Healthy Hair: Your Crowning Glory :: Beauty

Healthy Hair: Your Crowning Glory
by author Sherina Jamal

Soft, shiny and manageable–hair that begs to be touched! It seems that everybody wants trend-setting hair like Jennifer Anniston or Brad Pitt. But before investing in a haircut with a hefty price tag, start by examining the hair products you use, your hair care routine and the foods you eat. All of these play a part in keeping your hair healthy and glorious.

These days, shampoos and other hair care products containing high percentages of chemical ingredients are used on a regular basis. The majority of shampoos on the market are created with synthetic lathering agents also used in industrial cleaners. These lathering agents can help to remove excess dirt and oil in the hair; however, they can strip away the necessary oil needed to keep the hair healthy. Long-term use of these lathering agents makes the scalp and hair dry and also produces buildup on the scalp, causing the pores to become blocked. When the pores become blocked, the hair can fall out or become dry and brittle.

What’s in Your Shampoo?

Sodium laurel sulphate (SLS) is one of the more common chemical lathering agents used in products. It is usually listed second on the ingredient list after water, which indicates that a high percentage has been added. Some companies claim that sodium laurel sulphate is derived from coconut and so is natural. Not true. While one of the original components used to create SLS could be coconut, the finished product undergoes many chemical processes and other synthetic ingredients are added. The end result is a chemical that has no nutritional value.

Other chemical lathering and foaming agents found in shampoos and conditioners are sodium laureth sulphate, sodium cetyl sulphate and ammonium laurel sulphate. All of these should be avoided. Shampoos and conditioners may also contain artificial colours and fragrances that can cause irritation to the scalp.

When shopping for shampoos, try to avoid those that contain the above-mentioned chemical lathering agents. Natural lathering agents made from corn and sugars are available in some health food stores.

Natural Solutions

More and more men and women are suffering from premature hair thinning, hair loss, dry/damaged hair and scalp eruptions, but there are natural alternatives that can help.

To remove chemical buildup and restore pH balance to the hair and scalp, try this home recipe:

1 cup (250 ml) purified or distilled water
3 Tbsp (45 ml) apple cider vinegar.

Optional:

For dry hair add: five drops pure rosemary essential oil.
For dandruff add: four to five drops of tea tree oil.
For thinning hair add: three drops of rosemary, two drops cedarwood and two drops sage.
For oily hair add: three drops lemon, two drops cedarwood. Or add five drops of lavender oil.

Dampen the hair. Apply the above mixture to the hair and scalp. Massage through for even distribution. Leave on for five to seven minutes and rinse. This treatment can be done once or twice a week.

Condition Your Mane

Chemicals can strip away the protective oil from the hair and scalp, as well as create dry, split ends. Regular conditioning of the hair is important to re-nourish and rehydrate the hair follicles. For this remedy, you’ll need:

4 Tbsp (60 ml) yogurt
1 tsp (5 ml) olive oil
2 Tbsp (30 g) soy protein powder.

Blend well until smooth. Apply all over the hair and massage into the scalp. Cover the hair in a shower cap or towel and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash twice.

Massage Your Scalp

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Sherina Jamal is a contributing beauty writer for several health magazines and the founder of Ancient Secrets, a company that produces natural skin and body care products.

Source: alive #234, April 2002

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