Maffew is a hairdresser, marketer, and dabbler in many things who enjoys sharing knowledge about the science of hair coloring and hair care.

Is your hair frizzy, curly, and difficult to manage? A keratin treatment is one of the best ways to smooth out and transform the texture of your hair, but it's not only effective as a straightening treatment.

Keratin treatments are versatile and have several advantages over the other kinds of long-lasting straightening available. This article will help you learn everything you need to know to decide if it's the right product for you, and even how to save significant amounts of money and time by applying the treatment at home.

How It Works

Your hair is composed of a protein called keratin that gives it structure, but it's the presence of bonds between each protein that gives your hair strength and shape. Hair that has a lot of bonds between cysteine amino acids—disulfide bonds—tends to be not only stronger but curlier.

Unfortunately, cysteine and the bonds it forms are very susceptible to damage from the oxidation of hair dyes, bleach, and other treatments, weakening your hair. This is why a keratin hair treatment is so useful though.

Keratin treatments create new bonds and repair the bonds that were previously broken by damage. This has two beneficial effects: setting your hair into a new texture, and repairing the damage.

After treatment, your hair will be smooth, straight, and left in better condition than before the application. This can last several months if performed properly

Benefits

Keratin hair treatments have numerous benefits, and some of these benefits are unique to this kind of straightening. A keratin treatment can:

• Straighten and smooth out frizzy hair
• Add shine and a soft texture to your hair
• Repair damage
• Improve porosity and hair strength
• Make your hair significantly easier to style

Unlike relaxers, keratin hair straightening can be used on damaged hair. In fact, it is the ideal method of straightening colored hair for this reason. While thermal conditioning is also usually safe to use on previously dyed hair, keratin straightening can be performed even on severely damaged hair.

It also has a more natural smoothing effect. Specific treatments designed for curly or wavy hair can help to reduce frizz significantly without removing too much of your natural curl. With either use, whether to straighten completely or just smooth curls, the treatment makes your hair easier to style. It also helps to equalize porosity by filling in gaps in the protein structure that would soak up too much dye when you color your hair.

Cost

Keratin treatments are time-consuming to apply, and this factors into the cost if you prefer to have them applied in a salon. Expect to pay at least $200, likely more depending on factors like how long and thick your hair is, the experience of the stylist performing it, and whether you need any other services performed at the same time.

The treatment can be applied at home relatively easily, however, and this can save you up to a few hundred dollars if you're confident in your ability to apply it. If in doubt, find a reputable salon that uses a quality brand like Goldwell Kerasilk.

Application

Your stylist will assess your hair before the actual application to determine which treatment will best serve your needs depending on how smooth and straight you want your hair to be, and how coarse and thick your hair is in texture. Very coarse or curly hair can require a stronger formulation and longer application time.

Careful assessment is the best way to guarantee a great result and it should never be skipped.

Pre-Treatment

Your hair needs to be thoroughly shampooed with clarifying shampoo before a keratin treatment is applied. This strips out oils, minerals, and hair product buildup to ensure the treatment will work properly. If your hair isn't fully cleaned like this, the results may be uneven or impaired.

Applying the Treatment

Once your hair has been shampooed and the right treatment has been selected, the application can begin and this is the start of a rather long process that can take 1–2 hours to complete entirely. Your stylist will start by lightly drying your hair and then apply the keratin treatment onto it quickly and evenly while it's still slightly damp.

The treatment needs to sit for about 15–20 minutes to process, and this is when it will start to build new bonds in your hair.

Blow-Drying and Ironing

Heat is the most important catalyst in a keratin treatment, and your hair will need to be blow-dried and straightened with a flat iron after processing. Blow-drying needs to be done in the direction of the hair growth, using a concentrator nozzle to confine the area that the hot air flows and smooth your hair out flat.

For most products, your hair won't be rinsed before this step as that dilutes the strength of the treatment significantly. Some products for home use do get rinsed at this point, and treatments like this will be less effective on coarse or curly hair.

Final Steps

The keratin treatment will need to be left in your hair for at least 1–2 days, preferably up to 72 hours before you can rinse it from your hair. During this time, you will also need to keep your hair straight and avoid getting it wet. If it does get wet accidentally, this won't be harmful but it may affect the quality and durability of your results.

Keep a close eye on how your hair looks during this time and be sure to re-straighten any areas of your hair that aren't perfectly smooth at any point. See the video below for a great look at how the entire process will be performed in-salon.

How to Apply a Keratin Treatment at Home

Keratin hair treatments are easy enough to apply at home and this can save a substantial amount of money. If you'd prefer to go this route, you should still pay more for a quality product.

Treatment Safety

Only use products based on glyoxylic acid. If the treatment contains formaldehyde or methylene glycol like the old Brazilian blowout-styled products, avoid it completely. Most manufacturers don't use these variants of formaldehyde anymore, but you still need to be aware and check ingredients lists because this kind of treatment, while effective, releases noxious fumes.

However, even the newer, milder treatments release some fumes, so treat the product like you would dyes or bleach and always ensure that there is adequate ventilation where you use and apply the treatment. If you have asthma or other respiratory conditions, discuss with your doctor first before either home or salon use.

Application Steps

Now that the safety is out of the way, applying a keratin hair treatment is the same process whether at home or in a salon.

1. Wash your hair with clarifying shampoo first.
2. Towel dry and then lightly blow dry until just damp.
3. Apply the treatment slightly away from the scalp and smooth it through your hair, keeping your hair flat and straight afterward.
4. Blow-dry your hair meticulously in sections along the direction of hair growth.
5. Straighten your hair in sections until it is perfectly smooth.
6. Allow the product to finish setting into your hair over up to 72 hours, keeping it smooth and dry until that point, then shampoo it out.

Aftercare and Maintenance

Aftercare is important following any keratin treatment. How you care for your hair from this point on will determine how long the effects last, and the treatment requires you to do a few simple things to achieve this.

To maintain a keratin hair treatment:

• Avoid salt water and products containing sodium lauryl sulfate whenever possible. These compounds decrease how long the treatment lasts by stripping it out of your hair quicker.
• Use a keratin shampoo and conditioner. Products designed for your treated hair help to infuse a little more keratin back into the hair every time you wash it, prolonging the effects. They're also free of ingredients that could be detrimental to the treatment.
• Don't dye your hair for 2 weeks after treatment, though it's fine to dye it immediately before the treatment is used. Using dye or bleach too soon afterward will decrease its durability.
• Protect your hair from excessive sunlight exposure or pool water.

Other general hair care can also help to prolong the effects, including the use of leave-in conditioners and serums to keep your hair hydrated and protected from humidity and heat from styling tools if you use them.

Alternatives

While keratin treatments are highly effective and easy to use—albeit time-consuming—they are one of three different kinds of chemical straightening that can be used to get long-lasting results.

The other two options consist of thermal reconditioning and relaxers. These are permanent treatments but can cause damage to your hair and can't always be used on hair that has been previously dyed.

If you have extensively dyed or damaged hair, a keratin hair treatment is the better choice for you, while the other two options are better if you don't dye your hair as often and want permanent results that won't gradually wash out. They also both produce completely straight hair compared to the softer effects of keratin.

• What is Japanese Hair Straightening?
  Want to know more about thermal reconditioning, also known as Japanese straightening? You can find it here and decide if it's the right choice for you.

Silky, luxurious hair is something widely sought after and you deserve to feel great about the way yours looks. With a little time and effort, you can use keratin straightening to eliminate frizz and get the hair you really long for.

Have a question about hair straightening or a favorite product to recommend? Leave a comment and share your insight with other readers.

© 2020 Maffew James

Maffew is a hairdresser, marketer, and dabbler in many things who enjoys sharing knowledge about the science of hair coloring and hair care.

Japanese hair straightening is a method of permanent hair straightening that has become popular around the world in recent years. The treatment can give you beautiful, flawlessly straight hair, but is it the right choice for you?

This article will tell you everything you need to know about this popular straightening treatment, including how it differs from the other available options and how it is performed.

What Is It?

Curly and wavy hair look that way because disulfide bonds cause the structure of your hair to curve back towards itself. These kinds of bonds are present even in naturally straight hair, where they are also responsible for much of your hair's strength. It's the amount and position of bonds, rather than presence alone, that determines its texture.

Also known as thermal reconditioning because of the way it is applied, Japanese straightening uses ammonium thioglycolate to break these bonds so that they can be reset in a way that creates straightened hair.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Japanese hair straightening works in a very similar way to relaxers, but unlike traditional hair relaxers, it uses a different active ingredient to straighten your hair. This makes the treatment, milder, safer, and much less damaging for your hair.

The major benefits to this kind of straightening include:

• Less damage
• Perfectly straight hair that doesn't curl in response to water or humidity
• A smooth texture, making your hair easier to style
• Permanent results that don't wear off or wash out over time
• Can usually still be performed on dyed or lightened hair

Benefits

Compared to a relaxer, Japanese hair straightening only mildly damages your hair and you can generally still apply the treatment even if your hair has been colored in the past. Of course, a proper assessment is necessary before application to ensure your hair is in good enough condition for this.

You can also still dye your hair after straightening it, as long as you aren't too aggressive with the number of color changes you want to make. Regular relaxers multiply the damage of any dye that is applied afterward. Japanese straightening does this too, but only to an extent slightly higher than normal, making it a better choice if you color your hair.

Your hair will maintain incredible smoothness and a sleek, straight finish permanently following the procedure. Unlike a keratin treatment, Japanese hair straightening doesn't diminish over time. Previously straightened hair will remain that way permanently while new regrowth will have to be treated again after several weeks to maintain the effect as your hair grows.

Overall, this kind of straightening is a great option to keep a sleek hairstyle with minimal damage while retaining the ability to change your hair color. If you want to wear curls or waves sometimes, you can still do this temporarily using a straightener or curling rod.

Drawbacks

As with any other straightening treatment, there are also drawbacks to its use that you need to be aware of before deciding if the procedure is right for you. While you can dye your hair before and after straightening, the amount of damage is compounded slightly compared to natural hair, and the treatment itself adds a small amount of damage to your hair because it breaks bonds.

Japanese straightening has drawbacks of being:

• Somewhat damaging
• Very costly
• A long application time
• Difficult procedure requiring a salon visit
• Unsuitable for very damaged hair

Unless you're very experienced in the use of relaxers and can ensure that you use them properly, this kind of straightening treatment shouldn't be applied at home and this, combined with the long time required to perform the treatment, makes it very costly.

Cost

Thermal reconditioning costs a lot. Salons charge several hundred dollars for the treatment, and this can vary based on the amount of experience your hairdresser has with the treatment and other factors like your hair length and thickness.

Most of this exorbitant cost is the result of the difficulty and time involved because while you can technically apply it at home at a fraction of the cost, you should only do this if you have extensive experience with relaxers. Used incorrectly, the treatment can damage your hair severely and cause chemical burns or damage to your eyes. When in doubt, avoid use.

In the hands of a professional, however, it is a very mild and safe way to straighten your hair, albeit pricey.

Japanese Straightening vs. Keratin Treatments vs. Relaxers

Of the three available options to chemically straighten hair, thermal reconditioning is the best option for hair that is either natural or minimally dyed.

If you dye your hair extensively or have severely damaged hair, a keratin treatment is a much better option that is safe to use on your damaged hair. In fact, it reverses the damage. The drawback is that it only lasts a few months and requires a lot more maintenance.

Traditional relaxers should generally be avoided in most cases because the Japanese straightening method supersedes them. You can use the table below to gain a better understanding of how all these treatments compare.

How It Is Performed

After assessing your hair condition, your hair will be gently shampooed and then given a pre-treatment to improve the results and ensure any potential problems like previous damage are addressed first. Stylists highly experienced in Japanese hair straightening will look at many sections of your hair to get a good idea of how each area will react to the product and adjust their application based on what they notice.

Treatment Application

Once your hair has been pre-treated, the thermal reconditioning treatment will be applied quickly and evenly. Application speed is critical to results because the hair it is applied to first will be exposed for longer, increasing the risk of damage. The treatment is left in your hair for a period of time after this, depending on how curly and coarse your hair is and the bonds will start to be broken.

This alone isn't enough to get your hair straight through, as these bonds will gradually reform. To prevent them from reforming in the wrong way, your hair will be rinsed and then blow-dried and straightened meticulously, similar to how a keratin treatment is applied.

The blow-drying and iron-straightening part of the procedure is where the bulk of the time and cost occurs because the way it is handled will directly influence the final result. Your hair must be dried smooth in the direction of growth, then every section needs to be straightened perfectly to lock in the precise position for new bonds to form.

These new bonds will make your hair permanently straight if applied correctly and your hair will then be neutralized for a period of time using hydrogen peroxide to set them in place. Following this, drying and flat-iron straightening occur yet again, and you will need to maintain your hair in this straightened style for several days before washing, which is again, a lot like the method for using a keratin treatment.

Aftercare and Maintenance

Hair that has been treated with Japanese hair straightening needs to be kept straight and smooth for a period of up to three days following the treatment, but there isn't any specific hair care regime required after that. This is different from a keratin treatment where you need to use specialized shampoo and conditioner and avoid certain things like saltwater to extend how long it lasts.

With that said, there are definite things you can do to keep your hair in good condition and this will help to make your new straightened hair look even better. Aftercare can include:

• Protein treatments to reverse the damage
• Conditioning treatments to make the hair feel silkier and alleviate dryness
• Hair products like serums to make your hair glossy

You can style your hair in any way you want, including curls or waves using a curling rod or flat iron if you would like to bring back some curl temporarily, but you should always use a heat-protectant spray before using any form of heat-styling to prevent further damage.

You do need to avoid extensive use of dyes or bleach, however. Hair that has been smoothed with Japanese hair straightening can be dyed, but you should keep this to a minimum and only if your hair is still in good condition. Always assess the health of your hair before applying any further chemical treatments.

Japanese hair straightening is the best way to get permanently straight hair with minimal damage, but it's not for everyone. The treatment is costly and time-consuming, making it one of the most extreme processes you can put your hair through. If you've decided to try it though, you can rest assured that it will give you smoother hair than you've ever imagined you could have.

Have a question about permanent straightening or a particular treatment? Leave a comment to share your insight with other readers.

© 2020 Maffew James

Maffew is a hairdresser, marketer, and dabbler in many things who enjoys sharing knowledge about the science of hair coloring and hair care.

Dry hair is a common problem that can occur due to many reasons and this affects how it is treated. Treatments for one cause won't necessarily improve the hydration of your hair if your dryness is the result of a different cause, making it important to understand what is contributing to the condition of your hair to fix it.

By assessing your hair and giving it the care it needs, you can ensure it feels silky and smooth at all times.

Causes

The causes of dry hair are numerous, and you may be experiencing more than one. Some of the major problems include:

• Damage
• Washing your hair too much
• Failing to condition your hair properly
• Heat-styling
• Use of hair products containing alcohols
• A lack of natural oil production

Hair Damage

Damaged hair is prone to dryness because the structural integrity is weakened and cuticles that line the surface of each hair become jagged or outright destroyed. Damage to the structure of the hair affects the protein and bonds within the hair, preventing it from holding moisture in the correct areas for optimal elasticity, while damaged cuticles prevent your hair from sealing properly and give a rough texture to the surface.

In most cases, if your hair is only mildly damaged, your dry hair is the result of cuticle damage and the structure will still be intact. Moderate or severe damage is affected by both, and this makes it more difficult to treat effectively. In either case, the more cuticle damage you have, the rougher, drier, and frizzier your hair will appear and it will also be less responsive to treatments.

To determine whether your dry hair is being caused by damage, you need to consider the kinds of chemical treatments you've subjected it to in the past, as well as how you style and care for it. If you've bleached, dyed, or relaxed your hair in the past, chances are that this is either one of or the sole contributing factor to your dryness.

Hair that is damaged will also snap more readily, may suffer from more split ends, and feels less smooth. If it stretches apart when pulled gently while wet, that is a sign of severe structural damage. You can use this test to gauge how much damage is present based on the elasticity loss.

Shampooing Your Hair Too Frequently

There is no hard rule for how often you should wash your hair because it's dependent on factors like your natural oil production, what products you use, and how dirty it gets. Over-washing is a significant cause of dry hair though, and this needs to be ruled out before you can determine anything else.

Unless your hair is naturally very oily, daily shampooing is too frequent. Most people benefit from washing their hair every second day instead, while you may even only have to wash it every third day if you don't produce a lot of oil. Try a different shampoo regime first to rule this out as the cause. Either shampoo less frequently for a week, or switch to a milder shampoo designed for dry hair.

One of the best indications that you're washing your hair too often or with a shampoo that is too strong is if your hair is dry the day of shampooing and then starts to settle down by the next day. This occurs because oils have been able to build up and moisturize the hair in this time, alleviating the dryness.

Lack of Conditioner

Your hair needs conditioning every time it is washed, and often even between those periods with other conditioning products like leave-ins if your hair isn't naturally oily. Dry hair may be the result of using a conditioner that is too weak, using it infrequently, or not using one at all.

Heat Styling

Styling your hair with heated appliances like straighteners can make it look great, but the high heat also dries your hair out. If you use tools like this, it is easy to determine if they are the root cause of dryness by avoiding their use for a period of time and seeing if the condition improves.

Hair Products

Hair products can also be the cause of dry hair, especially if they contain alcohol because this readily evaporates off your hair, taking moisture with it. Hairsprays are the worst offenders in this case and can dry your hair out a lot if you use too much of them.

Check the ingredients of each of your regular products and consider running a test period of no use to rule them out as causes of the dryness.

Natural Oil Production

Your hair is moisturized naturally with a waxy oil called sebum and the production of this can vary widely between different people. To determine whether you have naturally dry hair, assess your hair together with the condition of your skin and lips.

If you experience dryness in these areas too, this is a reliable sign that impaired oil production is to blame. Sometimes this can be the result of medical conditions, but it is also normal for some people to have less natural oil than others.

It's more likely to have a medical reason if it has changed suddenly or is occurring in combination with other symptoms. See your doctor if you think this is the case because it can be an early sign of conditions like hypothyroidism.

Treatment

Once you've understood and identified the contributing factors, it's relatively easy to treat dry hair with products and a hair care regime that matches your needs. In cases where your hair dryness can't be fixed, it can still be minimized significantly.

Treatments for Every Situation

Even if you don't know what is causing your hair dryness, this isn't a major problem. You can still fix dry hair, but doing so is slightly less effective if you're unable to identify the root cause. There are several treatments that will work to reduce the dryness of your hair regardless of the cause.

Conditioner is the most important as it restores oils to your hair after washing and sets the foundation for other treatments. Ideally, you should use a high-quality, heavy conditioner if suffering from dry hair as this will help the most. Regular conditioner is only for regular hair and won't have a strong enough effect.

Another product that can be used to fix dry hair is a hot oil treatment. This is a very strong conditioning agent that can moisturize your hair significantly when used in place of your conditioner, but it should only be done a few times a week at most as the product can build up and cause your hair to look and feel too oily if you overuse it.

Leave-in conditioners and sealing treatments are some of the most effective products to use between washes to treat and prevent dry hair, as are hair serums and oils. To get the best results, use a high-quality serum like Redken All Soft on damp, towel-dried hair, then again on completely dried hair before styling.

Products like this help to moisturize your hair and will work no matter what the cause is, but you should aim to address the root cause of dryness if at all possible because doing so will produce the best result.

Shampoo Usage

If the way you wash your hair is a major cause of your hair dryness, you can address this by reducing how frequently you wash your hair, switching to a milder shampoo that is designed for dry hair, or both. Always follow up with a high-quality conditioner to ensure that you restore moisture to your hair after washing it.

In situations where you have oily hair but tend to suffer from dryness immediately after shampooing until those oils accumulate again, this method can lead to your hair feeling oily so it is better to wash your hair normally and use leave-in conditioner between washes to treat the dryness instead.

Styling

To fix dry hair caused by heat-styling doesn't require you to discontinue the use of your curling rod or straightening iron. You do need to use a heat-protectant product from now on, however. Consider also adding a serum or leave-in spray conditioner after styling as this will help to return any lost moisture caused by the heat.

Products

Avoid the use of any product containing alcohol if possible because products like this will strip moisture out and even exacerbate dryness caused by other factors. Products that you can use without issue include:

• Most alcohol-free hair products
• Hair serums
• Hair oils
• Conditioning agents

These kinds of products help to reduce existing dryness and help to prevent it from reoccurring by maintaining the correct moisture balance inside the hair.

Fix Damaged Hair

If you have any structural damage to your hair, this needs to be dealt with as a priority because it will make a huge difference to the condition of your hair. Damaged hair can be repaired with products like protein treatments, keratin treatments, and bond rebuilders, but there is no way to restore destroyed cuticles, unfortunately.

If you have severely damaged hair cuticles, this is simply something you need to tolerate until your hair eventually grows out. You can treat the problem symptomatically, however. To replicate the function of the cuticles, use a sealing treatment or hair serum after washing your hair and then again after styling.

Both of these kinds of products work to lock hydration inside the hair shaft and prevent it from escaping and leading to dryness.

• How to Repair Damaged Hair Properly
  If you need more information about repairing your hair, you can find it here.

It feels great to have soft, beautiful hair and you don't need to tolerate dryness or rough texture in your own locks. By assessing the condition of your hair and adjusting your hair care routine to quash it at the source, you can fix dry hair and make it feel great again.

Have a question about the condition of your hair, or how to improve the way it feels? Leave a comment and share your insight with other readers.

© 2020 Maffew James

I offer professional advice and knowledge about all things hair dye. Discover the terminology, chemistry, and processes behind dyeing hair.

Bleach is one of the most effective tools for lightening your hair and changing its color completely. It also has a well-known propensity to damage the hair, which has lead to disastrous situations for many people.

Having hair that feels and looks like straw is certainly a distressing situation to find yourself in, but don't rush to cut it off just yet. There are simple, effective ways to save your hair and style.

How Does Bleach Damage Hair?

Bleach and other hair lighteners work through a chemical process called oxidation, and whilst this is highly effective for lightening the color of your hair by altering the natural melanin pigment within, oxidation may also attack a protein called keratin. This is bad because keratin comprises your hair, giving it structure and texture, meaning that any damage readily results in a loss of strength and condition.

It's not just keratin itself that is relevant to your hair's shape and form, though. A type of bond called a disulfide bridge forms readily between cysteine amino acids in the keratin protein, and this is responsible for a lot of the strength inherent to your hair, as well as being partially responsible for your hair's texture. This amino acid is particularly vulnerable to oxidation, which causes the bonds to be broken, leading to weakness and loss of texture.

It's not all bad news, however, when left alone, these bonds will gradually reform to an extent over time, and this is why hair seems to get better if it's not constantly subjected to chemical treatments. Speeding up and improving this process is crucial to repairing bleached hair and restoring it to good condition more effectively.

How to Know If You Have Bleach-Damaged Hair

If you've just bleached your hair and rinsed it out to discover that your hair feels as if it's simply breaking apart or melting, this is the absolute worst condition your hair can be in. Its structure has deteriorated to the point that it can't even hold itself together. Hair like this looks and feels like straw once dry, and it's the most visible and obvious damage.

Less severe damage may not be as obvious as that, but it still has repercussions that affect your hair's condition, so it's important to be able to spot the signs of damage to treat it before it becomes a bigger problem in the future. Some of the major signs of lightener damage include:

• Frizz
• Breakage
• Dryness
• A rough feeling to the surface of the hair
• More fragility to the hair when wet
• Loss of elasticity
• Loss of natural hair texture

Some amount of any of these problems can be entirely natural to your own individual hair. Frizz and dryness are particularly common issues a lot of people face, so these aren't necessarily cause for concern. However, any time you see an increase in these hair damage symptoms following the use of a lightening product like bleach, that's a sign that the structure of your hair may have been weakened.

A loss of your natural hair texture or decreases in elasticity is among the most specific signs of structural damage to your hair, however. If you have wavy or curly hair that seems to have lost a lot of its curl after bleaching, this is due to damaged protein and broken bonds in your hair. Likewise, hair damaged in this way will feel weaker while wet and will be more likely to snap if pulled on or exposed to other mechanical stresses like rough towel-drying.

If left alone in this condition, your hair will continue to degrade with any subsequent chemical treatments and may reach a point where the damage becomes severe rather suddenly and unexpectedly when rinsing out bleach or dye, and that's why it's important to treat the damage early where possible. However, even if you already have extreme damage, it's possible to repair bleached hair and avoid cutting it off.

How to Restore Bleach-Damaged Hair

The way you repair your bleached hair depends primarily on how much damage is present, as this will determine whether you can succeed with a more mild treatment regimen or will need something stronger. In all cases, though, treatment will target the root cause of the damage—broken bonds and deteriorated protein.

Mild Damage

Mild damage is any amount of damage where there isn't significant breakage occurring, and your hair still feels relatively smooth. Hair like this suffers from a lot more dryness and frizz but can be managed with a combination of protein and conditioning treatments.

Protein treatments work by patching damaged keratin with ingredients like ceramide and arginine, as well as helping to restore broken bonds. Both of these actions greatly improve the strength and structure of the hair because this is directly treating the kind of damage that bleach causes. Conditioning agents like leave-in conditioners, balms, or hair serums just make the hair feel and look a lot better by reducing dryness, frizz and making the hair overall smoother and shinier.

A combination of both of these kinds of products is necessary to properly address the condition of your hair, but the protein treatment is the most important product to prioritize, and it should be used up to three times a week for the first week, followed by once weekly to maintain your hair's strength well into the future.

If you experience dryness and frizz, this should be addressed by using a deep conditioning treatment immediately, followed by the use of a leave-in conditioner or hair serum as often as necessary to combat the problem. It is likely that a lot of the need for this type of product will decrease as your hair improves due to protein treatments, but you should use them as often as required to keep your hair protected from dryness as your hair will be at its strongest when properly hydrated.

Severely Bleach-Damaged Hair

Hair that is severely damaged from bleach will also respond to protein treatments, but this may not always be enough. Expeditious application of protein can usually save it from being cut off. Still, your natural texture and a lot of the softness, shine, and strength will simply remain impaired until it grows out, and this isn't ideal if you're going to be stuck without the option to recolor it or dramatically change the style.

In situations like this, you need to use stronger products like keratin treatments or a hair bond restorer. These products can be used for milder damage too, but the process of using them correctly is both more difficult and time-consuming than simple protein treatments, so that is the downside. However, proper use will repair bleached hair to close to its natural state in many cases, so this can be well worth it.

Like with more mild damage, you need to immediately start using a protein treatment several times a week, and this frequency should be continued for 2–3 weeks before decreasing to a once-a-week usage. A bond rebuilder like Olaplex Hair Perfector should also be started as soon as possible, or you should apply a keratin treatment instead.

Either of these products will handle the bulk of the repair, giving the protein treatments a running start to get to work.

Protein Treatments

The single most important tool for any hair repair task is the humble protein treatment. Not only are they relatively inexpensive, but they are also easy to use and only require a few minutes of time out of your schedule.

Products like Redken Extreme CAT can be used to repair your damaged hair by applying liberally after shampooing and leaving for 5 minutes followed up with a good conditioner or moisturizing treatment. This is literally all that is necessary to improve your hair and stop it from breaking or splitting if you have mild or moderate damage.

If you have more severe damage though you should still make the use of a protein treatment a swift priority, it's not going to be enough to dramatically restore your hair by itself. The addition of either a keratin treatment or bond restorer is necessary for this situation.

Keratin Treatments

Keratin treatments have two major uses: straightening hair and repairing hair. The reason this kind of product works for both of these purposes is that it creates artificial bonds that smooth and straighten out the hair whilst these new bonds will also replace the function of bonds that have previously been broken by damage.

Hair that is treated this way is strong, free of frizz, and looks healthy, making it one of the most effective products to repair bleached hair since it is addressing the physical cause behind the visible manifestations of this damage. That doesn't mean products like this are without their drawbacks though, as keratin treatments:

• Can be a little tricky to apply
• Smooth out hair texture, meaning loss of some of your natural curl
• Are time-consuming
• Last around a month

The treatment is long-lasting but not permanent as the bonds formed will gradually deteriorate over time as the hair is washed. It also reduces your natural curl a little even in products designed primarily to repair hair instead of straightening it as this is just a function of how it works. It's possible to limit the effect, but there will always be a slight smoothing, so if this is a significant downside for you, a bond restorer is a better choice. If you're tired of combating frizz or having to straighten your hair with a hot iron, though, this is the ideal treatment for you as it will smooth, straighten, and repair your hair all at once.

However, to use one is not as easy or quick as some treatments as it needs to be set into the hair. This is accomplished by applying it to damp, freshly shampooed hair, then blow drying your hair out straight, followed by meticulous straightening with a straightening iron at 230°C (446°F). After application, the product needs to be left in the hair for around two days, at which point it can be washed out, and the results will last at least a month in most cases, potentially up to two months.

Bond Rebuilders

Bond rebuilders like Olaplex work exactly as the name suggests by restoring broken bonds and even building new bonds. Unlike a keratin treatment, the product isn't relatively instant and will require time to work, but it eventually shows similar efficacy to repair bleached hair after a few uses and doesn't affect your natural texture—in fact, it helps to restore it.

Products like the No.3 Hair Perfector are used similarly to a protein treatment by applying to previously shampooed hair, but the treatment needs to be left for a much greater duration, up to 20 minutes. There are also similar products that are designed to be added in small amounts to bleach or dye before using these chemical treatments and this helps reduce the damage that occurs as it happens, but this won't be something that can help you if you already have damage.

Conditioning Agents and Aftercare

Conditioning agents moisturize the hair, and this provides symptomatic relief to a lot of the problems you can see in damaged hair like dryness and frizz. They don't actively repair bleached hair, though but instead support the natural bond restoration process as well as any repairing treatments you're already using.

Deep conditioning treatments are the strongest kind of product in this category and can be used to immediately reverse even the worst dryness making them especially useful right after bleaching. Using a product like this will also help to correct the pH of your hair to get it back to normal faster.

Other products like leave-in conditioners, sealing treatments, and hair serums all have their place in hair care and support your repair efforts by keeping your hair properly hydrated and smooth, protecting it from further stresses like humidity and sunlight. Hair that is properly moisturized is more receptive to repair treatments.

In all cases, you should use conditioning products whenever you are suffering from dryness while repairing your bleached hair and even after you scale back or stop the use of protein treatments and other agents. Doing so is part of the after-care to any good hair repair and helps to keep your hair feeling smooth and looking healthy.

Further Reading

How to Repair Damaged Hair Properly

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2020 Maffew James

Just an enthusiastic girl who wants to help others by sharing her experiences with haircare, makeup, skincare, etc.

Goodness of Fenugreek seeds

Fenugreek is used as one of the most traditional remedies for skin and hair care. In India, fenugreek is one of the most common ingredients found in kitchens. Fenugreek is rich in vitamins and minerals that boost skin and hair repair.

Ingredients

These quantities are according to my hair length. Adjust the quantity according to your hair length.

• 3 tablespoons fenugreek seeds
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• Milk

How to Prepare the Hair Mask

1. Mix 3 tablespoons of methi or fenugreek seeds and water in a bowl, and allow them to soak overnight.
2. Strain the water from the seeds and pour into a spray bottle.
3. Start making the paste by putting the soaked fenugreek seeds in a bowl.
4. Add milk to the soaked fenugreek seeds a little at a time while mixing it in a mixer or grinder until it forms a thick paste.
5. Add two tablespoons of coconut oil and mix thoroughly.
6. If the paste is too thick, add a little more milk until it feels sticky enough for easy application.

How to Apply the Hair Mask

1. Comb your hair thoroughly before you apply the hair mask.
2. Start spraying the middle section of your hair with the fenugreek water stored in the spray bottle.
3. Partition your hair and apply fenugreek water to your entire scalp.
4. Massage for five minutes. This will increase blood flow and open the pores of your scalp.
5. Apply the paste to the roots of your hair.
6. Massage for five to ten minutes.
7. Separate small sections of hair and apply the paste from root to tip.
8. Gently use an up-down motion with your fingers while applying the paste to each section. Do this up-down motion three to four times for each section.
9. Repeat this until you've saturated all of your hair.
10. Cover your hair with a shower cap and let it sit for at least one hour, and at most three hours.
11. Wash your hair using the instructions below.

How to Wash Your Hair

The minute particles of methi or fenugreek will stick to your scalp, and it is difficult to wash it off.

How to Remove the Hair Mask

1. Remove the shower cap and massage your scalp for five minutes.
2. Wash your hair with normal water.
3. Use your fingertips to remove any residual particles of fenugreek from your hair.
4. Use a mild shampoo to wash your hair. Don't pour the shampoo directly onto your hair. Dilute the shampoo by mixing it in a cup with some water.
5. Pour the shampoo-water mixture on your scalp and gently massage.
6. Rinse your hair with cold water.

If there are still bits of fenugreek in your hair, you can fill a bucket with water and dip your hair in the water while removing any particles with your fingers.

Things to Keep in Mind

• The smell of the hair mask is quite pungent. You can neutralize some of the smell with the coconut oil.
• Even after following all the steps to wash your hair, you might still have trouble getting all the fenugreek out. Don't worry! Allow your hair dry completely and then comb your hair to remove all the remaining particles.

Benefits of the Hair Mask

• Works as a natural anti-dandruff solution.
• Provides natural gloss and shine.
• Keeps hair and scalp healthy.
• Gives soft, shiny, and smooth hair.
• Makes your hair soft.
• Smoothes the skin by removing dry and dead skin cells.

My Personal Experience

I started using the fenugreek hair mask to keep my hair healthy and save money. I used it once a week and saw visible changes after three weeks. My hair looked healthier and more nourished than before. My hair quality has improved and I will continue using this hair mask.

The smell of the mask does bother me a bit, but if you want to save money it's not horrible.

Try this hair mask and let me know your experience in the comments section.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2020 Shilpi Ghosal

LIza loves finding natural health and beauty products and sharing her discoveries.

How I Rescued My Dry and Damaged Hair

Following my move to the United States, I noticed my scalp started getting very dry, and my hair would fall out during the wintertime. Obviously, moving to a seasonal country was not great for my hair.

I grew up in a tropical climate but ended up moving to Utah as an adult. After spending a few years in the dry and deserty climate, I was facing some hair issues. I was losing hair, and my hair was getting visibly thinner. In my head, I was screaming, "This can't be happening to me!" Ever since I was a little girl, I've had thick and dark hair just like my mother.

I tried numerous products to treat my scalp and hair, but none of them were working. Therefore, I determined to try an inexpensive home remedy, and it worked!

Hair Products Testing

Last year was the pinnacle when I felt I must do something immediately. So, I went to multiple stores to find a solution to my dry scalp and hair. I purchased several types of hair products, including shampoo, conditioner, and hair oil to treat my hair, and I tossed the previous shampoo and conditioner I had been using. Quickly, I switched to the new products and waited patiently for the results. Zilch. Nothing worked for me.

Avocado Is a Hair Superfood

I decided to do some research on the internet. I gathered as much as I could about at-home hair remedies. I determined to ditch the hair products from the store and turn to a natural remedy instead. I saw many people sharing how wonderful avocado was for their hair. Avocado has become increasingly popular among health-conscious individuals, and it is often referred to as a superfood, so I wanted to try and see if it would be a superfood for my hair.

Here are some of the nutrients in a single 3.5-ounce (100-gram) avocado.

• Folate
• Potassium
• Vitamin B5
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• It also contains small amounts of magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorous, and vitamins A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), and B3 (niacin).

My Results

For the past 3–4 months, I have been using the avocado hair mask, and the result was astonishing. My scalp feels soothed, less itchy, and my hair slowly stopped falling out. Honestly, I couldn't be more pleased with the ingredients used in the process of making the hair mask. It's inexpensive, natural, and most importantly, it works! I wish the best of luck to everyone out there who wants to try this recipe; the result may vary for certain people.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon raw honey
• 3–4 tablespoons coconut milk
• 1–2 drops lemon essential oil (You can leave out the lemon essential oil if you don't have it at home or if it irritates your skin).

Instructions

1. Cut the avocado in half. Using a knife, slice through the avocado lengthwise until you feel the knife hit the pit.
2. Remove the pit.
3. Use a spoon or spatula to scoop the flesh out and transfer it to a blender.
4. Add the honey, olive oil, coconut milk, and lemon essential oil.
5. Blend the mixture until it reaches a smooth texture and has the consistency of a thick paste.
6. Scrape the mixture into a clean jar.
7. Apply it right away to your hair. (Make sure to massage the mask thoroughly into your hair and scalp).
8. Cover your hair with a shower cap or clean cloth for 20–25 minutes.
9. Rinse well with lukewarm water.
10. Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner as per your usual routine.
11. If you have leftovers, cover the jar with a cling wrap, close with a lid, and keep it in the fridge. (I recommended using all of the mask the day you make it since the avocado tends to darken.)

© 2020 Liza

Comments

Liza (author) from USA on September 04, 2020:

I was looking for nonchemical products for my hair treatment after trying various store products. I found that avocado is good for hair, and quickly give it a try. The result was amazing. The smell of coconut and avocado was so wonderful. Aah yea, Utah has many amazing outdoor places/parks to visit. I still have a lot to visit :) Thank you for stopping and commenting, Peggy.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on September 04, 2020:

We love eating avocados but never thought to use them for a hair mask. I am glad that it worked for you and that you saw results. By-the-way, I loved our vacation trip to Utah many years ago. We visited all of the national parks plus some of the state parks. That state is amazing!

Liza (author) from USA on May 27, 2020:

Hi Zulekha, the smell of this avocado mask was amazing! Give it a few times and see if you've got an improvement from the first try. Best of luck!

Zulekha Huseni from Dubai on May 26, 2020:

The ingredients in the mask make me want to eat it! haha But it's interesting because I've never come across a hair mask using avocados. I'm definitely giving that a try after reading your success story. Thanks for sharing.

Liza (author) from USA on February 06, 2020:

I never used a hair mask before this too, Linda. As I'm getting older and the environment where I'm living right now it's quite a challenge. I'm still learning about how I can improve the way of life in this type of climate. So, with the problem that occurred to my hair, it's essential to use non-chemical or non-toxic products. Right now, I'm so happy with the result.

Liza (author) from USA on February 06, 2020:

Thanks Liz. I think it's good to change to non-chemical products. I have had quite improvements since using this homemade avocado mask. So, I'm very happy.

Liz Westwood from UK on February 06, 2020:

You have goven a very detailed and helpful guide on how to make this. The natural ingredients appeal to me.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on February 05, 2020:

This sounds interesting. I've never used a hair mask before. If I try one, I'd like it to contain natural ingredients, as in your recipe. The creamy texture in your photos makes the product look very enticing. I'm glad it helped your hair.

Alyssa loves sharing her favorite beauty tips and tricks with the world. She is a wife and mom who drinks a lot of coffee.

Everyone wants to look and feel their best. Having beautiful hair is a real confidence boost, but lifestyle and weather changes can wreak havoc, leaving hair dry and dull. The following tips will provide relief so you can revive and restore your locks. Step out into the world feeling refreshed, vibrant, and gorgeous!

Invest in your hair. It's the crown you never take off.

— Vidal Sassoon

1. Freshen Up Your Look

Get your ends trimmed for an instant boost. If you are feeling more daring, try a new cut. If you have long hair, you might go for a long bob, or be bold and chop it off in a cute, asymmetrical style. If you aren't ready to part with your long locks, consider getting some layers cut in to add volume and shape to your look.

Nothing is more uplifting than trying out a fun new color. Red is bold and vibrant. Golden-blonde and honey look great. Alternatively, you could opt for a rich caramel. You can easily do it yourself if you don't want to go to the salon. If you want a more subtle change, try adding highlights. This will brighten up your look and give your hair more dimension. A word of caution: if you have dark hair and want to go blonde, head to the salon. Blonde is a tricky color, and if you aren't careful, you might end up with orange hair.

2. Don't Wash Your Hair Everyday

Washing your hair every day strips it of much-needed natural oils and can dry it out. If you dye your hair, washing it daily will fade your color quickly. The secret to having gorgeous hair between washes is dry shampoo.

There are a variety of products for every hair type. My favorite is Not Your Mother's brand Beach Babe Texturizing Dry Shampoo. It has a coconut scent that instantly boosts my mood. I like to pull my hair up in a top knot and spray my roots before bed. It soaks in overnight, so I wake up with refreshed hair and plenty of volume.

3. Moisturize and Use Masks

I have a lot of hair. It's long, thick, and prone to dryness. One trick I've learned is to use a deep conditioner every time I wash my hair. Replacing my normal, everyday conditioner has made all the difference! Not only does it help keep my hair soft and silky, but it also protects my color. My favorite deep conditioner is L'ORÉAL Elvive Color Vibrancy Repair and Protect Balm. It's formulated for color-treated hair and helps repair all the chemical damage caused by the dye.

To help strengthen dry, damaged locks, try a protein or Keratin-treatment mask. You can find a variety of good ones that are budget-friendly at your local drug-store.

I also love using Moroccan Argan Oil. It soaks into your hair, softening locks and repairing damage. A little goes a long way. I apply a nickle-sized amount to my hair after getting out of the shower. It helps detangle my strands and keeps my hair silky and vibrant. I love the OGX brand in extra strength.

