water into a fine paste.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of thick curd and combine well. You can add lemon juice for the extra benefits.
  • Apply this mixture gently on scalp and hair. Leave for 1 hour or until the mixture completely dries out.
  • Rinse off using your regular shampoo. Fenugreek seeds leave residues if not washed properly.
Why this works?

Most of us are not aware of the hair care benefits of Fenugreek seeds. Fenugreek strengthens hair from roots and also nourishes hair by its conditioning properties. You can find these in any Indian store or on the Amazon website. Yogurt is another easily available natural ingredient that is good for hair growth. Yogurt fights hair damage such as thinning, split ends, dull hair etc. Yogurt provides proteins and vitamins which are required for healthy hair growth. Combination of Fenugreek seeds and Yogurt acts as perfect hair maks by repairing the damaged hair, providing nourishment, and hydration to hair.

Tip

Add few fenugreek seeds into your regular oil. Warm the oil before applying into the hair and scalp. Regular use of this method improves overall hair health.

3) Egg and Henna Powder Hair Mask

Ingredients;
  • Henna Powder (Quantity depends on the hair length)
  • One Egg
How to apply;
  • Take a bowl full of Henna (Use 100% natural Henna Powder).
  • Add Egg White and Yolk to this and mix well.
  • Combine the whole mixture by adding little water until you get the medium-thin paste. The mixture should not be thick or too thin.
  • Use gloves while applying this hair mask to prevent coloring of your hand. Also, make sure to cover your ears and forehead.
  • Use a brush and apply evenly on the scalp and hair.
  • Make sure to cover every inch of the scalp and the entire length of hair. Wear a shower cap and leave for 2-3 hours.
  • Your head may feel heavy because of the Henna powder.
  • First, rinse off the henna completely from the hair, and then use shampoo. If it didn’t wash away completely during the first wash you can take another hair wash.
Why this works?

Egg white and yolk have their own ways of nourishing hair. Applying just egg makes your hair silky and shiny. However, the smell of the egg is difficult to remove from hair that’s why it is best to combine it with other ingredients.

Henna is a plant known for its color and hair care. When you grind the leaves of the Henna plant and apply the paste on the skin it leaves an Orange (reddish) color hence can be used to decorate hands and legs. This paste can also be used to dye hair temporarily. Henna helps with hair growth by treating from roots and hydrates hair for a longer time.

Henna has a strong soothing smell hence it empowers the bad egg smell when applied on hair. After applying this combo hair smells great and restores its shine.

 

4) Onion and Argan Oil Hair Mask

Ingredients;
  • 1 Red Onion
  • 1 Tablespoon Argan Oil
How to apply;
  • Grate onion into a bowl (Recommended!). Onion has a grumpy smell which brings tears to the eyes. If you don’t like the strong smell of onion, cut it into small pieces, boil them in water, cool it down, and then apply this water to the scalp.
  • Add Argan oil to the grated onion and mix well.
  • Apply this mixture to scalp and hair roots.
  • Leave for 30 minutes and then wash with regular shampoo.
Why this works;

Sulfur helps in collagen production which in turn promotes hair growth. Since Onion is rich in sulfur, people are vouching about Onion for hair growth.

Argan oil comes from the kernels of the Argan plant. It is rich in Vitamin E which is essential for healthy hair growth. Argan oil also has antioxidants, fatty acids which help in recovering dull, lifeless hair.

While onion promotes hair growth by preventing hair fall, Argan oil provides nourishment making the hair look beautiful. This hair mask can be used by people who are suffering from hair loss and dull hair.

Tip

In any type of hair mask, wrapping hot towel before a few minutes of washing hair helps to absorb the ingredients. This method also improves hair texture.

 

5) Mustard, Olive oil and Lemon Hair Mask

Ingredients;
  • 2 Tablespoon of Mustard Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • Half Lemon
How to apply;
  • Mix mustard powder, olive oil and lemon in a bowl.
  • Mix well, apply this mixture from roots to ends.
  • Leave for 40 minutes. Wash with lukewarm water.
Why this works?

Mustard helps with blood circulation in the scalp thus promotes new hair growth. Blood circulation helps to strengthen hair from roots and prevents hair damage in the long run.

Olive oil takes care of dandruff and other scalp related problems. It also adds hydration to hair hence good for people with dry hair. Lemon is full of vitamin C which promotes collagen production.

Combination of Mustard, Olive oil and Lemon juice works as a complete package to hair growth. This hair mask takes care of hair from scalp to ends by making sure hair gets required care.

6) Hibiscus Powder and Tea Tree Oil Hair Mask

Ingredients;
  • 4 Tablespoon of Hibiscus Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Tea Tree Oil
How to apply;
  • Mix Hibiscus Powder with Tea tree oil.
  • Wash your hair with no conditioner on the previous night.
  • Apply this hair mask the next day on dry hair, leave it for 1 hour and then wash with shampoo & conditioner.
Why this works?

The Hibiscus plant has many hair care properties which many are not aware of. This herb is rich in vitamin C, flowers help with scalp blood circulation, and promotes regrowth of hair. You can use both leaves and flowers directly for this hair mask. However, finding hibiscus plants is difficult hence we can get ready-made hibiscus powder online.

Tea tree oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties, it is used in a wide range of skin and hair care products. Tea tree oil helps to clean hair thoroughly and keeps it healthy. Hence Body shop has created many products with tea tree oil as the main ingredient.

Hibiscus powder can be mixed with Tea tree oil to make the DIY hair mask. While the hibiscus takes care of hair growth and prevents damage, Tea tree oil helps with moisturization and softness of hair.

Tip

Adding Henna to this mask makes your hair red and hence you can color your hair easily at home.

 

7) Avocado and Coconut Oil Hair Mask

Ingredients;
  • 1 Large Ripe Avocado
  • 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
  • 1/2 Tablespoon ACV
How to apply;
  • Mash Avocado without any lumps
  • Mix coconut oil, and then add ACV. You can test the amount of ACV on your scalp, if it is not irritating or burning then increase the amount accordingly.
  • Apply the mixture and leave at least for an hour.
  • Finally, rinse off with regular shampoo and conditioner.
Why this works?

Avocado maintains the moisturization of hair by locking the hydration and boosts volume. It gives life to dull and damaged hair. Coconut oil has many hair care benefits and one of them is promoting the growth of hair follicles.

The scalp is the main thing that needs to be taken care of when it comes to hair health. ACV helps to keep the scalp clean, dandruff-free, promotes blood circulation, and thus sets the foundation for strong and thick hair.

Thus combining Avocado, AVC, and coconut oil can be the most effective hair mask. These ingredients control the hair fall and help to regrow hair along with maintaining healthy hair texture.