Tips to help keep your hair healthy and beautiful between salon visits.
The scalp, like the rest of the skin on your body, is susceptible to sunburn. Sunburns on the scalp can lead to dryness, itching, flakes, hair loss, and even baldness. If you are going to spend an extended amount of time in direct sun, remember to protect your scalp by wearing a scarf or hat.
Potatoes are rich in many vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B Complex, which are all very beneficial for your hair. The following is a well-known natural remedy to accelerate hair growth: Peel and then boil 3 to 4 potatoes for about 15 minutes. Remove the potatoes and let the water cool. Wash your hair and then rinse it with the potato water. The potato water will strengthen your hair roots and energize your scalp. For best results, use the water the same day.
Not all alcohol dries out hair and causes frizz--some types of alcohol, such as fatty alcohols, can actually draw in moisture and help prevent hydration loss. Lauryl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Myristyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, and Behenyl alcohol are all fatty alcohols that are typically derived from various natural sources such as coconut. These fatty alcohols are usually found in moisturizers and conditioners and can give a smooth, soft feeling to the hair shaft by helping the cuticle to lie flat on the surface of the hair. You don't have to feel guilty for using a product containing a fatty alcohol as long as you are happy with the results, and your hair looks and feels healthy.
There are so many different ways to moisturize natural hair that one can get confused about which regimen to choose. Unfortunately there is no exact answer, and the only way to find what works best for your hair type is by trial and error. One option is to apply about a nickel-sized amount of a light lotion or cream leave-in conditioner. These are usually labeled "daily conditioner" and list water as the first ingredient. You could then seal your hair with a nickel-sized amount of grapeseed, almond, or jojoba oil--all which are very effective. Another option is to mix 1 tablespoon of the conditioner with 1 pint of distilled water and put it in a spray bottle. Spritz your hair to moisturize and then seal with the oil of your choice. Remember to concentrate mostly on your ends and to wash your hair frequently to avoid product buildup.