4. Ease Your Dry Scalp

Nothing is worse than an itchy scalp and tiny white flakes on your dark-colored clothes. To treat this quickly and efficiently, I love massaging extra virgin olive oil on my scalp. I just pour it right on my hair and knead it in, making sure to get all the itchy spots. It soothes and moisturizes the scalp immediately. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes and then wash it out thoroughly. This does make quite a mess and can leave your roots looking oily. If you'd rather skip the mess, try Selsun Blue medicated with menthol. This is the best anti-dandruff shampoo. I always have a bottle in my shower.

5. Experiment with New Styles

Step away from the heat. Constantly using your blow dryer, straightener, or curling rod is the best way to dry out and damage your hair. Consider washing your hair at night and letting it air dry. Experiment with new styles that don't require you to use heating tools. Try a cute side braid, a french twist, or a top knot. You could do a chic low bun or just let your hair go wild and free.

If you are constantly pulling your hair back in a pony-tail to go to the gym, try a french braid. At the very least, consider using a different type of pony-tail holder to minimize breakage. I love using my La Vita Glam hair slinky. It holds all my hair without damaging it, and when I take it out, it doesn't tangle or leave a dent.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2019 Alyssa

Comments

Alyssa (author) from Ohio on April 02, 2019:

Yes, deep conditioner is a must! Let me know if you try the olive oil and if you like it. Thanks for stopping by, Brianna!

Brianna W from East Coast on April 01, 2019:

Awesome tips! I often have to remind myself to do a deep conditioner every once in a while for my dry hair and scalp, maybe I will try the olive oil next time. Thanks!

Alyssa (author) from Ohio on March 31, 2019:

Hahaha! Thank you, Bill! I hope you are enjoying your Sunday!

Alyssa (author) from Ohio on March 31, 2019:

What an awesome coincidence, Pamela! I'm glad you like the conditioner. It is my favorite! I do have trouble finding it near me sometimes, but I recently grabbed two at Meijer and I was so excited! :)

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on March 31, 2019:

Lost my comment....well, okay, at the risk of sounding like a dirty old man, you have stunning hair...simply beautiful...so I will assume you know what you are talking about in this article.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on March 31, 2019:

So interesting! I just started using the same conditioner as you use and it has really made a difference in the softness of my dry hair. I think some of the medicine I am on is drying out my hair more than usual, which is why I tried the new conditioner. I think all of your suggestions are excellent. Thanks.

I enjoy learning new things and sharing them through my writing. One of my favorite topics is natural health and beauty.

Damaged Hair Disaster

I recently found myself in a situation that left me with super damaged hair—we're talking about a double-processed brassy blonde with major fall out kind of situation. I, like many before me, went through some major life changes and thought it would be a great idea to try something spontaneous and new. I picked up an inexpensive box of hair dye at the nearest grocery store and quickly found someone to help me. I went from well-maintained platinum blonde to deep burgundy in about two hours.

It was actually pretty great until it wasn't. About three days after dying my hair, the color had already faded from a sultry deep burgundy shade to a rusty red with some blonde starting to come through. I actually preferred the lighter red color, but I discovered the upkeep was going to be both time-consuming and expensive.

I just wanted to go back to my former blonde self. Little did I know that removing the red from my hair was going to be a four-hour process that would leave my hair significantly damaged. The good news was that my hair was blonde again and I knew with some time and the right products, I could have healthy hair again.

The Good Stuff

I knew I needed to start deep conditioning regularly to improve the health of my hair. I had already spent quite a bit of money removing the box dye, so I decided to try out the least expensive option which happened to be the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle deep conditioner. This is what I liked about it.

• It was so inexpensive compared to other brands. It was the only deep conditioner under $5 that wasn't a single-use conditioning treatment.
• It smells great. I happen to love the smell of pretty much all the Aussie products I have used in the past, and this one was no different. The smell actually lasts throughout the day.
• I could see a difference in the health of my hair after one use.
• It only takes three minutes which makes it the fastest deep conditioner I have ever used.
• After the first use, my hair was softer and easier to brush, and my split ends were less noticeable.

The Bad Stuff

The low cost and quick results quickly impressed me at first. Over time, however, I discovered there were some things I didn't like so much.

• The results didn't last long and my hair returned to its hay-like texture over the next day or two.
• I continued to have breakage after using this product.
• After about 10–15 days of using it every 3 days, it didn't do much more than my daily conditioner.

The results were great initially, but they were not that significant and eventually stopped working altogether. I don't think this product is meant for long term use.

Some Things to Consider

Hair products work differently on different kinds of hair. My hair is naturally fine and wispy. It gets oily pretty quickly. At the time when I tried this deep conditioner, my hair had been bleached and toned 2 times. I had no significant hair loss, but I did have a lot of breakage and without heat styling, it looked fuzzy when dry. Someone with less damage or a different hair type may get better results than I did while using this product.

Conclusion

The Aussie 3 Minute Miracle wasn't so miraculous after all. The deep conditioner is affordable, smells great, and gets results quickly. It is by far the fastest and least expensive product I have used. However, the results do not last and I only saw a small amount of improvement in the health of my hair. After two weeks, I decided to try something else altogether. I would compare the results of the 3 Minute Miracle to the results of a single-use hair mask. It's a good short term solution, but if you are in serious need of hair repair this product is probably not what you are looking for.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Not so Miraculous

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Shalon is a natural hair care enthusiast and researcher who loves to share her discoveries with others.

How I Discovered Caramel Hair Treatment

Before I fell In love with my curly hair, my foremost concern when I decided to go natural was that I would have to give up straight, sleek hair. At the time, the only method I knew to get a polished, silken look was to use a relaxer or to excessively dry my hair on high heat, essentially burning my hair. I can be rather lazy when it comes to doing my hair. The mere thought of blow-drying my hair leaves me winded.

One day, while reading through the comments of one of my favorite natural hair care blogs, I noticed some commenters raving about the benefits of using a caramel treatment on your hair. They went on and on about how soft and frizz-free it made their hair. I immediately began researching. I had to find out more about this caramel treatment everyone was talking about.

What Is Caramel Hair Treatment?

Caramel hair treatment is a mixture of caramel or molasses, bananas, raw honey, olive oil, almond oil, and apple cider vinegar. Honey acts as a humectant which retains moisture, and olive oil is used for lubrication while also keeping moisture in the hair. The apple cider vinegar gives the hair a beautiful high shine.

What It Does for Your Hair

A caramel treatment leaves your hair smooth and frizz-free after blow-drying and flat ironing. The caramel makes the hair so soft that it cuts down on styling time. Blow-drying doesn't require as much heat, and straightening your hair requires only a single pass through with a flat iron. Another added benefit is your hair will stay straight after flat-ironing until the next wash.

I was very excited about trying the caramel treatment. I saw a few recipes to make my own, but I didn’t want to go through the trouble of making it myself. So I began looking for store-bought products that had caramel in it. I came across a couple of Instagram videos with women who had beautiful, healthy-looking hair. Their hair was gorgeous, bouncy, shiny, and stick straight; as if they had a fresh relaxer. I kept seeing the hashtag E'Tae, which lead me to a page with even more impressive pictures and videos.

E'Tae Products

E'Tae is a natural haircare line catering to clients with hard to manage hair. The E'Tae Carmel Deep Reconstructing Treatment is its signature product, and what inspired me to try the line. Although it does not contain actual caramel, it does contain molasses, which gives it its caramel color. The line also includes Butter Shine, which makes hair glossy and gives it a sheen. They also make a deep penetrating shampoo and conditioner.

For children, there’s a shampoo bar which I use on my 2-year-old daughter’s hair. She has very tightly coiled, dry 4c hair, which can be difficult to style when it’s not properly moisturized. I love the shampoo bar because it doesn’t strip her hair of its natural oils or dry it out.

E'Tae Carmel Treatment Results

My Experiences With the E'Tae treatment

I chose not to buy the shampoo and conditioner because my budget didn’t allow it at the time. The E'tae Carmel Deep Reconstructing Treatment was $20 when I brought it in 2014. I have since seen it on sale for as low as $13.99 in some places. I appreciated the fact my order shipped the same day I placed it.

You don’t have to purchase the whole line to see immediate results. The E'tae Carmel Reconstruction Treatment is very effective on its own. I didn’t need to use a lot of the product, just a hand full. It's safe to use with every wash or just as a once-a-month treatment for your hair.

How to Use the E'tae Treatment

1. Wet your hair just enough to dampen it.
2. Smooth the treatment from the roots of your hair to the tips.
3. Put a plastic cap on your head for 20 minutes. (I did this before shampooing and conditioning my hair.)
4. Rinse out and shampoo and condition as usual.

Some people like to keep the treatment in their hair for a whole day or even overnight.

Blow-Drying Is Easy

Blow-drying, the thing I hated most about washing my hair, was so much easier after using the caramel treatment. My blow-dryer's comb attachment seemed to glide through my hair. The treatment was able to stretch out the natural curl pattern of my hair. I think women with relaxed hair will appreciate this because it will allow them to relax their hair every other month, as opposed to every month like some women feel they have to do.

One Press Flat Ironing

What Do You Think?

DIY Caramel Treatment Recipe

If you're into making your hair care products at home, you can make your own caramel treatment. The recipe is simple and easy to follow. Here's one I found on Genius Kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil, increase oil depending on coarseness of hair
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 cups banana baby food
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup shea butter or coconut oil

Instructions

1. Mix the shea butter or coconut oil with the bananas. Heat in the microwave for 10 seconds or until the oils are liquid.
2. Pour the almond oil and olive oil into a blender, then add the banana oil mixture from the microwave. Blend for two minutes.
3. Add the honey or molasses. Blend for 20 seconds.

How to Use

1. Brush your hair out.
2. Dampen hair.
3. Apply the mixture from the roots to the ends of the hair.
4. Cover hair with a plastic cap.
5. Leave on for two to three hours.
6. Shampoo and condition your hair as normal.

It Was Worth It

Although I was very excited about trying the caramel treatment for the first time, I was a bit skeptical about making another hair care purchase. I tend to obsess over anything new that excites me. I usually end up with tons of products that I never use, but I must say, the caramel treatment was not one of those abandoned purchases. It truly changed my hair and hair-care routine. What I once thought was hopeless, I now know is attainable. I don't have to fight with my hair or dread the detangling process. Now if I could just remember to order the darn stuff before I run out.

Which One Do You Prefer?

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2018 The filled mind

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

Toners are a great way to keep processed hair looking natural, but finding the right shade and learning how to use the product correctly can take a little practice. Luckily, I've used Wella toner on my hair many times and am here to share my best tips with you.

In this article, we will cover the following topics:

• Wella Color Charm Shades
• Choosing the Right Toner for You
• How to Use Wella Toners
• Why Choose Wella?
• What Is Hair Toner and How Does It Work?
• Can Toning Damage Your Hair?
• Troubleshooting Toning Mistakes
• Maintaining Toned Hair

Wella Color Charm Toner

One of the most popular and accessible toners out there is Wella Color Charm. They've got a family of three main branches: silver, ash, and beige.

Silver Toners

• T28 Natural Blonde
• T10 Pale Blonde: Formerly known as "Ivory Lady," this toner contains violet-blue undertones and will cancel out yellow-orange tones in your hair.

Ash Toners

• T14 Pale Ash Blonde: Formerly known as "Silver Lady," T14 is also violet-blue based. This shade will add ashy tones, resulting in a hair shade that is darker than T18.
• T18 Lightest Ash Blonde: According to many reviews, this toner is better for going to nearly a white blonde than T10. This is a violet-based toner, "White Lady," that will eliminate light yellow tones from your hair.

Beige Toners

• T15 Pale Beige Blonde
• T11 Lightest Beige Blonde: This toner has a green-violet base, and will result in a sandy beach tone. It is best on yellow hair, and not ideal if you are looking for a cooler tone.
• T27 Medium Beige Blonde
• T35 Beige Blonde: Another toner with a green-violet base, this product will cancel out the red and yellow brassy tones in golden hair while still keeping it warm.

What Color Toner Is Right for Me?

Hair toners are commonly tinted with violet, blue, and green. These colors end up canceling out yellow, orange, and red tones that are present in bleached hair. It's important to understand color theory when toning so that you end up with the desired result. If you want to cancel out yellow, go for a violet-based toner. Orange tones are negated by blue, and red tones by green. (A quick look at a color wheel should help you see why!)

Consult a Toning Chart

In order to use these toners, Wella recommends that you lighten your hair to at least half a shade lighter than your desired end result. I've included a chart showing lightness shades below so you can figure out what level you need before toning! Chances are you're going to want to lighten to a level 10 to 12.

It's important to consider the damage that could be done to your hair through the bleaching and toning process. It's inevitable, but when done properly, you can still maintain a healthy mop.

How to Use Wella Toners

Once you've decided on the proper shade of toner for you, the rest is very simple!

You Will Need:

• Wella Color Charm Toner
• 20 volume developer (I prefer Salon Care Cream)
• Gloves
• Dye brush
• Glass bowl
• Tin foil or plastic wrap

Step 1: Perform a Strand Test

In your glass bowl, mix 1 part toner to 2 parts developer. As you mix it with your dye brush, it will start to form a gel. It is wise to conduct a strand test to figure out your processing time. Select a small section of hair that isn't terribly visible. Test out the toner and see what amount of time produces the desired result. I'm not very wise, so I usually skip this step.

Step 2: Apply Toner in Sections

Working quickly, separate your hair into thin layers and paint the toner on, saturating the entire section. I usually start with the hair on my part and around my face and neck, and work my way in.

Step 3: Let Toner Sit

The toner may start to change to a deep, dark shade of blue or purple. Do NOT be alarmed! Let it do its work. You will not end up with dark hair. Let the toner sit for 8–10 minutes for a lighter shade or 20–25 minutes for a darker shade.

Step 4: Wash and Condition Your Hair

Once you're ready, wash it out with shampoo and be sure to condition. Just a heads up for people who didn't know this, but you can use any conditioner as a leave-in conditioner . . . just let it dry on your hair and brush it; you'll get the same result. Don't waste your money on a specifically branded "leave-in" when you have perfectly good conditioner already.

Why Should I Use Wella Over Another Brand?

Wella Professionals, based in Germany, has been making hair products for over 130 years, and they have a real knack for getting things juuust right. From toners to moisturizing shampoos, you really can't go wrong with Wella.

While some DIY products can yield disastrous results (we're looking at you, Sally's boxed dyes), most users have great success with Wella and find that they can get salon-worthy results from home. They also provide a huge range of shades (though you may have to order online, depending on the in-store offerings in your area), meaning there's a much higher chance of attaining the color you're looking for.

Honestly, there's simply no comparison between Wella and most of the other DIY brands you'll find at your local beauty shop!

What Is Hair Toner and How Does It Work?

Simple! It's a product that neutralizes brassy tones on blonde or bleached hair. In other words, it's a miracle in a bottle that keeps your hair looking natural rather than processed. Have you ever seen someone out there who tried to go platinum and got more of a "banana" color instead? This is exactly the issue that toner aims to fix.

How, you ask? Toner uses ammonia mixed with some other chemicals to create a gel. That gel, when applied to your hair, will slightly lift and tone your hair to specific and delicate shades of blonde.

Note: For an in-depth explanation of toner, check out "What Is Toner, and How Does It Work?"

Can Toning Damage Your Hair?

Sort of. The toner itself won't damage your hair, but the bleach that often precedes it (it's not possible to lighten your hair with a toner) or the developer needed for the toner to work can absolutely damage your hair.

We're all pretty familiar with the ways bleach can damage your hair, but fewer people are familiar with the potential damage developers can inflict. Developer opens your hairs' cuticles so that color can penetrate it, but using developers that are too strong (e.g. 30 or 40 volume, which you should never use at home) or using weaker developers too often can be very hard on your hair.

For this reason, you shouldn't tone your hair too much or too often. it's important to give your hair time to recover between toning sessions—a few days at the very least. In addition to giving your hair a breather, this will also give you a better idea of what your color is really like, as it will shift a bit after being toned.

Troubleshooting Toning Mistakes

Going from your current hair color to your dream hair color via toning can be trickier than it initially appears. Here are three common toning mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Toning Lighter Than Your Current Level

This usually happens when you're worried about making your hair too dark, but using a toner for a level that's lighter than the lift you already have can end up creating unbalanced warmth and resulting in an awkward look.

Solution: Never tone higher than the level the hair is already lifted to.

2. Making Your Hair Overly Ashy

This usually happens when you eliminate all warm and gold tones in the hopes that it will give you the silvery look you're going for. Unfortunately, all this does is remove your hair's brightness.

Solution: Never eliminate warmth completely. Instead, try balancing it.

3. Toning Too Much All at Once

While going from your current color to your desired color in a day would be optimal, it often isn't possible, especially if the difference between the two is fairly drastic.

Solution: Don't try to achieve your perfect color all at once. Instead, resign yourself to the fact that it may take several sessions over the course of a few months to achieve your perfect color.

4. Accidentally Turning Your Hair Green

This can happen if you use an ash toner (which contains more green tones) or blue-tinted toner on yellow-toned hair, as the combination could result in a greenish color.

Solution: Avoid green- or blue-tinted toners and opt for purple-tinted ones instead!

5. Toning Darker Without Filling First

Toning darker without filling the hair first will result in a muddy gray color that almost certainly isn't what you were going for.

Solution: Fill hair to balance the tones before using a toner to go darker.

For more information about troubleshooting toning mistakes, including examples, check out this article by @PaintedChair.

Maintaining Toned Hair

At this point, you should have a beautiful, non-brassy shade of blonde hair! If that didn't happen, you may need to reevaluate the steps that you took. Did you bleach your hair to the proper level before toning it? Did you leave the toner in long enough? Did you use the proper volume of developer?

Again, if you need to redo the process, wait a few days first to give your hair a breather.

In my experience, toner is not truly "permanent" and will need to be used again once brassy tones start to come back through. This will take some time, though.

There are many ways to prevent brassy hair, but I've found that a particularly great product for upkeep is Generic Brand Purple Shampoo, available at Sally's. This will work to tone your hair every time you take a shower, preventing brassiness! But again, be sure to use a moisturizing conditioner, as toning shampoos can end up drying out your hair.

More Hair DIYs

Now that your hair is perfectly toned, it's time to start thinking of your next hair journey! Read some of my other DIYs here:

What Is Developer and How Do You Use It?

How to Remove Red Hair Dye

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2018 Alex Rose

Comments

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on August 26, 2020:

Bleach always works best on virgin hair, which is why it lifted the top so much and left the bottom looking brassy! The brassy parts are from where the permanent brown dye changed the color of your hair.

Looks like your profile photo is what you are dealing with now? You may be able to go over your hair now with a dye like Clairol's Nice N Easy (no ammonia). Instead of a sandy blonde, I'd personally go for a light brown to help cover some more of the bottom. Your hair will probably need a trim after the bleaching, so if you cut off a few inches you will be able to remove some of the darker stained hair as well!

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on August 26, 2020:

T18 should work to make your hair platinum toned! If you'd like to go for silver, you can try out something like Ion Titanium.

Heather on August 20, 2020:

can i strip after Ive already bleached?

Ch33ky44 on August 18, 2020:

Hi Alex,

I desperatly need some help with my hair. I've only put brown hair dye on my hair once about 15 months ago in over 3 years. Well a few days ago I put bleach with 20 developer on my hair. I painted it on towards my roots to leave some light/medium brown and not have it be a harsh line of color. I used to do this to my sisters hair and it always worked well. I followed up with a T28 developer. The result was a medium blonde with yellow and an orange tint to it. My roots were also lightened quiet a bit by the toner. I went back to Sallys and was recommended doing another round of bleach with the 20 developer all over my hair followed up by T14 toner. The result- down to my ears is (I think) a level 10. Very bright light pale yellow. From my ear level down is a level 8 that's brassy with a dominant orange hue. Hair suprisingly still feels pretty healthy. A little more dried out feeling than normal but dosen't seem too bad considering.. I can't afford to go to the Salon due to family hardship at the moment or I would have from the begining. However, my hair looks horrible now and I have not a clue what to do with it. Overall goal was a light sandy or ash blonde that looks more natural and pretty. Any help would be very much appreciated!

McKayla on August 17, 2020:

I have a level 10 light blonde hair will t18 make it a silvery color

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on August 17, 2020:

If it's your first time bleaching your hair on your own, silver is probably a little too ambitious. I would hit a salon first.

Silver is definitely easier to achieve when you know what you're doing, and if you've worked with bleach on your own hair enough. It's kind of a long process, typically with multiple rounds of bleaching involved. I know the first time I tried to bleach my hair at home, I was very impatient and inexperienced, and I fried my hair because of it. Over the years of experimenting, now I feel comfortable to bleach and go silver - but if it's your first time, I would strongly recommend seeing a pro!

Debbie on August 10, 2020:

My natural hair is dark brown with a lil gray here and there around the crown.

But i have had my hair dyed blond (golden) for 11 years.

I so want the silver look.

Should i just go to a salon or can i achieve it myself. Never have done a toner or nkeach just dye jobs.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on July 28, 2020:

There is an important distinction between blonde dye and bleach! Blonde dye is kind of pointless in my opinion, because dye deposits color. If you're trying to go lighter, you need bleach rather than dye.

If you're not super experienced with bleach, I don't really recommend trying it on your own as it can really damage your hair. I do have a few articles on how to bleach at home, so if you're in it for the long haul you can absolutely learn.

Carrie on July 23, 2020:

I naturally have medium brown hair with light red undertones. I then tried to initially tried to dye my hair a light ash blog. Ugh. Now I have light reddish brown brown hair on the top with some red strips running down the back. I have mid length thick hair . I have toned it with fanola blue shampoo and conditioner, Then Kristen Ess gloss. No results . I gave myself a night in my olaplex conditioner. No dice. Now my dark hair at the ends of my hair and the reddish /blond/brown is disastrous.

Abir tsleb on July 20, 2020:

I have a question about a hair color

How i can get rid of darker spots oh the top front of the hair

The hair are already color level 5. And those dart spots are 2level darker

Marisa on June 28, 2020:

What Wella toner would you recommend to put on brown hair that got bleached to a yellow level 7/8? I tried to use t15 and it didn’t stick.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on June 23, 2020:

You'll need to bleach at least one or two more times to get your hair light enough. Toners aren't absolutely necessary for this. If you're going for blue or purple, I would definitely recommend a toner. If you're looking to do any warm colors or green, you should be okay without a toner! If you want to dye a bright red or orange, you will most likely not need to bleach any further.

If you're going to go through multiple bright colors, I do recommend that you do multiple bleaches (spaced out over a few weeks) until your hair is light enough. Typically, if it is a light yellow, you are ready to go.

Tracy on June 22, 2020:

I bleached my brown hair, and it looks just like the picture at the top of this article... red. I plan on coloring my hair some bright colors. I know nothing about toners. Are they necessary to achieve this? What toner/ developer would i get? Can I do it soon after bleaching?

Emma 29 24 on June 21, 2020:

I am planning to use wella t10 toner on deer brown hair, any advice!

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on June 18, 2020:

There are certain shades of toner that will work perfectly for you! If you lighten to a golden color, just between orange and yellow, you could use a toner like T11, T27, or 35 to even it out and stay caramel-beige!

Kooky on June 16, 2020:

Hi there! I think I'm getting the hang of this, but most of the information I'm finding is for canceling out warm colours. What if I want a lower level bronde or golden hair/highlights? I keep learning how we must bleach to pale yellow before toning, but what if I don't want my hair that light and I want to work with the warmth instead of cancel it? Even if I do want my hair that light, I'm not sure what to do. Everything revolves around ash, lord help me! lol.. tia :)

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on June 12, 2020:

I would first remove the existing color using a color stripper - this is better for your hair than trying to bleach dye out! I've used Color Oops before, but there are tons of generic brands you can pick up from your local drug store or Sally's.

Once you've removed the existing dye, I *think* a bleach bath could work for what you're trying to do. Everyone's hair is different, but it is very possible a bleach bath will do, rather than a full bleach! I think it's also a better idea since you're only wanting to go a couple of shades lighter.

From there I would choose either a dark blonde or a light brown dye. Personally, I'd choose a dark blonde just because I worry about a light brown being too dark and taking you right back where you started.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on June 12, 2020:

Sounds like the bleach was not left in long enough. Dark hair goes orange first, then yellow, and then the hairstylist should use toner to take out the brassy tones. I would schedule an appointment with a different hairstylist, for a color correction! And maybe see about getting a refund from the first stylist, because highlights are basic and should be easy to do.

amurisen on June 09, 2020:

It turned my white hair an awful color of blond

S Smith on June 08, 2020:

My daughter has brown hair. Had is 'highlighted' by a 'professional' and it's orange. It's pretty bad. What should she do?

Karen Barnes on June 06, 2020:

I have box dyed hair 5 AB L'oreal Medium Ash Brown which looks very dark on me with lots of red undertones. I would like to go to a 6 or 7 Light Ash Brown or Dark Ash Blonde color. I also have greater than 50% grey roots. My natural color is about a level 5. Would a bleach bath work to lighten 1-2 shades, or am I needing to do a full bleach? What would I use to color after bleaching to achieve this? Would a 7NA permanant dye be appropriate to achieve the level 6-7 and cover roots? I do not want any red/orange undertones . Can you recommend any specific products? Thank you!

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on June 03, 2020:

I'm not sure it would lift enough color out, you may need to do a round of bleach first! Since your hair is already blonde, I'd try maybe with 10 volume developer and then tone with T18.

Jessica on June 02, 2020:

My hair is currently lightened to about a T35 but I would prefer it to have more of an ash tone like a T18. Is it possible to achieve that by toning it?

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 28, 2020:

I used to make this mistake too - when removing color, you should use a color stripper rather than bleach! I've learned within the past few years that putting bleach on top of dye can result in some staining. The color should be removed first, and then bleach should be applied.

If this were me, I'd try out a color remover next. Some dyes can be very stubborn. I know you can find brands like Color Oops at a drug store! You can also find packets of Pulp Riot Blank Canvas on Ebay. This is my favorite brand, and it doesn't smell nearly as awful as Color Oops. I use one packet on my hair which is almost down to my waist. Mix with 10 volume developer, and it usually works pretty quickly. I use it pretty much the same as I would bleach, leaving it in about 40 minutes or less!

Donotw84it on May 28, 2020:

My daughter has used several different colors of Arctic Fox on her slightly lifted bayalage hair (maybe between a 7-8 near the bottom of her hair and blended up to about a 4-5 at the roots), over the course of about 9 months. She has used pinks, purples, reds, violets and the last color she used was a sapphire blue tone and it faded out to blue/green on the lightest pieces of her hair. In an effort to try and remove these last traces of blue and go back to blonde highlights/bayalage, she did an all over bleach bath with 20v developer, dandruff shampoo, lightening powder and Ion’s version of Olaplex. This has lifted her a shade or two all over which she expected, but turned the blue to a mint green on the lower parts of her hair, pulled up some various shades of pink/rose in other areas and a orangish-gold on her natural roots (probably about 4-5 inches of new growth). We are kind of at a loss as to where to go from here given all the different colors happening right now. Our thought was to do another bleach wash in a week or so and then toner, but we are just not sure. We are nervous to tone because, what color do we use?? Several different colors/toners? Ketchup?? Totally at a loss here, but this is the first processing she has done since last August, so her hair is relatively healthy. Any advice would be appreciated. Please and thank you.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 27, 2020:

I don't think that T18 would work on copper hair, T35 with 20 volume is probably your best bet! Good luck! If it doesn't lighten up enough, you may need to use bleach to lift some of the copper out.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 27, 2020:

I would definitely put them on separately! The T18 won't do anything to the orange parts, but I'd worry about the T27 on the lighter parts.

Adriana on May 27, 2020:

Hello, I have light copper hair (9.34) and would like to take away the red and just have a normal blond. Should I use T18 or T35? I am really confused! Thanks for the advice and congrats for this very useful article! :)

vanessa61 on May 22, 2020:

Hi! I have some light yellow highlights and other orange parts in my hair. Can I mix T18 with T27 and developer in the same bowl and apply all over or should do it separately?

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 18, 2020:

It takes a while to turn purple, maybe 20-30 minutes before it really starts to show up. It is possible that your chemicals or brands were bad? I've never heard of it happening, I usually use developer that I've had sitting around for months and I haven't had any issues.

It's hard to know what could have happened without more details.

SARAH BROWN on May 15, 2020:

Anyone know why the toner would not turn purple?

I added 2 parts 20 vol developer and nothing happened! Sitting here with white blonde hair and yellow roots!

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 15, 2020:

No need to bleach again! Not sure where you're from but you should just be able to pick up a box dye from the drug store that can achieve the brown/red that you're looking for. Maybe Loreal 6AB if available by you? It is an auburn-brown.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 15, 2020:

Yes that should work perfectly!

Charlie on May 14, 2020:

Hi.

I normally have full bleached hair. Decided to bleach my own roots and they are yellow in comparison to the white length which i expected. It is not massively different but just looks a bit naff. I have ordered T18 & 20vol to even it out so assume thats the right one?

Nikno on May 12, 2020:

Hello, I love everything I'm reading. I really need help. I'm naturally level 5 med brown but have been a level 3 Clairol dark brown/black 10 years, grey roots. I went quarantine craze and ordered from Sally. I bleached with 30 v and prism light bleach powder - I did this 2x. I didn't leave it in very long - because I'm afraid of killing my hair. I am now a fairly even drab bright pumpkin color level 6. Very flat no shine, some hot yellow under the lower layers. I would be thrilled to get to a med/light natural-ish looking auburn. My hair is porous and pulls dark. If I tone orange hair will it go ashy brown? If I put a auburn or red brown color over my pumpkin color with a 10v peroxide - will this backfire? Is there a way to get where I want with no more bleaching? I'm thinking of med brown/red with some honey tones. I'm afraid if I put med brown color on it will pull dark. And if I put red or auburn on it I'll look like Ronald McDonald.Thanks so much! This is very accurate to color I'm currently at but very dull no shine https://www.pinterest.com/pin/524528687821638729/

and this is where I'd like to go with it - anything close would be amazing Thank You https://www.pinterest.com/pin/217932069455345129/

Siribai on May 10, 2020:

If your roots are still a tad yellow after toning (or a little lighter than the rest of your hair you could get a demipermanent color in an ashy tone in a level 7 or 8 (wella colorcharm demipermanent 8-A works well for me) and apply it just lightly at the roots of your hair in dry or barely damp hair - going a bit longer as you head toward the back of your head. It's just a subtle (or less subtle) root shadow/root tap. This is what I do and it makes me look like a natural blonde. slightly darker (blended) roots ALWAYS look best in my opinion. If you want to get really fancy you can blend it out with a brush dipped in conditioner.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 10, 2020:

It is interesting that you have gotten the correct result before but it isn't working now. Really the only thing you can do to remove color is to bleach, and it is great that you have been spacing them out so far! I'm not sure which products you are using, but maybe it would be good to try a new bleach/developer? For the last few years I have been using Ion Bright White Creme Lightener, and it works better than anything else I have used. If your hair is currently orange, I'd use Salon Care 20 Vol developer. Sometimes when my hair is stubborn I leave it on a little longer than recommended, which is usually fine because I take very good care of my hair. Maybe 40 mins to an hour would do the trick? Just make sure you are monitoring the bleached sections while they process and don't use any on your ends!

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 10, 2020:

I usually order from Sally Beauty, but I'm not sure if they ship to ireland! If that doesn't work, definitely try Ebay.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 10, 2020:

I would try a green based toner rather than bleach!

Mistena on May 06, 2020:

I need help

Meggie Golden on May 06, 2020:

I have dark hair. I bleached/toned my hair before to get a level 10/11 lightness. I then went ash grey. That was a year ago and the grey of course faded out and i had growth about 4 inches on my roots. I should have kept up with it but life happened. Anyways i figured I would do the process again. Bleach everything level 11 blonde. I have bleached it 3 times (waiting months in between). 3 times was the magic number laat time. This time i cant seem to bleach it light enough. I cant get the orange out of my hair. I have bleached, toned with T18 and T14. Nothing is working. Im confused why i cant get the sane results i did last time doing the same process. Any ideas?

Dolores on May 06, 2020:

Hi please help i live in ireland and ive heard so much about wella toner but i cant get it anywere ive tryed looking on line but no luck. Where can i get it

Soso on May 06, 2020:

Hello

I've been wanting to color my hair

I have my dark roots, also highlights grown out, they're still beautiful color, I want to color my whole hair to mushrooms brown, what color should I use, by Wella ...help please

thank you in advance

A-P on May 05, 2020:

Hello! I'm naturally a medium blonde. I've previously bleached and dyed my hair artificial, bold reds. A few months out, My hair is mostly just bleachy-pink. I'd like to neutralize the red tones in the previously bleached sections. Could I simply use a green-based toner or should I bleach those sections again?

I'm trying to go a light blue.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 05, 2020:

The problem with that is that you're using a dye to go blonde, and dye deposits color. What you need is bleach, which lifts color. If your hair is orange, you're not going to get anywhere close to blonde unless you bleach it. Purple shampoo is merely for toning your hair once it is light yellow. If you still have purple in your hair, it means you didn't wash the shampoo out well enough.

In order to get to blonde you will need to use a lightener. I use Ion Bright White Creme Lightener and Salon Care 20 volume Creme Developer. You will probably want to have someone help you apply it so you can be thorough and quick.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 05, 2020:

I've never had it turn my hair gray, it usually makes it platinum - but everyone's hair is different. Maybe go for something a little more warm toned, like T14 or T15?

Penny Champion on May 04, 2020:

Hello

I’ve used a permanent nutrisse blond colour on the roots of my hair and it’s turned my hair colour orange. I then went and bought a colour kit that takes colour out but that just made it more orange. I’ve then bought purple shampoo and that has left purple shades throughout my hair. Now have orange and purple shades on my hair. What can I do?

Thanks

Alicia on May 04, 2020:

Hello! I’ve been hoping to achieve the gorgeous blond hair color you have in the picture for years. It never goes right even at salons, I’ve never tried a toner and I seen the exact ash blonde one at Sally’s today that you’re talking about (the woman working in there even suggested it) I didn’t buy it because I’ve always heard that any kind of Ashe will make my hair grey which I don’t want! I’m also pretty scared to try, what do you suggest? Should I give it a go after dying my hair or try something else? Thank you!

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 01, 2020:

Hey! I think I just replied to your other comment - for a medium blonde I'd say T11 or T15!

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 01, 2020:

For medium blonde, I think T15 or T11 would work well!

Marne G on May 01, 2020:

I am not sure if you answered this, if so I apologize but I didn't see the answer... I was due for a highlight mid March, so I now have 11 weeks of growth. I have medium blonde hair, and I get a lot of very light highlights. I would like to tone my highlights so the new growth isn't quite as much of a contrast. What level would you recommend?

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 30, 2020:

You can mix two, but it sounds to me like your hair wasn't pale enough the first time you used the toner. You may want to go back in and lighten the parts that are still showing yellow through. I just worry that using a toner again won't actually do the trick, in which case you waste a bunch more toner.

Once you've got that yellow down to a super pale yellow, you should be able to tone successfully! T10 is definitely more silver too, T18 always gives me a platinum blonde.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 30, 2020:

It sounds like it didn't lift enough the first time, so I'd go back in and re-bleach the roots. But it's important to take your time between processes, since you've just done two in a week. I'd space it out and lighten again next week, and then give it a day or so before toning again! And try to avoid the super light spots - just put the lightener on the darker bits.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 30, 2020:

If your hair has lifted to very white, I would avoid toner! Toner will create a small amount of color lift, so it may end up making your hair even lighter. I'd try a semi-permanent blonde, whichever brand you prefer. I don't normally do blonde so if I were doing this, I'd probably try Ion or Garnier.

Alison on April 30, 2020:

HI

IM LOOKONG FOR ADVICE

I use T18 after bleaching to get rid of the yellow, this works on most of my hair but i always see a sight tinge of yellow at my roots even after toning with the T18. I also like it to be more silver than white which toner would you suggest or can you mix 2 together for example T18 and T10? What would you suggest for the yelllow tibhe even after toning.

Thanks

Alison

clairebbbear on April 29, 2020:

Hi - I got desperate in iso and used a boxed dye (L'oreal) to dye my roots, which are light ash brown compared to the rest of my hair which is light silvery ash blonde.

I don't think I left it in long enough because my roots are brassy/golden in comparison to the rest of my hair. I have used a toner and a purple shampoo, which helped with the brassiness, but it seems like they both took to the rest of my hair much better than to the newly dyed bit (the rest of my hair is now even more silver/lilac, while the roots are more yellow in comparison).

So I'm wondering if I need to re-lighten my roots using a 20 vol developer as well as a toner this time, and will my hair take that? It has been nearly a week since I bleached the roots.

AnnC67 on April 29, 2020:

Because of all the salons being closed since last month, I decided to bleach my hair rather than touch up my grey roots that were getting too long because I always wind up making the rest of my hair too dark because I have trouble keeping it just on the roots. My natural hair color was light brown but it grey/white when I was in my 30s.

After bleaching my hair, I used Wella Color Charm T14 toner, which is too light, so now my hair is very white (I look like Viserys Targaryen from Game of Thrones). ;0)

Can I use a T11 toner to make it less white or should I use T35 or something other than toner? I'd hate to use permanent color and mess it up and negate the reason for bleaching it i the first place.

Thanks.

Marne G on April 29, 2020:

I was due for a highlight mid March, so I now have 11 weeks of growth. I have medium blonde hair, and I get a lot of very light highlights. I would like to tone my highlights so the new growth isn't quite as much of a contrast. What level would you recommend?

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 27, 2020:

You can just tone the blonde areas if you'd like! The toner won't do much at all on hair that isn't light blonde anyways, so I'd say mix up half of the formula and save the unmixed toner for next time.

Lauralei6 on April 25, 2020:

Question - if I’m am growing out natural roots, silver and mid brown but with bleached ends say 5-6 inches , can I tone all over with a blend of violet/warm Wella or just do the blonde part? Thank you

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 23, 2020:

A color stripper is different than bleach and can be purchased at a drug store typically! Color Oops is a popular one. It is designed to remove existing dye, not lighten your natural hair color. So, if you're trying to go blonde, you should first remove the red dye, then bleach roots/the rest of your hair to the level you desire. If you're looking to go for a golden blonde, once you've lightened your hair to gold (somewhere between orange and yellow) and use Wella T35!

Nicole Patrick on April 23, 2020:

Hi there. I am going to try and lift red box color during this quarantine. I noted you mentioned using a stripper. Is that different than bleach? Also, I have dark brown and gray roots, should I handle them differently than the colored hair? Finally, my hair tends to pull brassy. Can you recommend a toner shade?

Thanks for doing this.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 23, 2020:

If your hair hasn't been bleached light enough, the Wella T18 toner will not work. It only works on light yellow hair. If you're still seeing orange tones at your roots, you will need to do another bleach process before toning! Or, use a different toner like Wella T35 - this is for hair that is more orangey to become golden/honey toned.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 22, 2020:

That COULD work, but I'm not as familiar with using blonde dyes to tone. I wouldn't recommend putting developer in a dye unless it's in the instructions.

I'd say if you have highlights that are more orange, try Wella T35 toner with 20 volume developer. If you google image search "Wella Toner Chart" you should be able to find a graphic that shows what each of their toners should do!

Sabrina Adams on April 22, 2020:

Hi my question is the toners I use is the Wella t18 and It’s still not white enough for me and I don’t know how to get rid of the brassiness at my roots do you have any suggestions please help

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 22, 2020:

So Wella T18 is for hair that is yellow, it's not going to do much for orange hair. What you can do is use a different toner on the orange parts, while using the T18 still on the yellowy bits. Maybe try Wella T35 or T11?

And you don't need to put it on all of your hair, I usually just apply it to the sections that need it. However, if you have a ton of highlights and it's just easier to put it all over, that shouldn't cause you any problems!

Karin on April 20, 2020:

I just had a quick question, first ur amazing at explaining things and it makes it so easy to understand how to do things.

BUT I need help lol .. I have medium brown hair and I usually do blonde highlights around this time of year. Sometimes little parts of it come out a little orange, when I use the toner do i just put that in all of my hair, like roots etc? Cuz I bought wella 20 developer and wella t18 toner. I need help lol. Me and my hubby just got over being sick for 3wks and now that I'm feeling better I need some normalcy but was stuck on the whole toner thing.I just had a quick question, first ur amazing at explaining things and it makes it so easy to understand how to do things.

BUT I need help lol .. I have medium brown hair and I usually do blonde highlights around this time of year. Sometimes little parts of it come out a little orange, when I use the toner do i just put that in all of my hair, like roots etc? Cuz I bought wella 20 developer and wella t18 toner. I need help lol. Me and my hubby just got over being sick for 3wks and now that I'm feeling better I need some normalcy but was stuck on the whole toner thing.

