Essential oils can provide a wide range of benefits for the scalp and hair. Mix together the following recipe, preferably in an amber bottle, for an aromatic and healthful oil treatment:
30ml of grapeseed oil
30ml of jojoba oil
3 drops of thyme essential oil
3 drops of lavender essential oil
3 drops of rosemary essential oil
3 drops of cedarwood essential oil
Apply as needed to moisturize, nourish, strengthen, and stimulate hair growth.
It is important to deep condition your hair once in awhile to keep it healthy, beautiful, and to help prevent future damage. If your hair is dry or over-processed, deep conditioning can replenish the hair strength and moisturize. To deep condition hair, apply a protein enriched conditioner from the roots to the ends. Next, cover your hair with a plastic cap or plastic wrap and sit under a hood dryer for at least 20 to 30 minutes and then rinse your hair. Heat is needed to help the conditioner penetrate the cuticle layers more efficiently. For optimum health, deep condition your hair one to two times a month.
A hair strand consists of three layers. The cuticle is the outer layer--this layer has an average of three to ten layers that should be tightly packed together. Proper moisturizing and conditioning are important to strengthen and protect the cuticle layers. The cortex is the next layer under the cuticle--this layer determines your natural hair color and is where all permanent chemical changes (relaxers, hair dye) take place. The medulla is the inner most layer--this protein layer is hollow, and the cuticle and cortex layers shape around it. Most hair damage occurs in the cuticle layer and in extreme cases, the damage can reach the cortex and medulla. Knowing and understanding the layers of a hair strand can help you make healthier choices for your hair.
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.