Hair Care

#OneMonthtoHealthyHair – Activity 8 – Weekend Hair Care Routine – II

Swathy · March 14, 2015 · 13 Comments

Wow, another weekend already! When I was deciding the topics for the month, I had been completely overwhelmed that how would I be able to manage so many hair care posts and what would I write everyday. Little did I know the time would fly. So, what are your plans for this weekend?

Pre-Wash Hair Treatment

Now, last time, I had mentioned to you that you can use egg or, for those who do not like egg, there is curd. This is just a variation of the same routine today but this for those who are really seriously into hair care and CAN actually bear some grossness. This is best done in evening or at NIGHT so that you can spend your day howsoever you want or if you know you are free for entire day, feel free to do it in the morning itself. Btw, if you have dandruff then please skip this!! Curd can increase your dandruff.

So, apply Curd (no egg, please), leave for an hour, wash off with water thoroughly. No Shampoo. That’s it!! Come out of the shower.

I know your hair might stink depending on your curd type. If the curd is a little fatty and sour, your hair WILL stink. Otherwise, it should be just fine. Leave it just like that overnight. If you do have essential oils, I would recommend adding a few drops of your favourite in the curd before application.

Actually, this was a remedy which I had used long back during my graduation on my friend’s recommendation. She had mentioned that her neighbour had actually used this method during the holidays and actually witness some serious hair growth. Well, it did work for me as well. And, this method had also helped me get super soft and light hair.

After the hair is dry or depending on your preference for oiling your hair, you can give yourself a soothing hot oil treatment tonight or tomorrow in the morning. After a wait of few hours, wash off your hair with shampoo and condition.

After-Wash Hair Treatment

Once you wash your hair, you make sure you follow with the after-wash treatment right when your hair is damp. That ensures maximum water retention.

Today, I would suggest you to try out this aloevera gel DIY which I had published long long back. This is simple and hassle-free to use and gives really good results as well. And, I really hope you got your essential oils! The DIY should be applied both on scalp and hair length. This applies on hair just like any hair gel would so do not worry about it.

And, till the time you actually get yourself some aloevera gel, follow the last weeks after-wash hair care routine!! And, make sure to take good care of your scalp. And, I really hope you have increased your protein intake and are regular with your scalp massages.

And, after you do this treatment, do not forget to share how did you like it? 🙂

#OneMonthtoHealthyHair – Supplements for hair growth?

Swathy · March 13, 2015 · 4 Comments

Yesterday got over very quickly! was what Mr. P said right after we got up today. Well, it has not been that easy for me though. Lately I have been learning quite a lot about perspectives and that is something I have saved for some other post.

The last few weeks have actually been very trying for me, teaching me a lot of things and actually testing me as to how much can I be optimistic. So far, I would not really say I have failed but I have not passed with flying colors either. Anyways, I know I am talking cryptically and in circles.

I do not want to really explain the circumstances as it would be a long story but the last few weeks have really been hard and I am grateful that I have been able to blog almost consistently and not abandoned the blog. So, the only thing I would like to convey is that Always be prepared. Do not procrastinate. You never know what is awaiting you right in the next second!.

And, on that note, I am keeping today simple and want to write down about something I have always wanted to!

There was a time when I would look around everywhere on the net about hair growth and whether it was forum or facebook chats or any other place, the only thing I would find was people discussing about which vitamins supplements would work for them! The funny thing is that I would notice them taking the supplements without any doctor’s recommendations or prescriptions.

#1. Aim at getting Vitamins from your Diet

Try to make changes in your diet and see if your nutritional deficiency gets overcome. In most of the cases, it would happen. unless it is a major problem inside your body in which you would any way need a doctor’s intervention.

If you think you are short of some vitamin in your body, it is better to get a doctor’s advise on it. And, then, follow whatever doctor advises. Otherwise, under no circumstances should you consider taking a supplement.

#2. Excess of Vitamins can wreak havoc in your body!

If you take an overdose of any vitamin, it can be harmful instead of doing good to your body and leads to vitamin toxicity.

