Restore that lost shine

When it comes to hair, the attitude of the people varies differently from one person to another depending on the viewer’s cultural and historical perspective. Sometimes it’s the texture and style, or the colour of the hair that matters, and sometimes it is used for indicating the personal beliefs or social position of the person.

But, whatever is the hair type or colour every single human being needs to take a good care of their hair in all the seasons as hair sometimes is taken as “prized possession”.

Use of chemicals in hair
Beautifying the hair has become almost a day to day habit or rather an obsession in teens. Starting from colouring their hair as in applying streaks or shades or highlights to straightening and curling, everything brings a new look in the fashion or style of an individual. But are they concerned about the all-time present danger? According to the hair experts, there are certain chemicals that can cause headaches, nausea or fatigue. Some can even cause cancer.

Isopropyl alcohol, found in the rinses of some hair colour and lotions is a solvent chemical, inhaling it might lead to headaches, dizziness and nausea. Propylene glycol is a wetting agent, which is used in the shampoos and conditioners as a base.

It easily penetrates the skin, and takes away the protein causing it to sag. A petroleum product that is used in a number of personal care and cleaning products is polyethylene glycol. Chemicals like these are really harmful for the growth of hair and sometimes it also lead to hair fall and whitening of hair.

Home remedies to hair treatment

• Olive oil

Apply warm olive oil on scalp and massage gently for a few minutes. Cover the hair with a warm towel and leave it on for about 30 minutes. Finally, shampoo and condition your hair. Follow the process once in a week.

• Avocado oil

Add one egg yolk and enough coconut milk to one mashed ripe avocado. Mix it to a thin paste. Apply it both on your scalp and hair and massage it in for 5-10 minutes in circular motions. Cover your hair for an hour and rinse it off with lukewarm water. Then shampoo as usual. Follow this method on alternate weeks.

• Egg

Apply whisked egg on your scalp and hair and massage it. Keep it covered with a shower cap and let it stay for 20 minutes. Rinse your hair with cool water and shampoo as usual. Follow this method once in every two weeks.

• Aloe Vera

Apply a few drops of aloe vera juice directly on the damaged parts of your hair. Leave it on for about 10 to 15 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water or mix the aloe vera juice with warm coconut oil and apply it all over your head and scalp. Let it set for half-an-hour and wash it off with shampoo.

• Coconut oil

Mix three tablespoons of warm coconut oil in 1/4 cup of honey alternatively. Blend thoroughly and apply it on wet hair. Let it sit for 30 minutes and rinse it off with warm water. Repeat this once or twice a week.

• Banana

Blend two overripe bananas together with one tbsp coconut oil along with the same amount of honey and olive oil. Prepare a hair mask. Apply the paste on your hair. Leave it to set for at least 30 minutes and rinse it off with warm water. Shampoo the following day with conditioner. -The writer is Founder of Chase Aromatherapy Cosmetics and Skincare Institute.

By Dr Naresh Arora