Rebecca on April 20, 2020:

If I have added balayage to my medium brown hair (Dyed my natural color to cover grays) Would I be able to use an Ash blonde boxed dye on the highlighted portion of my hair in order to get rid of the brassy orange color? Would using a 20 developer with the color make a difference? Is this an obvious disaster waiting to happen.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 14, 2020:

Hi! I think I just responded to your e-mail. Don't worry about stripping toner, I'd just add the T18 on top. Sounds like you're good to go with it. If you have any particularly bad color banding, I'd go back in and do a spot touch up with bleach (just quickly in the bad spots) before toning.

I always apply toner on dry hair, so you know you have hit every section. I'd give it a few days between your bleach and tone processes, should be fine because you're home anyways! Once you've got the banding out, go in with the toner and 20 volume. Apply it in small sections on dry hair and use a dye brush! Just don't leave on for too long, the toner box will have some instructions for you!

When it's time to rinse toner out, don't use shampoo - just rinse it out thoroughly and you shouldn't really have any purple left in there.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 14, 2020:

I would try out a nice warm blonde dye! If your hair is already lightened you can find blonde dyes at most drug stores. Maybe Garnier Butternut or Apricot Jam is more what you're looking for?

Sarah English from Essex on April 13, 2020:

Hi!

So quarantine and waiting to go to the hairdressers doesn’t work!

My natural base is about 6 with a natural red/gold tone

I have pre lightened my root with powder bleach and 20 vol (yes it’s patchy underneath the back but hey ho) the top sides and front are good coverage

My root is lifted to around a 10 base, and a little darker than my lengths (I’d say around 11/12) I think there’s still a little toner left from my last appointment in February, So don’t know if it’s best to try and strip that out first.

I’ve ordered T18, as it seems the best. Will this level out the colour banding?

Can you recommend application methods for best results please. I’m not working at the moment so don’t mind a lilac/grey result.

Also, wet or dry application?

Thank you for your advice!

Stay safe and well x

Erica Williams on April 10, 2020:

Hi I have 4B textured hair and I previously bleached my hair and achieved a nice warm blonde (t15/t27). I went back to do my roots and used T28 toner. It basically took all of the warmth out and is a more natural blonde but doesn’t fit my complexion (I have Carmel brown skin with hazel eyes) How do I get back to a warmer blonde that better suits me?

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 07, 2020:

So, there's a difference between blonde hair dyes, and bleach. Sounds like you've used a dye, which won't help to lift a whole lot of the color. I'm not sure what's available to you, but since you're on lockdown it's okay to take your time with lightening as not a lot of people should see your hair in this in-between stage!

I'd get a color stripper first, and try to remove any residual dye that may be present. Then, wait a few days and give your hair some time to recover. If you can get bleach and developer and toner, I'd recommend Ion Bright White Creme Lightener, Salon Care 20 volume Creme Developer, and Wella T-35 Toner. Use the lightener and developer at the recommended ratio (I think it's one part lightener to two parts developer). Make sure you're applying them evenly with a dye brush. Apply in small sections, so you don't get splotches. Let sit for about 40-50 minutes before rinsing. You can repeat this process a couple of times if your hair is naturally dark - just space out the bleaches by a few days and make sure you're conditioning heavily. Don't use shampoo for a bit as it will only dry your hair out more.

I'd focus right now on lifting the red and orange out - go easy on the yellow spots, as they seem to have lightened enough already. Once you can get all of your hair to be gold, I'd use Wella T-35 Toner and the same 20 volulme developer. This will tone your hair to beige!

It's super important to take your time here - it's not going to turn out perfect your first bleach. But you've got the time, it's definitely better to go in baby steps than to ruin your hair and have to cut it all off. Good luck!

Sarah Fernandes on April 02, 2020:

Hi,

So ive been taking quarantine well and dyed my hair using box dyes, blonde ones. Ive bascially gone from dark brown/black to very light orange with a pale blonde and then to a vitamin C colour (yellow gold at the roots, orange/red almost for the rest of my hair) after thinking a platinum blonde would help me go lighter. Its dark red/orange/yellowey now. What do i do? I basically wanted to go light enough (i miss the very plae orange now) to dye it with something that gave me a rose goldish colour. Got a deep rouge red 4.26 hair dye. With covid i thought i could do it myself

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on March 10, 2020:

If you're going to platinum, you'll need your hair to be bleached to yellow! When you have it yellow like the inside of a banana peel, use Wella T18 to remove the brassiness and achieve a white-platinum.

Ruby on February 25, 2020:

Hi, I have reddish (dyed) medium brown hair (natural) and I want to know which toner I should use after I bleach my hair? I'm trying to get it to a platinum color. I know it'll be brassie and orange one I bleach it cause of the red. PLS help me!!!! Lol

Tetatate2 on February 17, 2020:

Hi

I'm looking for advice .

I just jumped into dying my hair for the first time.

I really wanted to cover some odd looking grey.

I went with a henna product that was meant to give a rich brown but actually gave a lot of red .

I then used a garnier nutrise brown to try and cover the red .

But of course it is still a very red - brown .

Reading up and watching videos it is all a bit confusing

Seem I should be using something with a green tone to try and neutralize but what and how exactly - e.g. shoud I try and take some of the colour out first .......

Any advice appreciated . great if it can be kept simple :)

I don't really mind what colour - within reason other than red - or probably black :)

Elisabete Balula on January 03, 2020:

Hello. Finally I found an article super informative. I dye my hair a lot, I have been dying it with semi permanent La Riche black, before this my hair was white... and I have used this black about 4 to 5 times with a space of 4 to 5 weeks in between, now I would like it silver gray, but the black left this green and I have already bleached it twice, one time with 20 volumes developer and another with 40 volumes developer, now I have green and orange hair, can I correct it to get to silver with a toner?

Brenda on January 03, 2020:

I had dark brown hair and have bleached it 2 times and the orange/gold will not go any lighter I tried toner t18 nothing happened. My roots are more yellow then an inch from my roots the orange color. I don’t want to bleach again but need help to see what toner will help get this awful hair color gone!!! Plz plz help

Roro on November 10, 2019:

After bleaching the hair, which color i have to use to shade the roots? Then after shading the roots i want to use t18+t14.

Dkbrn57 on September 11, 2019:

I have grey roots that I color with dark brown root touch up. What toner should I use after the root touch up? The remainder of my hair is highlighted a caramel color.

Diane Teutsch on September 02, 2019:

I highlighted with a mix of 30 & 40 volume taking from red auburn, dyed med brown first Brassy so I used T35 toner. Should I have used T11 or T15? T35 makes it look brown again like I never highlighted

Deborah on August 25, 2019:

Can this be used on highlights mixed with lowlights? I really don’t want the darker pieces to lighten.

Kat on July 27, 2019:

I bleached my hair and then used the T18 to get the brassy out and a more platinum/silvery colour but there are areas even after washing that are purple? Why and how do I correct?

HawkHire on July 25, 2019:

Wow this One is very nice and always Your blog give me Most Informative Details,

Thanks

Bunie Jaeger on July 02, 2019:

I had my hair bleached , used toner pale ash blonde then used 050 violet to obtain grey hair . It was grey but after a few washings its back to pale yello ?

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on June 26, 2019:

I use it on dry, dirty hair. Usually bleach and dye take better on dirty hair. The amount of time since you've bleached it shouldn't matter, but how light your hair is does matter. Say you were using Wella T-18. Your hair needs to be a light yellow for this to work - no matter when you last bleached it. I would leave on no longer than 40 minutes. You can leave it on longer, but you risk serious damage to your hair.

chloehunt on June 19, 2019:

Do you use on washed or dirty hair? Wet or dry? Does it matter if my hair hasn’t been bleached for 6 months?

What would the max time you would leave it on for lightest possible hair?

Patsy on June 05, 2019:

What toner would I use to enhance my gray hair. T14 r T18 ty

colonel blonde on June 03, 2019:

T18 toner WILL NOT correct Orange hair. Ive been bleaching/toning for 23 years. T18 has a violet base and is for yellow/gold blondes, for orangey blondes you need a toner with blue in the base.. T10, T14. All of the beige toners add neutral/sandy tones you can mix a little into your cool toners if you don't want to be too ashy or silvery.

violet cancels out yellow

green cancels out red

blue cancels out orange

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 28, 2019:

T18!

SuzanneA7 on May 27, 2019:

Hi! In the first side by side photo where the hair is orange on the left and blonde on the right...which Wella toner was used? Thank you :)

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 29, 2019:

I'd say that's ash blonde! If you bleach to a level 9 or 10 blonde and then hit it with the T-18 toner it should do the trick - that's exactly how I got that shade.

Christina from Charlottesville on April 26, 2019:

In your very first picture, the orange side by side with the toned hair, the bottom of hair is pretty much what I want. I don’t know if it’s ash blonde, pale blonde or beige but it’s not platinum or super light. I see the color a lot but never know how to get it lol. Thank you.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 26, 2019:

What are you trying to get to? My hair pulls orange as well but if I'm going for a blonde it just takes a few more rounds of bleach. Once your hair is more yellow you can tone it easier.

Christina from Charlottesville on April 26, 2019:

So I have been obsessing about toners, bleaching, colors. I’ve watched literally every video and yet I still bleached my hair to a nasty orange color. I’ve used 3 different toners over the years and still got it wrong

Roc on April 24, 2019:

Blond brilliance toner works better for getting rid of orangy redish tones after bleaching. I like the platinum tone with 15 developer. It also lifts 1 level.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on March 27, 2019:

Your toner WILL fade, so maybe the trick would be to wash it out. If you wash your hair every day, it should fade pretty quickly. Then I would do T18 and hopefully that does the trick! If you have the T14 in now, I don't think it would get any lighter by applying another toner on top. I haven't had this issue before, but I'd try just washing it out first and then adjusting to the T18.

Ladylovetkn420 on March 27, 2019:

Hi Alexa, unfortunately I came to you a little late. I made a mistake. My hair turned out more of that grey dull color. And I need to know how to correct this. Please help.

Can I add t18 over the t14 toner? After the fact

HighinthecloudsX from Toronto on March 22, 2019:

Hi Alex. (I made a profile I commented earlier.) Yes sorry I forgot to put what colour I wanted to achieve I'm going for a icy white blonde. Something like your picture, captioned (my new look) My friend reccomended to dye my hair with an Ash/gold blonde level 7. Do another bleach and then tone it.What do you think about that idea?

Thanks for answering

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

How to Get Green Out of Hair

So, your hair turned green. Maybe you have light-blonde locks and you hopped in a pool. Or you could've been trying to go blue, but instead ended up with a not-so-appealing moldy hue. Maybe you just wanted to tone out your blonde hair and ended up with an unnatural green instead. No matter the cause, if it was an unintended result, you're going to want to fix it fast.

Figure out what the cause of your green hair problem was and find a solution below!

How to Fix Swimmer's Hair

Turns out the green tint in swimmer's hair actually isn't from chlorine—it's from the oxidization of hard metals in the water. Anyways, the solution is simple.

Use Baking Soda

Grab some baking soda, mix it with water into a paste, and massage it into affected areas. Once you've let it sit for several minutes, wash your hair out with shampoo and conditioner.

Depending on the severity of the green tones, you may have to repeat the process a few times.

Use Ketchup or Lemon

If you for some reason are the only person in existence without baking soda handy at your home, grab some lemons or ketchup. It's going to be a weird food experiment that ultimately results in you looking normal again.

If you're using lemon juice, saturate your hair and let it sit for 5 minutes before washing. If you go with ketchup, massage it into green areas and wrap your hair in tin foil for 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual!

How to Fix Blue Hair Dye Gone Green

I'm including this example because it's definitely happened to me on more than one occasion. Several times when I've tried to dye my hair blue, instead of a pure, even blue, I've ended up with patchy, moldy green.

This problem that lies within the bleaching process. Your hair has got to be as close to white/gray as possible to pick up medium to light blue. If you have yellow or orange in your hair, it's going to mix with the blue and create green and brown tones. Gross.

See the photos above for an example of what happens when you put blue hair dye over orangey hair. In that situation, I had to bleach my hair again and cover it up with a much darker blue dye.

Bleach and Tone Your Hair Again

If this happened to you as well, you probably didn't bleach enough. If you want to risk further damage to your hair to get that perfect blue, another bleach or two with a 10-volume developer should do the trick. Use a purple-based toner like Wella Cooling Violet to get rid of any yellowy warm tones. Once your tone is even and cool, apply your blue dye on top!

Embrace the Green!

If you're deciding to call it a day and give up on blue, you could go full-on green and use a dye to even out the color and make it look intentional. If you choose that route, my personal recommendation is Manic Panic Enchanted Forest!

What to Do If Toner Turned Your Hair Green

This is probably the most common issue my readers will encounter. I'm willing to bet the majority of you are more likely to tone your blonde hair than to dye your hair blue . . . But if I'm wrong, that's pretty sick.

Anyways, toning your blonde hair can be tricky. Any "ash" toners are going to have blue-green tones in them, and when that reacts with your yellow-tinted hair, it's bad news.

Use a Warm Toner

If you want to stay as far away from green as possible, use a warm toner. Something golden or beige should do.

But some people hate warm tones, like me! If you're one of these people, look for something purple-based and make sure that you conduct a strand test. The instructions for a strand test should be included with whatever toner you choose and can save you a world of disappointment.

Keep your color theory in mind: Red neutralizes green, purple neutralizes yellow, blue neutralizes orange. If you're mixing the wrong colors, you can end up with a pretty nasty result.

Use Purple Shampoo on a Regular Basis

It may also be handy to purchase some Generic Brand Purple Shampoo to upkeep your cool tones without going green!

Strip the Toner, or Go Darker

If your toner is the reason your hair turned green and you can't get it out, you also have the option to strip it out. One N' Only Colorfix can be purchased at Sally's, and has been known to work stripping out green—just follow the instructions on the package carefully. Once it is out, proceed with caution! Obviously, don't use the same toner again, since that's what turned your hair green in the first place. You always have the option to give up and go darker, or use something like Manic Panic Virgin Snow to tone instead.

Other Experiences?

Did your hair turn green for another reason? Tell me what happened in the comments below and I will try to find you the best solution!

More Hair DIYs

If this article was helpful to you, check out some of my other how-tos!

• What Is Developer and How Do You Use It?
• What Is Toner, and How Does It Work?
• Ion Titanium Color Depositing Conditioner Review

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2018 Alex Rose

Comments

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on August 26, 2020:

If you used permanent dye on the top portion, the color may really fade out. Permanent hair dye with developer will open up the hair shaft and permanently change the color, where a temp dye just sits on top and stains it.

I'd try a clarifying shampoo first and see if that gets you anywhere. If you're open to new hair colors, maybe try a red/pink - as that color fades out, it should help to neutralize the green tones. Overtone also has some toning shampoo/conditioner sets, but it may cause your hair to be darker than you'd like.

Ivybwj on August 23, 2020:

Hey, I have a complicated hair dyeing experience, so I wanted to ask what you thought was best before diving into the ketchup and soda.

So, i have naturally mid-tone brown hair, and i dyed it blue at home, mid-pandenic. It was a lovely colour, but it didn't last very long, even though it was permanent so i bought another box, and did it again. Again, it worked and then faded to a dull colour so i decided to bleach it then dye.

I bleached it twice at home, as the first time was too golden, more a honey colour. I then got some semi-permanent blue dye, and did the ends of my hair (its a bob, about mouth length). The blue has faded as i suspected it would, but my bleached hair above that has turned pale greeney, but only in some lights. In sunlight, it still looks pale blonde, if a bit ashy, but inside it looks totally green. I recently went on holiday and swam in the sea a few times, the pool daily, and also a river. Towards the end of the holiday i noticed this light green, but it's really weird because it doesnt look like any copper dyed green blonde hair I've seen before. Can you help? Thanks

Sarah on August 11, 2020:

Bond fix conditioner thought it was for blonde hair turns out not turned my hair GREEN

Ola on August 04, 2020:

My hair turned green when i used hair colour remover to get purple out of it

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on July 28, 2020:

I don't have experience with Joico, but semi-permanent hair color is only supposed to last 4-6 weeks. If the color stripper didn't work and you can't get it out just by washing, you should probably see a colorist for a color-correction. I'm not sure what shade you used, but it is definitely weird to return that many different colors. Sounds like a pretty unique situation and you should probably hand it to a professional from here, or just go darker!

Erin on July 27, 2020:

Hello, I've read through the comments but i'd rather just tell you what happened and get the exact answer i need. So I was able to go blonde and used cool tones and got to a ash blonde. I found this Joico color butter that was semi permanent. Idebated using it because it was my first time (but i'm an expert at using box color at home for about 15 years and sad, i know). so once i used it, the top of my hair turned pink at the roots, then purple, then blue and then nasty shades of greens from mid to the tips of my hair. i have a bob btw. i was upset, and to avoid damaging my very thin hair, i ignored it, but forgot all about the chlorine issues i might have. I then proceeded to use color oops and my hair just.... became rose blonde at the roots and moldy green color on the rest of my hair. i've tried ketchup, and using clarifying shampoo/ conditioner and nothing has worked to lighten them out. not sure what to do.

Briana on July 26, 2020:

At first I dyed my hair blue but it was semi permanent... about three months later I tried dyeing it honey blonde. The roots took the color perfectly but the ends are green now. I wanted to know what I could use to take that green away.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on July 20, 2020:

That is super weird... Not sure what dye you used, but you should be able to get a good amount of color out just by shampooing! I can usually get super light colors out very quickly by shampooing daily - usually I only do it once a week. Just make sure you're really working the shampoo into your hair, and you should see the color start to run out quicker.

Ignacio on July 14, 2020:

Hi, i had really blonde hair and dye it purple, when it fade out it turn to a really light grey color, almost kinda white so i put bleach on it to remove it and it turn a weird green color, could you help me please?

Luciferia on July 14, 2020:

Hello! I had my hair bleached by a hairdresser a week ago, and i have tried to use pastel pink hair dye on top of it the week later. My hair was light enough, but instead of pink, i ended up with a pastel blue/green hair. Is there a way to fix it without using bleach or colour remover, and before i go to my hairdresser again, cause i fear she might kill me xD thank you in advance!

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on July 07, 2020:

Sounds like you may need to use a color remover! It should be able to get your hair back to the color it was before pink and purple.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on July 07, 2020:

Hopefully, but if not, try Overtone's color correcting conditioner! They have a pink toning conditioner, you can even purchase a sample size on their website. I'd apply it to your green spots before showering and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing out.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on July 07, 2020:

Weird that the powder did that! If it's just kind of green tones, I'd go ahead with the pink (a hot pink would be even better to cover it). My go-to is a color remover, but if that hasn't worked your hair may just be stained. Overtone has some toning conditioners, but the one for cancelling green is a pink toner.

Since you've already tried the color remover, you may just have to roll with it. Maybe there's another color you can use with the pink to cover the green spots? Some blue streaks could look nice!

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on July 07, 2020:

I wouldn't bleach again, try using an Overtone color correcting conditioner! They have a pink toning conditioner, you can even purchase a sample size on their website. If that's not strong enough, they also have brown color depositing conditioners! I'd apply it to your green spots before showering and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing out.

Alisha Andriotis on July 07, 2020:

HI! I had previously died my hair pink purple and red using Arctic fox and it was faded out to a light pink, purple and a bit of red and I put a box of extra light natural blonde on top and it made the pink orange and the purple green

Angeles 'Jelyn' Montaner on July 07, 2020:

Hello : ) there! I had my hair stripped and got a beautiful whitish yellow blonde tone. (I loved it.) But, I've died my hair forever, and tried to color my gray growth -- reason I went blonde -- with a dark blonde and it did end up I have that greenish tone-look. Weeks ago I also got into a pool. Will the baking soda work?

Amanda on July 06, 2020:

I bleached my hair with a blue powder bleach and somehow the lower half of my hair turned blue! Ive used a color remover a couple of times and now i have some greenish but its still not all blonde. I wanted to do a pink so my hair has to be as even as possible.

Allisom on July 03, 2020:

I dyed My hair dark blue, and then I went to the salon to get it out and go my natural color, brown. She did an amazing job the only problem is now the brown has washed out of the ends of My hair and now the ends are green and the top is brown. Can I bleach it and put a pink or red dye over it to cancel

Out the green?

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on June 23, 2020:

She'll have to use a color remover, like Color Oops! That should do the trick, unless you used a brand like Splat. Blonde hair typically still needs to be bleached to get blue to come out properly. It should go on hair that is platinum for best results!

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on June 23, 2020:

I've used the same conditioner before, but the silver tint, and it pulls out with pink stains for some reason. It was pretty hard to get the stains out for me, I used a color remover and that finally worked!

Audra on June 20, 2020:

My daughter wanted blue highlights her natural color is blonde. Hiwever she the blue came out a very musty shade of green. How do we get her back to her natural blonde ,

Suz on June 19, 2020:

I put Ion's brown pigmented conditioner in my too gold hair. It looked great until i washed it. Now it has a green tint and some green highlights. I tried adding the same pigmented conditioner to plain white conditioner and applying again but its still greenish. Any ideas?

Taisha Savage on June 18, 2020:

I used color b4 hair color remover to get rid of the purple stain in my hair, the hair tye i used in my hair while the remover was processing stained my hair neon yellow where the hair tye was. It was a black hair tye and i never imagined it would do that. Anyways, i cant figure out how to remove the green. My hair isnt healthy enough to bleach currently.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on June 18, 2020:

Splat hair dye will permanently stain your hair, unfortunately. It will likely be impossible for you to get that green out, so I'd recommend either a trim or a darker brown to cover!

sally on June 17, 2020:

of blonde and caramal in and going grey so dried this first time in my life I have done it myself and its turned grennishgrey need help I normaly go to the hairdressers thamkyiu

sophiacom on June 16, 2020:

I used the semi-permanent Splat naturals purple dye for brunettes about 2 months ago. I have fairly light dirty blonde hair and it remained purple up until about a week ago when a very bright sea foam green tint showed up on the ends. Recommendations? I will try anything!!!

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on June 15, 2020:

Since it was just shampoo, you should be able to go in with a regular shampoo and get the tint out! Just work it in really good, maybe even shampoo twice in the same shower. You should see the blue tint start to lift up and run through the water at your feet.

Jess on June 13, 2020:

My hairstylist used blue shampoo while doing my nails and left it on my hair too long. Once i got home I realized my highlights looked green and silver instead of golden. How can I get my highlights to look golden again! Help!!

Coconut on June 13, 2020:

I had platinum hair and dyed it dark blonde. Went from level 10 to 7 and it turned greenish. Yikes.

Vanshika Patel on June 13, 2020:

So my hair is naturally dark brown. I dyed my hair burgundy last year and then earlier this year, I decided to get blonde/caramel streaks on my hair. They turned out great. However, I wanted to go back to darker hair. So I used dark chocolate henna about two months ago. After I washed it, I noticed that there were some blonde streaks that had turned green. At first, I thought I was imagining it and then I thought it might fade out. But the streaks looked so green. I decided to search up various ways to remove the green. But most of them revolved around using ketchup to cancel out green from the pool. I put ketchup two times and it did not work for me. Maybe the green tint was slightly lighter, but you could not even tell. Then, I came across using backing soda. Left it on for several minutes. That did not do anything either. I decided to saturate my hair with lemon juice. I don't think that helped either. The green was still there. Just couple of days ago, I bought a clarifying shampoo and after using it, I noticed that some green went away. But it did not affect the back of my hair at all. Like the green shades and tints are still there. I really don't know what to do and I am so sick of green hair. Please help! Maybe there is a different method for removing green that resulted from henna. But I have literally watched every youtube video on green hair removal and have searched up everything and I can't find any remedy that says how to fix green hair that is caused by henna.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on June 12, 2020:

I would first use Color Oops and see if that fixes the problem! If it manages to take the dye out, you can go back over top with a warm toned dye and shouldn't have any problems!

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on June 12, 2020:

I think it depends on what type of dye you used - some have weird undertones. I'm hoping you didn't use Splat! But I've had negative effects with Manic Panic leaving odd colors too.

Depending on what dye you used, the hair may be permanently damaged. Splat hair dye penetrates the shaft and is basically impossible to remove completely. You've got some options to cover it up - if you need to go back to a natural color, I'd use any warm-toned brown. If you want to keep doing rainbow colors, You could easily do blue, green, or red... But make sure you use something like Arctic Fox or Pulp Riot!!

Amelia on June 10, 2020:

I had previously bleached the underneath of my hair blonde and had a semi permanent purple on it. It had faded nearly gone when I decided to strip the top of my hair using a hair colour remover (jo baz) this process turned the bleached section of my hair green!

I have again tried to bleach this section and it hasn’t done anything!

Theresa on June 07, 2020:

I wanted to go bronze you know brown and blond problem is I used a very cheep dark blonde store bought, then a store bout higher, I looks grey and green I think the cheep under color must have had ash I couldn’t tell I got a high lift natural blond and a natural blonde toner I hope that helps or should I use oops first?

Tuesday on June 06, 2020:

I bleached it and it turned greenish Blue grey.. help!

Kim on June 04, 2020:

I used Feria high lift cool brown. Had highlights previously but colored my hair a light brown but as it was fading my roots were turning red and my ends where highlighted we’re going back to blonde. I now have light brien roots with a blue-grayish purple on my ends.

PeggyS60 on May 25, 2020:

I bleached my hair white. I didn't like it so I colored it dark blonde. I was always told to stay away from Ash Blonde because it does turn my hair green moldy looking tint. I want to be dark blonde. How do I get rid of the green?

Janine on May 24, 2020:

So i had blue and purple highlights that faded into green and silver. So i looked up how to cancle out the green and decided to get a brown dye with a red undertone for the green. Now that didn't work? My hair was red for a day before the colour really settled and after that my hair had a green undertone again? Like a really heavy green untertone all over not just where the highlights were? Im so confused

Kaye on May 23, 2020:

I have blonde foils in barwon hair and used blonde permanent hair colour and foils have gone green.

Help

Taylar on May 16, 2020:

My purple shampoo turned my hair green and I don’t know how to get rid or it

Suraya on May 08, 2020:

My hair has a green tint after I used boxed hair dye please help me because it’s almost been 24hrs and I hope that’s not bad

Elli on May 03, 2020:

I have dyed my hair pink purple green and blue without bleaching and after they all faded out I bleached the front of my hair and it turned green I have no idea if it’s the past dyes or if it’s something else

P diddy on April 29, 2020:

Overtone just came out with conditioner toners and theyve got a pink one for correcting green

Paulina on April 24, 2020:

DO NOT USE BAKING SODA ON YOUR HAIR

It will remove the green but it will leave your hair a mess! I had to soak my hair in olive oil every night for a week to get it back to normal.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on April 15, 2020:

I would use a color stripper just to get any of the purple out! As long as the dark brown you're talking about is your natural color, the color stripper should only pull out the remaining semi-permanent dye.

kf on April 14, 2020:

over a month ago i had blonde/light brown highlights added to my darker brown hair. well probably about two weeks ago i dyed my hair purple with a semi permanent dye so i would still be able to go back to my highlights. some purple still remains on top but the blonde at the bottom has turned green. is there anyway i can get it out without redying?

Lou on April 14, 2020:

Heyy, so I used to have purple hair, and i decided to go dark blonde with warm tones. Ofc I took the purple out of my hair with treatments, but when i dyed it again, the result wasn't great : my roots are a beautiful dark blonde but my ends have hideous green highlights... I have tried tomato, re-dying my hair with the same colour, idk what to do anymore... I think the blue that was in the purple is what got me to that green, but i don't want to change my colour??

Caroline on April 13, 2020:

Hi i wanted to change my hair from red to blond i first used, colour stripper and then bleched it twice it turned a slight shad of green so i put an ash blond but it still has a green colour to it...can u advise what i can do to get it to a blond or maby dye it grey please

PetraPetra on March 04, 2020:

I have let my greys grow out, and use the purple shampoos as needed. But I can’t get rid of the green! It seems to always have a hint of it at the ends. This so frustrating.

Lol on February 16, 2020:

Put dark cherry dye over green hair dye. Left it a few months, went to bleach the fringe but the green has come through!

Elita on January 08, 2020:

Had purple hair, let my roots grow out after the purple was completely gone, went to use a L'Oreal box dye to dye it blond again and uhm it's greennn. It's subtle enough to not be painfully obvious but suuuper annoying please help.

Chophousekpop on January 03, 2020:

But what do you doooo if toner turned your hair green. You say it’s bad news not how to correct it, is it the same? Baking soda?

Haven on January 02, 2020:

I used to Keracolor Color Clenditioner in the color Mocha to dye my natural blonde hair. I just wanted something temporary and so when I was over the brown I used my clarifying shampoo to help the fading process and now my hair has an all over green tint to it

Roxy on December 30, 2019:

My hair turned green after I asked the salon to remove my “royal purple” partial highlights. To remove the purple, the top half of my hair was bleached. It wasnt toned, maybe because it was green.

Traci on December 22, 2019:

Used Punky Colour 3-1 color deposit shampoo in brown and turned my rose gold blonde-ish hair with a tint of blue what can I do to get the green tint out?

Lizmary on December 15, 2019:

I used a black semi permanent dye and my hair is green what do I do ?

Sadie K on December 04, 2019:

I'm natural blonde and I got a well water detox treatment that was not right for my hair. It turned the darker blonde orange and the lighter blonde green. I've since had two clarifying treatments and got a blonde balayage which worked, or so I thought. The very lightest of my hair is still straight up GREEN. I fear that dying it won't work, and will only damage it BUT I'm willing to do anything. I've tried everything!! Can't find anything on the internet about getting green out thats not caused by chlorine or colored dye. Please help!

Tracey Weber on November 30, 2019:

Ok so for Halloween I dyed my dark blonde hair blue said it was a wash out did some enough to turn green so went to Sally’s gave me a color strip turned my hair yellow with green tips went back they had me use a neutral blonde turned it a puke green color so googled and used a red color and couple weeks later after a 6 inch haircut I have puke green hair from ears down thought about going to get a pure red color but scared I might make things worse?? Help

Rose on November 11, 2019:

I had very light blonde/platinum hair, put on my usual purple shampoo and left it in for maybe 3 minutes longer than usual. I've ended up with silver patches, some patches that are a darker blonde than before and some green patches. Not really what I was going for

Sandra on November 06, 2019:

I bleached my hair from a radiant raspeberry color to a yellowish on tge roots and at the end it turned into a orange redish color so i tried to bleach just my ends and the color was still there then i toneed it with wella t14 and t18 and addictive 050 and it got rid of most of the red ish orange color but now some areas lool kinda green grey. Wat do i do?

Barbara murphy on November 05, 2019:

Bleached my hair put ash toner on went blue now it goin green whst can i do

Roslyn on October 07, 2019:

I died and bleached my hair blonde a month ago. Color came out just fine. Last night I decided to pin curl my hair. Every where the clips touched my hair is now green. Please help.

Maribel on September 26, 2019:

I had purpleish hair which was faded so I put lavender permanent dye which they said to use with a developer and it came out bluish green

Maria Raquel on September 22, 2019:

So I have naturally black hair so what I did was I started to bleach my hair I bleached it too many times and ended up damaging it and I colored my hair gray and ended up coming out really good but where the black meets the blonde it looked really bad so I just ended up coloring it blew well I’m trying to get the blue out of my hair now because in about a day I’m gonna have to take my senior photos and I’ve been trying so hard to get the screen out of my hair and it is terrible

Lizive just put a harmony honey blonde on September 22, 2019:

I've just put a harmoney honey blonde temporary dye on my hair and its turned ightly green what can i do

Dee on September 12, 2019:

I use smokey blonde shampoo which makes my hair slightly dark purple the first few washes then out of no where it goes green! Any suggestions greatly appreciated??

Kayla Whitfield on August 25, 2019:

I tried lime crime unicorn hair semi permanent hair tint, the color sext, and when it washed out (not even 3 washes later) my blonde was left green!!! Any recommendations? I’ve tried ion clarifying treatment. It didn’t work

Lisa on August 24, 2019:

I bleached my hair then used a aburn dye to put the red back in my hair then used a brown dye now its green and more gray in my

Djones28 on August 23, 2019:

About 2 1/2 months ago i started thur process to to lighten my hair from dark brown to platinum/gray. Soo.. today all i needed to do was lighten 1 more time then tone it. When i started applying the bleach i started to notice blueish green polka dots throughout my hair!! Still have NO CLUE WHAT caused it. After rinsing bc i got scared and toning it, u can't really see it, but I'm terrified to bleach it bc of this...?

Becca on August 20, 2019:

I was platinum for about 6 months, using a pale purple shampoo to keep my hair pretty brass-free. I then used L'Oreal's Colorista pink semi-permanent about a month ago. The color was more magenta/purple than pink, and it quickly faded into a light green after just a couple washes and one swim in the ocean. I'm guessing the cool blue tones in the dye left with the yellow in my hair turned green? I went to my stylist who put bleach diluted with shampoo on my ends (my ends were so damaged she was afraid to put just developer), it was still green, so she then used a toner over it. It was a nice icy blue for about 5 days, then I washed it once and swam in the ocean once, and it's now an ashy/white/gray with yellow/green tones in some lighting. I'm not angry at it, but would like to get back to a white/platinum if possible without making my hair fallout. Side note: I wash my hair about once a week, never use heat products, and always deep condition. My hair isn't in terrible shape, but my ends have now been bleached three times and I don't think they can handle any more. Is there a toning method that can really cancel out the green/yellow, or should I just ride this out until my hair is long enough to cut the ends off?

Rhyanna on August 17, 2019:

I bleeched my hair earlier this year. Got it colored by my stylist. She gave me the wrong color. Came across "overtone". Got the color I wanted. When it comes out my hair turns green.

phoebie on August 16, 2019:

i dyed my hair green a long time ago with box dye, its faded real faint over time and my hairdresser just bleached my hair, the green didn't come hout but my natural brown under it did bleach. how do I get the green out?

Deirdre on July 27, 2019:

I was sceptical at first, but desperate to get the green color out of my hair. Tried the baking soda paste and IT WORKED!

Thank you for the tip!

Stephanie on July 25, 2019:

I had an ombre with 7m dark blonde mocha and my stylist put darkest brown/black in my hair, which is whati wanted to do all over but she suggested i leave half blonde so she did it balayage. Well after she washed me out, it bled onto my light pieces and now after one wash it looks green on the light pieces

Amy on July 20, 2019:

I tried to use dye remover for purple hair and it turned the bottom of my hair green?! I have naturally blonde hair, I have no idea how to fix it and I'm wanting to dye my hair another purple colour.

Bri on July 19, 2019:

I used an ‘ash’ color without realizing it was dark ash blonde. I have a slight green tint. Would purple shampoo fix it?

Linda on July 17, 2019:

My hair was Brown and bottom was blond. I put a medium light brown on my hair. It has a green tent to it. What do I do to get the green out?

Chase on July 14, 2019:

i dyed my hair Blue about 3 months ago with just a temporary dye. it’s been gone for awhile. I decided to actually bleach my hair today and in the process some of my hair turned green. I went back to the Sally’s to show them what happened and they told me that it happens sometimes with blue dye and that it stays for a while. Anyway they said to do a bleach wash. I did and it still didn’t go away. what do i do

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on July 08, 2019:

So I've read up on the water quality in Bali and even found an article where a woman said her bleached hair turned green multiple times in Bali because of the water. I'm thinking it's a buildup of copper particles, and the girl who wrote the article said that a tomato ketchup hair mask helped. The vinegar and acidity in the ketchup is supposed to break down the copper buildup on your hair - I'd start there.

Jenny on July 05, 2019:

I went to Bali for 2 weeks and within 2 days my blonde highlights that I had done months ago turned green. The majority of my hair had a brown colour through it.

On my return today I went to my hair dressers to get rid of the green, and wanted to go lighter and do they decided to put highlights through and some brown in between to cover the green.

Within 15 minutes I could feel the fouls hot against my head and so they removed them quickly. Significant amount of breakage, but I couldn’t leave without having my roots done. We decided to still colour roots brown, and cover the copper coloured parts of my hair that didn’t highlight near my roots because we had to remove so quickly.

Obviously I had a chemical reaction to the copper in my hair.

I’m leaving the hair dressers with damaged hair, some green and some blonde, some brown.

How do I rid the rest of the green out of hair without causing further damage to my hair, and it affecting the brown colour in my hair?

Please help

Lee milton on June 14, 2019:

Using olia. Blonde. Used to do trots lots of time. But this time gone. Ash with green tinge. Could it be mineral shampoo

Liz on June 05, 2019:

So i used a colourless colour remover after putting a lilac colour on my bleached blonde hair and instead of restoring my colour it had a green tinge to it. Looked awdful so pit a voilet on but want ti go back blonde. How do i get my blonde back

Marlen Moya on June 03, 2019:

i’m a level 3 & put a navy blue semi by matrix to have a blue tint in my hair but after 3-4 weeks the tint started looking green so

i put a 6R filler by goldwell to cancel it. and this was about 3 months ago and i wanted to do a blonde balayage for my hair for graduation but when we did a test strand it turned a light ugly green. how can i tone that out, well can i tone it out? Also when i wash my hair, you can see a little of the blue washing out still in the shampoo

Kimberly Rice on May 30, 2019:

I put a darker color over my blonde hair, I appear to have a hint of green on my top layers. How do I remove the green without totally removing the color?

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 29, 2019:

Red would neutralize the green, but your hair doesn't sound nearly light enough yet. I'd just keep slowly bleaching. It may look weird for a few weeks but that's what happens. Doing toners on top is just about as damaging as the bleaching since toners contain ammonia - I'd just skip them for now and continue your process until it's light enough to tone once and for all.

Sirenascandi on May 29, 2019:

Hei hei. My hair is dark brown, am going mermzid stile with 2 colors, last time was so exoensive that i decide to do it myself, and take time in the process and try to not harm a lot the hair, so i have already bleach 3 rounds and, gotpretty orqnges in some spots, so i got a blue toner and voila! Indeed i got the orange away but now i have many green spots, sfter reading your article this suggest got the red neutralizer rigth?, question? This migth not bring the orange back?. Apreaciate the answer. I just want to achieve a blond to white color beforei put the colors.

Maegan on May 23, 2019:

I had a orange blonde color on my hair that i wanted to her rid of. I put a red/purple mixture on top of it. Due to my job i had to change the color and put a light ash brown on it. I ended up hating that color and put a black over it. After a little it started fading out and i used color oops. I know have an ugly green tint all over my hair. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 23, 2019:

It might not turn out, toning could be the answer. Or you can add another dye on top that is darker than your blonde. I've had stubborn yellow dye in my hair, but then I put green and eventually blue on top of it and the yellow isn't visible at all now. It ended up washing out under the blue tones and now I have a nice mint color! So another dye may be the answer.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on May 23, 2019:

You could always try a warm blonde box dye to counteract the cool tones!

sam on May 14, 2019:

So I had actually dyed my hair a dark purple. Usually purple fades out and just turns my hair a nice silvery blonde. Not this one. I used Ion Pigments Hair Masque and ended up with green hair that just won't quit. I've used lots of clarifying shampoo and even tried the vitamin C. At this point I want to try toning... But the green shade isn't even throughout my hair - will it mess it up if I put some other color dye in there to try and neutralize it?

Rose on May 04, 2019:

I went to the salon for a new cut & color. I wanted really light blonde hair and what I got is gray/green hair. Looks awful. Since the colorist stripped the color out of my hair, I'm afraid to go back. I don't want to wind up without hair. It feels fried. Any ideas? Thx

Ellie on April 26, 2019:

Over the Christmas period just gone, I decided to get rid of my platinum blonde dyed hair (as my roots grew out slightly too much) and I was too lazy to re bleach it, I work in lush, so I decided. To use some of the natural henna hair dyes we sell, I used a red first, then a brown; all went well I was pretty much back to my natural light brown colour.

Then it started to fade a bit so I put a L’Oréal “Brazilian brown” on top as I wanted a darker brown, once again I loved the result.

Skip to march, I’ve decided I want my hair lighter again, I know i won’t get it all the way there first time however, so my hair dresser asked me to buy a hair stripper from the local boots, which I did, and it took me up to a auburn/red/brown colour which was actually quite nice and I was tempted to leave it there... but my mission was blonde.

The next day I go to my hairdresser, and she starts applying the bleach, and it all looked good until we washed it out, my top half was brassy, which I was expecting but my bottom half from just below my ears all the way down to my mid length hair was mint green/blue!

I was in shock and so was my hairdresser, she asked me if i has dyed it blue or green before going to a brown, I said no, so we toned it and hoped for the best; nope it was still green, so I just made her chop it off, well as much as she could off, so I left the salon with a lovely silver on top, brassy bands in the middle that went into bits of green and blue.

My idea is that it was the henna potentially? As it’s a plant based hair dye that is a dark greeny brown when you apply it, but that’s not the pigment in it? But if not then it’s not a dye that’s caused it, it’s just my hair colour?

I dyed it pink to cover it and potentially counteract it but it comes through very quickly after a few washes, at the moment I’m letting the pink fade so I can try some techniques on it such as ketchup/ baking soda the whole Sha-bang!

