Repair Dry Hair The Natural Way

Everyone looks forward to the summer sunshine, but all too often it can take its toll on our hair leaving it dry, frizzy and totally unmanageable. Even when the weather is not too hot or sunny, spending time outdoors in the wind can still dry your hair out and leave it in need of some tender loving care.

Summer is now beginning to draw to a close, so this is the perfect time to revive your dried-out, tangled tresses in preparation for the coming autumn weather. And as we all know, autumn time means frosty mornings, biting winds and much colder weather which can do even more serious damage to our dry hair unless we replenish and protect it.

So if you want to rejuvenate your flowing locks in readiness for the colder autumn weather – without running up a hefty bill from your hair salon, try these simple tips to restore your crowning glory using nothing more than a little common sense and your aromatherapy carrier oils. Remember, the harsher weather is just around the corner . . .

Hair necessities

Let’s begin with a few common sense tips; wash your hair regularly and always use a mild shampoo, rinsing well and following up with a suitable conditioner. It’s just a myth that frequent shampooing washes out natural oils and causes hair loss, actually it is pollution that is the real enemy. Dirt is attracted to hair shafts that are coated in perspiration and sebum, therefore regular shampooing (with a mild shampoo of course) is vital for great hair condition.

Next, take it easy with that hairdryer! Over-drying hair leads to brittle, dull and lifeless hair that is prone to split ends at any time of year. In an attempt to minimise such damage, people often allow their hair to dry until it’s damp, and then use the dryer to finish the process off. But this is actually the wrong way around.

Blow-drying your hair from wet to damp does no harm at all, but blow-drying from damp to dry can dry out your hair and cause damage – particularly if you use too much heat or get too close with your dryer. So if possible, use your dryer to get it to the slightly damp stage and then let it dry out the rest of the way naturally.

Revitalizing carrier oils

Believe it or not, using plain carrier oils directly on the hair is by far the most effective way to moisturise and deep-condition dry, damaged hair. Jojoba, black seed, coconut, macadamia and moringa oils can all be used individually or blended together to deep-condition making it softer and much more manageable. These base oils have the power to make your hair feel soft and silky again, and work just as well but cost much less than the professional salon treatments!

If you suffer from dry, frizzy or chemically treated hair, here’s an easy aromatherapy treatment to condition and give your hair a lovely healthy shine with plenty of bounce. The treatment only takes 30 to 60 minutes, but unless you don’t mind being seen wearing a towel on your head, choose a time where you won’t be disturbed for this time!

Dry hair nourishment

First, measure out 10 to 15mls (2-3 teaspoons) of jojoba oil and put it into a plastic sandwich bag, then place the sandwich bag into a cup of hot water for a few minutes to heat up the oil. I prefer to put the oil in the microwave since it is much quicker taking only about 20 seconds to warm up, but be sure to use a microwave-safe bowl if you choose this method.

Check the temperature of the oil to ensure it’s not too hot, pour one third of it into the palm of your hands and then massage it quickly into the scalp. Repeat the process until all of the oil has been applied to your hair and gently massage the scalp in small, circular movements for about 5 minutes to really get the circulation going. Cover the hair with a towel and relax for at least 20 minutes – actually, the longer the oil is on your hair, the better the result.

This will make your hair oily, but the final results are well worth the effort, believe me. After 20 minutes, simply shampoo, rinse and condition your hair in the usual way. If you repeat this treatment regularly every week over the next month I promise your hair will feel soft and luxurious, and will soon be the envy of all your friends. Be sure to tell them your secret!

Boost your conditioner

If you don’t have the time right now for this intensive treatment, try adding jojoba or coconut oil to your hair conditioner, and after applying it leave soaking for about 5 minutes. Although many leading-brand conditioners claim to include nourishing oils, the level they contain is so low it’s unlikely it could make any difference to the condition of your hair. Add 10mls of oil to 50ml of hair conditioner and your hair will receive a healthy portion of well deserved nourishment.

Regular use of your moisture-boosted conditioner will help protect your hair from the ravages of the winter weather whist keeping it in excellent condition. But do yourself a favour – feed your dry, thirsty hair with an intensive deep-nourishing treatment once a week and you will be absolutely amazed at the results.

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