Left: Sheetal Rawal, scientist (human genetics) & founder of Apsara Skin Care
By: Marty S.
Home remedies by Sheetal Rawal
For those of us who have dreamed of getting soft and silky hair, it seems like there’s only one way you can get it, at the salon. It can be an utter disaster trying to get sleek hair at home. If you have ever seen a movie where a teenage girl tries to get rid of her dry or dull hair with the help of her plucky best friend, you just know that it won't end well.
Although it may be fun to be pampered at the salon, all that heat and those harsh chemicals they use to revitalize your dry hair can do some serious damage to it. Salons may get you soft hair, but you’re also at risk of hair fall, lack of hair growth, and brittle hair. Fortunately, there are natural ingredients that can be just as effective without the drawbacks. The natural ingredients listed below can help you attain hair that is shiny, sleek, and frizz-free.
1. Aloe Vera to Moisturize Hair & Reduce Frizz
One of the best ways to get soft hair is to moisturize it. When your hair is dry, it has a tendency to stiffen up and retain its shape. That’s why it is easier to brush your hair right after you shower than a few hours after your hair has dried. Even though we normally associate aloe vera with skin care because of its moisturizing properties, those same qualities can easily be used to soften our hair and improve its quality. Aloe vera consists of water, enzymes, amino acids, and other nutrients that can deeply penetrate your dry hair in order to soften it and boost your hair’s natural elasticity. Plus, aloe vera is a good source of hair-healthy vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin E and folic acid, so using aloe vera can also improve your hair quality and hair growth.
Ingredients
1 tbsp. of aloe vera
1 tsp. of almond oil
Instructions
Mix ingredients together.
Massage your hair and scalp with it very gently for 5 to 7 minutes.
Put a shower cap on and leave it on for 2 to 3 hours.
Wash it off with warm water and your mild shampoo. Follow with your conditioner.
Information
Using a shower cap is recommended because it is easy to clean up and it helps your hair retain heat.
“My skin before had patches, and ever since I started using ROOP, I’ve noticed that the patches have started fading away… It’s a great product, and I feel like it’s helped me a lot for my skin.”
2. Coconut Milk to Strengthen Your Hair
Similar to aloe vera, coconut milk is an excellent natural ingredient to moisturize and soften your dry hair. It contains essential nutrients such as Vitamin E and iron that your
hair depends on for healthy growth. Coconut milk also contains lauric acid, an antibacterial compound and fatty acid that can keep your scalp and hair free of infection. Furthermore, coconut milk has the added benefit of improving the luster of your hair, so by using coconut milk regularly, your hair will be both sleek and shiny.
Usage Tip
Using coconut milk, massage your hair and scalp for 5 to 7 minutes, running the coconut milk along the length of your hair. Wear a shower cap for 2 to 3 hours. Wash the coconut milk off with warm water and your mild shampoo. Follow with your conditioner.
3. Bananas to Hydrate & Soften Hair
Bananas are a good hair conditioner because it can bring an intense hydration to your dry hair to make it silkier. Bananas are also a good source of potassium and
protein, both of which are important for fighting hair loss and maintaining healthy hair. Using bananas in a mask can help control frizz as well as the curls in your hair.
Ingredients
Half a cup of banana pulp
3 tbsp. of sunflower oil
Instructions
Mix ingredients together.
Massage your hair and scalp with it very gently for 5 to 7 minutes.
Put a shower cap on and leave it on for 2 to 3 hours.
Wash it off with warm water and your mild shampoo. Follow with your conditioner.
4. Olive Oil to Deeply Nourish Hair
Thanks to its rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, olive oil deeply nourishes and conditions dry hair. Olive oil is also an emollient; its fatty acids lock in your hair’s natural moisture, ensuring that your hair is soft. Olive oil is good to use especially if your hair is dull and damaged.
Usage Tip
Warm up olive oil very gently. Using olive oil, massage your hair and scalp for 5 to 7 minutes, running the olive oil along the length of your hair. Wear a shower cap for 2 to 3 hours. Wash the olive oil off with warm water and your mild shampoo. Follow with your conditioner.
Information
Using oil that is hot can burn your hair and disfigure your scalp.
5. Castor Oil for Shiny & Sleek Hair
Like olive oil, castor oil is a hair nourisher, deeply penetrating the hair follicles and shafts in order to give it essential fatty acids, for example, ricinoleic acid. Ricinoleic acid is particularly beneficial for your hair because it has antibacterial properties; using it can keep your scalp and hair healthy. Castor oil is especially powerful if you use decided to use it as a warm oil remedy. When you heat up oil gently and massage it into your scalp and hair, the combination of heat and oil nourishment can relax hair and make it more likely to soften and be frizz-free.
Ingredients
¼ tsp. of castor oil
2 tbsp. of sesame oil
Instructions
Mix ingredients together.
Massage your hair and scalp with it very gently for 5 to 7 minutes.
Put a shower cap on and leave it on for 2 to 3 hours.
Wash it off with warm water and your mild shampoo. Follow with your conditioner.
In this video, you will learn how to get healthy hair using castor oil and avocados. Enjoy and please subscribe to my YouTube channel!