If anyone has any ideas on what could have caused it or how to get it out i’d be very grateful as I don’t want to dye it back brown as it cost me a lot of money but I’m also running out of ideas. Thanks

Laura on April 21, 2019:

I went to same hair salon n had my hair bleached then they put the toner ontop. When was dried it was literally blueiah ourple gray white. I tried Head n Shoulders for about 30 mns with baki g aoda and Dawn soap the blue original, and its worked. No more blue or purple. A bit gray n white still hut alowly on the 3rd day its bearly fadind away

Sarah R Consavge on April 18, 2019:

I had used an ash colored toner but didnt like it. Then i put purple in my hair was too much, i had used 2 diffent browns and was content but then my ends turned green the next morning. That night i dyed it a blue black now its fading and i feel like it is turning green. Advice??? I want to see what color mt hair is after the blue black fades but i dont want to see green..

Katie on April 10, 2019:

I used selsun blue and vitamin c to remove purple color from my hair and sections turned green

Ashtin on March 30, 2019:

Ive used my toner a few times. But this recent time I used it. It turned made my hair have an undertone of green.

Diane Manderachi on March 30, 2019:

I get blond highlights and my water turns my hair to Green I do have a water softener but it doesn't seem to help what can I do

Tried clarifying shampoo, apple cider vinegar shampoo purple based shampoos nothing seems to work

Hailey on March 21, 2019:

My hair turned green from the water at my house, we're on a well and have old copper pipes... when copper oxidizes it turns green...

Gem on March 14, 2019:

Put a light brown on my hair and it's gone green

Aimee on March 13, 2019:

Put light ash blonde turned hair grey want to go dark blonde

Susan believes there is nothing more irritating than "interruptions" in sweet life. Using fact and humor, she loves sharing advice.

How Do I Fix This?

You love being in the sun, and you love going swimming, whether it be in the river, ocean, or pool. But if you have blonde hair and you jump into chlorinated water or pool with an algaecide, you will run into a big problem. If you have blonde highlights or dyed blonde tresses, you are taking an even greater risk.

What am I talking about? After diving into chlorinated water, you will look into the mirror and yell, "Oh, my gosh! My hair! What happened to it?" This is when you will realize that your beautiful blonde hair has turned green!

What to Do If Your Blonde Hair Turns Green

1. Don't panic.
2. Rinse it out with cool water to get rid of the pool water.
3. Wash with clarifying shampoo.
4. Have your ends trimmed.

Ketchup—You Have Got to Be Kidding Me...

Use Ketchup to Get Rid of Green Hair

If you do not have clarifying shampoo, grab a bottle of ketchup. The acid in tomatoes breaks down chlorine and copper, which fades the green from your hair. The acid might also make you feel a bit itchy, but it is not bad unless you are allergic to tomatoes. If this is the case, go to your stylist to get a good clarifying or swimmers' shampoo.

Instructions:

1. You can apply it to dry or rinsed hair, but make sure to wring out the excess water from your hair before you apply it.
2. Slather the ketchup all over your hair, and let it set for five to ten minutes.
3. Rinse it out.
4. Repeat these steps until most of the green tint is gone.

How to Prevent Blonde Hair From Turning Green

• Before getting in the pool, wet your hair and put conditioner in it. This helps it absorb less chemicals.
• Put your hair in a clip or a ponytail if it is long enough.
• If you want to be extra cautious, wear a swimming cap.
• Buy a good clarifying or swimmers' shampoo to rinse your hair out right after a swim.

What Causes Blonde Hair to Turn Green?

Copper is the culprit. This metal is found in most pools, and when it is oxidized by chlorine, it binds to the proteins in your hair strands, turning it green. It is a simple chemical reaction. But, don't let anyone tell you a salt water pool is safe — it is not. Salt water pools contain copper-based algaecide. The results: Horror! Panic! Tears! Remorse!

Blondes, especially those who have highlights or are colored from a bottle or stylist, are more susceptible to getting green hair from swimming in a pool. Other hair colors may show some green tinges, but it is barely noticeable.

Note From the Blonde-Haired Author

How do I know these methods work? Because after I swam in a saltwater pool, my blonde hair with blonde highlights turned green. Yes, that is my picture at the top of this article. It happened on the first day of our vacation, and my hairstylist was a thousand miles away. It was awful. I was horrified, and my husband, who thought it was hilarious at first, felt like he was in a torture chamber with a crying wife.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: I had green highlights after applying a wash out purple hair colour. Will tomato sauce work? I already tried a hair colour remover product.

Answer: I don't know if tomato sauce or ketchup would help. It sounds like the purple dye might have stripped the color down. That sounds like when my hair absorbed the algaecide, but I don't know. I would say it is worth a try. If it doesn't work, I would go to a professional.

Question: What clarifying shampoo do you recommend?

Answer: I used Paul Mitchell because that is what the closest salon sold. Personally, I do not like the product, but it was okay in a pinch, and I was definitely in a pinch.

Comments

Mari on December 27, 2019:

My high-high hair turned green ! Please help . I’ve tried backing soda and vinegar ! No help

he on November 09, 2019:

Love

Deborah Harris on April 04, 2019:

My hair turned green when i t tried going from ultra light blonde to golden blonde my roots turned golden blonde but the rest of my hair turned green how do I fix it can I re-dye it

I enjoy giving tips and advice to inform others on the hair products I use.

What is the secret behind T444Z Hair Food? Can it really enhance the growth of your natural hair? Can it also solve other common hair problems? What are the ingredients in this hair cream?

A month ago, my daughter bought two containers and gave me one. That was the first time I knew of the existence of this product. This review is based on my personal experience of its usage for a month.

T444Z Hair Products are made in the U.K by T444Z Limited. The company has only three products: hair food, shampoo and conditioner. The products are developed from natural plant extracts.

My Experience

My trial of the T444z Hair Food was on my afro hair. The first time I applied it on my hair, the smell of the cream was so strong I kind of lost my appetite and I had a headache. The cream has a nice fruity or peppermint-like smell. I guess my senses are sensitive to that kind of smell. Yep, the smell may be an issue for some people if you're using it for the first time.

On the effect of the product itself, I say wow! The cream softened my hair, detangled it, made my hair feel thick, and my hair actually grew. After using it for one week, I discarded all of my other hair products.

It does not feel sticky on my scalp like petroleum-based hair products or those that contain lanolin. The herbs in T444Z Hair Food gets absorbed into the scalp. No scalp itchiness or drying of my hair. My hair and scalp feel healthy.

In the first four weeks I used it, I did not apply any other hair-care products to my afro hair. I only used hair food. For shampoo, I'm only using rice water at the moment and saving up to buy the T4444Z shampoo and conditioner. The result is so amazing that I had to write this article.

I totally agree with the company's claim that "continued use will ensure healthy hair that grows strong and without having to use any other product".

This Is What the Product Looks Like

Plant Extracts & Essential Oils

​T444Z Hair Food is a very effective hair product that holistically solves hair problems. It is a cocktail of different plant extracts and essential oils that have been proven to deal with different hair issues.

• Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)
• Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera Callus Extract)
• Carica Papaya (Papaya Fruit Extract)
• Chamomilla Recutita (Matricia) Oil (German Chamomile)
• Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot Oil Extract)
• Ricinus Communis (Castor Oil)
• Petargonium Graveolens OIl (Geranium Oil)
• Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile)
• Rosa Damascena (Rose Oil)
• Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Oil)
• Mentha Piperita (Peppermint Oil)

The ingredients are all natural plant extracts, and essential oils, whose benefits for the skin, hair, and body have been proven for thousands of years and are currently used in a wide range of cosmetics and body care products. Other hair products use only some of these ingredients. T444Z combines all of them in this amazing product.

You can do your own research on the benefits of the ingredients used in this product.

How to Use

Men, women, and children can use T444Z Hair Food. Apply to the scalp for natural hair growth and maintenance, and also for the following hair conditions:

• Hair loss
• Hairline damage
• Thinning hair
• Brittle and dry hair
• Itchy and dry scalp

After shampooing, allow your hair to dry completely before applying a small amount to the scalp and massaging it in. The cream has a cool feeling. You can apply a small amount to the hair if required. Use 2-3 times a week. For damaged hair, apply daily. One container of the hair food can last you three months.

Where to Buy T444Z Hair Food and the Price

T444Z distributes its products through agents in 28 countries located in four regions of the world. On their website, under 'Agents', you can check for your country and find the agents' contact information. Currently, there is no option to purchase directly through their website.

On Amazon.com, I found a seller (IB Store Europe Ltd) listing T444Z hair products. This may likely be the company who listed the products on Amazon. This seller is selling the product for $45.50 (excluding shipping).

There are four other sellers who listed the product for $39.95, $68.72, $74.78 and $76.80, excluding shipping. I think some of these sellers are selling the product quite expensively.

I suggest you consider buying from Amazon sellers Outlet Hair & Beauty for $39.95 + $6.75 shipping or from IB Store Europe Ltd for $45.50 +$5.19 shipping.

Alternatively, you can contact an agent near you to purchase one. It is quite expensive as agents may set whatever markup they wish to add. We got ours for $75 each!

Selling at Amazon - $39.95 + Shipping

Growing Natural Hair

They say hair is the crowning glory of a woman. Prolonged use of chemicals may cause damage to the hair strands, the scalp, and the hair follicle. Growing natural hair with natural products is a good option. I have tried this product, and it is effective, thus I recommend it.

Side Effects

Does T444Z Hair Food have any side effects? The only issue I had with it is the smell at the beginning, and I've gotten used to it now. I've only used it for a month, and I haven't found anything negative about it. I even searched the internet but couldn't find any negative reviews—only positive ones.

If you experience any negative side effects, please share below in the comments section for the benefit of others. Also, please share your positive or negative story.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: Can t444z be used on other relaxed hair?

Answer: Yes, you can use T444z on relaxed hair.

© 2018 Isabella

Comments

Nellyifreke on May 09, 2020:

Where can I buy this product in Nigeria please ;I have tried it before and the product is amazing

Justine on May 07, 2020:

Where do we find it in uganda

Abdll on February 02, 2020:

Where do we get it from Tanzania.

Sandra on December 18, 2019:

Be careful when you buy this product some are fake Look out for the Label the real one is lighter yellow Label the fake is darker and has more of a brighter colour I brought one in a shop and it was fake .Check for the sellers on line

Monica from london uk on December 15, 2019:

So I purchase this in my local hair shop, it’s placed behind the counter so not easily visible to find.

Recently I decided to purchase and the results are amazing using it 3 times a week as suggested.

It’s the only product I use on my scalp and I can honestly say using this for a month straight has help my hair grown, I was so impressed that I’ve introduced this to my friend due to the rapid hair growth.

I apply a little on scalp and massage through 3 times a week and wash after a month.

I do not wash my hair each time I use it, however it is the only product that I use on my scalp.

Cathy Hill on October 21, 2019:

I love the product I had to shampoo the condition in cream it really does work no one is paying me anything to say this it really does work give yourself some time to see the progress because it doesn't happen overnight but it really does work and it's really good and it smell good to me I love the way you smell

Nicole Isifu on June 10, 2019:

Where do we get this product in PNG?

Bethsheba Ibrahim on January 30, 2019:

Is this sweetable even for low porosity hair type?

Samalie Kisekka on November 24, 2018:

I have used t444z for three months. My hair brokage only got worse.

Willow Sidhe is a nature enthusiast with over a decade of experience creating natural health and beauty products for herself and her family.

Thinning hair can be devastating to self-esteem, especially for women. And the worst part is you might lose up to a third of the hair on your head before you notice there’s a problem. I didn’t notice I had thinning hair until my hairdresser pointed it out.

If you wake up one morning and find your locks aren’t as thick as they used to be, don’t give up hope. There are several ways to make thin hair look thicker. In this post, I’ll share the things that worked for me (and those that didn’t).

But first, it’s important to address any underlying condition that might be causing your hair to thin. In my case, I had polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which caused a hormonal imbalance. See your doctor right away if you notice thinning hair to rule out any health issues.

Why Is My Hair Thinning?

Hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, stress, certain medications, or even heredity can cause women to experience hair thinning. Could any of these common causes be affecting you?

• Hormonal Imbalance – Women going through pregnancy and menopause may lose more hair than normal. This is often temporary. PCOS causes excess androgens and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High levels of these hormones cause hair loss by latching onto follicles and preventing them from growing new hair.
• Hypothyroidism – Left untreated, hypothyroidism causes diffuse thinning. Low levels of thyroid hormones mean the body can’t regenerate new cells – including hair cells. Luckily, proper treatment with prescription medication can stop and even reverse the problem.
• Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies – Many different vitamin and mineral deficiencies cause hair issues. The most common include iron, zinc, essential fatty acids, and vitamin D. Taking a high-quality multivitamin every day and eating a well-balanced diet may alleviate deficiencies and reverse thinning hair.
• Physical or Emotional Stress – Physical stressors such as surgery, severe illness, or even trauma can cause hair to fall out due to shock. This is temporary, and your hair should return to normal in three to six months. Emotional stress caused by things like divorce, loss of a loved one, work stress, etc. can also cause hair loss.
• Medications – Birth control pills, anticoagulants, beta blockers, anti-depressants, and some anticonvulsants may cause hair thinning. If you’re taking any of these, talk to your doctor to find out if they’re the culprit.
• Genetics – Female pattern alopecia or female pattern baldness may be the result of genetics. Unfortunately, the hair loss gene is passed down from parent to child. If your mother or father experienced thinning hair, you might have inherited the gene.

What Can I Do About It?

Start by asking your doctor to test for hormonal imbalances, hypothyroidism, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Eat a well-balanced diet, exercise regularly, and take a multivitamin every day.

It also won’t hurt to take an extra vitamin D supplement if you don’t see much sun. And take an essential fatty acid supplement if you don’t eat much fatty fish.

In the meantime, here are five ways you can make your thin hair appear thicker. I have personally used all these methods and found them effective. It might take several months to see results, so start now. And remember to take good care of the hair you currently have.

1. Minoxidil (Rogaine)

No, it’s not just for men. Rogaine is my number one choice for women with thinning hair. I use it daily and it has made a huge difference in the thickness of my hair. Although it takes about three months to see optimal results, nothing else out there works better. (Believe me. I’ve tried everything.)

Purchase Minoxidil over-the-counter. It comes in a liquid or foam formula. Personally, I think the liquid formula is easier to apply to your scalp, and it’s much easier to measure with the included pipette. There are two types of Minoxidil available:

• Women’s Formula – Weaker version of the Men’s formula (only 2% minoxidil) to be used twice daily.
• Men’s Formula – Contains 5% Minoxidil and approved only for men.

I am a woman and I use the men’s formula. I have never used the women’s, so I can’t speak for its results. I use an off-brand men’s liquid formula once a day. I have lots of new hair growth and my bald spots are filling in. I apply it directly to my scalp just before bed each night and wash my hair in the morning. It works if you give it time.

2. Nioxin Shampoo and Conditioner

Nioxin is a brand of shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for thinning hair. I also use these daily, and I love the way my hair feels. According to Nioxin, their products gently remove residue and DHT from the hair and scalp, and provide nourishing vitamins, proteins, and amino acids.

There are six different Nioxin “systems” on the market:

• System 1 – For natural hair with light thinning.
• System 2 – For natural hair with progressed thinning. (This is the one I use.)
• System 3 – For colored hair with light thinning.
• System 4 – For colored hair with progressed thinning.
• System 5 – For chemically-treated hair with light thinning.
• System 6 – For chemically-treated hair with progressed thinning.

Each “system” includes a shampoo, conditioner, and scalp treatment. I skip the scalp treatment because I use Rogaine instead. I also don’t buy the “kits” for sale on the Nioxin website. Instead, I buy large bottles of the shampoo and conditioner separately on Amazon, and they last for months.

I can’t be 100% sure that Nioxin’s claims are true, but based on my own experience, it has made a difference in my hair growth. I use it in conjunction with Minoxidil to get the best results. And if nothing else, I use a salon-quality shampoo that doesn’t increase hair loss. Why not try everything we can to help our hair, right?

Tip: Only apply conditioner to the ends of your hair. Applying to your roots can weigh your hair down and make it appear thinner. This even applies to Nioxin or other “thickening” conditioners.

3. Thickening Mousse

My third secret is thickening or volumizing mousse.

Even the most inexpensive brands will help give your hair volume. My favorite brand is Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Mousse. The volume boost literally lasts all day – even after a grueling workout at the gym. I’ve also used Suave Professionals Firm Control Boosting Mousse. This one costs about $3.00 and works quite well for the price.

I work the mousse into my damp hair after washing and towel drying in the morning and then blow-dry. It gives me a nice lift to make my hair look thicker. If I don’t have time to blow dry, I apply the mousse and allow my hair to completely air dry before brushing it out.

Find a mousse you like in your price range and give it a try.

4. Get a Shorter Haircut

If you have super thin hair like me, you don’t want a full-blown Pixie cut. But you do want something above shoulder length with voluminous layers.

Talk to your hair stylist. Tell them your concerns about your thinness and see if they have ideas for a style that will add more boost. My stylist recommended a chin-length bob with plenty of layers in the back to really make it look thick, and I couldn’t be happier.

A side-part can also help, but avoid bangs at all costs. Bangs will highlight your thinness, especially in the front.

5. Weekly Aloe Vera Treatment

I love natural remedies, but unfortunately there aren’t many that actually work when it comes to thinning hair. Aloe Vera might be the exception. Some of the reported benefits of aloe for hair loss include:

• Increases blood flow to the scalp
• Resolves scalp inflammation
• Removes excess oil from hair follicles
• Promotes hair growth
• Strengthens existing hair

If you want to try it, buy a pure 100% aloe gel (or better yet, get it straight from the plant). If the product contains alcohol or other additives, it can dry out and irritate your scalp.

Apply the gel directly to your scalp and allow it to sit for 30 – 60 minutes, then rinse and wash your hair as usual. Repeat once a week to get the most benefits from this treatment. Although I can’t say for sure if this has helped with regrowth directly, it has improved my scalp health. And that can only be good for trying to grow more hair.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Willow Sidhe (author) on February 04, 2018:

You are lucky! I've been able to keep my thin hair looking reasonably good by using these methods. I'm just about to start my aloe treatment for the week. I think it really helps. I hope your friend has luck with it!

Mary Wickison from Brazil on February 04, 2018:

I am lucky, I don't have this problem. However, my friend does. I will pass this on to her. She will likely try the aloe vera method as she loves using natural products on her hair and skin.

Thanks for the information.

Sara is a writer based in London, England with a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences. She loves researching various health topics.

Pumpkin seed oil, which as the name suggests, is extracted through cold pressing the seeds of the Cucurbita pepo pumpkin. The oil is commonly used in Slovenia, Romania, Croatia and Hungary, mainly for culinary purposes. However, this oil can work wonders for your hair and scalp, being rich in Omega 3, six fatty acids, vitamins A and E, zinc, tryptophan as well as an array of antioxidants.

Pumpkin oil has shown very promising results in clinical studies too. A study conducted in 2014 and published in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal discovered that men who took pumpkin seed oil on a daily basis over 24 weeks noticed a 40% increase in hair growth.

The oil works by blocking the action of 5 alpha-reductase enzyme and blocking the anti-androgenic effects which lead to hair loss. In other words, high levels of testosterone hormone in the body can result in the formation of DHT, a testosterone derivative in the presence of 5 alpha-reductase enzyme. This DHT molecule can block hair follicles on the scalp resulting in hair loss and baldness. By blocking the enzyme, pumpkin seed oil allows the hair follicles to grow and is just as effective for women.

In addition, this treatment is inexpensive and a viable alternative to many over the counter topical treatments such as Minodoxil and Finasteride, which are both expensive and come with their share of side effects.

On average, the human scalp will shed up to 100–150 hairs a day which is considered normal. But it can become a cause for concern when excessive hair loss occurs, which can be exacerbated by stress, poor nutrition or genetics.

Therefore, it is important to check whether there are any underlying medical issues contributing to the loss such as anemia, hypothyroidism or vitamin deficiencies and work on resolving these.

My Personal Experience

Due to a stressful work schedule with long hours and tight deadlines, I found my hair falling out like crazy. I would notice my hair in the shower, on my bedroom floor and even on my clothes. It was an extremely upsetting experience, and the hair on my scalp was getting thinner and thinner. I had such low self-confidence that I didn't want to get dressed up and go out to social events because I was so self-conscious that my scalp was balding.

A friend, who went through a similar experience, strongly encouraged me to try a homemade ointment she was using which had heralded amazing results and curbed her hair loss. Looking at her thick, shiny locks, I was convinced to give it a try.

Within a few weeks of religiously using the ointment three times a week, I noted a significant reduction in my hair loss and my hair grew a few inches. Personally, I apply the ointment before going to sleep and leave it overnight. Now six months in, I have a head full of thick, shiny hair! As this has been such a success for me, I want to share the recipe that I was given so that it may help others who are suffering from a similar ailment. The recipe also calls for the use of peppermint oil which is known for its ability to enhance blood circulation to the scalp upon application and will, therefore, ensure that the scalp is adequately nourished.

Recipe and Method

• Pumpkin Oil (use enough to saturate your scalp and coat your hair- thicker hair will require more oil).
• A few drops of peppermint oil.

Mix both ingredients together and use the oil to massage your scalp for 10 minutes. Spending time to massage your scalp with the oil is very important as it will promote blood circulation to the scalp and ensure the ointment is evenly distributed across all hair follicles.

Leave the oil in for a few hours before washing your hair. For best results, leave it overnight and wash it out in the morning. Use this ointment 2-3 times a week, every week. The results will speak for themselves. My advice is to be patient and use this religiously for at least 3-6 months for maximum results.

The solution can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place and lasts for months.

I highly recommend the oil I have linked below, as it is organic and cold pressed and therefore will provide the maximum benefits. The pipette will allow for more accurate measurement. For the peppermint oil, any good quality essential oil will suffice. Nonetheless, I have provided a link to the essential oil that I have been using.

Disclaimer: As with all skin care regimes, please carry out a patch test before commencing with the treatment to ensure there are no allergic reactions. All material in this article is provided for your information only, and should not be taken in the place of medical advice or instruction. Readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.

Recommended Pumpkin Seed Oil

Recommended Peppermint Essential Oil

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

My articles focus primarily on health tips, nutrition advice, DIY, and self-improvement.

Coconut oil has become quite popular these days for more than just cooking and consuming in some form or another. Another use for this magical oil, delivered to us from the world’s coconut trees, is for treating, protecting and conditioning our hair.

This article will examine the proven benefits of coconut oil and how it can be used as a deep hair conditioner. Scientific studies demonstrate how coconut oil can effectively prevent hair damage and maintain hair moisture.

Scientifically Proven Benefits of Coconut Oil

Why should you use coconut oil as a deep hair conditioner?

Scientific research has shown that the application of coconut oil provides significant benefits for the overall health of our hair. More specifically, the studies highlight that coconut oil can prevent hair damage and maintain hair moisture if used regularly.

Let’s explore these two proven benefits of coconut oil in more detail.

1. Coconut Oil Prevents Hair Damage

A study done by Marcio Industries Ltd. in Mumbai, India, concluded that coconut oil treatments prevented hair damage when combing or brushing. The study compared applications of three different types of oils: mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil.

All three oils were effective at protecting strands of hair in the people participating in the experiments; however, they found coconut oil to be the most beneficial.

Whenever coconut oil is applied to hair, there is less protein loss within the hair when coconut oil is used during pre-washing or post-washing after a shower.

Furthermore, the research actually found that mineral oil and sunflower oil did not prevent protein loss in hair as effectively as coconut oil. The chemical structure of coconut oil allows it to go within the inner section of the hair strand while the other oils did not have the same ability or benefit. In other words, this unique chemical structure arms coconut oil with its “magical” powers to deep condition your hair.

2. Coconut Oil Maintains Hair Moisture

Not only does coconut oil prevent hair damage, but it also maintains hair moisture. A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science found that hair treated with coconut oil was able to maintain moisture for longer periods than with hair treated with mineral oil.

When coconut oil is applied to hair, water is unable to fully penetrate the inner regions of the hair beyond the surface cuticle. This was especially true in environments with relatively low humidity.

Therefore, if you live in a particularly dry climate, you may want to consider applying coconut oil to your hair to maintain adequate moisture levels in your hair and for added protection when combing or styling it.

Because of coconut oil’s ability to protect the inner regions from losing moisture, it will also reduce the likelihood of split-ends and give your hair a healthy vibrant shine. Coconut oil’s natural moisturizing qualities make it one of the best organic products to deep condition hair.

Now let’s explore how you can use coconut oil as a natural conditioner for your hair.

How to Use This Oil as a Conditioner

In Bruce Fife’s book The Coconut Oil Miracle, he emphasizes that coconut oil can be used as a great natural conditioner.

Try It Overnight

The book goes into a lot of detail about the process, but it can be summed up in one easy step. Simply apply approximately two teaspoons of coconut oil to your hair before bedtime and wash it out in the morning.

Note that it is recommended to cover your hair before sleeping with a shower cap. This way, the oil can work its magic inside whilst preventing your pillow from being soaked in oil.

Try the 2-Hour Method

If you prefer not to sleep with the coconut oil on your hair, you could try the alternative 2-hour method. For example, in the evening, you could lather your hair with coconut oil and wash it off after about two hours. You could keep the oil in your hair while watching TV, catching up with emails or doing some other evening chores. Before going to bed, wash out the oil.

Using either routine, the results can be noticed only after a few treatments, leaving your hair bright, shiny and vibrantly healthy-looking.

You could try doing this process weekly or bi-weekly for best results. It can be just as effective as visiting a hair salon, and it is also much cheaper!

For a thorough step-by-step guideline of the application and removal process, check out the video at the end of this page. The girl in the video will explain, in detail with clear instructions, how to apply and remove the coconut oil from your hair.

A Versatile Hair Product

Coconut oil is so versatile. Not only can coconut oil be used as a daily conditioner, but you can also use it to repair hair that is already extremely dry, damaged from styling, and ruined from hair dye.

The oil has been used for centuries by people who lived in tropical areas of the globe for hair treatment and other natural medicinal uses for the skin. Moreover, it can also be used as a natural skin moisturizer for both adults and children.

To sum up, the proven benefits of coconut oil as a deep hair conditioner are well worth considering if you haven’t already started using it as part of your weekly routine. It is a healthier alternative to using other hair conditioners that can carry harsh chemicals and other toxic properties that are bad for your health.

Coconut oil is inexpensive, all-natural and proven in studies to improve the health, strength, and longevity of your hair.

More Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair

Do you have any tips to share?

Please let other readers know about your own experiences with coconut oil in the comments section.

Coconut Oil Question

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Josie Bauer on January 05, 2018:

great information I can't wait to give it a try

Becky from England on March 05, 2017:

I have been wanting to try this for a long time!

Isvaiyah has been a licensed pharmacist at Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia) for nine years. She earned her M.Sc. from the same university.

Dandruff Is Very Common

Many people suffer from dandruff to at least some extent. It is a very common skin condition that can be quite persistent, and always seems to be worse when you wear that dark jacket to an important meeting. It is important to understand the causes of dandruff in order to combat it. This article will cover what causes dandruff—and how to get rid of it for good using home remedies.

What Causes Dandruff?

Dandruff does not have a single major cause, and in some cases no clear underlying condition is found. The following conditions can give rise to dandruff:

• Seborrheic Dermatitis: This condition can give reddish spots and rashes on the face and body. When it occurs on the scalp, it gives rise to dandruff. It’s associated with the excess proliferation of skin yeasts (Malassezia species), but further research is needed into the exact underlying causes. Seborrheic dermatitis is the major cause of dandruff.
• Psoriasis: This condition is caused by over-proliferation of skin cells. When it occurs on the scalp it gives rise to dandruff. Home remedies for dandruff tend not to work against this type of dandruff. Specially formulated coal tar shampoos are often effective.
• Atopic Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis): This condition can give rise to dandruff if it occurs on the scalp.

Shampoo Recommendations

Simply shampooing with ordinary shampoo won’t cure your dandruff problem. In fact, shampooing too often can make matters worse by removing the natural oils on your scalp to a greater extent than is needed.

It’s best to shampoo only every other day. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Along with these suggestions, try the following home remedies:

Home Remedies for Dandruff

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a great remedy for removing dandruff. Use the following procedure:

1. First wash your hair (don’t use a conditioner).
2. Allow it to thoroughly dry.
3. Gently rub the coconut oil into your scalp.
4. Leave the oil on your scalp for at least 30 minutes.
5. Rinse it out with water.

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is the best type to use since it undergoes less processing than other types. Coconut oil has natural antifungal properties, so tends to inhibit the yeasts that cause dandruff. This oil also helps with atopic eczema, so can be useful if the dandruff is due to that condition.

Tea Tree Oil

The tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is an Australian tree. It is not related to the bush that gives the beverage tea (Camellia sinensis). Tea tree oil has powerful antifungal properties, making it a handy home remedy for removing your dandruff problems.

A scientific study published in 2002 showed that shampoo containing 5% tea tree oil was more effective than the shampoo alone in combating dandruff.

Tea tree oil is commercially available from a number of suppliers.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil can be easily used in a number of ways.

• You can simply add a little oil to your normal daily shampoo. Use roughly 1 part of tree tea oil to 20 parts of shampoo. Mix in well.
• Tea tree oil shampoos can also be purchased if you don’t want to have to mix the oil yourself.
• Alternatively, add a little tea tree oil to coconut oil and then gently rub it into the scalp. That way you get the best of both treatments. Leave the oil on the scalp for at 30 minutes, and then rinse it out with water.

Allergy warning: Allergies to tea tree oil can occur. Test a small amount of diluted oil on your skin, and wait a day for any reaction, before using it on your scalp.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil comes from the seeds of the jojoba shrub or Simmondsia chinensis, which is found in some southern states and Mexico. Simply use this oil in a similar manner to coconut oil. First wash and dry your hair (don’t use a conditioner). Gently massage the oil into your scalp. Leave for at least half an hour before rinsing out with water.

Jojoba oil helps reduce the symptoms of atopic eczema, so is a useful remedy if the dandruff is due to this condition.

Good quality jojoba oil can be purchased in bulk, making it an inexpensive at-home remedy for dandruff and related skin conditions.

Rosemary

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a well-known Mediterranean herb that has long been associated with hair care. It has potent antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Rosemary shampoos are commercially available (although some brands contain very little actual rosemary). You can buy rosemary essential oil and then add a few drops to a portion of your normal shampoo before use. Mix in well.

Allergy warning: A few people have an allergic reaction to rosemary oil. Test a small amount of diluted (with olive oil) rosemary oil on your skin, leaving it for a day, before using the oil on your scalp.

Remove Dandruff Permanently with Lemon Juice

Lemon Juice

The acidic lemon juice tends to inhibit the yeast on your scalp. If you consider using it for removing your dandruff, use the following procedure:

1. Squeeze a couple of lemons to get the fresh juice.
2. Dilute the juice with an equal amount of water.
3. Gently massage the scalp with the diluted juice.
4. Leave the juice on your scalp for about 10 minutes.
5. Shampoo as normal.

An alternative method is to add the lemon juice into unsweetened plain yogurt, then gently massage the yogurt into the scalp. Wait for about half an hour, then wash your hair with shampoo as normal.

Neem Oil

Neem oil is another useful home remedy for removing dandruff. The oil comes from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), which is also known as the Indian lilac.

Neem oil is best used diluted, since the pure oil can damage your scalp.

How to Use Neem Oil

1. Mix 1 part neem oil to 5 parts olive oil or coconut oil.
2. Wash your hair with clean water, then let it dry.
3. Massage the diluted neem oil gently into the scalp.
4. Leave for about 10 to 15 minutes, and then rinse it out with water.

Alternatively, neem tree oil can also be added to your normal shampoo. Use about 1 part neem oil to 20 parts of shampoo. Mix well before use.

Allergy warning: Allergies to neem oil can occur. To avoid them, test a small amount of diluted oil on your skin, and wait a day for any reaction, before using it on your scalp.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2016 Isvaiyah

Priya is an avid health and beauty researcher who loves sharing practical solutions with her readers.

My Struggle With Thinning, Greying Hair

Hair loss had been my nemeses for as long as I could remember.

At one point in time, it seemed to be winning, and I had to resort to extreme measures—medication. And no, I am not on the wrong side of forty. In fact, I am just shy of eighteen, so therefore, it was an extreme measure.

When you are eighteen, you expect to have long, bouncy, bubbly hair. And mine was just the opposite. It was dull, thin and rough. Worst of all, it had started greying. Medication helped stop the hair fall to some extent but it could not do anything about the thinning, greying and dullness.

And then, an aunt of mine told me the secret recipe to smoother and stronger hair. So do you want to know what it is?

Before I begin, I should probably tell you one very important thing. That is, the secret does wonders to your hair. One month down, and my hair has become a lot stronger, softer and of course, shinier. In fact, you see and feel the change right after the first wash.

The Secret to Healthy Hair

So the secret is hibiscus leaf extracts. That is the magic solution that you have been looking for your entire life. I’ve also used eggs to condition my hair but the eggs were gross, and it was very difficult to wash off the smell. So that’s why hibiscus leaf extracts are better. It has no smell.

How to Use Hibiscus Leaves to Strengthen Your Hair

Here are five (somewhat tedious) steps to smoother and stronger hair:

Step 1: Make a Paste

Take fresh hibiscus leaves and put them in the mixer until you get a thick green paste.

Step 2: Mix the Paste With Hair Oil

Mix a generous amount of hair oil with the paste. I would recommend using hair oil which "claims" to repair hair fall. Your hair oil should contain the following three very important ingredients: Amla, Brahmi Extracts, Bhringraj. I swear by VLCC Hair Fall Repair which contains the said ingredients.

Step 3: Apply to Your Hair

Apply the paste to your hair. Apply it to the scalp, the bald spots, the roots, the tips, and in general, to the entire length of your hair. After that, very, very gently massage your scalp.

Step 4: Wait

Wait for just enough time till your hair becomes stiff. It usually takes an hour and some more.

Step 5: Wash It Off

Wash it off with your favourite shampoo. The paste itself is like a deep conditioner so whether or not you want to use a bottled conditioner after shampooing is up to you. It is important to choose your shampoo according to the type of hair that you have. So choose wisely.

And there you have it!

What If You're Having Trouble Washing Off the Paste?

Washing off the paste may be a little difficult. Don’t lose patience and become very harsh with your hair. If you can’t get all of the green bits out of your hair, just relax. Come out of the shower. Let your hair dry naturally. Once semi-dry, drag a long-toothed comb through your hair, and all that needs to come will come out.

Use it once in a week to get the best results.

Even after you achieve your desired hair goals and you decide to stop using the hibiscus paste, never, ever forgo oiling.

Consider Your Diet, Too

Never overlook diet. My doctor claimed that it was my junk food diet over the years that had led to my hair issues. Try resisting packaged food as much as possible, and turn to leafy vegetables and fruits.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2016 Priya Barua

Comments

Priya Barua (author) on July 03, 2019:

That's really unfortunate to hear, @Malaika. It really worked for me and a couple of other people who had suggested this to me. Ideally, it should have made your hair glossy.

Malaika on July 01, 2019:

Hello Ms Barua, I have only recently tried this home remedy and it would seem that my hair, oddly enough, has gotten more dry at the ends than it was to begin with. Perhaps the leaf extract does not suit my hair as I also experienced more hairfall than usual. I think I'm gonna stick with plain old coconut oil for now and hope it fixes my hairfall over time.

I love finding alternative ways to style my hair without using heat or products. I can achieve salon results without damaging my hair!

Use the Stuff at Home

When it comes to adding natural shine to your hair, there's no need to mess around with chemical-pumped store brands. There are plenty of ingredients that you can find tucked away in your own home that will do the trick even better! All of these remedies can be used once or twice a week to maintain shiny, moisturized hair.

Take a look at the list below and learn how to add your own beautiful shine (along with other added benefits) from the comfort of your home.

1. Eggs

This is pretty gross, but it works like a dream. Trust me; I tried it the other day. I made a mask using 2 egg yolks, olive oil, and coconut oil. Hair is mostly comprised of proteins and amino acids, the same nutrients found in eggs. Yolks also contain Vitamin D, which helps to improve the texture and luster of your hair. That's why eggs provide a great boost of nutrients and help with shine. Check out the video below for the process.

2. Beer

I, personally, think beer is terrible. So when I find myself with an overabundance at my house, I like to use it as a hair rinse.

The hops and malt in beer contain proteins that will add shine to your lackluster hair. After shampooing, pour the beer onto your head and massage it into your scalp. Leave it on for five minutes while you shave your legs (or are doing something else), and then rinse it all out.

Beer is a great option for those of you who don't like to bother with oils. Oils will take a little bit more effort, while beer is something you can apply in the shower and rinse out a few minutes later. It's really that simple!

3. Mayonnaise

Another gross product that is great for your hair is mayonnaise! If you got stuck with a jar after a cookout, it's now time to use the rest. Full-fat mayonnaise has a bunch of amino acids, proteins, and antioxidants that can either make you chubby or give you shiny hair—it all depends on how you use it.

Let's hope you make the right decision to use it on your hair. Word of warning, it will smell awful. To use, massage some mayo into your damp hair, leave it on for 30 minutes, and then wash out with cold water.

4. Honey

Honey seems like it would be a gross, sticky mess, and it kind of is. However, it rinses out very nicely. For a while, I was even doing a baking soda and honey face wash—that was nice!

It turns out honey is also great for your hair. It's antibacterial, which is great. It's also a humectant, which means that it attracts moisture in addition to adding shine! Honey can be mixed with water, or with your regular conditioner. If you're mixing with a little H2O, put a tablespoon of honey per 1 cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto your locks, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before rinsing out.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

I keep a bottle of ACV in my shower. It's such an easy rinse to do, and I promise it doesn't leave your hair smelling bad. In a little cup, I mix up about a teaspoon of ACV with about a 1/3 cup of water, and then work the mixture into my hair, especially on my ends. If you're sensing a theme here, it's the proteins and amino acids that help make for a shiny 'do.

6. Yogurt

Yogurt is an awesome deep conditioner that will help to add shine, moisture, and softness. Make sure if you're using this method that you pick up plain yogurt.

This stuff is best to comb through your hair and leave on for at least thirty minutes. Once your time is up, you can rinse it out with warm water and shampoo as usual.

7. Gelatin

From what I hear, gelatin is another amazing product to add to your hair routine. Because I'm not expecting very many people to just have gelatin on hand, I'm putting this ingredient last on the list.

The hydrolyzed protein in gelatin helps treat damaged hair, and it's also a great source of amino acids. 1 tablespoon of gelatin powder plus 1 cup of warm water leaves your mane strengthened and conditioned!

Conclusion

Lately on Instagram, I've been seeing all of this incredible hair by hairstylists like Guy Tang and Linh Phan. These professionals have specialized products, like Olaplex, that are only provided to salons, and some of the products that are readily available to the masses can be pretty pricey.

Lucky for you and me, there are several natural ingredients that you can find in your kitchen. Even if you're a poor college student, you can still pick up these items for cheap.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2016 Alex Rose

I love finding alternative ways to style my hair without using heat or products. I can achieve salon results without damaging my hair!

I dye my hair a lot. That sometimes means bleaching it too—which only serves to dry it out and damage it. I try to stay away from heat, but sometimes there's nothing else I can do! I'm sure many of you have experienced hair damage in some sort of way. And when that happens, it's so important to give your hair the nourishment it needs.

Shampoo and conditioner only go so far. Sometimes, you need to go HAM and just take a day to pamper your hair! Using a hair mask is the ultimate way to do that.

You can buy something from the store, but if you take a look at the ingredients, I bet you don't know what half of them are.

Here's my rule: If it's something I can't pronounce and have never heard of, I try to stay away from it (until further research is conducted). The great thing is, I've got a bunch of stuff in my kitchen that I know is good for my hair.

Take A Look in the Kitchen Cabinets

Seriously! Olive oil. Honey. Coconut oil. Egg yolks.

Okay, the egg yolks really shouldn't be in the cabinets. But many of the things in your own kitchen act as amazing moisturizers for your hair! And the best part is, you can get away with mixing a lot of things to make an ultra-awesome hair mask.

How it Works

Different ingredients will do different things for you—so create the hair mask to focus on the areas you need.

• Egg Yolks: Yolks contain tons of protein and amino acids, as well as vitamins A, E, and D. This combination stimulates sebum generation, which controls dandruff and scalp dryness. Vitamin E helps protect against UV rays, and fatty proteins reduce frizz!
• Olive Oil: Hair loss is generally caused by the shrinkage of hair follicles, because of the overproduction of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Olive oil helps to reduce the production of DHT. In addition to containing vitamins that nourish your hair, olive oil also has antifungal properties!
• Honey: Honey is also a great antifungal and antioxidant. It's also a humectant, meaning that it keeps your hair moisturized.
• Coconut Oil: Coconut oil has a very low molecular weight, which allows it to easily penetrate the hair shaft and work from inside. It provides proteins and vitamins K and E, which both fight against hair loss and promote healthy, soft hair.

Make Your Mixture

You can't really go wrong with these core four ingredients. The worst you could do is not wash it all out completely, which would actually be good for your hair. I mean, you might look greasy and stuff but the mask would be soaking into your hair longer!

The Process

Now that you've put together your mixture, get ready to get messy.

