Shaheen Naser
Isn’t your hair a blessing in disguise? Styling it gives you an instant makeover, coloring it gives you a boost of confidence, and a new haircut means a new persona altogether!
But the result? Hair that is dry, damaged, and coarse. You seldom realize what all the constant heat styling, blow drying, and chemical treatments do to your lovely tresses. But if you would like to prevent all that harm to your hair, you must remember something – moisturizing is key to pamper your locks.
In this article, we have discussed how you can achieve this – with simple and natural home remedies.
Table Of Contents
Why Do You Need To Moisturize Your Hair?
Moisturizing your hair regularly is necessary because the natural moisture levels of your hair tend to change with the changing seasons.
When fall transitions into winter, your hair may feel drier. Exposure to cold air as well as indoor heaters may also contribute to dry and damaged hair.
Other factors that can lead to dry hair are discussed below.
What Causes Your Hair To Become Dry?
Factors that may cause your hair to become dry are:
- Your scalp doesn’t produce enough oil.
- Heat-styling using blow dryers, straighteners, curling iron, etc.
- Hair coloring and other chemical treatments.
- Overwashing your hair.
- Using harsh shampoos.
- Not conditioning your hair regularly.
- Exposure to changing climate, chlorine, and/or saltwater.
- Use of combs or poor quality brushes.
However, your hair need not remain lifeless. Try out any of the following DIY home remedies to get back to your soft and lush mane.
Homemade DIY Hair Moisturizers
1. Coconut Oil
The moisturizing properties of coconut oil prevent protein loss from the hair strands after every wash (1). This keeps your hair soft and supple.
You Will Need
Virgin coconut oil (as required)
What You Have To Do
- Apply virgin coconut oil to your hair and scalp.
- Massage gently for a couple of minutes.
- Leave it on for an hour.
- Rinse your hair with a mild shampoo and follow up with a conditioner.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this 1-2 times a week.
2. Banana And Olive Oil
Banana and olive oil exhibit moisturizing properties (2), (3). Both these ingredients may work together to hydrate your hair and make it soft.
You Will Need
- 1 ripe banana
- 1-2 tablespoons of virgin olive oil
What You Have To Do
- Blend a ripe banana and with one to two tablespoons of virgin olive oil.
- Apply the mixture to wet hair and scalp.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse with water.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this once a week.
3. Pumpkin Seed Oil And Honey
Honey is an excellent moisturizer and is used in the formulation of hair conditioners (4). Pumpkin seed oil may help prevent hair fall (5).
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of pumpkin seed oil
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
What You Have To Do
- Mix pumpkin seed and coconut oils with honey.
- Blend the mixture and apply it to wet hair.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with a mild cleanser and water.
- Follow up with a conditioner.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this 1-2 times a week for best results.
4. Shea Butter
Shea butter exhibits excellent emollient properties that can be used to treat dry and damaged hair (6).
You Will Need
1-2 tablespoons of shea butter
What You Have To Do
- Warm one to two tablespoons of shea butter.
- Apply to your scalp and hair.
- Massage gently and leave it on for 30-60 minutes.
- Rinse with a mild cleanser and follow up with a conditioner.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this 1-2 times per week.
5. Aloe Vera And Lavender
Aloe vera exhibits photoprotective effects that can help in preventing hair damage caused by the harsh sun rays (7). Lavender oil can help promote hair growth while leaving your hair smelling pleasant all day long (8).
You Will Need
- ÂĽ cup of aloe vera gel
- 1 cup of water
- 2-3 drops of lavender oil
What You Have To Do
- Blend the aloe gel with a cup of water.
- Add two to three drops of lavender oil to it and mix well.
- Transfer the content to a spray bottle.
- Spray it onto your hair and scalp whenever required.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this once daily or as required.
6. Raw Egg And Olive Oil
The moisturizing properties of olive oil, combined with the hair growth-promoting activity of one of its compounds called oleuropein, can help in treating dry, damaged hair (9). Raw eggs are also high in fats and proteins that make them potential natural moisturizers (10).
You Will Need
- 1 raw egg
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
What You Have To Do
- Take a whole egg and blend its contents with two tablespoons of olive oil.
- Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp.
- Cover your head with a towel and wait for 30-60 minutes.
- Rinse your hair with a mild cleanser and follow up with a conditioner.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this once every week or two.
All these remedies may make your hair soft and keep it well moisturized. However, to prevent recurring damage to your hair, you may also consider following certain prevention tips.
Preventing Dryness Of Hair
- Follow a well-balanced and healthy diet that provides your body with significant nutrients.
- Condition your hair every time you shampoo it.
- Avoid heat-styling your hair as much as you can.
- Limit chemical treatments on your hair.
- Indulge in a warm oil scalp massage every now and then.
- Do not use a poor quality comb or brush while brushing your hair.
- Do not comb your hair when it is wet.
- Avoid sporting tight hairstyles.
- Protect your hair by wearing hats or scarves while going out in the sun.
These tips can prevent recurring hair damage. With time, you will also see your dry and coarse hair turning softer and more manageable.
Did we address all your issues related to dry hair? Let us know by leaving a comment in the box below.
Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions
Can bad brushing cause dry hair?
Yes, brushing your hair using a steel comb or any other low-quality comb can cause your hair strands to become damaged and dry.
How often should I wash my hair?
If you have dry hair, you should wash it no more than twice a week. But if you have oily hair, you may need to wash it daily. The number of times you need to wash your hair depends on your hair type.
How to moisturize the scalp without making your hair greasy?
You can moisturize your scalp as well as hair by using any of the remedies discussed above. To avoid making your hair greasy, apply the mentioned concoctions to your scalp and not to your hair. However, to treat your damaged hair cuticles, you should use the remedies to your hair strands as well. Rinsing the mixture off your hair using a mild cleanser can eliminate the greasiness.
Can overwashing and under-conditioning dry your hair?
Yes, overwashing hair and not conditioning it enough can dry out your hair and even damage it.
Can exposing your hair to too much sun, wind, chlorine, and saltwater make it dry?
Yes, exposing your hair to changing climate and other damaging factors like chlorine and saltwater can make your hair dry and brittle in the long run.
References
- “Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage.” Journal of Cosmetic Science, US National Library Of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
- “Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Banana” Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, US National Library Of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
- “Shampoo and conditioners…” Indian Journal of Dermatology, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
- “Medicinal and cosmetic uses of Bee’s Honey – A review” Ayu, US National Library Of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
- “Complementary and alternative treatments for…” Skin Appendage Disorders, Karger.
- “Effects of topical and dietary use…” American Journal of Life Sciences.
- “Aloe vera: Potential candidate in health management via modulation of biological activities” Pharmacognosy Reviews, US National Library Of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
- “Hair Growth-Promoting Effects of Lavender Oil in C57BL/6 Mice” Toxicological Research, US National Library Of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
- “Topical Application of Oleuropein Induces Anagen Hair Growth in Telogen Mouse Skin” PLoS ONE, US National Library Of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
- “Soft & silky hair” Berkeley School of Public Health.
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