#3. Not all Supplements are made the Same

For example, there has been a lot of controversy on fish oils and whether they are really as effective and are they safe for consumption. So, do you research well.

#4. Every Vitamin has a different pattern of dosage

This is extremely important to know. Every vitamin I have been prescribed till day comes with some or the other dosage pattern.

Some are supposed to be taken everyday for a week. give a break of a week or month and then continuing the dosage in similar pattern for a set number of time.

Some are supposed to be taken for a month and then a gap of one month and alternating in that way.

Some have to be taken only once a week, the ones which are high in dosage!

So, you should take those vitamins in the same way only and not following those instructions would either result in over-dosage or other issues. And, for the pattern, you have to consult a doc!

#5. Supplementing your Vitamins with other Minerals

So, it is really not enough to just take your vitamins regularly. They have to be supplemented in turn with a balanced diet as well. All the nutrients work in conjunction for a healthy body. So, this goes back to the #1 point actually that try to get your vitamins with a balanced diet.

So, those are my points in justification on why you should NOT take supplements without consulting a doctor. What do you say? Do you take any supplements on self-prescription or do you prefer to consult a doctor? Or, better still, do you take a balanced diet?

#OneMonthtoHealthyHair – Activity 7 – Dry Shampoo for Clean Scalp!

Swathy · March 12, 2015 · 10 Comments

I have always said and stressed on one thing – Clean Scalp! But, washing hair everyday is a bad idea, right? Even when using the most eco-friendly and hair-friendly products! May be we should all try out a hand at dry shampoo. These days we have lots of brands coming out with this product range. But, the good part is we can make it at home and at relatively less price and with great results!

So, I have this tip from one of our readers, Nayantara. She has tried her hands at making her own dry shampoo and she has shared her recipe and experience with us!

This is probably gross, but for anyone who is active it is a huge problem, especially with longer hair.

I exercise regularly and running especially makes my scalp extremely sweaty. I do not like to wash 5-6 days a week as my hair is fine and quite fragile and still end up washing my hair 3 times a week as my scalp used to itch constantly. I believe this led to dandruff which caused severe hair-fall. To ensure my scalp stays clean everyday, here is what I do on workout days in between wash days and post-exercise.

I use the blow-dryer on cool setting to dry out my scalp, making partings along the scalp and drying them individually. Then I use my own dry shampoo consisting of cornflour, cocoa powder and cinnamon powder + a drop or 2 of rosemary EO.

The first two ingredients can be mixed in equal proportions (say ¼ cup each) and ½ to 1 tsp cinnamon powder. You can also adjust it as you like. If you have a severe dandruff problem, increase the qty of rosemary EO to about 4-5 drops, but no more, as this helps in fighting scalp infections.

While cornflour on its own works as well, on dark hair the white particles show up more prominently. My mixture blends better with dark hair colour and provides more benefits to the hair as well. It can be kept in any old talc or a similar container.

How to Use? I dust it over the scalp and then scrub it in with my fingertips, leave for a few minutes to soak up excess oil and finally shake out the excess powder and use a wooden comb to get out the rest. I prefer a comb as my hair is curly but those with straight hair may prefer a hair-brush. However, try to use one with natural bristles that don’t damage your hair. And, voila! Clean scalp, smells awesome and is all natural + economical!

This also worked for me to get rid of the dandruff problem over the long term, apart from switching to SLS free shampoos and cone-free conditioners, which can aggravate scalp infections for some people, as it upsets the natural pH balance.

This is so true. I have always cribbed that if you are exposed to more pollution and dust and sweat or even if you workout everyday, washing your hair daily is the only solution. But, now we have another solution. I have never really tried any dry shampoo but have read about it umpteen number of times.

Rice flour and arrowroot powder are two of the most recommended ingredients for dry shampoo as they absorb the oil and cleanse the scalp. Sesame at Vivawoman has also shared her recipe for dry shampoo which uses arrowroot powder, corn starch, baking powder and rice flour!

I am thinking of trying it out as well. What do you say? Are you also willing to try it out?