I recommend heating up your mixture, but only for a short amount of time. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so you'll want it to melt a little so it can mix properly with your other ingredients. Also, avoid heating egg...it'll cook.

When your mixture is warm (not HOT), find your nearest bathroom or toilet seat. Maybe even lay a towel down on the ground.

While seated, bend over with your head between your knees. You want the blood to go to your head—and no, I'm not trying to make you dizzy. The blood going to your head means that you're getting your circulation going! As you're upside down, massage the oil/honey/egg/whatever mixture into your scalp. What's the point of all this? It will stimulate your hair follicles to promote growth.

Once you've got all the gunk in your hair, let it sit. If you've got a few hours, use them! If not, 30 minutes to an hour will do a good job too.

When your time is up, hop into the shower and rinse out all of the stuff with warm water. Be careful with hot water, especially if you've put egg in your hair...it may start to cook. Plus, it'd look weird.

Rinse out as much as possible, and then shampoo/condition. Those of you who follow my blog know that I am a subscriber to the no-poo movement. That means instead of using shampoo pumped full of damaging sulfates, I use baking soda. However, I've found that when doing hair masks with a lot of oil, it's a bit difficult to wash out with baking soda. Don't smite me, but when I do hair masks, I just wash out with normal shampoo. I can't tell you how many times I've thought I did a good job washing, and then my hair dries and it's heavy with oil.

The Results

I decided to try my own mask and videotape it for your sake. In the video above, I used two egg yolks, two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and one tablespoon of warmed coconut oil.

I left the mixture in for about an hour before washing it out. The results were fantastic.

Usually, my hair can be difficult to comb through. It tangles easily. I let my hair air-dry fully after showering and ran my fingers through it. It was incredibly smooth and soft! The egg yolk definitely played a role in making it shiny and de-frizzed. I also found that after styling my freshly egged hair with Curlformers, my curls stayed in longer!

Check out the photos below and see for yourself!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

I love discovering and sharing DIY beauty tips, especially all-natural solutions that you can easily make at home.

Though egg white is specifically useful for people with oily hair & scalp, it also contains lots of benefits for normal/dry hair issues too. Some people like to use egg white alone in hair masks because they find it less smelly compared to the egg yolk/whole egg. But there are more reasons than that to use egg white in hair masks! Egg white hair masks can be used to attain healthy, thick, long and shiny hair.

Here’s a list showing just some of the benefits of egg white for hair:

Benefits of egg white for hair

• Fights dandruff
• Adds a shine to hair
• Promotes hair growth
• Cleanses and purifies hair
• Controls oily scalp & hair
• Gives hair volume
• Strengthens strands & hair follicles

Egg white is rich in protein and multivitamins, including b-vitamins & minerals like sulphur that are essential for healthy hair.

Caution: Never use hot water to rinse off hair masks containing egg as it can cook the eggs in the mask and leave cooked egg bits stuck to your hair.

1. Honey & Egg White Hair Mask for Shiny Hair

Damaged, dull and brittle hair has bends and curves which make it refract light, rather than reflecting it. Use this honey & egg white hair mask to achieve smooth and silky hair which will reflect light, thereby appearing shiny and glossy. Egg White is also rich in protein and act as natural hair conditioners which will lock moisture into the hair strands, thereby making it shiny. Honey also naturally conditions hair and smoothes out hair cuticles, thereby promoting shiny hair. Check out more benefits of honey for hair:

Tips

1. Avoid using adulterated honey as they contain additives that can damage hair. Use organic or raw honey for best results.
2. Don’t add more honey than enough as this egg white hair mask is already sticky with a little honey and adding more honey will make it more sticky, making it hard to rinse off.
3. You can store your egg white hair mask in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, make sure to use within 3 to 5 days. Throw it out if it begins smelling funky.

Ingredients

• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon honey

Directions

In a bowl, mix up the ingredients. Apply it onto your scalp and hair. Tie up your hair and cover it with a shower cap. Leave it on for about 7 minutes then rinse off thoroughly with cold water. Wring your hair and wrap it in a fluffy towel.

2. Anti-Dandruff Egg White Lemon Hair Mask

Egg white and lemon help in getting rid of grease and stale oils in the scalp as well as exfoliating dead cells, flaky skin and grime, thereby fighting dandruff. Both lemon and egg white can cleanse the scalp and help remove dandruff. Check out some more benefits of lemon for hair.

Tips

1. Make sure to stand in the shower/over your bathroom/kitchen sink because this egg white hair mask is very drippy.
2. You can put on this hair mask right before a shower because it can drip down the back of your neck and you definitely need a shower after that. In the shower, you can also rinse off the hair mask more effectively.
3. If you have time, try whisking the egg white till it forms stiff peaks. This is a good idea because it makes applying the hair mask a lot easier.

Ingredients

• 1 egg white
• ½ a lemon

Directions

Crack an egg and separate the whites into a clean bowl. Squeeze in juice from ½ a lemon and mix thoroughly. Apply the hair mask to your scalp using clean fingers. After applying it to your scalp, coat the hair mask on your locks and tie your hair into a high bun. Wear a shower cap and wait for the mask to penetrate for about 7 to 10 minutes. When the time is up, rinse off the mask thoroughly with cold water. Wrap your hair in a fluffy towel.

3. Egg White Coconut Oil Hair Mask for Hair Growth

Egg white is rich in protein, water and vitamins that will nourish the scalp and encourage faster and longer hair growth. Coconut oil is well known to boost hair growth as it is packed with essential nutrients for nourishment. Here’s a table showing more benefits of coconut oil for hair.

Tips

1. Though egg white alone doesn’t stink as much as the whole egg, you will need to rinse very thoroughly to get rid of the egg odor. Usually about 7 rinses helps get rid of the egg smell completely.
2. If you use shampoo, you can shampoo your hair after this mask though it’s better not to use a chemical laden shampoo just after nourishing your hair with natural goodness.
3. Don’t add in a lot of coconut oil because it can turn your hair greasy. Just a little is enough to help boost hair growth.

Ingredients

• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil

Directions

Combine the ingredients in a clean bowl. Using a fork, whisk the ingredients thoroughly. Apply the egg white hair mask using clean fingers/a hair mask brush to your scalp first, then onto your locks. Tie your hair up using a clip and cover it with shower cap to trap warmth, so the hair mask can penetrate deeper. After about 7 minutes, rinse off very well using cold water.

Take Care

If you are allergic to any of the natural ingredients mentioned above, please do not apply them on your body.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Renuka on November 23, 2015:

Will try the egg white and coconut oil hair mask. Thanks for sharing....

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on September 24, 2015:

Great ideas. I would love to try them all and give it a short for having healthier hair. Excellent hub!

Robert Morgan from Hutchinson Island, FL - Myrtle Beach, SC - Gilbert AZ on June 13, 2015:

My wife loves your hair mask. She saw your article a few months ago and has been using it on a weekly basis this summer. We swim daily and she swears by it. Thanks.

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on June 03, 2015:

Great egg white hair masks, thank you for sharing. Will try the egg white and coconut oil mask.

Mary from From the land of Chocolate Chips,and all other things sweet. on June 03, 2015:

I will have to give this hair mask a try, in the Summer months, my hair tends to be oily at the roots, and dry towards the ends. Great hub, voted up, shared, and more.

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

I have dark hair. I also have coffee. And, obviously, I have the internet! What do you get when you combine those things? Weird beauty routines.

So I've been exploring the benefits of coffee lately, and I stumbled across a rinse for dark hair. It supposedly makes your hair super soft and shiny while enhancing dark tones too.

The whole thing sounded easy enough and was one of the less weird things I've tried with coffee in recent weeks, so I decided to give it a shot! Check out my findings below, complete with photos and thoughts.

Supplies

1. Coffee!

Brew that junk up, chug most of it, and put some aside in a cup.

2. Said cup.

Keep it in a cup, put it in the shower, and then put yourself in the shower. It's quite simple, really.

Things to Keep in Mind

This isn't something for light-haired people! Coffee will stain your 'do. Also, please avoid pouring hot coffee on your scalp. I'm not responsible for burns! Additionally, do not use instant coffee—that's the stuff that just dissolves in hot water. It's got some stuff in it that can be harmful to your locks.

Now, it's time for a before photo!

Process

I suggest washing your hair when you first get in the shower. Shampoo and condition however you usually do it, and then grab your cup! Resist the urge to take a swig (I couldn't), and then pour it evenly onto your hair.

Let it sit while you do other shower stuff. The longer it sits, the better it's supposed to be. 20 minutes is recommended, but I only did it for about five. I still felt a difference though!

Results

Below is an after photo of my coffee rinse. I think I'd have to wash my hair more regularly and do the rinse more often for any visible color enhancement. However, I can attest to feeling softer and smoother hair. You can definitely see the shine too.

Did you try it out too? Leave your experiences with the rinse in the comments! I'd love to hear from you guys.

More Coffee DIYs

Like I said, I've been experimenting with coffee a lot lately. Check out some of my other coffee DIYs, as well as some other weird beauty stuff.

• Get Rid of Undereye Bags/Dark Circles with Coffee Grounds
• Coffee Scrub for Cellulite?

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Kathleen from Michigan on March 01, 2015:

I bet you got a new coffee maker for Christmas!

Catherine Giordano from Orlando Florida on February 24, 2015:

I wonder how it works on grey hair. I guess it can't hurt to try. My natural color is dark brown so I should be a good candidate for this rinse.

I love finding alternative ways to style my hair without using heat or products. I can achieve salon results without damaging my hair!

It's officially been six months since I stopped poo-ing. Sham-poo-ing. I'm super into my hair, and I love dying it and cutting it. About two years ago, I dyed it blue and it was excellent . . . But it left my hair super dried out and dead.

I began searching for ways to re-hydrate it and bring it back to life, which started with chopping all of it off. But that alone wasn't enough, so I decided to try something I didn't honestly have much faith in—ditching shampoo altogether. Join me on my no-poo journey.

Truly Hippie Beginning

If you know me (and chances are you don't), you know I'm not really a fan of the dirty hippie. It's just not my thing. However, my no-poo adventure happened to begin before my first Bonnaroo music festival this past June . . . And both of these things are incredibly hippie.

The reason why I stopped using shampoo is simple though—I was tired of damaging my hair. In the previous year, I had bleached it, dyed it, and chopped it off. I was searching for healthy ways to grow my hair back out as fast as possible.

I came across an article about shampoo, and how it actually screws up your hair. Say WHAT? Upon further research, I learned about the sulfates that can be damaging to your strands. The alternative? Baking soda and apple cider vinegar. So I called up my friend Brittany and we decided to get dirty!

Early Days

The process of how to de-poo can be found here, along with my experiences starting off. I won't go into detail about the process in this article, but basically it's broken into two steps: quitting your shampoo cold turkey and then re-incorporating a wash of baking soda shampoo and apple cider vinegar conditioner.

I'll admit, it was definitely weird to only rinse my hair for a month. Your hair can get pretty greasy when you quit doing the one thing you've consistently done since you were covered in your mom's uterus juice. Your hair gets so greasy so fast because shampoo strips your hair of its wonderful oils, so it overcompensates and gives you a greasy, professional-wrestler-status 'do.

While my hair was undeniably dirtier than normal at first, my solution was to rinse every other day with super hot water and try to rub as much of the hair gunk out as possible. After the first baking soda wash, my hair was amazing. Soft, flowy, smooth, voluminous . . . It was like something out of an '80s music video.

Pros and Cons of Not Shampooing Your Hair

There were some highs and lows of this experience, so here's our time to be brutally honest about it all. I'll start with the bad stuff, which is really just one thing—it smells funny.

Okay. That's a terrible way to put it. Obviously, without the perfume from shampoo, your hair will start to smell different. Baking soda doesn't have a smell, and the vinegar smell is gone once your hair dries. So it really just smells like your head. It's not necessarily bad, just not really good.

Now let's get to the pros—you can combat the weird hair smell by using essential oils. Peppermint, coconut, and tea tree are my favorites!

Another pro—I swear my hair has been growing faster. I cut my hair up to my chin six months before quitting poo, and in that time it grew maybe an inch and a half. Since I quit shampoo, my hair has grown at least three more inches (also in a six-month period)!!! This is one of the huge benefits.

I've also noticed that I haven't been getting many split ends. This may be related to not pooing, or it could be due to other healthy hair habits I've developed. Let's call it a combination.

One of the biggest benefits has been that I don't need to wash my hair every other day. This is awesome. I can do baking soda washes once a week, and rinse with water every few days. And you know what? I look NORMAL! No more not being able to go somewhere because I haven't washed my hair . . . No more constantly blow-drying wet locks . . . Not to mention, awesome hairstyles last longer since you don't have to wash them out.

The Best Part? Nobody Notices.

It's true. You can be a dirty hippie without anyone actually knowing you are. Never once has someone told me my hair was looking really funky, and that I ought to try washing it.

In fact, I've been complimented a million times more on my hair since quitting. So maybe they do notice, but in a good way.

It's great, because it's so much healthier and really not that gross. Really, it's not gross at all! And I've got the hair to prove it.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2014 Alex Rose

I love to dye my hair all colors of the rainbow. I love all things vintage, and I enjoy creating art, taking photos, and doing it myself.

Growing hair is like watching paint dry, except worse! You cut it thinking, "No big deal, it'll grow back. Blah, blah, blah. I'm making terrible decisions." And guess what? It doesn't grow. Ever.

Okay, it does, but at an alarmingly slow rate. At least, that's how it is for me. So I've searched the internet and experimented on my hair to give you guys a list of what works and what doesn't work in the world of hair growth.

1. Biotin

I feel like this is the most obvious answer. Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin that stimulates healthy hair and nail growth. It also makes your hair thicker, which explains a lot of what my head has been doing.

I've been taking biotin randomly throughout the past year. As in, I'll be on it for a week, then forget for a month, then on it for another two weeks. People who actually remember to take it every day see insane changes in hair length. Just look at the photo I found below! This girl was taking one 1000mcg pill per day and experienced what looks like two inches in about 40 days.

2. Coconut and Rosemary

Coconut oil is good for just about anything, even hair growth. Long story short, it's got vitamins that help your hair out, and the acids in it bind to your hair, protecting and moisturizing it. And wouldn't you know, coconut oil is packed with yummy hair food to help your locks grow big and strong.

You can get a big tub of coconut oil in the food section at most grocery stores. Some people buy it in the hair/skin section, but I find it to be almost twice as expensive. As long as the ingredients say "coconut oil," you're good.

How to Use Coconut Oil

1. Take the oil, and rub it into your soggy scalp. Use about two tablespoons for shoulder length hair and more as needed.
2. Slap on a shower cap, and watch Bob's Burgers for a while.
3. Wash it out with a sulfate-free shampoo.

Rosemary

As far as rosemary goes, it's apparently very good for stimulating hair growth as well. In a (possibly sketchy) study of 84 people with alopecia areata (hair falling out in huge patches), those who massaged their scalps with rosemary oil for seven months grew back significantly more hair than those who massaged without it.

So you know what? Why don't you double whammy it and grind up some rosemary to put in your coconut oil? I'm actually going to do that, and I'll get back to you guys on it later.

3. Sulfate-Free Shampoo (or None at All)

I can't really attest to using sulfate-free shampoo, but I can vouch for the no shampoo movement. In fact, only weeks after we started, my friend Brittany and I noticed an increase in our rate of hair growth. A month in, my hair had grown about an inch, which is insane for me. I mean, everyone's hair is different, but my scalp is the WORST at pushing out keratin.

So anyway, how it works. The sulfates in shampoo serve to dry out and damage your hair, stripping it of its natural oils. By switching to a sulfate-free shampoo (or baking soda), you can avoid damaging your hair follicles, and thus not screw up your hair growth!

I promise, your hair won't turn disgusting. The picture below is my own hair after no-pooing for a month.

4. Head Massages

Seriously. When you're in the shower, spend a little bit more time rubbing your scalp. It'll stimulate your little follicles to start growing hair faster. Of course, it's probably good to do this with some sort of oil (like coconut or rosemary), but the massages themselves should make at least a small difference. Who knows what could happen when you pair it with the rest of these tips!

5. Minding Split Ends

So the whole trimming your hair to stimulate growth? Yeah, that's crap. Your split ends have nothing to do with the roots of your hair, which are what's pumping out the proteins. However, having split ends and breakage will certainly not promote longer hair. This is why it's important to take care of your split ends by cutting them off before they become a bigger problem.

I definitely wouldn't say get a trim every six weeks; they inevitably end up taking off more than what is necessary. I don't know about you guys, but it takes me about six months to get split ends. Because I have killer skills, I end up cutting my own hair as needed. I've got myself a little pair of hair cutting shears, and whenever I see those bad boys, I chop them off.

You Can Make Your Hair Grow Faster

There are, of course, many other ways to grow your hair. You could avoid the use of heat, be cautious of hairstyles that tug and put tension on your strands, or just generally be gentle when handling your hair. However, this is the list of essentials for me. These are treatments I've seen used, or that I've used myself, that seem to increase hair growth significantly.

Keep in mind, everyone's head is different. While taking biotin may work wonderfully for me, it may cause you to break out. So be careful! Take vitamins, use oils, and pledge NEVER to chop it off again!! Happy hair growth!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

swilliams on November 03, 2014:

This is a very informative article! Job well done and I love the great use of your pictures! Voted up and tweeted out!

Sharon has been making and selling soaps and personal care products for about five years.

It’s easy to make your own homemade shampoo—one that gets your hair squeaky clean and is free of the harmful chemicals found in commercial shampoos.

While it’s fair to question whether commercial soaps and shampoos are really all that harmful, many moms have learned to make their own soap in order to help their children or other relatives with skin troubles. One of my own in-laws tells me that her homemade soap cured her mother’s eczema, and local herb ladies tell me they’ve seen it work.

And it does appear that some people, at least, are sensitive to the detergents and chemicals found in commercial hair and body products.

According to industry chemist and author David Pollock, several chemicals commonly included in commercial shampoos may be carcinogenic or potentially harmful to skin and hair in other ways. According to Pollock, “The sodium and ammonium laureth sulfates are known cancer-causing ingredients,” as is polyethylene glycol (PEG). Other ingredients, in Pollock’s view, could lead to thinning of the hair or allergic reactions.

Why You Should Make Your Own Pure and Natural Shampoo

You can quickly and easily make a homemade shampoo that is far superior to commercial shampoos, which can be made with pure, organic ingredients. It will provide better cleaning, better conditioning, and a wonderful, silky feel to your hair, without any need to use a separate conditioner! The coconut milk in this shampoo contains coconut oil—one of nature’s finest hair conditioners—and in just the right amount to make your hair soft and lustrous.

More Control Over the Fragrance

Homemade shampoo is a special joy for those who are particular about fragrances. I have probably never purchased a bottle of shampoo, conditioner, or fabric softener without removing the cap and taking a whiff. If you try this, you’re likely to notice that many of the different shampoo fragrances are nearly indistinguishable from each other—and none of them smell particularly good. They often have a harsh, “chemical” odor—nothing remotely like the flower on the label.

With homemade shampoo, if you want your shampoo to smell like honeysuckle—or some other floral, herbal, or citrus scent or combination—you need only add a few drops of essential oil.

Higher Quality

Plus, I think you’ll notice quite a difference in the quality of the product itself. This natural shampoo has a wonderful silky feel, smells heavenly, and gets your hair squeaky clean. This shampoo is best used without following up with a commercial conditioner—or any conditioner at all. You'll find you don't need it, for one thing. But you'll also find that when used without following with conditioner, it gives your hair a marvelous soft, silky feel, and a subtle shine.

Types of Soap To Use for This Recipe

I use my own homemade cold-process lye soap for this recipe. If possible, make your own 100% olive oil Castile soap! If this is not possible, you can probably buy a hand-crafted soap at a health food store that is made with 100% olive oil (plus, of course, lye and water). Or, if you have a friend who makes soap, ask her to make a 100% olive oil soap for you.

Depending on the type of soap used, you can get a somewhat different product. If you make this recipe with Castile (olive oil) soap, it will barely froth up in your blender at all and makes a creamy shampoo.

Coconut oil soap, on the other hand, is a very bubbly soap, and whirling it a blender with the other ingredients causes at least a fourfold increase in volume so that you have to wait for the bubbles to be re-absorbed into the liquid before you can bottle.

These two soaps have somewhat different properties in other ways: Coconut oil soap is a much more powerful cleanser—does a better job of removing dirt and oils from the hair. Olive oil soap, on the other hand, is gentler and more conditioning and is preferred because it does not strip the hair of natural oils.

You may find that most hand-crafted real lye soaps work well in this recipe, even those made with other oils, or combinations of oils.

Water Substitutes

You can make this shampoo using only water, coconut milk, and real lye soap (Castile soap made with 100% olive oil makes the best shampoo).

Sometimes—if I'm feeling a little extravagant—I substitute rose water for the water portion of the recipe. This adds a nice, light fragrance and a luxurious touch. There are other flower waters, besides rose water, that would be lovely in this recipe.

Coconut Milk Shampoo Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup grated real lye soap, not packed, 100% olive oil soap preferred
• ½ cup distilled water or rose water
• ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk (canned—the kind for used in cooking)
• Essential oils for fragrance (optional)

Serving Size

Makes about 1 ½-1 3/4 cups shampoo (This, too, depends on the type of soap used.)

Directions

1. Put all ingredients except fragrance in a blender and whirl until the soap is dissolved.
2. Depending on the type of soap you have selected, this combination may get very foamy in the blender, so that it looks like you have more than a quart of liquid, but the bubbles will gradually subside (allow two hours or more), leaving about 1 1/2 cups of silky liquid.
3. If you use 100% olive oil soap in this recipe, it will hardly foam up at all.
4. Once the foaminess has subsided you can add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance, if desired, and stir to blend in. It will smell really nice without added fragrance, because of the rosewater.
5. Now you can decant the finished shampoo into a bottle. The final product, while creamy and lush feeling on the skin, may be more “runny” than commercial shampoos. This, too, depends on which type of soap and brand of coconut milk you have selected. The olive oil version is more thick and creamy, as is the version made with thicker coconut milk.

To Use and Store

This shampoo should be gently shaken before use, since it will separate into layers. Tipping the bottle upside-down a few times should do it. You may want to store in a clear glass or plastic bottle, so you be sure to remember to “shake before using.”

It is best to store natural products in the refrigerator and use them within a week or two if they are made without preservatives. Plus preservatives don't work well with products that include very high amounts of milk and/or hydrosols (rosewater, in this case), so there is little point in considering a preservative for this shampoo.

My experience is that no conditioner is required after using this shampoo. In fact, I feel that following it with a commercial conditioner is likely to undo its benefits: Soft, shiny, silky-feeling hair. Try using it without conditioner for awhile, and you'll see what I mean.

Need a Larger Recipe for Gift-Giving or Enough for Family-Size Bottles?

Here is a recipe that will make four 8-ounce bottles—or two 16-ounce bottles. By which I mean the apothecary bottles sold in health food stores. The advantage of going to a somewhat larger recipe is that you can use up the whole can of coconut milk and the whole 8-ounce bottle of rosewater all at once. No leftovers!

You’ll find you want to share this shampoo with friends and family.

Ingredients

• 2 cups grated Castile soap
• 1 8-ounce bottle rosewater
• 1 13.5-ounce can of Native Forest Coconut Milk (or any good thick unsweetened coconut milk)

Directions

Prepare in the same way as the first recipe.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Sharon Vile (author) from Odessa, MO on November 04, 2014:

I know I should know when to quit, but my hair just keeps getting softer and silkier and shinier using this shampoo!

Also, I just made CHOCOLATE soap! I so need to post the recipe, which is loaded with fine oils, cosmetic clays, cocoa powder, honey, and heavy cream--and feels divine on your skin.

Sharon Vile (author) from Odessa, MO on November 04, 2014:

Most health-food stores probably carry a pure 100% olive oil Castile soap. Also, if you check with your city to find out who is in charge of the nearest farmer's market, they should be able to refer you to someone who makes and sells soap. If your friendly neighborhood soaper does not have it on hand, I'm sure they'd be delighted to make some for you, and for the purposes of making shampoo the soap need not be cured, but should be usable for shampoo about 48 hours after it's made.

Even better: Make your own! It's easy! Here's a link to my recipe: https://discover.hubpages.com/style/Homemade-Pure-...

Homemade soaps, incidentally, are to die for!

FlourishAnyway from USA on November 03, 2014:

If I can get a hold of the right soap, I intend to try this recipe.

As someone who bleaches their hair, I know how important it is to do frequent deep-conditioning masks. Here are 10 of my DIY favorites.

We sometimes take our hair for quite a rough ride. From burning straighteners and curling irons to oil-scouring shampoos, a lot of what we do to style our hair can damage it in the long run. If your hair is in need of a bit of tender love and care, then don't worry—split ends and dry hair don't mean a trip to the salon to get it all cut off! What you need is a treatment to give your hair back what it has lost.

Plenty of salons do hair treatments, but these are often expensive and chemical-laden alternatives to simple, cheap and natural hair-mask remedies you can make using what you have at home. I'm a big fan of DIY hair masks and treatments (I bleach my hair, so it can get pretty damaged!), so I thought I would share a few of the recipes I have found most effective.

1. Olive Oil and Honey Hydration Mask

First of all, we have a super hydrating mask that will leave your hair soft and shiny. The active ingredient is olive oil, a natural deep conditioner filled with anti-oxidants essential for a healthy scalp. A side benefit of olive oil is that long-term use can lead to a reduction of the hormone DTH on your scalp, which contributes to hair loss and thinning. This is a good one for hair-conscious men too!

The other two ingredients of this mask are water and honey. The molecules of olive oil are quite hard for your hair to absorb, so it needs to be mixed into an emulsion with water to make it possible to absorb. The resulting mix is going to be very runny, so the honey thickens it up and makes it easier to apply.

Honey is also a humectant, meaning it attracts water and keeps things moist, enhancing the deep conditioning. As well as this, honey is another source of essential nutrients and antioxidants, so it plays a secondary role in the mask in promoting hair health.

Ingredients

• 5 Tablespoons of Virgin olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons of Honey
• 1 Tablespoon of Water

Instructions

1. Start by putting five tablespoons of the olive oil in a microwavable bowl, and heat it up in the microwave for 15–20 seconds.
2. Add the tablespoon of water and whisk thoroughly.
3. Begin adding the honey about half a tablespoon at a time, whisking thoroughly. The aim is to get a mixture that is not too runny, but also not sticky. If it is still very runny when you've added the honey, add more honey. If it has gotten sticky, add more olive oil until you get the consistency just right.
4. Your mask is now ready! Apply the mask evenly while your hair is damp. Be sure not to apply the mask if it is still hot from the microwave—let it cool for at least a minute.
5. Place your hair inside of your shower cap, and leave for 30 minutes.
6. Rinse the mask out completely at the end of this time: cold water and a bit of gentle shampoo will do the trick.

2. Coconut and Egg Mask for Dry and Damaged Hair

Here’s a great mask that I swear by, given the amount of damage I do to my hair with the constant bleaching. The video tutorial above will tell you everything you need to know about how to make it and the health benefits of this treatment.

One thing I would like to add, however, is that you should wear a pair of goggles while applying this treatment: Raw egg is very nasty if you get it into your eyes, and it can’t hurt to be safe. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after application and rinsing, and don’t touch your mouth or eyes until your hands are clean.

3. Witch Hazel and Avocado Mask for Frizzy or Oily Hair and Dry Scalps

This is a bit of an odd mix I came up with myself after trying to find the best way to turn witch hazel into a mask. Witch hazel is magic for the scalp, acting as an astringent, which means it is a natural treatment for dandruff and other dry scalp and skin disorders. It also assists your hair's natural ability to remove excess oils, which makes it a good cleanser for those of you with oily hair.

Witch Hazel can be applied directly onto the scalp using cotton balls and a lot of hair parting, but this is a time-consuming process, so I wanted to make it into a mask instead.

After experimenting with various ways of thickening mixtures containing witch hazel, I settled on Avocado. Avocado is packed full of vitamins and minerals which promote healthy hair, including folic acid and iron. It’s also great for reducing frizz, due to high moisturizing capacity, I’ve found.

Ingredients

• 1 Avocado
• 2 Tablespoons of Witch Hazel
• 1 Tablespoon of cream
• 1 Tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon of water

Instructions

1. Place all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until it forms a reasonably smooth paste.
2. Apply evenly to your hair from roots to end, taking care to massage the mixture into your scalp.
3. Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave the mask on for 20–30 minutes.
4. Rinse your hair with cold or lukewarm water and a little bit of shampoo.

4. Almond Oil Treatment to Make Your Hair Soft, Silky and Manageable

If you want a simple treatment that will make your hair soft and shiny without a lot of mixing strange concoctions in the kitchen, I recommend this one for you: Almond Oil. Almond oil is packed with nutrients that nourish hair and promote growth, and it’s very easy to use.

First of all, make sure your hair is wet so that the oil can absorb into your hair properly. Pour some of the oil into your hand and begin massaging it into your scalp. Once enough has been applied, use a comb or your fingers to spread the oil all the way down to the tips of your hair, ensuring an even coating.

Put your hair in a shower cap and leave it on for a minimum of 30 minutes to a maximum of 10 hours—the longer the better! Finish off by rinsing the oil out with shampoo and water.

5. Mayonnaise Hair Conditioner for Dry and Damaged Hair

Yes, I am completely serious. Mayonnaise is absolutely amazing at transforming dry and damaged hair into silky, soft and gorgeous looking locks. Plus, everyone has mayonnaise lying about the house, so it’s incredibly convenient.

There are two ways to go about it—you can just apply the mayonnaise directly, or you can add other ingredients to combine some of the health benefits of other masks with the deep conditioning. I’ve provided two video tutorials; the one below is the one I like to use, but the one above is great if you are in a hurry or don’t have a lot of ingredients lying about.

6. Banana Hair Mask for Frizzy Hair

Next up on the list is this fun banana hair mask. Bananas contain loads of minerals that promote healthy hair, including potassium, which contributes to hair strength and repair. A banana mask is also an excellent moisturizer, smoothing out frizz and easing dry and flaking scalps.

This mask is one of the easiest to put together, and optionally you can add a few drops of coconut oil to the mix to enhance the mask’s moisturizing capacity, and drops of vanilla or lavender oil can give the mask a lovely scent.

Ingredients

• 1 Banana
• 1 Tablespoon of honey
• 1 Tablespoon of plain yoghurt

Instructions

1. This one is nice and simple, just mash up or blend the banana in a food processor, and mix in the tablespoon of honey and yoghurt. Voila!
2. Apply the mask to your hair and leave in under a shower cap for 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse for Frizzy and Dull Hair

Another fun tidbit: The shininess of your hair is actually related to its pH. Many shampoos and commercial hair products are alkaline, which means your hair may have an imbalance in its pH which leads to dullness. This means the slight acidic quality of apple cider vinegar will enhance the luster of dull hair. This rinse will also close up many of your hair's cuticles (the little scales on the hair’s surface), which makes your hair smoother and less frizzy.

This rinse works fantastically well after applying a mayonnaise hair mask, so if you have a bit of time it is definitely worth doing both.

8. Green Tea Hair Mask for Hair Loss and Thinning Hair

A green tea mask is perfect for slowing down the effects of hair thinning and promoting hair growth. It has two ingredients that affect hair growth. Firstly, it contains epigallocatechin-3-gallat, which promotes the growth of hair follicles and stimulates hair growth. It also has an enzyme inhibitor that stops the scalp converting testosterone into DHT, which can lead to hair loss. I like to use Yogi Super Antioxidant Green Tea to add a bit more of a healthy punch with some antioxidants.

The mustard powder in this mask helps increase blood circulation to your scalp (you may feel a slight warmth or tingle—that means it's working!), which also promotes hair growth.

This treatment should be used frequently depending on the degree of thinning, a minimum of once a week to a maximum of three times a week.

Ingredients

• Green Tea
• Water
• 1 Tablespoon of mustard powder
• 1 Egg

Instructions

1. First, make yourself a strong cup of piping hot green tea. You won't be using all of it, so you can enjoy a nice cuppa afterwards!
2. Mix an egg with a tablespoon of mustard powder, add two tablespoons of green tea and then mix until smooth and creamy.
3. Apply the mask to your hair and place under a shower cap. Leave on for about 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

9. Lemon and Baking Soda Hair Mask for Oily Hair

Here are two wonder-ingredients for oily hair: lemon juice and baking soda. Lemon juice is great for stripping away all of that excess oil that leaves hair looking limp and lifeless. Like the apple cider vinegar treatment, the acidity of lemon juice will also promote shiny and silky looking hair by balancing your hair’s pH.

Baking soda meanwhile absorbs oil like a sponge and is great for removing all the chemical impurities commercial hair product leave in your hair. It is very alkaline, however, which is why we need the lemon juice to balance it out. I wouldn’t recommend using baking soda on its own.

This one is nice and simple. Just mix five tablespoons of yogurt (plain) with a teaspoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of lemon juice and apply evenly to your hair. Leave it one for about 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

10. Combination Mask for Hair Restoration

If you have some time to get creative and want a hair mask which includes most of the benefits and ingredients that I’ve talked about so far, then this is the mask for you. It has all the goodness of bananas, honey, avocado, olive oil as well as another deep conditioning ingredient, buttermilk. If you have very damaged hair, then I would recommend applying this mask at least once a week.

This has worked great for me when I’ve over-bleached my hair—it fixes up the damage right away!

Ingredients

• 1 Banana
• 1 Egg
• 2 Tablespoons of honey
• Half an avocado
• 3 Tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 Tablespoons of buttermilk

Instructions

1. Blend the egg, banana and avocado. If you do not have a blender, you can mash them together with a spoon instead. Do this until you have a smooth paste.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until smooth and incorporated.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Hair Mask

• After putting on your shower cap, wrap a warm towel around your head or otherwise apply gentle heat to your head with a blow-dryer on a low setting. Heat helps your hair absorb the mask.
• Rinse your hair with cold or lukewarm water rather than hot water. This results in a shinier look. This is especially important for hair masks with egg in them: you don’t want to smell like cooked egg all day!
• Feel free to experiment with my recipes. My hair is quite short and of medium thickness, so you may need more ingredients or a slightly different consistency if your hair is long or very thick or fine.
• A hair mask doesn’t have to be a once-in-a-blue-moon treat for your hair—you can make it part of your styling routine. I recommend using a mask or treatment once every two weeks for long-lasting effects.

Thanks for Reading!

So there you go, that was my guide to my top 10 favorite hair treatments and masks. I hope you found a treatment that matches your needs and that you have a lot of fun experimenting. Thanks for stopping by, and feel free to leave a comment below if you have your own DIY hair treatment you want to recommend to others!

All images on this page are courtesy of PublicDomainPictures.net, FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Clkr.comand Amazon.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2014 DesignSpace

Comments

Ashwania on December 17, 2014:

Thanks for being on point and on tagert!

Giovanna from UK on September 07, 2014:

I love this Hub -so much information -am certainly going to try some of your recipes. Thanks so much for sharing them.

Mary from Chicago area on September 03, 2014:

I am crazy enough about almond to use it in almost anything, including a hair mask! I think my only concern would be rinsing this out thoroughly enough, with the thicker ones. Great ideas :)

Neha has been writing beauty articles for many years. She is passionate about skincare and natural remedies.

Dandruff is a skin inflammation associated with itchiness of the scalp, hair loss, and baldness. It is important to treat it as soon as possible because it can cause many other hair problems. Luckily, there are lots of natural ways to treat this common scalp disorder, and they can actually be cheaper and more effective than store-bought products! Below, you will find nine of the best ways to get rid of dandruff.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Apple cider vinegar, or ACV, is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, so it helps get rid of the bacteria, yeast, or fungi on your scalp that is causing dandruff. The acid also relieves itchiness, and the vitamins and nutrients give your hair more body and shine.

To Use:

1. Dilute ACV with equal parts water.
2. Pour the solution into your hair and leave it on for 15–20 minutes before rinsing with water. (Remember to close your eyes, as vinegar can sting.)
3. Do this two times a week (possibly more, if needed).

Note: If you have thin or dry hair, you may only want to rinse your hair with ACV once or twice a month.

2. Yogurt Mask

A yogurt mask is good for dry, brittle hair. Yogurt is rich in lactic acid, which gently breaks down dead skin cells and moisturizes the scalp. The probiotic also kills bacteria.

To Use:

Massage yogurt into your scalp, and leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing and shampooing.

3. Neem Paste or Oil

To reduce the symptoms of dandruff, apply neem leaf paste or neem oil to your scalp. Neem has been used in haircare for thousands of years because of its antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-fungal, and antibacterial properties. It treats hair fall, lice, scalp infections, itching, and dandruff.

To Use:

1. Mix a few drops of neem oil with your preferred carrier oil (e.g. jojoba, coconut, or olive).
2. Massage this into your scalp once per day and let it sit for 1–2 hours before washing. (Leaving it overnight or applying it more often may lead to irritation.)

4. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is anti-fungal, so it is a very effective ingredient for killing the fungus that is causing dandruff.

To Use:

• The easiest way to use tea tree oil is to add it to your shampoo. The proportion should be around five drops of tea tree oil to 150mL of shampoo. The tea tree oil percentage in your shampoo should be about 5%.
• You can also add a few drops to your hair oil and leave it on your scalp overnight or for a few hours before rinsing and washing with a mild shampoo.

Note: Because of its strong properties, direct application of this oil is not recommended, particularly for people with sensitive skin.

5. Olive Oil

Olive oil is chock full of antioxidants and also has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. It also contains nourishing vitamins that help relieve itchiness and heal your scalp.

To Use:

Heat up some olive oil and pour it over your scalp. Massage and leave it in for as long as you like before rinsing and shampooing.

6. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera is a medicinal plant that is anti-microbial, so it can kill the fungus that causes your dandruff. It is also rich in vitamins and nutrients, which can improve your hair's overall health.

To Use:

You can easily grow an aloe vera plant and extract its pulp.

• Use the pulp of one aloe vera leaf and blend into a gel.
• Rub the gel onto your itchy scalp.
• Leave it on for 30 minutes and then rinse off.

7. Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda can do wonders to remove dandruff and white flakes from your hair. Add some of it to your shampoo to form a paste. The baking soda will remove product build-up.

8. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has natural fungus-fighting capabilities, which makes it great for treating flaky scalps. It is one of the best oils used to prevent dandruff because it is anti-fungal and antibacterial. The oil also soothes an itchy scalp.

To Use:

• Apply coconut oil to your scalp before bedtime and wash it off in the morning. Do this twice a week.
• OR mix a small piece of camphor in coconut oil. Let the camphor dissolve completely. You can crush the camphor if you want it to dissolve faster. Apply this mixture to your scalp and leave it overnight. Wash it out in the morning. Do this twice a week.

9. Lemon Juice

Lemon's natural acidity breaks down oil and grease in your hair, which soothes a flaky scalp. Lemon also helps maintain the PH balance of your scalp.

To Use:

• Apply lemon juice to your scalp for 20–25 minutes.
• You can also mix a spoon of lemon juice in a glass of water and use this mixture to rinse your hair after shampooing.

Note: If you have dry hair, you should not try this remedy.

The natural remedies above are simple and effective. Dandruff is not a serious condition, but the embarrassment that it causes can have a severe effect on your self-esteem. If you have dandruff that cannot be treated with at-home remedies, consult your dermatologist.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2014 Neha Sadana

Comments

Suruchi jain on December 28, 2014:

I m also suffering frm dandruff hope all dis inf will help me lot thank u

hayadihaircare on August 26, 2014:

Thanks for the information i am also suffering from this i will try it and share my experience after get a try.

Neha Sadana (author) from India on August 07, 2014:

Hello The Examiner, I am glad you find it useful and informative. You are right, natural remedies to get rid of dandruff are inexpensive as well as gentle. Thanks for voting it up!!

Neha Sadana (author) from India on August 07, 2014:

Hello peachpurle, Anti dandruff shampoo works well but for the time being they are used. Dandruff comes back as soon as you stop using chemical anti dandruff shampoo. Natural remedies are not like that. They not only prevent dandruff but also treat it.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on August 07, 2014:

Very nice, useful and informative hub!

Natural remedies are always safe and the best. Voted up and thanks for sharing!

The Examiner-1 on August 06, 2014:

This seemed very useful Neha. I know that I have tried various dandruff shampoos, and like you said, they are not cheap. They do not seem to work either. I like natural remedies and will be trying a few of these to find what works. I voted it up++, shared and pinned it.

Kevin

peachy from Home Sweet Home on August 06, 2014:

i usually use Rejoice anti dandruff shampoo, works well for me

I'm a new mom, newbie wife, who works as a nurse, and grew up with the family's salon business.

Maybe you've had the same boring hairstyle for years now and have decided that you want long, luscious, curly hair. The only thing is that you have no idea how to get the look.

To turn your boring, straight, limp hair into dramatic curls, you can either go for a cold wave or a digital perm. Both hair procedures can get you permanent curls, but there is a difference between how the curls look, the procedure itself, and how you need to maintain your hair afterward.

What Is Digital Perming (Also Known as a Digi-Perm or a Hot Perm)?

Digital perming (also known as a digi-perm or a hot perm) is a procedure of permanently curling hair using a combination of chemical restructuring and heat. In the process, the stylist sections the hair and then applies a chemical that breaks down the structure of the hair. Each section is then curled to a rod on the machine and left to set for varying lengths of time (depending on hair type). The rods are then removed and additional chemicals applied afterwards to set the curls permanently.

When done properly, digital perming should produce big, soft curls that are more defined when the hair is dry. The entire process, including a cut, takes about three hours. Because digi-perm uses heat, it cannot be used near the scalp. Spiral and small curls are also more difficult to do with this kind of perm.

Takeaways

• Digi-perms take longer than cold perms and tend to be more expensive.
• The curls from this kind of perm are bigger and look more natural.
• The procedure makes hair look smooth and shiny.
• This kind of perm is best for Asian hair and not recommended for other hair types. However, always check with your stylist.

What Is a Cold Wave Perm (Also Known as a Cold Perm)?

Cold wave or cold perm is a process that has long been used by salons in the Philippines and elsewhere. In a cold wave perm, dry hair is sectioned and curled around a plastic rod, over which the cold wave solution (usually Pagoda Cold Wave Lotion) is poured, completely soaking the hair. After fifteen minutes, another solution is applied to set the curls and neutralize the chemicals.

Typically, cold wave perms use small and medium plastic curlers, leaving you with kinky to medium curls which are more defined when wet. To get the best results, you should use hair products like setting lotion, mousse, and Finesse curly hair products to make the curls stand out.

Takeaways

• Cold wave perms are usually cheaper than digi-perms.
• Curls tend to be smaller and are best defined when wet.

Taking Care of Your Perm

Getting a perm will permanently change your hair, and as a result, you will have to learn how to take care of your hair in a different way. You should expect to invest in products and a routine that will keep your hair looking good and make your investment last as long as possible. Ask your stylist for some recommendations on products you should get and how to use them.

Before Your Perm:

• Know if your hair can handle a perm. Schedule a consultation with your stylist and tell him or her about any hair coloring, highlighting, or texture services you've done on your hair. The more upfront you are, the better your results will be.
• Talk about the look that you want with your stylist. Be very specific. Use pictures and ask your stylist if the look is achievable with a perm. Sometimes photos from the Internet use hair extensions, a curling iron, or are the result of a natural wave. Your stylist can help you understand the difference and make the decision to perm or not to perm. It's possible you might just need some curling tips.
• Make sure your stylist is experienced perming your kind of hair and actually enjoys doing it.

Situations Where You Shouldn't Get a Perm

• You have colored or treated hair. The chemicals are too hard and will cause even more damage, and could cause your hair to break off at the scalp.
• You have dry hair. A perm will dry out your hair even more.
• You have many short layers. A perm could leave you looking like a poodle!

What Happens if You Hate Your Perm?

One drawback of perms is that you can't know for certain how they'll turn out until they're done. Even with proper planning, your stylist can only guess how you will look afterwards, and sometimes you might not be pleased with the results.

Perms can be reversed with permanent straightening which uses the same chemicals as a cold perm. However, if your hair is already damaged from the perm, straightening it will damage it even more. Try to make the best of it, and be sure to deep condition regularly. If the perm turned out too curly or frizzy for your tastes, the best way to calm it down is to use a semi-permanent smoothing treatment. That said, keep in mind that any additional chemical process runs the risk of causing more problems, and you'll definitely have to spend more money on the process itself and more maintenance products.

Now that you know the basics, choose the style that you want!

Generally, both of these tend to leave hair dry and brittle over time, so it’s best to make sure you get the procedure done by a professional and take care of your hair carefully afterwards.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Phyllis Mapara on June 22, 2018:

I have liked your page and would like to receive more tips on how to take care of permed hair and the right lotions to use

eatpraylove (author) from Philippines on April 15, 2018:

http://youradeline.blogspot.com/2018/04/my-review-...

Marlene on August 08, 2015:

I have the same question who did the person before

jells on July 18, 2015:

Hello, I read your article on digi perm vs cold wave perm and I found it very informative. I was thinking of getting permanent loose waves and I was confused on which method to use. To save money, I was planning on doing the cold wave perm but I have a few questions. Will I still be able to get loose waves instead of tight curls if I did the cold wave perm instead of the digi perm? And is it possible to get loose waves if I just put the cold wave solution on and then put my hair in a bun (w/o using any rollers) ? :))

When it comes to hair, I've always felt more comfortable with natural treatments like castor oil. This is my advice on how to best use it.

Hair loss may be one of the most common hair issues. New styling techniques with chemicals and heat are bad for hair, weakening it and increasing the chance of advanced hair loss.

There are a number of things we can do to strengthen our hair, but personally, I feel more comfortable with natural treatments like oil.

There are several oils that you can use for hair growth and hair strength, but I will talk about castor oil today because it has been used as a hair treatment for centuries. It contains numerous minerals and fatty acids.

When Should You Use Castor Oil for Your Hair?

• When you see hair falling out at a quicker rate than normal.
• When you see split ends.
• When your scalp is dry.
• When you just want healthier hair.

How to Use Castor Oil as a Hair Treatment

1. Wash your hair. Some stylists suggest applying warm oil to the hair before shampooing, but I don’t recommend this. Wash your hair to ensure that it is clean before you apply any oil to it.
2. Warm the oil. Pour castor oil into a pot or bowl. If desired, add olive or coconut oil. Gently warm on stove or microwave. Alternatively, place the bowl in a tub of hot water. In either case, ensure that the oil doesn’t get too hot.
3. Massage gently into hair. If your hair is completely dry, spray to moisten. It is better to divide hair into sections. Apply oil to one section at a time and massage gently. Castor oil needs a little time to absorb, so massage continuously until you can feel that oil has soaked in.
4. Massage your scalp. Hair massage isn’t enough. You need to massage your scalp too. Take some castor oil and massage your scalp gently with your fingertips in a circular motion. Make sure that all the oil is absorbed into the scalp.
5. Cover your hair. After massaging your hair and scalp, cover your head with a shower cap for at least one hour. Allow the oil to completely absorb into the scalp.
6. Wash your hair. Finally, wash your hair. Make sure to remove all of the oil, shampooing twice or three times if needed.

When Will You Notice the Results?

You might not notice results immediately after washing. For best results, follow these steps twice a week. You will see positive changes within a month or so.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Neha mehnaz on April 27, 2019:

Can castor oil reduces dandruff?

ETHNEY NTLOKO on December 27, 2018:

My hair are very light what kind of castor oil can I used?

Just.nessa on Instagram on November 24, 2017:

I use Jamaican black castor oil like recently i cut my hair for the first time in about 4 year because my hair hasn't grown out and i messaged it into my hair a week after cutting it but its great for eye lashes and eyebrow i recommended a non scented one

Denil on October 16, 2017:

After using caster oil can I use shampoo to remove it completely...?isn't it bad for hair?

JOEL on October 15, 2017:

HELLO

Can I use Castor oil for my daily moisturizer or for my hair style?

Jean on September 17, 2017:

I'm pushing 60 and lost a lot of hair from hormones and blow drying etc. I tried Nioxin and while it worked it wasn't transforming or anything. Then I heard of essential oils. So during the week I wash hair only with natural cream rinse with a few drops of sage,rosemary,rose geranium,and lavender. Then once a week I add warm castor oil and sit with that on for 1 to 2 hrs without the cream rinse.It took two weeks to notice a difference and then 3 to 4 was to notice a significant change in my hair. Not so dry, it was shiny and soft. I'm pleased with it.

Raj on September 15, 2017:

How long does it take to show results , I have just started using so I was wondering and also is it okay if I leave it overnight

Debapriya Mondal on April 22, 2017:

What type of castor oil should I use in my hair

berth on March 05, 2017:

can i use castor oil as my everyday hair moisturizer

Sara on February 09, 2017:

Is it possible to put it on dry hair and leave it for couple of days to get the maximum absorption?

Medicomart on November 16, 2016:

I am using castor oil after one month.i think may hair growthing to more 2 months.so thanks this article....

chintan on September 06, 2016:

Hii, last 2 months I noticed that my hair is thinning and falling out, now I m apply refined castor oil with another oil in three day a week.... how many days I have to apply castoroil? ? Which type of castor oil I have to use?? Now I apply this treatment is that correct or wrong? ?

manjulatha on June 15, 2016:

hi, i want to know that does castor oil kept for three days what will happens is it good or bad to hair and scalp

Lysa on May 10, 2016:

Where can i buy castor oil cold pressed?

Ankit on April 12, 2016:

I apply castor oil but didn't washed it 2-3 days . There is no problem in that Na.

Ankit wal on March 14, 2016:

my hair type is dry and frizzy, how many time in a week i should use it ?

JDGolden100 on January 01, 2016:

Hi, this is an interesting page and string of comments and questions!

Exactly how DOES castor oil make hair grow? Does it absorb into the root or something? It is awfully thick and I had to wash my hair several times to get it out. Oh, and the smell!!! Did I buy the wrong king?

My hair is light blond and shoulder length, pretty thick but starting to thin...hope to hear how to use it the right way.

thanks so much.

JD Golden

amanda on December 18, 2015:

Hi..... I'm going to try castor oil for my hair cause it just keep falling out...... I hope it works...... Going to follow your instruction carefully..... Will have u know back of my results in 4 week time

sanjna on October 09, 2015:

can I mix alovera jel and vitamin e capsule with combination of castor oil and coconut oil

maakhlesh on October 07, 2015:

Can I directly apply it on my scalp, without mixing something . .???

zoheb on October 06, 2015:

Can castor oil regrow and make my hair thick??.because my hair is getting too much thinner and it's started getting baldness...due to have a lot of medicines for acne pimples.problem ..and how often do I need to use the wells castor oil bp ..and within how many days I'm going to get result????

zoheb on October 06, 2015:

Day by day,,My hair has started to thin a lot...i think it's happening for the cause of taking too much antibiotic capsule for my acne treatment...whatever.. Today I bought a (wells castor oil B.p),to regrow my hair...So is it possible to regrow my hair again by using wells bp castor oil..??so tell me direction for use and how and when to apply..how many days in a week?? How to apply??how many times in a day??but I think keeping it at overnight will be better isn't it??? One of my friend told me to use kaminomoto hair oil to regrow but I had avoided him because that contains too much chemicalchemicals... .

tanmayi on September 05, 2015:

Iam experiencing so much of hairfall iam still 15 ive started applying castor oil . iam applying it alternate days since there is a lot of hairfall. Hope it works . but i have a doubt can i comb my hair after applying castor oil??? I did it , i lost so so so much of hair dont know why plz reply to my comment whether i can comb my hair after applying castor oil or not .

Aliz on June 27, 2015:

Whenever I do any kind of oil mask on my hair, I use conditioner to wash afterwards, not shampoo. For me, the shampoo dries out my hair too much, or it can't get all of the greasiness out. The oil in the conditioner is able to pull out the excess oil on my hair, without completely stripping it.

Akash on June 25, 2015:

It ns compersory mixed any essential oil in castrol hair oil..to regrow your hair...if necessary what type of essential oil used?

Addy on June 01, 2015:

Hi, since year ago, my hair start to loss in a high rate. So I decided to use Castor Oil to treat this problem. I want to know Castor Oil that labelled with BP suitable for the hair treatment...?

deepak on May 12, 2015:

I am 22 yr old and my hair is very dry. And I am facing hair problem for 2 yrs. Can castor oil regrowth my hair...and I want to know how long I have to use it for seeing the best result. And after getting positive result can I use this oil further or stop using this.

carol on April 10, 2015:

Ok ...sorry for that.

Tam from Texas on April 08, 2015:

PLEASE READ MY PAST COMMENTS ..... I DO NOT OWN THIS PAGE SO THEREFORE I DO NOT GIVE REPLIES ANYMORE. CONSULT A DOCTOR IF CONDITION PERSISTS. THANK YOU.

divine on March 28, 2015:

Can you use it on your eyebrows?

Tam from Texas on March 26, 2015:

Hello Kunal please read my previous comments on responding to others ..... thank you.

kunal on March 25, 2015:

Hi tam,

How often do I need to use this oil in a week and will it regrow my hair in middle where I lost due to stress

Tam from Texas on March 22, 2015:

Hi Riya It usually takes 4 weeks for any type of hair growth or some success of thickness. Read my other comments where I explain to take a before and after image to see if it is actually working. Contact your doctor if it gets worse.

Hi Potol - every hair type of course is different - I stopped responding to comments because this is not my post and respecting the original host. First you need to follow the advice I give and take it from there. If nothing works then seeing either an endocrinologist or a dermatologist to hopefully help in that situation.

riya on March 21, 2015:

Hi .... I am using castor oil for past two months on daily basis..... since i am in home (un-employee) i apply the oil during the morning and plat my hair ..... while combing my hair the next day it doesn't show any improvements plz help me

potol on March 16, 2015:

hello TAM MT. How r u?? Thanks for your advice. Friend I have a problem. My hair is looks so thin & I feel it so dry. That's why the problem of dry hair are turn into hair loss. So DEAR please say something & help me how can I Solve this metter.........

raza on March 12, 2015:

I have loss my front hairs and iam afraid of losing hairs.so please suggest me is it better to use castor oil or it will affect my hairs please.

suku kannan on March 10, 2015:

Hi...I had severe hair loss within a short period then i had shaved my hair in my head bcoz of bald on some areas and mine is oily hair. Nowadays i having good food and sleep then also im not statisfied can u tell me wheather this oil will help me..if this do so then explain me how to use...

Tam from Texas on March 09, 2015:

Hello Andrea - you only heat castor oil if it requires you to. Make sure you are not using a cold base castor oil. Cold base castor oil will be labeled on the bottle, might say cold pressed or cold base. If you are not sure ask a retail associate where you can find some. Now if you prefer heated (which I don't) make sure you apply it correctly.

Andrea on March 08, 2015:

Do i have to heat up the caster oil for every time i want to use it

Tam from Texas on March 03, 2015:

Hello JYOTI - if you just had your child within 8 months what you are experiencing is postpartum, during a pregnancy you hormones are sky high but after a pregnancy you will lose your hair faster than it can grow. Making it harder to take care of - that happened to me 18 years ago after my daughter. It took me 12 months to get my hair back in shape - I used mayonnaise and pure coconut juice not store bought I made it at home. Castor oil might not work since this is a hormonal issue. You have to maintain your hormones as well as your estrogen, contact your doctor to see if he/she can give advice on how to balance it out.

jyoti on February 27, 2015:

After delivery of my second daughter, my hair fall is very much, even i don't want to comb or wash as i feel all hair will be in my hand. Please tell me what can i do, will castor oil work and if yes then which one i should buy. Please help me.

Tam from Texas on February 27, 2015:

Hello POTOL - yes you can mix other oils BUT in this case like that was mentioned they are trying to "grow" their hair so YES it is used for growth. If you mix olive oil/coconut oil it will make the hair type that is already greasy harder to actually clean thoroughly. Meaning if you don't get all the oils out it will clog the hair follicles. Just like your skin on your face - you have to maintain dry and oily skin if not your pores will clog causing pimples/blemishes. Using 'only' castor oil is better when trying to grow hair. But of course using small portions.

Tam from Texas on February 25, 2015:

Hello Nick - Hmmm I am a little skeptic on reviews, some say it works and some say it doesn't. Natural oils should work but seeing the ingredients which shouldn't have an odor and most of the comments are saying it's a horrible smell. 100% castor oil is tasteless and odorless - you can find that in a pharmacy section. When you look for it make sure you find it by the section that has laxatives yes you read that right - by the laxative section. Ask a pharmacy store clerk where you can find it. Depending on your hair type start doing your treatments and always try to give it 4 weeks to work.

Nick on February 24, 2015:

Castor is the way I meant to spell it my apologies

Tam from Texas on February 24, 2015:

This comment is for Kaysie even though I am not the original author for this article I do a little about the thinning of hair since I did go through that process. Sometimes shampoo can do that depending on the ingredients. With too much silicone can clog your follicles so hair won't be able to grow. When brushing your hair (do not comb) use a soft tip bristle brush.

When applying castor oil - since your hair is oily do a treatment once a week. Before you start treatment take an image of the area that is not forming. Make sure the castor oil is NOT warm, it has to be a cool base. Also make sure the oil is 100% castor oil and not mixed you will know when the bottle says odor free and is tasteless. Take a small amount of the oil to your fingertips not palm, make sure you place on area and move your fingertips in a circular motion (slow) for 1 minute. If there are more than one area that needs treatment do the same amount of time and movement for each. Once you have done all the areas that needs attention take a shower cap (disposable or reusable) and leave it in your hair for 45 minutes. DO NOT wash hair before applying, only after the treatment.

The best shampoo to get is the kind that doesn't have color in it. The color in the shampoo has silicone in it. I use DOVE shampoos for thin hair. It will have it on the label (for thin hair). Make sure you use the same conditioner, making a note to this when washing hair on a regular basis make sure you don't over wash or under wash. Every other day or every 3 days is best.

Tam from Texas on February 24, 2015:

Hello NASRIN castor oil can do so much - what you can do is try when you apply properly and continue for 4 weeks and if some does grow then it works but if nothing happens, probably the best thing to do is ask your doctor for something that might help.

Kaysie on February 20, 2015:

My hair has started to thin a lot. I think its because of change of shampoo& conditioner or back combing ..

I don't know how to apply castor oil to my hair & how often. My hair gets oily quite quick so i started oiling once a week, i just pour some into my hand and dab it onto the top of my head im not sure if im doing it right. Aha.

nasrin on February 14, 2015:

Hii.. I want to know , it will help for regrowth and it is use hereditary reason or not.

Tam from Texas on February 10, 2015:

Hi Sunny When you prepare don't mix it up - keep it the same preparation until you start seeing results then you can calm it down. Since you have oily hair it's best to do it once a week. Use a disposable or regular shower cap and leave it in for only 30 minutes. Wash with shampoo that doesn't have silicone added (example DOVE shampoos with no color). DO NOT wash hair before applying, make sure it's a little wet just with plain water. DO NOT over wet it just put your hands under lukewarm water and place it on your hair. Dip your finger tips or pour a small amount onto your fingertips then massage it gently in circular motions close to the roots. Since you have to do it a different way you will see results (hopefully) in 4 weeks. As long as you do it the way I explained it might actually work. Try it and let me know if it does. Remember take pictures of before and after 4 weeks.

sunny on February 10, 2015:

I m willing to use this. My skin is oily so i apply directly on my scalp or mix with other oils

Tam from Texas on February 09, 2015:

Hi Siva, if you don't mind me asking a few questions - what condition is your hair (oily, dry,etc) . How are you preparing your hair? (wrap in towel, shower cap, etc) How long are you keeping it in your hair? Also how many times a week? Hopefully I can help you with this - I am seeing results more now that I can actually only do it once a week.

siva on February 06, 2015:

Hi... I am using castor oil for past one month but i didn't see any improvement

Tam from Texas on January 15, 2015:

Hi Pauline - I saw your comment and wanted to see if there are medical reasons why it's not growing? But if that is too personal or you don't have medical problems then it would definitely have to be on how they are asking you to do it. It's actually wrong - don't wash your hair before applying (oil needs more oil to work) and get cold pressed or cold pressured castor oil not heated. You will know if it's 100% castor oil when it says on the label ODORLESS/TASTELESS. I have been doing this for 2 months and the results are good. My hair is super thin and now it's actually getting thicker in the front and back. It brought back my natural hair color (happy). So hopefully this helps you.

pauline on September 22, 2014:

Hope my hair will grow .i hav kept my hair for 3yrs but i don't see it growing

I love finding alternative ways to style my hair without using heat or products. I can achieve salon results without damaging my hair!

We're caught in a conspiracy! So apparently shampoo is bad for you. Who knew, right?

Well, the chemicals in it strip your own hair of its natural oils, which cause it to be dry after washing. Your head gets confused and starts over-producing oils, which is why your hair will get super greasy after a few days. What the government DIDN'T tell you is that these oils are actually good for you, in moderation. To moderate them, you gotta quit shampoo!

Note: put in some tape-in extensions during my de-pooing process (which you can learn about here), so don't be alarmed by my magical growing and shrinking hair. Also, this isn't actually a disclaimer.

No Shampoo Steps

Step 1: Ease In

So here's what you have to do: get rid of your shampoo and conditioner, and instead substitute baking soda and apple cider vinegar. Seems weird, right? Well, the baking soda will absorb the grease, and apple cider vinegar smooths and shines. It smells funny, but the smell doesn't carry once your hair is dried.

You can use the baking soda as a powder, or mix it with a bit of water to form a paste. This will act as your shampoo. You should mix equal parts of vinegar and water, and use this as your conditioner.

Once you've got the magical hair ingredients, you've got some decisions to make. You could start washing your hair with water immediately and have super greasy hair for a month, or ease into it by using the baking soda and vinegar and then just water. I'm not a fan of the dirty hippie look, so I opted for the second choice.

To ease in, start off by using your baking soda/apple cider vinegar concoctions when you shower. You'll do this for about two weeks.

My Experience with Step 1:

I started this endeavor right before I went to Bonnaroo, which I figured was appropriate because those hippies don't shower anyway. My friend Brittany and I decided to try it together. She has really big, fluffy, curly, and generally untameable hair. My hair is just thick and straight, so I'm mostly doing it because I'm a bum.

As I said, we opted to ease into the no-poo process. We started with baking soda and vinegar, using it 3 or 4 times in the first two weeks.

After our first baking soda wash, Brittany's hair was absolutely ridiculous. I think this is probably because she used too much vinegar, and chose to brush her hair post-shower. I actually liked the way my hair came out - it had much more body, though it did feel a tad dry.

The next time around, Brittany used a little bit of coconut oil in her hair, and she was looking like a sexy beast. At Bonnaroo, which we both attended, we didn't wash our hair for FIVE DAYS. And it was still sexy as hell. We were amazed.

Step 2: Use Only Water

This step is necessary for the whole balancing of pH and restoration of natural oils bit. And since you're trying to get your hair back to its natural state, that means no hair products. For some of you, this may seem like a nightmare. But, have I got several tips for you!

• If you have super-duper fluffy hair, use a bit of coconut oil post-shower as a hair-tamer. Take a small amount on your fingertips and work it through your hair.
• If your hair is unbearably greasy, rinse it more often, or sprinkle a bit of baking soda on your roots to help absorb the nasty.

After about a month of pure water, you'll notice your hair becoming fabulous. It'll become greasy at a much slower rate - I'm talking around 5 or 6 days between washes. It'll have more body, and be much softer.

My Experience with Step 2:

After our two-week-baking-soda period, we both started the water washes. Brittany has reported only having to wash her hair every 5 days, and I could go about the same time. As mentioned above, after this stage my hair became much softer and bodacious.

Most surprisingly, I actually received compliments from people during this stage... People who DIDN'T KNOW I wasn't actually washing my hair. I had several people telling me how good my hair looked, to which I could only respond, "I haven't used shampoo in over a month."

Obviously they were surprised, seeing as how my hair didn't even look greasy. This was the prime time for recruiting more no-pooers!

Step 3: Re-Introduce Fake Poo

After your hair is fairly stable, you can go back to using your baking soda/vinegar combo once a week. And there it is—a cheaper, more healthy alternative to awesome hair!

Now, I'm back to using baking soda and vinegar once a week. Honestly, I don't miss shampoo - except for the way my hair smells after using it. Now, my hair just smells like nothing... But this can be remedied by using essential oils. Other than that, my hair is softer, shinier, and healthier. Will I go back to shampoo? Probably not.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Anita Hasch from Port Elizabeth on March 06, 2017:

Well Alex, this is very interesting. I have to wash my hair every second day, so maybe I will give it a try. Definitely more healthy. I like that you use apple cider vinegar, as I use it practically every day. One teaspoon in a glass of water, once or twice a day. But that's for my health. Thanks for a super hub.

Kylyssa Shay from Overlooking a meadow near Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA on April 01, 2015:

I gave the no-poo method an honest try for a couple of months. Dang, it's a good thing I work from home! People asked me if it was a lupus symptom and I seriously could have just switched to wearing hats. It makes slightly thin hair look like very thin and stringy hair.

Anyway, this is a method that only works for people with thick, full hair.

Geof Awunyo from London on March 29, 2015:

Its very interesting hub for hair for women.. I like this hub

Deya Writes on March 14, 2015:

I bookmarked this article moooonthssss ago, and I kept seeing it in my bookmarks tab and it kept reminding me to do this. So a few weeks ago I started a variation of this...

I mix a tablespoon of baking soda in with a tiny amount of shampoo to make a paste, then wash with that, rinse it all out, and spray my hair with a little bit of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then rinse that out too. It's been working great! I'll try to see if I can slowly cut the baking soda and shampoo out, the vinegar step I want to keep because it gives my hair such a nice shine to it.

Thanks for the great article, one of the few DIY's that I actually read AND do.

Georgene Moizuk Bramlage from southwestern Virginia on November 22, 2014:

Interesting article and approach to a not new situation. Many, many years back, I'd rinse my hair with beer or sometimes lemon juice. I don't remember knowing what a conditioner even was. I've never heard of the "water shampoo" before reading this HubPage. Very well done...I like your chatty style of writing. And really appreciate the time and energy you took to take good illustrative photos.

Michelle Scoggins from Fresno, CA on September 28, 2014:

Thanks for sharing your experience. I tried this a few years ago when my hair was dyed blonde and about bra strap long. I also have a review on my page. I found that the baking soda really dried out my hair. I used coconut oil as well but over time my ends were really dry and broken which sent me to get a more drastic hair cut than usual. I did go back to shampoo. But I do agree that it made my hair soft, full of body and really manageable. Oh yeah and it stripped my hair color which baking soda is known for. So maybe that method is not meant for those of us who color our hair.

lirrle on August 15, 2014:

I would try this, but I love my Wen too much.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on August 04, 2014:

Thanks!! I'm glad you're giving this a shot, thanks for reading!

L Anex on August 03, 2014:

This is great, thank you for sharing. I have very curly, fluffy, frizzy and untameable hair like your friend. My hair looks the best when I haven't washed it in 5-9 days but I get a lot of shit from friends and family for not washing my hair. Shampoo just kills it, it looks awful after a wash, for a few days too. I will definitely try the no-poo method. I'm very excited about this! By the way, you're quite funny, I enjoy reading your articles.

Alex Rose (author) from Virginia on July 15, 2014:

Thanks girl! I recommend it, hope it goes just as well for you!

Rebekah Nydam from Massachusetts on July 15, 2014:

Thanks for sharing this! I have been wanting to try ditching shampoo for a while. Currently I only wash my hair maybe twice a week as it is with regular shampoo, so I figured it won't be too hard to switch. Your hub is very helpful about the process. And your hair looks so much healthier after you made the switch! :)

I love messing around with my own hair and sharing hair tips and tricks with others.

It's one of those days again. My hair just won't cooperate with my self-esteem. It's like they're both in a constant fight. As soon as my self-esteem starts rising, my hair starts putting up a fight. Lately, the weapon of choice has been frizziness. It could be the humid weather, or it could be that my hair has been trying to get back at me for all the things I've done to it over the years (bleaching, cutting, blow-drying). Whatever the reason, all I knew this frizziness had to stop. Here's how I achieved frizz-free hair.

Possible Causes of Frizzy Hair

Before we attack the enemy, we've got to figure out why he's being such a jerk to us. Maybe there are some good reasons behind his seemingly nonsensical attacks. There are plenty of reasons why your hair may be frizzy:

• Excessive blow-drying: Blow-drying can lead to dryness and frizziness if done too often or not done properly.
• No moisture: If your hair is lacking natural oils, proteins, or essential fatty acids, it will be frizzy.
• Weather: We are familiar with "humid weather" hair. It's all over the place!
• Chemicals in hair products: Did you know your favorite coconut-strawberry hair product could actually be causing your hair to be frizzy? Don't be misled by its delicious smell.

What Can I Do About My Frizzy Hair?

Ah, such a good question! Let's start with a few simple changes we can make to our routine. Without further ado, here are my eight tips for beating frizz and looking your best.

1. Wash Your Hair Properly

There are only two rules:

1. Apply shampoo only to your scalp.
2. Apply conditioner only to the ends of your hair.

Doing this will keep your hair healthy and less greasy for longer periods of time.

2. Don't wash your hair every day.

Washing your hair every day can strip it from its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle and leading you to frizzy town. If you have dry hair, you can easily go without washing your hair for at least 3 days (or more if you handle it). If you have oily hair, wash it every other day, or depending on how long you can take it the greasiness of it. I have super oily hair, so I can only go 2 days without washing it or else I'll look like I haven't showered in
years.

Fact: Our scalp produces excess oil because we've been stripping it from its natural oils with harsh chemicals for so long. When we do this to our scalp, it starts thinking: "Oh no! I have no oil left. I need to produce more and more oil..." So by ridding your scalp of any trace of oil, you're actually encouraging your scalp to produce more oil. It's a vicious circle.

DIY Shampoo

One of the best ways to keep your natural hair oils is to wash your hair with shampoo that does not have any harsh ingredients. Homemade or DIY shampoos are your best route. They're not hard to make and your hair and scalp will thank you by giving you frizz-free days.

What do you think?

3. Stop Using Harsh Hair Products

Most commercial hair products have some type of alcohol. Alcohol dries your hair and makes it be frizzy. Check the products you're using now and get rid of them if they contain any alcohol. Even if they smell wonderfully, they're not really helping your hair.

Natural Hair Products to Control Frizzy Hair

Instead of wasting your money and giving it to big companies that don't really care about your bad hair days, why not use natural things to keep your frizzy hair in place?

Here are a few ideas:

• Use argan oil. I can't brag enough about this oil. It's great for skin and frizzy hair.
• Use coconut oil. Coconut oil is another one of my favorites. Can be used all over your body and it's also a great natural sunscreen.
• Use jojoba oil. Don't let the "oil" name mislead you. Jojoba oil is actually more of a serum. Ninety six percent of jojoba oil is made up ceramides, which are awesome for your hair.

Don't overdo it when you apply oils to your hair. A little goes a long way. Only apply oil to the ends of your hair (never apply oil to the root or else you'll look like a greasy snail). Apply the oil right after you shower when your hair is still very wet.

4. Use A Wooden Comb

If you don't own one already, a wide-tooth, wooden comb. It is important to comb—not brush—your hair right after you shower, always starting at the ends and working your way up to the roots. Why?

• A wooden comb will keep static away from your hair. Plastic or metal combs or brushes add static to your hair, making it look frizzy.
• Wide Tooth combs will detangle even the naughtiest knots in a gentle way and without breaking your hair.
• You will avoid hair breakage if you start combing your hair from the ends to the roots.
• Your hair is more elastic when it's wet. You will experience more breakage if you comb it when it's dry.

5. Apply Hair Masks

One of the reasons your hair gets frizzy is because it's dry. Help keep your hair healthy by applying natural, moisturizing hair mask treatments at least once a week.

6. Stop Heat Styling

I know how addicting blow-dryers and straightening irons can be. Whenever my hair would get frizzy I would run to them and tame my hair into submission with a straightener. Even though that helped my problem in the short run, it didn't help me much in the long run.

Heat can damage your hair immensely. Even though they can make your hair look flawless for a while, in the long run they will damage you hair and you will need more heat to attain the same results. It's kind of like a drug addiction if you think about it.

If you're already at the point where you need more and more heat to keep your hair frizz-free, your hair needs a heat detox.

It's simple. Don't blowdry or straighten your hair, except for special occasions. At the beginning it will be painful, and your hair may be beyond frizzy, but with time your hair will adjust and it will become frizz free.

It will take you about 2-6 weeks to see results. Don't get discouraged! You can go that long without heat.

Alternatives To Heat Styling

There are ways to keep your hair frizz free without having to use heat.

• Use good, ol-school rollers. Yes, like the ones your grandma used.
• Use the upper part of a panty hose as a beanie. When your hair is damp, get your panty hose beanie and put it on your head. Once the "beanie" is on your head, twist it around slowly so that your hair ends up around your head as if you were wrapping bandages. Leave the beanie on for 1-2 hrs (or sleep with it). Remove beanie and enjoy your beautiful, frizz free hair.

7. Choose The Right Haircut

We all want to look cool and get those hair cuts the models are sporting. Those asymmetrical, razor cuts work well for them because they have the time -and the staff- to keep it looking flawless. But what about us poor souls that don't make a living with our looks? Sometimes we don't even have the time to eat right, much less to spend hours keeping our modern cuts impeccable.

The truth is that those hair cuts will make your hair very frizzy, especially those razor cuts. Choose more classic hair cuts that will keep your hair frizz free for a longer time.

8. Use Glycerin to Battle Frizz

We already said that most commercial hair products can have chemicals that worsen your hair's health. In view of that, why not make your own hair products?

Glycerin is great against frizz. It naturally absorbs moisture from it surroundings which helps keep your hair and skin moisturized. Moisturized hair is frizz-free hair.

Here are a few recipes you can follow.

For Extra Frizzy Hair

• 3 parts water
• 1 part vegetable glycerin
• A few drops of essential oils

Mix everything together, place in a spray bottle and use as leave in conditioner.

For Medium Frizzy Hair

• 9 parts water
• 1 part vegetable glycerin
• A few drops of favorite essential oil

Mix everything together, place in a spray bottle and use as leave in conditioner.

DIY Hair Cream (For Hair of All Types)

• 3 parts aloe vera gel
• 1 part glycerin

Frizz-be-Gone Spray (For Hair of All Types)

• 5 tbs. grapeseed oil
• 3 drops of favorite essential oil
• 3 drops of glycerin
• 1 tbs. aloe vera gel
• 8 oz. of water

There must be a million other ways to keep your hair looking impeccable. If you know any more tips, share them with the world by leaving them in the comments!

Happy Living!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Bharti marwah on May 24, 2017:

What does 3 parts of water means ?

Parts means ????

huny on June 19, 2016:

I loved the aleo vera and glycerin idea...will surely try this,thnQ

Silver Q (author) on July 05, 2015:

Hi, Kristen Howe,

Thank you very much!

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on June 27, 2015:

Great tips on how to get rid of frizzy hair, Silver Q. Very useful and helpful!

Emma on January 13, 2015:

Wow! Great thngkiin! JK

Silver Q (author) on November 18, 2014:

Hi Jill Freeman:

No, I have not tried co-washing, but I will definitely look into it. Thank you for reading, commenting and your awesome tip!

Silver Q (author) on November 18, 2014:

Hi annanee:

DIY projects are awesome! You know what's in it, and and you can also feel proud of yourself. It's a double whammy!

Jill Freeman from Pennsylvania on November 05, 2014:

Love the DIY recipes. Have you try co-washing? My daughter has been co-washing for over six months now and her hair is HEALED! It also looks gorgrous - NO Frizz and tons of wavy curls!

annanee from USA on November 05, 2014:

I like the idea of making your own shampoo at home. I did do my own soap, I will try the shampoo recipe as well. Thanks!

Maffew is a hairdresser, marketer, and dabbler in many things who enjoys sharing knowledge about the science of hair coloring and hair care.

Damaged hair is common among people who dye their hair often or use heated styling tools. Every time you subject your hair to any form of chemical treatment, damage occurs to both the surface of the hair shaft and the deeper structure within.

Extensive lightening and perming treatments cause the most damage overall, but even minor dye jobs can lead to unnoticeable damage that gradually builds up and becomes more problematic with each successive treatment. Damage to your hair may seem like cause for alarm and stress, but it doesn't mean you have to necessarily cut it off and start again.

You can reverse even a serious disaster and keep your favorite style by knowing why the damage occurs and being able to use the right products and care routine to repair damaged hair back to good condition.

What Causes Damage?

The damage that occurs to your hair when you subject it to chemical treatment is a result of the hair's structural integrity being compromised. When the structure of the hair shaft is compromised, it can snap or form split ends more readily.

Hair needs a solid foundation, and the building block of your hair is a protein called keratin. Bleach and perming solutions damage your hair primarily by breaking down the bonds between the amino acids in the hair's keratin structure.

In the case of permanent hair dye and lightening preparations, this damage is an unintended side effect of the oxidation reaction and the alkaline environment that is needed to drive the chemical reaction to lighten the hair. Perming and relaxing treatments, however, aim to intentionally break bonds in your hair and reset them to change your hair's texture.

While these new bonds lead to curlier or straighter hair depending on the way the solution is used, they are weaker than the natural bonds that were reset. The very nature of current hair treatments means you can't color or texturize your hair permanently without causing at least a little damage.

Minimizing Damage

You can't always avoid causing damage to your hair in the first place, but there are a few tips you can follow that will help to minimize it and keep your hair in better condition.

• Avoid overlapping dye or bleach on top of hair that has been previously treated. Only the regrowth should be processed when you maintain your current color.
• For previously dyed hair that has faded, revitalize your color with a semi-permanent dye, temporary rinse, or using a colored shampoo. This will reverse fading without causing further damage.
• Don't bleach hair that has been permed or relaxed, and vice versa, don't perm or relax hair that has been bleached. Consider alternative ways to curl or straighten your hair.

Types of Hair Damage

In order to repair damaged hair, it's necessary to address the specific type of damage that has occurred. Primarily, this damage consists of:

• Damage to the hair cortex
• Damage to the cuticle
• Stripping of the hair's natural oils

What's the Difference?

Most chemical treatments leave your hair feeling dry, rough, and brittle. This isn't necessarily actual damage to the hair structure, but it does leave the hair more prone to snapping and splitting because the hair lacks the necessary moisture to maintain adequate flexibility and elasticity.

If you've just bleached your hair and it feels terrible, this is normal to some degree because the natural oils that moisturize your hair have been stripped out by the alkaline pH of the bleaching solution, drying it out more than would ever naturally occur through washing. Before you panic and decide your hair is ruined, allow it to rest.

Condition your hair thoroughly with a deep conditioner and don't wash it again for a few days. In most cases, as the oil begins to build up again, your hair will begin to return back to normal and you'll see that it wasn't very damaged at all.

If, however, you're suffering breakage and split ends that won't respond to conditioning, this is a tell-tale sign that your hair has actually been compromised. You'll need to address this with more a targeted treatment to repair damaged hair.

Structural Damage to Hair

When the condition of your hair deteriorates, it has either suffered damage to the cuticles that line the surface of the hair shaft, or the cortex which lies inside the shaft and gives the hair its form and strength.

Damage to the cuticles is superficial and manageable, mainly causing moisture problems, a rougher texture, and porosity, while damage to the cortex causes your hair to break easily, and fall apart when subjected to stretching or pulling. As this kind of damage within the cortex is due to broken disulfide bonds, it can also cause your hair to lose natural curls or waves to some extent and this is a telltale sign that your hair isn't in the best condition anymore.

The same processes that cause damage to the cortex also tend to damage the cuticles, so typically you'll notice some degree of both if the amount of damage has become significant.

Hair Diagnosis

Cuticle Damage

The cuticles of your hair are the windows into the deeper structure of the cortex, holding moisture where it's needed and protecting your hair from the environment. When the cuticles are damaged, the hair loses moisture easily and will suffer more readily in situations of low or high humidity. In this state, the hair is said to be porous.

What Is Porous Hair?

Porous hair can occur naturally to an extent in some people, but for the most part, it is a result of damage to the cuticles. If your hair is porous, the best indication is that it absorbs hair dye really well, yet fades unexpectedly fast. This is because the cuticles are meant to seal the inside of the hair tightly against the outside environment and damaged cuticles no longer perform this function.

Cuticle damage can also cause your hair to feel dry and rough, and it will be more prone to split ends and frizz. This occurs because the damaged outer layer can be jagged and doesn't smooth down over the hair surface the way it would in healthy hair.

Repairing Damage to the Hair Cuticles

Hair cuticles can't be replaced once broken down, but the symptoms can be controlled relatively easily. To combat dryness, always condition your hair after you've shampooed it, and follow this up with a dab of leave-in conditioner for more stubborn dryness. Adequate conditioning is all that's required to cut down a lot of the frizz and prevent brittleness that can lead to snapping.

Protecting your hair from the environment is also a simple matter, and can be accomplished with the use of smoothing serums. A good smoothing serum will coat the hair shaft, trapping moisture and locking it in where it's required.

When a smoothing serum has been applied, the hair shaft is coated and forms a barrier and humidity isn't able to drastically affect your hair. It functions a little like an artificial cuticle to keep the hair looking and feeling its best by maintaining the correct moisture balance.

Finally, when you dye hair that has suffered cuticle damage, the porosity often leads to uneven results. To prevent this, always treat your hair with a porosity-equalizing product before you apply any dye. Porosity equalizers are designed to fill gaps in the structure of your hair, saving you from having sections of porous hair that turn out darker than the rest of your new hair color.

Porous Hair

If your hair sucks up hair dye yet fades quickly, often feels dry, and reacts badly to humidity, it's likely you're dealing with porous hair. Hair that is porous requires a good conditioner, and smoothing serum to lock in moisture and protect it from the environment.

Structural Damage

Damage to the hair cuticle is superficial and rarely causes a serious problem, but the same can't be said when there is damage to the hair cortex. This damage is structural and the integrity of the hair suffers.

Hair that has sustained damage to the cortex breaks easily, forms split-ends, frizzes up readily and doesn't hold up to styling.

How to Tell If Your Hair Is Damaged

You'll likely know if you have structural damage because you'll notice how easily your hair tends to break, and hair that was previously smooth can look like a frizzy mess.

One of the easiest ways to determine whether structural damage has occurred is to examine it while it's wet. Hair is at its weakest when wet, and hair that has been damaged will snap or even stretch apart when handled. If your hair feels strangely fragile when wet, there is damage to the hair structure.

Very damaged hair may even seem to melt under pressure and this is a bad sign but often still fixable.

Repairing Structural Damage to Hair

To repair damaged hair when the cortex is compromised, the protein in your hair needs to be strengthened. No amount of conditioning will help relieve the problem because conditioners only act to relieve dryness.

Hot oil treatments, moisturizing masques, and most 'repair treatments' are useless for this purpose if all they do is condition the hair. Hair like this will only respond to a protein treatment.

Protein treatments work to replace the damaged protein in your hair structure. It is this damaged protein that leads to its fragile state. Products like Joico K-Pac Reconstructor and Redken CAT treatment will noticeably improve damaged hair even with single-use, and this effect builds up over time.

For the best results, use a protein treatment that actually includes amino acids, rather than whole protein. In particular, the amino acid arginine is one of the most effective substances for improving the strength and condition of your hair. When arginine comes into contact with the damaged protein in your hair, it bonds to the hair structure to reinforce it and increase the structural integrity.

If all else fails and you believe your hair is beyond saving, keratin treatments are a last line of offense. Your hair is made of keratin protein, and keratin treatments restore hair using hydrolyzed keratin to create new bonds in the hair.

These treatments help to replace the damaged protein and repair damaged hair to its former condition. They can even be used to straighten hair without the damage of a relaxing solution.

Keratin Treatments

Keratin treatments are a great way to repair damaged hair and they can even be used to straighten hair that is naturally curly without causing damage. Many hairdressers offer this treatment, and you can even apply a keratin treatment in the comfort of your own home for little cost.

How to Apply a Keratin Treatment

Most keratin treatment products are designed to be dried into shampooed hair and then straightened or curled at high heat to set the hair into the desired shape. While you can definitely use it to perform this function and repair your hair at the same time, there are also slightly modified products designed to have less of an effect on your hair's texture whilst preserving the hair repair benefits of the treatment.

To apply a standard keratin treatment, you need to shampoo your hair twice with a clarifying shampoo to strip out minerals and oils that might otherwise impact the treatment. Then, apply the treatment to towel-dried hair and blow-dry it using the concentrator nozzle and a brush to focus the heat downwards from root to ends and smooth out the hair.

If you have curly or wavy hair and want to maintain or improve this texture, you can use a diffuser attachment on your blow-dryer instead and dry it that way. Alternatively, you can just add controlled texture using a straightener or curling iron in the next step.

Setting a Keratin Treatment

After applying a keratin treatment and drying it into your hair, the process isn't entirely finished yet. The treatment needs to be set into the hair at high heat using a styling device capable of reaching 230° Celsius.

Use this tool to either slowly and flawlessly straighten or curl your hair the way you want it to look, then leave this style in your hair for two days before you wash your hair again because the new bonds that are formed by the process continue to form over this time. You can wash the product out after this period is over, and style your hair as usual.

Benefits and Drawbacks of a Keratin Hair Treatment

Keratin treatments can save even heavily damaged hair most of the time but they do require a lot of work to apply and don't last forever. As such, they need to be maintained with repeat applications approximately every two months to maintain texture in your hair.

However, a lot of the damage restoring benefits from a single treatment will continue to remain even months after one treatment.

• What Is a Keratin Treatment?
  Want to know more about keratin treatments? Read my related article here.

Olapex

Olaplex was launched after I originally wrote this article and the product built a quick, steady following. It's now used in salons across the world and the manufacturer has a patent for the product's active ingredient addressing how it works, as well as the positive reports of millions of people who have had it used during their coloring treatments.

How Does It Work?

The Olaplex line—as well as other similar products that have been released in recent times—contain an ingredient that caps onto broken bonds within the hair and protects these bonds from the effects of bleach or dye during chemical treatments. This works to prevent the hair from becoming damaged in the first place.

While this is incredibly beneficial to use during any color service, it's important to note that it's going to be a less helpful product if you already have damage because it's better at stopping damage from occurring than it is at repairing existing damage, although it will work for that purpose too.

Repairing Damaged Hair With Olaplex

If you already have damage then—besides using a product like this whenever you color or lighten your hair in the future—you can use Olaplex No.3 as a standalone treatment to repair damaged hair at home.

This product has a lot of the benefits of the No.1 and No.2 that are used during chemical treatments, although those variants are stronger because they address the moment when the damage is happening directly. The entire line is more expensive than other products though owing to its success and the hype surrounding it so keep that in mind if you're on a budget.

More Information

• How to Use Hair Serums
  Hair smoothing serums have a multitude of benefits. Find out what they are and how to use them.
• Caring for Dyed Hair
  Dyed hair needs specialized care to keep it looking and feeling its best. Find out how to care for dyed hair and maintain your new color.
• How to Choose a Shampoo
  If your hair is damaged, it helps to use the right shampoo. Find out how to choose a shampoo that will benefit your hair.

If you need to repair damaged hair, the most important thing to remember is that it's not the end of the world. In most cases, you can reverse damage to your hair, or at least alleviate it to the point that it isn't a significant problem.

Do you have a question about how to repair damaged hair, or need help using protein treatments or other products? Leave a comment for tailored advice.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2014 Maffew James

Comments

Karen Hester on June 26, 2019:

What Shampoo and Conditioning product would be best for hair that has had the keratin stripped from it? The deep conditioning or deep repair products are recommended but I do not see a Shampoo & conditioner product. My hair is severely over processed. I am furious of course, yet I know that I have to work diligently to replace the keratin. I am familiar with K-pac , I knew Redken had a great product but didn’t know the name-thank you. I have an array of professional products- stick with Matrix as a Rule. And always use Matrix Color Care Shampoo & Conditioner. Taking excellent care of my hair is not a new thing to me. I however do have my doubts that the Hairdresser I had will ever be successful. I have reported to the State Boards and submitting a formal complaint with pictures.

I even had a 40 minute consultation the day before my appointment. WOW, just wow

Subashni on February 12, 2018:

I have dried and brittle hair..

I combined coconut..olive and castor oil...left it on for 5 hrs everday for 3 weeks...

I even put few drops off coconut oil in my conditioner

Shampooed and left the conditioner on...

I got no joy what's so ever..

My hair is still brittle and dry

Can someone please help...

My hair don't even grow..

It gets stumped at my neck..

I have tried all the home treatments that I googled..

It just don't work ...

I need help fast as I'm in my early 50's..

Trisha on February 02, 2018:

I used a fixed hair stripper on my hair 2 yrs ago & it's still breaking. My self esteem has plummeted. Help

Fay on August 30, 2017:

I put a perm in my hair and then I bleached It 2 times and died it my hair is falling out and I don't know what to do should I cut it all off or?

Ze on August 21, 2017:

I burned my hair with a relaxer and I just can't even brush as it is rubbery and gets broken and fall in peices and looks and feel burned, anything I can use or do to make it better ?!

Rita on July 27, 2017:

I am 68 and my hair is grey and turning fast. It has become fine and matted like wet cotton and is starting to "turn out" as it dries instead of lying smooth as it always did. I do not use any hair color products and never have. In just under three years my hair has turned from a little grey to about half grey with terrible texture. I take vitamins and minerals including biotin and have done this for years. I lost my husband about the time my hair started to change. Is it stress or something else?

Jessica on July 23, 2017:

Stay away from coconut oil like the plague. I tried a coconut oil recovery shampoo after a perm made me lose a bunch of hair. It thinned it more and more. Look up lauric acid hair growth inhibitor and don't believe these websites saying it's good. Some corporation wants to buy coconut oil color perm damage your hair so that they can capitalize on your suffering by selling you more and more hair loss solutions that don't work.

Mary Hayes on July 15, 2017:

I just tried to straighten my hair with a home perm solution and it didn't do what i wanted to but it also left it dry and sticky and every time I brush it hair comes out. What do I do? I put leave in conditioning in it but didn't help

Aysha sajid on July 02, 2017:

Hi I done chemical straightening and after one week I coloured my hair and after that my all hair cut in a pieces from almost near to roots now my hairs like half long some short some no hairs from the roots means very bad condition pleas please suggest me something what should I do ? Thanks

Youka on June 20, 2017:

I'm pretty sure I have structural damage after using permanent Yuko hair straightener and I'm freaking out! Could I please get some more detailed instructions on what to buy as far as protein and how to use it?

Thank you so much

broken hair on June 20, 2017:

Ok so I striped my hair and I think that I have both cuticles and structural damage. So far I have used a deep conditioner and it has gained a grease feel to it but I am not sure if it helped. My hair still looks and feels like straw. What do I do?

Demage by silicon mix on June 13, 2017:

Hello, I had a keratin treatment 3 weeks ago and my hair was soft and frizz free. Two days ago I washed it and used a bambú silicon mix and my hair became kinda dry and frizzy, I washed it again with a keratin shampoo and still the same. What can I do to fix it? :(

Thanks

Brandi Mann on June 09, 2017:

A few years ago I went from light colored hair to dark . I stayed that way for a few years dyeing my hair. About a year ago I wanted to go back light. I had a hair dresser do my hair and she pretty much fried it. Which I know that is the risk you take when you go from dark to light. Every since then my hair hasn't looked healthy. I have tried the coconut oil along with other oils. I had a friend recommend Olaplex #3 to use along with some moisture and protein treatments. Can you recommend some products to use for this or have any advice?

Himani on April 29, 2017:

I had severe hair structure damage after using hair relaxers .....Got done keratin treatment as well ...could not get the results ...still having dry and unmanageable hair

Asma on April 09, 2017:

Hi dear

Thank you for very informative articlei live in Jordan..... The Same damage other talk about happened to my hair as a result of wrong keratin try and bleaching.... I want to ask you please.... About the formulas for treating damaged hair proteins... How can I get them... Thank you again

Yasmine on January 18, 2017:

Hey ive had my hair bleached a few times and this last time my hair has really been damaged from bleach. It is so hard to manage and my hair has snapped from the crown of my head. Also when its wet is feels mushy so i cant brush my hair. Can its been repaired as i am planning to get a pixie hair cut although i dont want to but if it can't be repaired then i would rather have short manageable hair that long disgusting hair.

Cammi on January 17, 2017:

Hey, So I am not sure I am knowing what to do... my hair used to be really curly naturally. I loved it, hardly ever did it because it was already done. But over some time it just got so frizzy looking, it feel rough and I am not sure what happened. It just breaks off.. my hair doesn't look good ever, it looks dry and it doesn't lay right, especially in a pony tail, it sticks out and in a clump when its up. do you have any ideas? It is really stretchy and fragile when wet and brittle when dry. I'm not sure what else I should do for it.

Sherrie LaFrance on November 25, 2016:

Kimberly~I'm a 4C also. mixed race, and had a similar thing with my hair (you said it perfectly -- loofah, chore boy). But I've been doing keratin treatments for 2 years (Uncurly.com) and my hair is now in great shape and past my shoulders. I don't think it actually grows faster but the breakage has stopped and the shrinkage is much less.

zahra sadaf on September 11, 2016:

HI, so i dye my hair a few days ago and the day after i dye my hair again because the dye didn't really colored my hair before i dye i had volume, thick hair but after I dye( i lost half of my hair with no joks plus very thin and so many broken small hairs every part of my hair) my question is will my hair go back to what it was before i really want my thick hair back and how long will it take?I'm just so depressed about it I wish i never dye my hair but i learnt my lesson.

Mirou on July 28, 2016:

Hi it's been now a year since i bleached my hair but it was a catastrophe my hair was very damaged it became gummy once i washed i can't even put my fingers into it i did many natural hair mask but i cutted a month ago and the ends still breaking and gummy help me plz

Kimberly on July 10, 2016:

I was told my broken bonds are broken and irrepairable. I am AA with 4c hair. My hair looked like a loofah at first then changed to a chore boy like kitchen gadget, and then it was just ugly dry like a frayed electric cord. So I cut off down to the scalp and get monthly treatments. Unfortunately, it doesnt grow. It just looks like a rough chia pet head. is it true that once the bonds are broken thats it for your hair, and what can I do to get healthly hair or some length again

Maffew James (author) on June 09, 2016:

Hi Monisha,

Was that a relaxer or keratin treatment that was used to straighten your hair? Relaxer is permanent, whilst a keratin treatment washes out of the hair over time. If relaxer was used, it is possible for there to be some weakness where the relaxed hair meets new growth because the process causes damage, so this is where you may see snapping, as well as towards the ends of your hair where the hair is older and often has been previously processed in the past with other treatments like dyes.

As for a keratin treatment, this shouldn't cause any snapping and will generally increase the strength of your hair while the treatment is still in. You may see your hair become more fragile as it rinses out over time because weakness is being uncovered and isn't bolstered by the keratin, which binds to damaged areas of the hair.

In any case, whatever the actual cause of the breakage, smoothing those hairs out now can definitely be difficult. As they are shorter, this does give them a tendency to flick out when drying because the hair is less likely to sit straight. One of the ways you can try to avoid this during the drying process itself is to blow dry your hair using low heat with a concentrator attachment on the end of the blow dryer. This will direct the air flow to prevent hair flying everywhere and allow you to brush through sections of a hair, directing the blow dryer from root to tip of each section to get it to dry smoother. A hair serum applied to towel dried hair before you blow dry will help with this a lot and will also help to prevent your hair drying out and becoming more frizzy.

Blow drying your hair carefully and in sections rather than letting it just dry naturally however it wants should take care of most of the frizz and flyaways at the crown, but if it still bothers you even after doing that, the best way to deal with it really is to straighten or curl it with a flat iron or curling rod depending on the look you'd prefer. Products like mousse and conditioning masks go a long way towards preventing frizz and flyaways, but when the problem is severe, it can often only be worked out during styling with heat. The reason for this is that whilst the products for this purpose help to prevent dryness and thus frizz, or serve to add hold and weigh down hairs that flick out, heated styling tools will actually set that hair into the desired position and shape more effectively if nothing else seems to work. It does require more time to style your hair though, and you may find that a serum and blow drying in sections, maybe with a little mousse for added hold, suits you fine for regular wear and you can use a heated tool to get your perfect style when required.

Another thing I'd recommend is a good protein treatment like Redken Cat or Joico K-Pak Reconstructor, as this will help reduce further breakage that would make the problem worse over time. You can apply these products after shampooing, and before conditioning, leaving for a few minutes to absorb. Once a week should be fine at first, and you can increase or decrease your use depending on how strong your hair is feeling.

One last alternative, for the frizz in particular, is to have a keratin treatment applied. You can use a keratin straightening treatment, or one of the newer keratin products that cause less of a change in texture and will soften but not eliminate your curl. This will treat the frizz by adding strength and smoothness to your hair, but if it was a keratin treatment used in your hair for straightening previously and you believe this lead to the snapping, don't consider this option again because it may yield the same result, though given that you said the previous treatment was chemical based, it was probably relaxer. In any case, a keratin treatment will reduce the flyaway hair at the crown slightly, but not drastically. It's more indicated for frizz, whereas the flyaway hair really needs to be treated with correct drying and styling to minimise it properly.

Monisha gowda on June 06, 2016:

Hello, I'd really appreciate it if you could answer a question for me. I'll be as brief as possible.

A year and a half ago I got a Loreal smoothening chemical treatment done to make my hair straight. The straightness of about 3/4th my hair is now gone and my hair is naturally wavy. I've noticed for quite a while now that the hair at the crown has been breaking off and everytime I wash my hair it stands up and looks like I have halo around my head. I've tried many types of conditioners and masks but nothing smoothens those tiny hairs. My hair is frizzy too which contributes to everyday being a bad hair day for me. Would you please recommend some sort of treatment for this?

Yary on May 22, 2016:

These past few months I have been very unforgiving to my hair. To the point where my hairdresser, after my coloring yesterday, told me that I should not process my hair in a very long time. And she is right; after the latest job I felt my hair and it was a bit gummy I guess. I was trying to achieve a color and it seems like they can never get it right. :( She sold me the Redken Cat treatment which I plan to use in a few days after my color settles. But I still would like to go just a bit brighter (red... by brighter I mean vibrant but not Arielistic). I feel sad like its the end of the road for now to achieve the color I wanted. I've heard of Olaplex but don't really know if I should just try the Redken Cat, or the Olaplex (someplace other than my usual salon since they don't offer the treatment) or do one & followup with the other. Do you know if Olaplex can restore structurely damaged hair??? Should I try that & then followup with the Redken Cat?? I'd appreciate your knowledge on this. Great article by the way. :)

Melissa on May 02, 2016:

Hi, Your article was very informative. I had my hair highlighted and the colorist over processed my hair She made the highlights white light instead of golden blonde. She put my under a heat lamp 2x for 10 minutes each time. My hair is breaking and falling out around the frame of my face and around my head. My hair feels very dry like hay. I have been using an Aveda moisture mask but it hasn't been working. Should I switch to Redken CAT or Joico K Pac? If I use one of these products will my hair continue to fall out or will it stop the breakage? I am looking to restore my hair's texture and stop the breakage.

mariposa on December 18, 2015:

Well you can't really "undo" the damage, just keep getting trims until all your hair is healthy again :) I had a REALLY badly damaged hair like you (same story), and until my hair grew out, I was using the Shielo Smoothing Conditioner - this really helped restore the damage in like 2 days! I highly recommend them - Shielo Smoothing Conditioner - works miracles on damaged hair.

My mom recently also got a bad keratin treatment....she is now using all my Shielo Conditioner, but its restoring her hair!

Maffew James (author) on November 16, 2015:

Hi Daisym,

Thanks for the product recommendation. I had a quick look at it and it's a silicone serum. I like serums like this because they're very good for frizz, dryness, shine, and protection from heat styling and humidity. However, I don't believe it has any major reconstructive properties to it; there's no protein ingredients, which repair structural damage. Overall, a good option for you if you like that brand and have hair that is troublesome to style, or like to use straighteners and curling rods often, but I wouldn't recommend it for heavily damaged hair. It's more the kind of product you use to prevent damage and dryness, rather than reverse damage that is pre-existing.

Wizmo on November 05, 2015:

Hi,

Very useful and informative article.

tash on October 16, 2015:

Hi.

I've been bleaching my hair platinum blond for a couple of months now. By bleaching twice and then applying an ash blond to neutralize the last yellow. My natural colour is medium brow and my hair is wavy. But since I went blond my waves disappeared. My hair was in a good condition. I deep treat once a week and uses the tressame platinum strength range. (Its the best we have here in South Africa) so last week I got this silly idea to perm my hair to get my waves back (I miss them) big mistake!!!!!! The perm didn't take and my hair is all sticky and elastic. I cried when I felt it. I was in a flat spin and immediately put some coconut oil on my hair and left it in for a couple of hours. My hair is less sticky but is still in a very bad shape. I seriously need some help to at least try and save them. Cutting short will be my last resort, short hair really don't suit my face.

daisym on October 16, 2015:

I have always been very protective over my hair - one day, I decided to get it relaxed, just to see and of course my hair immediately started thinning out at the front. My hairdresser suggested the Shielo Shine Restoration Oil and having read some reviews I decided to try it.

I must say, having used the Shielo Shine oil for only 2-3 days twice a day, the hair started growing back immediately, so much so that my mother even noticed it. Now it has been a couple of weeks, and my hair is longer than it was before. And its super shiney. ..it should work for your damage as well

Maffew James (author) on August 10, 2015:

Hi Colleen,

I'm glad you liked the article, and thank you for the kind words.

Colleen Diemer from Florida on August 02, 2015:

I went to school for cosmetology. I was a hairdresser for a few years. This is an excellent article. I know some hairdressers that do not know all this. Very good article. I loved it. Thanks for the great information. Colleen

Maffew James (author) on June 19, 2015:

The stronger ones like Joico K-Pak Reconstructor, or Redken Cat are excellent and will quickly add strength back in. You can use these after shampooing. Otherwise, even if you just switch to a shampoo that contains protein, this can help. Shampoos like this will say something along the lines of 'hair repair', 'repair shampoo', or 'for damaged hair'.

You can also work out whether it contains protein by looking at the ingredients. Ingredients like hydrolysed protein, wheat protein, and keratin are all forms of protein that are often added to repair shampoos and will strengthen hair after a few weeks of use.

Kris on June 19, 2015:

Thank you so much. What kind of protein treatment would you recommend?

Maffew James (author) on June 19, 2015:

Hi Kris,

You shouldn't see any damage occurring to the follicles from dyeing your hair. If your hair is weakened from the dye, it's possible that the breakage is what is causing it to look thin because it can break as it grows, causing the illusion that it isn't actually growing. There's also the chance you may have had an allergic reaction to the dye, but you probably would have known if you did as usually you'll experience other symptoms like itchiness and a rash and the allergy symptoms shouldn't persist for too long after dyeing anyway.

The best treatment at this stage is going to be to use a protein treatment to help decrease breakage so that it can grow properly without snapping off, and possibly look at your diet and make sure you're getting enough protein, vitamins, and minerals. Protein in your diet is most important here because it is what your hair is comprised of and a deficiency will result in weak hair. If the problem still persists after the dye has grown out, you'll be best going to see a trichologist. This is a doctor that specialises in hair growth and follicle conditions and they'll be able to tell you if there's a medical condition causing the thinning.

Kris on June 19, 2015:

Hello. I used a permanent dye on my hair and I believe the cuticle has been damaged because my hair is definitely weak and breaks fairly easy. But I also noticed that my hair is a bit thinner on top. Could this be permanent damage to the hair follicle or is it just dormant? And Is there any method I could do to stimulate it to grow again? I would greatly appreciate the help. It's been a few months this way with no signs of it thickening again.

Maffew James (author) on December 15, 2014:

Hi Wavy Lady,

Keratin treatments repair and straighten hair, but if you want to retain your curl, I'd suggest using a regular protein treatment instead as even a mild keratin treatment will cause some loss of curling.

Feel free to let me know if you'd like more information about protein treatments and I'll explain how they work and how to use one.

wavy lady on December 14, 2014:

Hi. I noticed in your article it stated kertain treatments can be used to straighten hair.

I have wavy hair that is damaged. Will kertain take away my curls? I would lile to keep them.

Thanks

I love discovering and sharing DIY beauty tips, especially all-natural solutions that you can easily make at home.

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)?

Apple cider vinegar is a nutritious food condiment and medicine that is prepared via fermentation and distillation. It has been used since ancient times for its miraculous healing properties as a food, as well as topically for skin and hair.

Apple cider vinegar hair mask solutions are rapidly gaining popularity in the natural health world, and with good reason! Did you know that ACV is rich in a plethora of amazing nutrients, enzymes, friendly bacteria and vitamins?

The vinegar that should be used is the raw, unpasteurized and unfiltered version. This is the one that contains all the necessary nutrients for beautiful hair, as the nutrients are all still intact. Believe it or not, most conventional, store-bought ACV that are clear are often synthetic versions of ACV that have no fermentation process involved at all! Make sure you use the real thing—wholesome, unfiltered and preferably organic.

3 ACV Hair Mask Solutions to Try!

Again, keep in mind that you should use wholesome apple cider vinegar, which is RAW, unpasteurized, unfiltered and preferably organic. Make sure the accompanying ingredients used are also good quality in order to get the best results. Feel free to adjust the proportions according to the length and thickness of your hair. The measurements here are for my mid-back-length hair.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar Mask for Natural Hair Conditioning

If you asked me to choose just ONE natural ingredient to use as a hair conditioner, I will choose apple cider vinegar without hesitation! The enzymes and nutrients in ACV make it an amazing natural hair conditioner. Combined with the goodness of honey and olive oil, this apple cider vinegar hair mask recipe is the ultimate hair conditionting remedy!

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar)
• 2 tbsp water
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3–6 drops essential oil (optional)

Directions:
Fetch a bowl and mix all the above ingredients with a whisk or spoon until a smooth mask is formed. Apply the hair mask using your fingers onto your scalp and hair. After 10–15 mins, rinse off the hair mask with 2–3 washes of water. Now you're good to go, no shampoo needed.

Tips

• Why not add some aromatic essential oils to give your hair an extra romantic flair? Some good essential oils to add to this hair mask are geranium essential oil, rose essential oil and jasmine essential oil, which all have benefits for hair.
• Remember! Diluting your apple cider hair mask is a must before application to hair, as ACV is acidic.
• While rinsing out the hair mask, make sure you keep your eyes closed to prevent stinging, as you would with shampoo rinsing.

A Word on Essential Oils

People with sensitive skin may experience irritation from the use of some strong essential oils, especially those with antibacterial properties. Always perform a skin test prior to application and to follow proper dilution methods.

2. ACV Hair Mask for Faster Hair Growth

Combine ACV with coconut oil to create a hair mask that will foster faster hair growth. Coconut oil has been used for centuries for its hair growth properties, as well as other benefits for hair such as conditioning, nourishing and preventing premature graying.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp coconut oil (Feel free to use less coconut oil if you tend to have oily hair. For extra dry hair, you can increase the coconut oil if you desire.)
• 1 tbsp water

Directions:
In your bowl, mix up the above ingredients and apply to your hair. Wait for the mask to soak up for about 10 mins and rinse off.

3. Detox Hair Mask With ACV and Baking Soda

The baking soda and apple cider vinegar "rinse" is known to be a natural alternative to using conventional shampoos that contain harsh artificial chemicals. It's also known as the "no-poo" method, so find out what makes baking soda so special below!

There are 2 parts to this no-poo ACV solution:

Part 1: Baking Soda Rinse

• 3 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1–2 cups filtered water

Part 2: ACV Rinse

• 1/4 cup of raw apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup of filtered water
• 3–6 drops essential oil of choice.

Directions:

For the first part of this mask, mix the baking soda in the water until it is fully dissolved. Now slowly pour this rise throughout your hair making sure you reach all areas. Spread it with your fingers. Leave it to soak in for about 2 minutes and then rinse out thoroughly with 3–4 washes of water.

Next, to the ACV rinse. Mix up the given ingredients and once again rinse it through your hair, spreading it evenly with your fingers. Let it rest for another 2 minutes and then wash out with water. That's it! Your "no-poo method is complete and you're now ready for silky-smooth, luscious locks!

Tips

• If you have longer or shorter hair, adjust the ingredient amount to what suits your hair best.
• Raw ACV might give you a burning sensation in your scalp if used alone. Please dilute it with water before use accordingly.
• It's preferable to let your hair dry naturally without using a hairdryer for healthier locks.

More Homemade Natural Hair Masks

• Avocado-Egg Hair Mask for Growth
• Banana Olive Oil Hair Mask for Hair Repair
• Frizzy Hair Masks
• Dry Hair Masks
• Top 5 Easy Homemade Hair Masks

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2014 healthmunsta

Comments

m.brown on June 15, 2020:

what is the best time to keep any mask on? is 30 to 1hour too much

Anastacia on January 10, 2020:

Can u wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner after doing number 3?

Gwen Weeks-Swanson on October 28, 2017:

Great idea for over processed hair as well as sun. waiting on another Gator to show up in the lake with all the coconut oil & extras.....

Erin Elizabeth on March 14, 2017:

Definitely wash your hair with shampoo after the conditioning mask! It left my hair incredibly greasy/oily looking so had to shower again

Dharinidevi Thakore on March 08, 2017:

i used the 1st mask and it really helped me. my hair really feels nice and i can't stop touching my hair.... thank you for suggesting it....

overcover_metro on November 03, 2016:

Thank you.

Rain San Martin from Fort Wayne on May 13, 2014:

I'll have to try this one!

I love discovering and sharing DIY beauty tips, especially all-natural solutions that you can easily make at home.

Is your hair damaged due to heat styling, sun exposure, harsh chemicals in shampoo, and swimming pools? Then you definitely need a deeply moisturizing hair treatment to naturally return the shine back to your hair, repair dull strands and split ends as well as nourish your hair with fresh nutrients. This banana olive oil hair mask is a simple, homemade remedy that is full of nutrients, as shown below.

How to Make a Banana and Olive Oil Hair Mask

It's simple really, you only need banana and olive oil to make this amazing hair mask for damaged locks. It's important to combine the ingredients thoroughly for best results. The banana should be blended into a smooth puree with no lumps. Use this hair mask once a week to restore damaged hair back to its former lustre. You can store excess hair mask for up to a week in the refrigerator, but if its starts smelling funky, throw it away.

Ingredients used in this hair mask

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions to prepare hair mask

1. Get your ripe banana and extra virgin olive oil ready.
2. Now into a blender, throw in your ripe banana (roughly chopped) and grind to a smooth, lump-free puree. This is crucial because you do not want to end up with lumps in your hair.
3. Open up the blender and add your olive oil into the pureed banana. Give it another whirl in the blender. You will now have a really frothy and creamy hair mask that smells absolutely divine!
4. Your banana olive oil hair mask is now ready for application! Get into the shower, wet your hair and use your fingers to apply the hair mask evenly through your hair strands and scalp as well. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse off thoroughly to reveal hydrated and conditioned, shiny hair!

Find Out How Bananas Can Help You Achieve Glowing Beauty

• Top 5 Benefits of Banana for Skin
  There are so many benefits of banana for skin, including skin tightening, acne-busting, skin lightening and more! Learn the benefits of banana fruit for skin, as well as some nifty face masks!
• Banana Face Mask | Recipe & Banana Face Mask Benefit...
  Bananas are not called

Useful Tips

1. Make sure you wet your hair evenly before applying the hair mask as this will make the mask stick to your hair better as well as make it easy to apply.
2. Use a shower cap to prevent the mask from dripping onto your body or clothes. This way, you can be moving around the house doing chores etc and keep the mask on for up to 30 minutes too!
3. Always choose fresh and preferably organic ingredients to apply to your skin and hair for long lasting beauty until old age.

Treat Your Hair to Some Luxurious Homemade Hair Care!

• DIY Hair Masks for Frizzy Hair | Homemade & Natural
  Got frizzy hair and want to stay away from harsh chemical hair products? Try these DIY hair masks for frizzy hair with cheap and effective ingredients from your own kitchen/pantry! Works better!
• DIY: Top 5 Easy Homemade Hair Mask Recipes for Beaut...
  Top five nutritious DIY homemade hair masks that are super easy to make! Using organic and natural kitchen ingredients will ensure your hair becomes healthier with a natural sheen!
• DIY Hair Care: Best Hair Masks for Dry Hair
  Discover 3 different hair masks for dry hair with intense action for moisturizing, hydrating and nourishing hair follicles from within, all with natural ingredients from your kitchen!
• Avocado Egg Yolk Hair Mask for Volume, Growth & Cond...
  Want thick, voluminous hair? Want your hair to grow faster? Want to condition your locks without the harsh chemicals? Well, this avocado - egg yolk hair mask does it all!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

elle on June 04, 2020:

i tried this on my dry, frizzy, bleach damaged hair and it definitely feels healthier! its considerably softer and less frizzy. the only downside was getting the banana out of my hair. i was still brushing out banana bits long afterwards lol i never wanna eat, smell, touch, or see another banana again.

Ash on June 04, 2020:

Do I was with regular shampoo and conditioner after the mask? Or just wear the mask for 30 and then rinse?

Hazel on January 26, 2020:

I was just wondering how long you could keep the mask untill you have to use it?? X

Hannah on July 05, 2019:

I find that this mask is quite hard to wash out and I couldn't wash all of it out. There were still some bits of banana left in my hair. Do you have any tips to help wash it out better? I shampooed and conditioned thoroughly.

nata on May 09, 2018:

i really felt that this mask was much helpful even for my 8 year old one.She has very bad hairfall but not now.Just 2 times a week,5 weeks minimum 3 months approx.

tanya on August 01, 2016:

The Shielo Intensive Hair mask is great like @aestheticx said. I have really hard water and it seems to be the only one that works. My hair is soft again. Be careful of HARD WATER!

sara on April 12, 2016:

You know that hair fall is normal matter for every man and woman, but excess hair fall is bad for life, it makes our life unhappy. But if you take some step for that then you can get good results for your problem

http://health-vision-for-all.blogspot.com/2012/03/...

Ruchi Urvashi from Singapore on May 14, 2014:

Beautiful pictures and well written, nice recipe for hair mask.

Johnd484 on May 02, 2014:

An attentiongrabbing dialogue is worth comment. I believe that you must write extra on this subject, it won't be a taboo topic but typically persons are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers geeddaegeaed

Carlon Michelle from USA on April 29, 2014:

This was well researched and interesting. The images were beautiful. Thanks for presenting such good information in a lovely manner.

Ashraf hassan from United States on April 28, 2014:

very good idea

More than a million people have read my articles about cider vinegar, and many of them have shared their positive experiences with me.

Reverse Hair Loss with Apple Cider Vinegar

I’ve been taking apple cider vinegar (ACV) for years to help me lose weight and to improve my skin. But I only learned recently that it can also help with hair loss. I've lost more hair in two years than I’d like to admit. When I heard from a friend that apple cider vinegar can improve hair quality and stop hair loss, I had to try it for myself. And this is what I discovered.

I’ve been using an ACV hair rinse about twice a week for almost a year now. I’ve stopped losing so much hair and the hair that remains is healthier, shinier, and stronger. If you’re interested in reversing or stopping your own hair loss, or even just in repairing damaged hair, then this article will show you how apple cider vinegar can help.

I will first discuss how it can benefit your hair and then will give you some tips on how to use it based on my personal experience.

How ACV Helps Your Hair

Apple cider vinegar nourishes hair and creates a healthy scalp in a number of different ways:

• Nutrients. ACV provides a number of much-needed nutrients, such as potassium, which is essential for hair growth. It also helps smooth your hair, reducing the incidence of split ends.
• Protective Layer. It also repairs damaged hair by restoring the hair’s protective layer. Excess shampooing, UV rays, and air pollutants all weaken this protective layer.
• pH balance. Shampooing typically increases the pH factor. Human hair is acidic, with a pH factor of 4 to 6. Apple cider vinegar has a pH factor of about 4. Using ACV helps restore your hair’s natural pH balance, which also helps maintain your hair’s protective layer.
• A healthy scalp. ACV eliminates any nasty chemicals and dead cells from your scalp. This allows the skin to breathe naturally and opens the pores in the skin. A healthy scalp prevents dandruff build-up. ACV also has anti-fungal and antibacterial qualities that can eliminate any itchiness.
• Cleaning your hair: Mixing ACV rinse with 1 teaspoon of baking soda helps remove nasty chemicals from your hair. If you are adding baking soda to the ACV rinse, then you don't even need to use commercial shampoo.

How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

Making the apple cider vinegar hair rinse is easy.

Simply take one part warm water and mix it with one part organic apple cider vinegar. That's it.

Don't use cold or hot water. Hot water can damage your hair, while cold water may not be able to get rid of the chemicals, and you'll end up with dandruff on your scalp.

How to Use the ACV Rinse

• Wash your hair with normal shampoo as usual. While your hair is wet, apply the apple cider vinegar rinse to your hair.
• If you have time, leave the ACV in your hair for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing off. This will maximize the benefits of apple cider vinegar by making sure all the nutrients and enzymes get absorbed. Then rinse your hair as usual.
• Some people use ACV hair rinse without diluting it, which makes the treatment even stronger and more effective. However, first-time users should dilute ACV with water just to make sure there’s no adverse reaction.
• If you add a bit of baking soda to the ACV rinse, you don't even need to use a shampoo.
• Try to avoid getting any of the ACV in your eyes, as it can sting pretty badly.

What Kind Should I Buy?

Many commercial ACV products are not good for hair loss treatment.

While buying apple cider vinegar, make sure it is organic. Organic ACV is made from organic apples and does not contain harmful chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Also, look for a raw and unpasteurized brand of ACV. Only unpasteurized cider vinegar contains the "mother" of ACV, which is the essential enzyme providing all the health benefits of apple cider vinegar.

You can choose between powder ACV and liquid ACV. I have used liquid ACV and found it very effective as a hair product.

Start Seeing Results with the ACV Hair Rinse

Apple cider vinegar is not a quick fix for hair loss. You will need to give it some time.

The other benefits start to show a bit more immediately. Your hair will look and feel a lot better after just a few rinses. I don’t even need to use conditioner anymore! Your results may depend on your natural disposition, the quality of water, and the environment.

Finally, ACV is good for the environment since it is a natural product, and you won't be pouring chemicals down your drain and into the environment as you would with commercial hair products.

Apple Cider Vinegar Diet

Apple cider vinegar has a number of other health benefits in addition to helping give you silky, smooth, and shiny hair.

It can also be used for skincare, giving you smooth, young-looking skin while also eliminating acne and other skin blemishes.

But the most popular use of apple cider vinegar is for weight loss. It improves your metabolism, helping you burn fat more quickly, and makes you feel fuller so you end up eating less.

Because of all its health benefits, I have made apple cider vinegar a part of my diet. When mixed with honey, it tastes amazing.

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Right for You?

To summarize, hair loss treatments can be tricky, and you may have already tried a number of different options. However, before giving up and trying something extreme and expensive like hair re-plant/transplant, you should give apple cider vinegar a try.

It is a natural and safe hair loss treatment.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Oluwatoyin on August 03, 2018:

Thanks for sharing. I have been using ACV for almost 4 years and its really working for me from head to toes.

Travel Chef from Manila on August 03, 2018:

ACV is a strong kind of vinegar so it's better to be on the safest side. Like what you said, it might cause a different reaction to one's hair. Thanks for sharing this tip!

Goodnews Edet Bassey from Nigeria on August 18, 2017:

Wow... nice one. thanks a lot for the tip i really appreciate.

Deborah Minter from U.S, California on July 26, 2017:

Thank you for the tip.

Rick on June 17, 2017:

Would you suggest I use acidic water with the ACV? My Life Ionizer gives me alkaline drinking water and also about a 5 pH acidic water.

jenny on June 07, 2017:

nice

Zahoor on April 30, 2017:

Hey, I have a oily hair. can i use apple cider vinegar with water on daily basis, because after 8 hours show oily hair on my head. please advice me. thanks

Rachma from Pakistan on March 16, 2017:

ACV is very good for hair and skin, good post.

Sarah Jason from Vermont on February 15, 2017:

This was a great read!

I've recently started taking Elmiron, a bladder medication, and one of the most common side effects is hair loss. I've heard things about ACV but this article has me sold for sure. I'll be sure to give it a shot!

craftybegonia from Southwestern, United States on January 30, 2017:

Does it really work? I wonder why aren't more men using it! It is such a simple remedy, readily available and quite affordable. I wish more men would find out about it or believe in it.

Sim on December 22, 2016:

I have a very oily scalp n hair. The air gets oily after 8hrs of my hair wash. Can ACV reduce the oilyness of my scalp n hair? As I m fed up of washing my hair alternate day and even the hair loss

Pls advice me

Julie on December 16, 2016:

I want to know how often I should use the apple cider in my hair for

Shiveena on October 30, 2016:

Hi um living in bording life ...and there is no more filtered water all the harmful chemicals made my hair damaged in tow years and my hair left like one finger size ...and when I saw that ACV kills all the harmfull chemicals ..so I started using it ....but if I continue it for longer time ..did it realy make my hair to grow more thicker ...because my hair scalp is so dry and sensitive ...so should I have to depend on ACV now?? ...pless help me ..

Drisya on October 25, 2016:

I had very curly hairs n recently got it straightened using chemicals.. I m experiencing severe hair fall due to dandruff.. I have tried enough solutions to fight dandruff but it was of no use... Will ACV effect the straightening treatment done to my hairs if i use it for dandruff issue???

Jung on October 11, 2016:

Do we really have to use 'organic' one?

AJ from Australia on October 02, 2016:

Is there anything apple cider vinegar can't do? I didn't know that it was so beneficial for hair loss and hair condition generally.

bhawana on September 05, 2016:

i was wondering as apple cider vinegar helps to tone the skin and it also helps to grow hair does that make sense if i apply vinegar in my face then i will have hair in my face aswell.... i dont know if i understood wrong but i really want ans my mail id is bhawana19dhakal@gmail.com

vawana on September 05, 2016:

i was wondering as apple cider vinegar helps to tone the skin and it also helps to grow hair does that make sense if i apply vinegar in my face then i will have hair in my face aswell.... i dont know if i understood wrong but i really want ans my mail id is bhawana19dhakal@gmail.com

Alex Hunter from Unites Kingdom on July 21, 2016:

Thanks for this article, I was just thinking about buying a bottle of it but now know that the one I saw was not organic. Will look for a healthier version.

Adi Quamina from Trinidad & Tobago on July 11, 2016:

I know people who have tried this and they all have positive results. Very good hub.

LJ Scott from Phoenix, Az. on July 11, 2016:

I have given up my fight with "hair loss" but the article is excellent... great advice !!!!

Fatema on July 08, 2016:

Hi I am type1 diabetic patient and I am taking insulin. I m losing my hair and it is becoming bald from the front side of the head. My question is how to use the Apple cider vinegar on my hair? Should I use it directly or mix with something and how frequent I have to use it.

kian mokhtarian on July 08, 2016:

ive been using this about 2 weeks now and id like to know if i can leave on ,the rinse and let it dry with my hair or should i wash it out? also regarding the type of cider is pastene a good brand of the cider

Croberts on June 23, 2016:

I would like to try the Apple cider vinegar for thinning hair just was wondering after the rise can I still condition as usual or do I do the rise after the conditioning.

Ranitdas on June 01, 2016:

very good articles

Grace Marguerite Williams from the Greatest City In The World-New York City, New York on April 10, 2016:

This is very interesting; however, like hair-replacement indicated that bald spots & more severe hair problems need the help of a good trichologist.

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on March 31, 2016:

Hi Ayman, if your hair loss is sudden, please consult a dermatologist.

P Cochrane from London on March 21, 2016:

ACV is a really popular against hair fall but only in the begging. If you already have bald spots vinegar won't help you regrow your hair. But it's a great way not to lose more.

Ayman on March 19, 2016:

Hi, i'm a 17 year old boy, i've had dandruff for about 3 years. Lately my hair started to noticeably thin and fall off, and i've lost a big amount of hair from the front. What i can see from the comments is that ACV will treat dandruff but my question is will it help me regrow hair in my bald spots? If yes how do i apply it during a shower? Thanks in advance.

Anchal on March 03, 2016:

Hey, I use acv as a rinser by adding 1 tablespoon in one mug. So is it necessary to wash with normal water after this because I don't do this. Do it harm on my hair?

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on February 27, 2016:

Hi Susan, I am not too sure about that. It is best to use ACV during the shampooing process.

Susan on February 26, 2016:

If your hair is colored will the ACV harm the color?

Victoria on February 06, 2016:

Hi Karuna, Organic is always the best way to go I use BRAGG ORGANIC raw~unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar. You'll see a huge difference in the color and results

Karuna on January 10, 2016:

Hi

I have started using acv after readin ur post but im not getting the organic one here can i use the regular one n is it equally effective??pls reply

Krista on January 01, 2016:

Thank you for this article! I turned 39 and my hair became dry, fragile and thinner. I have blonde hair. Do you feel ACV is fade for blondes? Also, do you condition after the ACV rinse as well? Thank you!

Karen on December 31, 2015:

I have been using ACV for about a month, twice a week I have noticed much less hair fall (I was losing a bunch of hair after my regular conditioner). The smell is awful, but it's worth it!

TheTruth on November 23, 2015:

Is it possible to revive the dead follicles? using ACV?

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on November 12, 2015:

Hi Tammy, it really depends on the current conditon of yoru hair, and your natural disposition. You could use it every alternate time you wash your hair, but not more often than once a week.

Tammy on November 09, 2015:

Can you tell me how many times per week you use this treatment on your hair? Thanks!

Abilash on October 23, 2015:

Does apple cider vinegar able to grow already lost hairs...,

Mary Craig from New York on October 19, 2015:

Very well done. I have read other pieces about the use of ACV in hair loss, but have to admit I enjoyed the relaxed nature of your video. Guess it's time for me to start using it as my hair has begun falling out. I know my age is a contributing factor, but I'd like to keep as much as I can.

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on September 13, 2015:

Hi Gan, there's limited research available in this area.

Gan on September 05, 2015:

Hi 101.. Is it possible to get hair in bald head ,if I use ACV. I am using "Unati" brand . please advice.

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on August 16, 2015:

Hi Aronaldo, I am not aware of ACV's usefulness in treating Hepatitis-C.

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on August 16, 2015:

Hi Belle, it is important to buy a known and trusted brand, for obvious reasons.

Aronaldo on August 11, 2015:

Can it cure hepatitis-C ?

Belle on August 09, 2015:

thanks for ur response, very much appreciated! Maybe I bought also the wrong acv which is non organic, this one was orange color not same as the organic which is yellowish color. Would u think I can still cure this one if I used the better one which is BRAGG product with its mother? Lots of thanks! ☺️

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on August 05, 2015:

Hi Belle, going by the description of how you applied ACV rinse to your hair, it seems you have followed the correct process. There is no reason for you to lose excess hair. My personal experience is that when I apply ACV hair rinse, it is a transparent mixture and as such, I tend to notice the hair fall more prominently than I would if I was to use the conditioner. However, if you are concerned, please discontinue the use.

Belle on August 02, 2015:

hi, last week ago I used this natural vinegar Apple cider (American Garden product) I put 2 tablespoons and 2 cups of water. After shampooing, still my hair are wet I put the mixture into my hair.. But after a minutes of doing that I noticed my hair becomes to fall one by one it's going to my fingers. I suddenly rinse it water and I'm shock that I found too much hair strand down my tub..until now, since last week I've done that rinse I've found too much hair strand going out especially after I finished my bath.. Can u give me an advice about this? By the way my hair was threatened last 2 years ago..

Very much eager too read ur advice to me. Thanks..

catmalone on July 19, 2015:

What a coincidence as I ran across your hub I was sipping on some apple cider vinegar and water reaping its may benefits. Very great hub with useful information. Thanks for sharing!

Andriana Jane Goodell from Capitola, CA on July 07, 2015:

Maybe if the vinegar is left on the face for a period of time but asa diluted solution that is rinsed it is probably used as a cleanser in that application.

Each treatment described is adaptive on an individual basis so that you have greatly addressed the use of apple cider vinegar from a personal perspective. I like your article for these reasons and find the information about skin care a great use; thank you!

Connie on July 01, 2015:

Doesn´t putting it on the face stimulate hair growth in the face? I mean, since it is stimulating hair follicle, and many use them for regrowth (also men use them for growing beard).

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on June 30, 2015:

Hi Melody, thanks for sharing your routine. Glad to see that it is helping you with skincare and hair care too. Yes, it is safe to use in diluted form for most skin types.

Melody on June 29, 2015:

Hi Hub Author.

I'm excited to share my own experiences with you about trying ACV for my skin and my hair. Like you said, i think ACV with the brand Bragg is better than ones are sold in grocery stores. I've used ACV that I bought from Walmart and also I've gotten good results. Before going to sleep, I wash my face with warm water and sea salt ( I have had a bad acne on face and my back). I pat dry and apply ACV+honey+warm water 4:1:4 on my face by a cotton pad. The following morning, my face leaves less oil and pimples were healed. For my hair, I mix ACV with water 1:1 and apply on my hair with massaging in few minutes. I rinse it with water, then with shampoo to take the smell away. After blowing dry, I see my hair looks shiny and really healthy. Dandruff has gone away. Shoud I keep ACV in one of my routine beauty tips? Is it safe for any kind of skin?

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on June 29, 2015:

Hi Amber, all the things you mentioned should help stop hair fall. At the same time, it is important to eat healthy food, exercise regularly, and sleep well, so that stress is managed well.

amber on June 26, 2015:

I have scarring alopecia and get scalp shots monthly plus use rogaine daily. I haven't had any hair growth and still experience shedding. This has been going on for 4 years now. Do you think drinking acv with water daily will help? Also what about rinsing after shampooing with the 1:1 acv water ratio? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on June 15, 2015:

Hi Patrik44, make sure the brand you pick up contains unfiltered, unpasteurized ACV.

Mamkik on June 13, 2015:

Use Bragg apple cider vinegar unpasturised with mother and organic .. It is best

Patrick44 on June 12, 2015:

Does Heinz ACV contain all the benefits needed to achieve the hair care benefits you outline or would you recommend another brand name?

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on June 11, 2015:

That's a great tip Deb. And energy drinks contain much higher amount of caffeine that regular coffee drinks.

shirley on June 10, 2015:

When I first used ACV it stopped my breakage.My hair is soft and shiny.I use to have long thick hair. I also have lots of new growth. I Prayed for this.Thank GOD and you very much

I,m looking forward to Long Hair again.

Deb Dey Ermand on June 10, 2015:

Hi this is a wonderful article. I also wanted to mention that caffeine products tend to cause shedding of hair due to the caffeine slowing our absorption process of nutrients and vitamins. Thanks.

Paula Jiménez from Zaragoza on June 10, 2015:

Great content thanks ;)

Summer LaSalle from USA on May 22, 2015:

This is a great hub. I've used Aveda hair loss stuff for a couple of years and it tends to work well, but this is much, much less expensive. My hubby's at the store and I just told him to pick me up some ACV. Thanks!

Whitney Rose Wood on May 20, 2015:

I wish I saw this article before I tried non-organic apple cider. It is truly amazing how it cleanses the hair and makes it so soft and shiny! This is one of those tricks that really shouldn't be kept a secret. Voted up.

Colin Garrow from Inverbervie, Scotland on May 20, 2015:

Interesting stuff - I've been losing my hair for years and it would be great if ACV could help. Thanks for posting. Great Hub.

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on May 13, 2015:

HI ogechi, since ACV is great for overall health of the hair, you could apply to the entire head.

Ogechi on May 12, 2015:

Great article, will sure look for it. My front hair have thinned out after giving birth, but my hair is generally full aside from the from hair.I'm just confused on how this could help my front her. do I need to just apply on the affected area or what?

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on May 12, 2015:

Hi Anand, please use ACV as directed in this article.

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on May 12, 2015:

Hi David, yes you could leave ACV in hair overnight. I would recommend that dilute it in water in 1:1 ratio, and apply. If you don't experience any side-effects, you can apply undiluted ACV in your hair.

Anand on May 08, 2015:

I am from chennai. I had severe dandruff problem for past 6 years and also oily skin, I feel very itchy in scalp even after daily washing hair. I lost many hair in the top portion of head and now I heard about ACV . I bought organic mother . please advise me how to use it for dandruff, hairfall and itchy scalp.

David on May 08, 2015:

I'm 27 yrs old man, I started losing my 30% of my hair, is it advisable if I left the ACV overnight and rinse it in the morning

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on April 28, 2015:

Hi Marlo, thank you for the feedback. I always use shampoo first and then ACV rinse, and I have found that he cleanses my hair extremely well.

MarloByDesign from United States on April 28, 2015:

Great Hub! I use Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (and olive oil) as my full-time salad dressing and will now use it in my hair! Do you think ACV can replace deep cleaning shampoos for removing impurities (which are not cheap)? Thank you.

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on April 11, 2015:

Hi Patty, usually it is ideal to clean your hair with shampoo first, and then apply ACV on clean hair so that it is able to get rid of any residual dandruff, as well as restore the pH balance. Rinse off ACV after 15-30 minutes. Sometimes, I just leave the ACV in my hair and let it dry out.

patty on April 11, 2015:

Hi, can i apply acv rinse first and then wash it off shampoo? thanks!

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on April 08, 2015:

Hi Ravali, you probably need to use it once a week, but you can experiment with more or less frequent use and see which suits you the best. I can only tell you from experience and feedback from other users.

ravali on April 08, 2015:

i have so much split ends and hair loss.... in a week how many times should i use this?

Hezekiah from Japan on April 07, 2015:

I should introduce this tp the Japanese, they are extremely sensitive about hair loss. The older generation is full of horrible combovers and toupeés.

Eileen from Western Cape , South Africa on April 07, 2015:

Just tried about everything without success - will give the ACV a go . I've always known it for its health benefits but never knew one can use it for hair .

deepti roonwal on March 24, 2015:

Hii i read your article.... honestly it give me hope...i m losing my hairs... for many years on n off. ....i tried so many thing,lotion spray ,oil..but its useless.....after reading ur article...now i m gona try this...... thanks

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on March 20, 2015:

Usually, it is said that warm water weakens the roots and causes hair fall. If you can, use cold water for shampooing and ACV.

Pari on March 18, 2015:

Hi... Thankyou for such a valuable article! Alike others even I am suffering from heavy hair loss and hopefully this treatment will help me out. Now, my only question is, do i need to use warm water after shampooing and applying ACV, or cold water will do? or is it like after shampooing warm water and after ACV cold water? Kindly help me ... Thanks a ton in advance !!

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on March 14, 2015:

Hi Thinninghiar, thank you for your question. I wouldn't use baking soda to wash hair on a daily basis or even on an alternate day basis. It could cause too much dryness. The best way to use it is once in a fortnight or once a month. Regarding ACV and baking soda being used simultaneously - that's fine. Use baking soda and shampoo to wash hair, and then apply ACV as a conditioner.

Thinninghiar on March 13, 2015:

Hello there. Great article above! I just wanted to ask. Is it ok to wash your hair with baking soda mixed into your own natural shampoo... And then rinse with acv daily? Bcs washing hair with acv after using shampoo/baking soda Will balance the ph right ? Is that ok on a daily or every other day basis ?

Aisha on February 25, 2015:

ACV is working great for me ... But last time i forgot to wash with water after ACV rinse ... I slept and in the morning my hair was looking like a desert .. So dry .. Any way adivce for those who want to keep ACV ... Plz don't make this mistake .. do wash

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on February 17, 2015:

Hi Alvin, thanks for the question. To my knowledge, ACV does not turn hair grey.

Alvin on February 16, 2015:

will my hair turn grey if i use apple cider vinegar to my scalp and hair?

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on February 16, 2015:

Hi Mamk, please use unfiltered and unpasteurized ACV. If it is also organic, that's preferred. Hope this helps.

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on February 16, 2015:

Hi Ben, if your scalp is not sensitive, it is OK to never rinse it. However, you may find your hair getting a bit too dry.

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on February 16, 2015:

Hi Star, yes the facial skin is more sensitive. Please test it on a small part on your face first.

Mamk on February 15, 2015:

Any apple cider vinegar can i use .. Or it must be organis raw with mother unfiltered unpasteurise .. Kindly advice

Ben on February 13, 2015:

If I use the ACV treatment once a week, but I NEVER rinse it out. What can I expect? Thanks

Star on February 13, 2015:

Hey. I have pretty sensitive skin. I tried acv on the skin of my hand. Nothing seems to have happened. So is it ok now if i use it on my face? Or is it possible that the skin on my face will react defferently?

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on February 12, 2015:

HI Riffat, please put half a cup water in half a cup ACV and use it as conditioner. Some people use it undiluted, which is fine, but it is best to start with diluted ACV.

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on February 12, 2015:

Hi Mohammed, you could use ACV once a week.

riffat on February 11, 2015:

hi... i read your article.... honestly it give me hope...i m losing my hairs... for many years on n off. ....i tried so many thing,lotion spray even laser treatment...but its useless.....after reading ur article...now i m gona try this.... please tell me the ratio of vinger and water ........im bit confuse on this.... thanks

mohammed on February 10, 2015:

I have hair. Lose in. 5 years my age is. 31.if i use vinegar loss. Hair will re grow tell me.can. i use vinegar. Daily or once in a week

Aisha on February 08, 2015:

Today it was my third ACV wash .. Its really amazing and miraculous remedy for hair loss... Highly recommended to the people who have sever hair loss

Alana Niall (author) from Christchurch, New Zealand on February 07, 2015:

Thank you Aisha. Am glad my article was of help to you. :)

I love discovering and sharing DIY beauty tips, especially all-natural solutions that you can easily make at home.

Looking for a hydrating and softening hair mask? Chances are, you have the perfect ingredients right in your kitchen! Avocado and egg yolk are both excellent for softening, hydrating, and conditioning hair naturally.

What makes them both so good for hair? Let's find out the benefits below.

DIY Avocado and Egg Yolk Hair Mask

What you need:

• 1/2 ripe avocado
• 1 egg yolk
• A fork for whisking
• A small bowl

Step 1: Blend the Ingredients

If you're using a blender, puree the avocado and egg yolk until it forms a lump-free paste. If you're making the mixture by hand, whisk the egg yolk until it turns into a frothy liquid, mash the avocado until it is lump-free, then mix the two together.

2. Apply Mask to Hair

Wet your hair in the shower. Then apply the hair mask mixture starting from your scalp and working all the way down to your hair ends. Gently massage the mixture into your scalp for five minutes.

4. Rinse Hair Thoroughly

Thoroughly wash your hair with cold water, rinsing as many times as possible to remove all traces of the mask.

5. Shampoo and Condition as Usual

Shampoo your hair (preferably with an organic shampoo). Then condition and rinse as usual.

Top Tips

• When blending or mashing the avocado, you must mash thoroughly to a lump-free paste. If there are small lumps, you might have difficulty washing the avocado out entirely. If this happens, don't worry. Just use a comb to remove the bits. It's a tedious process, but it gets the job done.
• Do not use hot or warm water to wash your hair. This will cook the eggs in the hair mask, and you'll be stuck with tiny egg bits in your hair.
• Work a healthy amount of the mask into the ends of your hair, because that is where your hair is most damaged.
• Let your hair dry naturally (without using a hairdryer) to prevent damaged, frizzy hair.

Have a little leftover avocado? It's also great for skin! Learn how to use it in a face mask.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2014 healthmunsta

Comments

Margaret on July 19, 2020:

the hair treatment for how day or months can this be done

lisa on August 01, 2019:

For how long should i wait to rinse the hair

esharoy on July 02, 2019:

ah thnks for the teachng and i realy like ths method i ill try it

Onapito Ellasamuel on May 18, 2019:

So lovely but how long does it go bad when i want it to take some period

Vivianna on October 29, 2018:

After applying how long should I wait for me to rinse?

Peris on November 03, 2017:

For how should i wait before i rinse it off

Marzetta on October 28, 2017:

Thanks for the natural conditioners for hair and skin. They work great.

Lucky one on September 22, 2017:

Thanks for this but how often should one apply this mask.

I cannot wait to start with this mask because i have lost half of the hair already.

safiyat musa on June 16, 2017:

Pls, can I also had honey to the avocado and egg yolk mask.

peace on May 17, 2017:

l love this mixture but can l use hair conditional and other hair treatment after washing my hair same day?

Vivian on September 29, 2016:

How long should I take before washing

AzzahNazeel. on May 13, 2016:

I dont have sulfate-free shampoo ?

what could i do #felicity ?,

please i need reply so fast as posible dear .. cant wait for it for long time ...

felicity on April 10, 2016:

You can use raw avocados in your hair:

Mash a ripe avocado (pit removed) with one egg, then apply this home remedy to wet hair. Leave on for at least 20 minutes, then rinse several times. If you are not up for all the dirty mashing in the kitchen, you can also use the Shielo Intensive Mask, which has Avocado and other oils in it. Both work well!

nikki on February 24, 2015:

Can i make it an hour before applying?

Emma on January 13, 2015:

I never tried it yet I think it is going to work

Sara on January 09, 2015:

Nothing bad will happen if you use your regular shampoo...

@Bridget B on December 29, 2014:

Hi, Bridget B! It is recommended that you use a sulfate-free or organic shampoo because sulfates will just strip all of the moisture out. That's why you may sometimes feel that your hair is "squeaky clean."

Thanks For Asking.:)

Bridget b on November 17, 2014:

What if i can't get the recommanded shampoo? Will it harm to use other shampoo?

Angie B on November 08, 2014:

I love this mixture. It left my hair feeling moisturized & voluminous. I am an African American, with shoulder length 4a & b hair. I didn't use a blender & the bits were a PAIN to eliminate, for I'm also transitioning from relaxer to natural. However the results from my air dried roller set were amazing. It lasted a long time. I read somewhere that this treatment should only be done monthly. The egg protein can damage hair. What a shame. Thank u for this recipe.

I love discovering and sharing DIY beauty tips, especially all-natural solutions that you can easily make at home.

3 DIY Hair Masks for Dry, Frizzy Hair and Split Ends

If you have stubborn, out-of-control frizzy hair that changes with the weather, worry no more! These three very simple and cost-effective hair masks will not only aid in taming and nurturing your frizzy hair but also promote hair growth and help remove dandruff and excess oils.

Don't go hunting for chemical-packed frizz fighters when you can whip up effective hair masks using kitchen pantry ingredients. Check out these cool DIY hair masks to naturally tame unruly frizz.

1. Mayonnaise, Egg, and Honey Hair Mask
2. Banana and Almond Oil Hair Mask
3. Avocado, Coconut Milk, and Olive Oil Hair Mask

1. Mayonnaise, Egg, and Honey Hair Mask

Mayonnaise is the ultimate de-frizzer, and when combined with egg and honey, it will work wonders in taming wild frizzy hair. The egg will not only help soften dry, frizzy locks but will also nourish your scalp and roots.

Honey is a natural humectant and will moisturize your frizzy hair, locking moisture into hair cells and bringing back their vibrancy.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon honey

Directions

1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk the egg until it turns frothy. Combine the above ingredients thoroughly.
2. With clean fingertips, massage the mixture into your wet hair.
3. Wind your hair in a high bun over your head and cover it with a disposable shower cap. Sit 15 minutes, allowing the goodness of the mask to sink deep into your hair follicles.
4. When the time is up, wash off the mask from the hair roots to the ends. Rinse off as many times as possible until all of the mask is off.
5. Shampoo well to remove the hair mask smells and condition as usual. Give a final rinse with cold water, and wrap your hair in a fluffy towel.

Tips

• Before applying the mask, wet your hair and wrap a warm towel around your head to open up hair follicles.
• Rinse as thoroughly as possible to wash off all the hair mask to avoid any bits and pieces of the mask sticking to your hair.
• Wet your hair before applying the mask. Using the mask on dry hair and scalp doesn't work.

The Ingredients and Their Benefits for Hair

Let's look at the benefits of the ingredients in this hair mask for frizzy hair:

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is classified as an oil and contains natural oils, vinegar, and multi-vitamin egg yolk, which helps restore damaged, frizzy hair. It's generally best for curly hair types as it helps restore moisture and works to soften brittle, frizzy hair and may not be necessary for those with straight hair.

Egg

Egg yolk is high in protein, which can strengthen hair and encourage shine. The protein lecithin in eggs can soften and moisturize dry, frizzy hair.

Honey

Honey helps add moisture to dry, frizzy hair. It may also work to add shine and gloss to hair and promote smooth and soft hair and reduce breakage.

2. Banana and Almond Oil Hair Mask

Using just two ingredients, this frizzy hair mask recipe will soften dry, frizzy hair as well as moisturize it. Bananas are 75 percent water, which makes them a great natural moisturizer for frizzy hair, and almond oil serves as an excellent conditioner that will bless your locks with a natural sheen.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1–2 teaspoons of almond oil

Directions

1. Puree two ripe or overripe bananas in a blender until lump-free.
2. In a small mixing bowl, stir in the almond oil together with the banana puree.
3. Slather the hair mask onto your strands, starting from the roots, working downward.
4. Tie your hair into a loose bun, and cover it with a shower cap.
5. Wait 15 minutes. You can use this time to relax, read a book, or pamper yourself with a manicure.
6. When the time is up, wash off the mask well. After every bit of the mask is off, shampoo your hair and rinse with cold water.

Tips

• You don't even need to shampoo and condition your hair with this mask since it smells wonderful, and almond oil acts as a great conditioner.
• Apply the hair mask right before a shower to effectively wash it off.
• Use overripe bananas for this mask instead of throwing them away.
• You can always add greater quantities of the ingredients listed, depending on your hair length and volume.

The Ingredients and Their Benefits

Let's taken an in-depth look at the benefits of these ingredients for hair:

Banana

Bananas are high in silica, which helps your body produce collagen. Bananas may also aid with hair growth and help dandruff.

Almond Oil

Almond oil penetrates deep into the scalp, strengthening hair roots and shafts. It helps to soften frizzy hair and may promote hair growth. Using it on the ends of your locks adds a natural glow to dull frizzes. It has also been used for centuries as a treatment for flaky scalps.

3. Avocado, Coconut Milk, and Olive Oil Hair Mask

The creamy avocado is one of the most powerful superfoods for good health, but avocado can also be used in hair masks for shiny, lustrous locks! Combined with two other powerful frizz-fighting ingredients, this hair mask is excellent for dry, frizzy hair. This hair mask contains moisture-rich ingredients that sound yummy too!

Ingredients

• 1 small ripe avocado
• 1/2 cup fresh coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

1. First, puree 1/2 a ripe avocado in a blender until smooth.
2. Stir in coconut milk and olive oil and mix well.
3. Apply the mixture to your scalp going downward to your hair ends. Take time to massage the hair mask in gentle circular motions deep into your scalp.
4. Wait 15 minutes before rinsing off the mask thoroughly. You may shampoo and condition using organic products.

Tips

• Use a ripe avocado so it is easier to puree. Freezing or thawing the avocado before use also works great.
• Make sure to blend the avocado until you get a lump-free smoothie. This is important—if you have lumps in your mixture, you will have a hard time rinsing off, and you might end up with tiny avocado lumps stuck to your hair.
• Don't just smear the hair mask onto your scalp and locks. Take time to massage the mixture deep into your scalp in gentle circular motions using both hands. Slather a generous amount of hair mask onto your hair ends where the most damage occurs.

The Ingredients and Their Benefits

Look at the benefits of avocado, coconut milk, and olive oil for hair:

Avocado

Avocado contains vitamins, healthy fat, and minerals that help to nourish the scalp. It's a good source of biotin and contains minerals that protect hair elasticity and help prevent further hair damage and breakage.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is high in vitamins and protein, which help to nourish hair and restore luster to dull, damaged, frizzy hair. It may also slow hair loss and can be used to treat dandruff.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is high in vitamin E, which may promote hair growth. It's rich in mineral and vegetable oils that can moisturize hair.

Other Healthy Ingredients to Add to a DIY Hair Mask for Dry, Frizzy Locks

You can always tailor hair masks to suit your personal needs; here are some examples of extra ingredients you can add to a hair mask, and you can even use them to design your own!

• Yogurt: When combined with other ingredients in a hair mask, this popular breakfast food works great to help retain moisture.
• Apple cider vinegar: It's thought to help control frizz and has other benefits for your scalp.
• Brown sugar: This delicious cookie ingredient can also be used to exfoliate your scalp.
• Milk: This versatile drink has lots of proteins and vitamins that can work effectively with other ingredients to boost your hair's health.
• Lemon: The sour fruit may help balance pH and reduce hair loss.
• Aloe vera: This healing plant may help prevent dandruff and condition your hair.

More Homemade Masks for Hair

• Best DIY Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Hair Mask Mixes
  I'm not afraid to say that my sister and I have gorgeous locks of hair! The secret? It's all thanks to apple cider vinegar! Check out these true ACV hair masks that will leave your hair feeling loved.
• Best DIY Hair Masks for Dry Hair
  Discover three different hair masks for dry hair with intense action for moisturizing, hydrating, and nourishing hair follicles from within—all with natural ingredients from your kitchen!
• DIY Egg White Hair Masks for Lustrous Hair
  Find three simple & easy-to-make egg white hair mask recipes for strong and lustrous hair. An egg white hair mask is not just for people with oily hair.

Works Cited

Beoy, L. A., Woei, W. J., & Hay, Y. K. (2010, December). Effects of tocotrienol supplementation on hair growth in human volunteers. Tropical life sciences research.

Gavazzoni Dias, M. F. R. (2015). Hair cosmetics: An overview. International journal of trichology.

Goluch-Koniuszy, Z. S. (2016, March). Nutrition of women with hair loss problem during the period of menopause. Przeglad menopauzalny = Menopause review.

Gouvinhas, I., Machado, N., Sobreira, C., Domínguez-Perles, R., Gomes, S., Rosa, E., & Barros, A. I. R. N. A. (2017, November 16). Critical review on the significance of olive phytochemicals in plant physiology and human health. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).

Hossain MS;Alam MB;Asadujjaman M;Zahan R;Islam MM;Mazumder ME;Haque ME; (n.d.). Antidiarrheal, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the musa sapientum seed. Avicenna journal of medical biotechnology.

L;, B. B. C. (n.d.). Honey in dermatology and skin care: A review. Journal of cosmetic dermatology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24305429/.

MediLexicon International. (n.d.). Egg yolk for hair: Benefits and how to use it. Medical News Today.

Pasupuleti, V. R., Sammugam, L., Ramesh, N., & Gan, S. H. (2017). Honey, propolis, and ROYAL JELLY: A comprehensive review of their Biological actions and health benefits. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity.

S;, S. Z. F. Q. C. B. X. (n.d.). Analysis of physicochemical property and composition of fatty acid of almond oil. Se pu = Chinese journal of chromatography.

Trüeb, R. M. (2009, January). Oxidative stress in ageing of hair. International journal of trichology.

Yaghoobi, R., Kazerouni, A., & Kazerouni, O. (2013, August). Evidence for clinical use of honey in wound healing as an anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory anti-oxidant and anti-viral agent: A review. Jundishapur journal of natural pharmaceutical products.

Z;, A. (n.d.). The uses and properties of Almond Oil. Complementary therapies in clinical practice.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

Comments

Gia on June 13, 2020:

How often should I apply the mayo hair mask?

elsie on July 18, 2016:

how about falling ang thinning hair? any recommendation using natural ingredients?

crystal on March 14, 2016:

instead of almond oil, would olive oil, or argan oil work?

sudha on February 18, 2016:

It really good remedy for home to get soft skily hair. It's really work

HackHealth from Los Angeles, California on January 26, 2015:

Love this. I'll be trying these soon to tame the frizz

Ana Maria Orantes from Miami Florida on January 26, 2015:

Thank you for the masks natural ingredients for the healthy hair's growing. It is good to try different natural things with the experts advice. Then, nothing can go wrong. What a nice relive to apply it in our heads knowing that someone else already tested. You are a good person to share your beauty's secrets. I like your hub.

maylin on August 26, 2014:

I was wondering, after doing any of these treatments, when your hair dry's does it stay frizz less?

Susan Hazelton from Sunny Florida on July 23, 2014:

I will definitely be trying the mayonnaise egg honey hair mask. I need something that will really tame my hair. Terrific post.

Anna on May 26, 2014:

Wow. Just did this, used the Mayo, egg, and honey one, just took the towel off my head and my hair feels amazing, next stop, growing gorgeous nails. xD.

M on May 26, 2014:

How many times in a week can you do this?

Emily from Missouri on March 13, 2014:

Thanks, great tips! I tried the avocado hair mask and its amazing, I also use the Pro Naturals hair care system to have beautiful and healthy hair.

Christin Sander from Midwest on February 11, 2014:

Nicely done hub, good information and great graphics and layout - voted up and sharing.

Sanghita has been an online writer for over six years. Her interests include Education, Parenting, Music, DIY Crafts and Sustainable Living.

Thick, Long and Healthy Hair

How to Comb and Care Your Hair Everyday Without Damaging It

Here are a few tips you must stick to religiously if you want healthy looking hair. You will be able to see the benefits in the long-term, within a period of 5-6 months if you follow these rules meticulously.

• Start detangling your hair from the ends and work your way above.
• Do so taking your time, very gently to avoid damage to hair.
• Hair is very fragile. It is better to always use a wide-toothed comb as it can damage your hair less.
• Use a narrow-toothed comb only on the scalp area to set the hair.
• Make sure the comb you are using does not have sharp tips as it will then, damage or scrape the scalp.
• Part your hair into two or three sections when you are combing wet hair to give it a voluminous look after it is dry.
• Never rub your hair with a towel in an effort to dry your hair. Tie up wet hair with a towel and allow the towel to soak excessive water.
• Use a dryer if you must at a mild heat and at least 10 inches away from your hair.

What are the characteristics that determine healthy, beautiful hair?

There are a few characteristics that determine the health and beauty of your hair:

1. Thickness of hair—Thickness of hair varies from person to person. Some people have very thick hair whereas some have very thin hair. But what is important is to take note when you start having an abnormal hair fall or the natural hair-fall rate is more than usual. It is recommended that you visit a dermatologist or a hair-specialist immediately to get tested and find out the reason behind excessive hair-fall.

2. Richness of natural hair colour—Hair tends to lose its natural colour with excessive exposure to sunlight or with shampoos which are high in sulphur content. Usually, strong anti-dandruff shampoos containing selenium sulphide tend to strip the hair of colour with prolonged and continuous usage.

3. Clean, dandruff-free scalp—The pores in the scalp need to be clean and open to enable hair-follicles to make their way through them and grow into a strand of hair. Deposition of excessive dirt, grime or even dandruff can lead to blocking of the pores on the scalp, thus, preventing the growth of hair.

4. No split-ends—Split ends, in medical terminology, is called trichoptilosis. Split ends occur due to many reasons such as exposure to rough and extreme climate, rough handling while detangling the hair, use of harsh chemicals regularly like perming, hair-colours, waxes, sprays etc., use of heat-oriented styling products like hair-iron etc.

5. Smooth texture—When looked under an electron microscope, a strand of hair has a scaly structure, much like the body of a snake. The smoothness in texture therefore can be maintained if the scaly texture can be smoothed with moisture appropriate for hair type.

6. Bounce—This is a personal opinion and bounce does not necessarily mean your hair has to look straight out of a Vogue Magazine cover-page girl or like our favourite glamorous character from a Hollywood flick. Bounce determines that your tresses look full of life and not limp.

View of a strand of hair under electron microscope.

Hair-oil Concoction for the Master Product

Ingredients for the Hair-Oil

The ingredients required for the hair-oil are:

• Coconut Oil—200 ml
• Olive Oil—100 ml
• Almond Oil—50 ml
• Castor Oil—30 ml
• Red Hibiscus Leaves—5
• Fresh Amla Juice—30 ml
• Neem Leaves—20
• Bhringaraj (Eclipta Alba) Leaves—10

Goodness of the Ingredients

1. Red Hibiscus leaves—Many people are unaware of the great benefits of red Hibiscus leaves for the hair. Red hibiscus leaves protect the natural hair colour. They also condition the hair and make it soft.

2. Amla (Indian Gooseberry or Phyllanthus Emblica )—Amla helps prevent graying of hair. It makes the roots strong and binds copper and iron that are essential minerals for healthy hair. Amla is a rich source of anti-oxidant and makes the hair healthy.

3. Bhringaraj (Eclipta Alba)—Bhringaraj promotes hair growth and the growth of new hair and is an ancient Ayurvedic recipe for the hair from India. It has a weed-like growth and is found in damp regions like India, China, Srilanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Nepal.

4. Olive Oil—Olive oil prevents fungal infection or growth in the scalp, thereby, preventing dandruff and also arrests the production of the DTH hormone in the hair-follicles that leads to hair-fall. It prolongs hair life.

5. Almond Oil—Almond oil is rich in nutrients and strengthens the hair strands and prevents split-ends. It prevents dandruff and makes the hair soft and silky by providing moisture to the hair.

6. Coconut Oil—Coconut Oil restores natural moisture of the hair thereby, conditioning each strand and making it soft. Coconut oil is used as the traditional natural treatment for dandruff in India since ages. A mixture of coconut oil and lemon juice is said to be the best natural treatment for a dandruff-free scalp.

7. Neem Leaves—Neem leaves contain anti-oxidants and anti-bacterial properties that prevent fungal growth on scalp and maintains a healthy scalp for healthy hair.

8. Castor Oil—Castor Oil is a super-stimulant for hair growth. It promotes the growth of new hair and its thickness lends moisture to the hair. It is highly recommended for those with a receding hairline or a balding top of the head.

The Final Product!

The Process of Making the Hair Oil

Pour all the oils into a deep pan along with the Amla juice and the fresh, cleaned leaves and give it a boil for 5-7 minutes.

Let it cool.

Strain the oil and pour into clean containers.

Application

Some of the oils like Castor Oil and Almond Oil are very heavy in this concoction. So, it is recommended that you do not leave this oil after application for more than one hour.

Apply and massage warm oil to your hair roots gently and also apply some more hair oil to your hair strands till the tip and wrap your head in a steaming hot towel. You may remove the towel, dip it in hot water, wring the towel and repeat the process of wrapping your head with the warm towel for 20 minutes.

Leave your hair for 20 more minutes after removing the hot towel and shampoo it off with a mild shampoo for the most beautiful hair!

Cook Time

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Hira on June 27, 2019:

Bhringraj is not available in pakistan so what can i use instead of it

Rony on June 11, 2019:

As i didnt get leaves of hibiscus, neem and bhringraj. Can i used gurhal powder, neem oil and bhringraj oil instead of their leaves. If yes, at what quantity should i used it in a mixture of your formula.

Prerana on September 21, 2018:

Castor oil is heavy rit so how much time should i leave it ....

Simu on August 06, 2018:

My daughter has very thin hair..want her hair to be be more thick...from where can i get bhringaraj leaves....

Parita Suchdev on March 05, 2017:

Dear Sangitha,

I would like to share my experience with you regarding how I stopped my hair loss and the root cause I discovered over a period of time.

I used to have huge hair loss since last many years. Over a period of time, I noticed that the hairloss wold peak after a prolonged throat infecton that I regularly used to have. Additionaly, I used to have fever, skin infections and oily dandruff in the scalp. My blood test showed abnormal levels of mucous. Later on I noticed that my infection would increase as I would voluntarily couf to clear my throat of phlegm, when my voice quaverd. Then I stopped coufing and started clearing my throat by a comperatively less invasive method by producing the grinding kind of sound from my throat like "ArrmArrrrrrrrm, ArrmArrm" as many other people I noticed usualy do, by closing the vocal chords gently and blowing air forcefully through them. This was a bit difficult in the beggining. I used to end up with an increased quaver in my voice sometimes in an attempt to clear my throat and required multiple attempts to get the job done properly. Sometimes as I could not do this in the middle of a conversation and had to make do with a quavered voice for quite some time, untill I finished talking. I would sit through a mouvie show with phlegm clogged into my throat as I did not want to disturb others with my repeated throat clearing. But I did not loose patience and in the long term, my health improved. My blood is now pure, I feel energetic, no fever, no hair loss, no dandruff. This I acheaved without changing my hair care products, and taking any medicine. I tried all kinds of medicines preciously but failed to get permenent results.

This post is for the benefit of other people.

Kim Robertson on March 05, 2017:

Hi there! I was appalled when I pulled up a "huge" thick, long hair ball from my bathtub drain! I am needing to care for my hair. I have not heard of some of the ingredients, such as Alma and •Bhringaraj (Eclipta Alba) Leaves . Can you give me a substitute please? If possible. Love you hair!

Neelam Hassan on January 09, 2017:

please tell me how can I grow my hair faster. I need it badly.. I want to long long length and how much it will take time maximum

Emily on May 24, 2016:

Hi there I am abit confused do you add all ingredients including leaves to the oil and bring to a boil? Or do you boil the leaves in water and add that to the oil?

smriti on May 24, 2016:

Do you mean the petals of hibiscus?

Pausali on January 31, 2016:

Thanks Jaya!

Amish Ray from India on April 07, 2015:

Excellent hub on hair oil. It was good to know. Voted up!

fatema on March 29, 2015:

hey..

your hair looks really good ..

my request is that could u plzz show me ur before and after picture ..

thank u

dinesh gandhi on March 27, 2015:

You have mention:

Some of the oils like Castor Oil and Almond Oil are very heavy in this concoction. So, it is recommended that you do not leave this oil after application for more than one hour.

What are the side effect if we apply oil for more than hour.

I am applying oil daily after bath, so which ingredient you thing I should avoid in your recipe and make the oil with rest of the ingredient.

Sanghita Chatterjee (author) from Kolkata on February 25, 2015:

Hi Nidhi,

Apologies for replying so so late!

Here are your answers:

1. I chopped the amla and ground it to bring out the juice. Alternatively, since the juice and oil tend to separate when stored, you can just put the chopped pieces of Amla into the oil while boiling the whole concoction.

2. No you cannot substitute Bhringaraj leaves with curry leaves.

3. Bhringaraj grows as a shrub and can very much be grown in a pot...

Cheers!

Sanghita Chatterjee (author) from Kolkata on February 25, 2015:

Hi Dinesh, APologies for such a delay in replying. The oil will not be spoiled by the Amla juice. Alternatively, you can also chop fresh amlas and "fry" them in the oil along with the leaves.

Cheers!

nidhi on September 13, 2014:

Your hair length is like a mirror image of mine..however the texture isn't unfortunately! Your locks seem so glossy,smooth and lustrous that am drooling over them :P I will surely make this hair oil tonight to rescue my hair from dryness. However I have a few queries:-

1)how do you extract fresh amla juice?(or if there's some packaged brand which you find usable kindly refer it)

2)can I substitute bhringraj leaves with curry leaves?

3)does bhringraj grow as a tree or as a shrub(which I can keep in a pot at home)?

Kindly reply back to my queries :)

Dinesh4180 on September 12, 2014:

Does we have heat the oil in high flame?

Also you have mention to add whole Red Hibiscus Leaves - 5, Fresh Amla Juice - 30 ml, Neem Leaves - 20, Bhringaraj (Eclipta Alba) Leaves - 10 is that we have to heat the oil until leaves get little fry and amla juice mix with oil or we have just heat the oil for 7 minutes and off the flame.

If oil contains amla juice it will spoil the oil or not?

Please clarify my above doubt.

Sanghita Chatterjee (author) from Kolkata on August 26, 2014:

Hey Anissa, I grew my hair since I was 12 years old...and have been using this hair-oil since I was 10 or 11...

Anissa on August 18, 2014:

how long did it take to grow your hair that long and how long was it when you started using the oil?

Sanghita Chatterjee (author) from Kolkata on August 13, 2014:

Yes Raquel, you can use powder. In that case, do not boil the powder for too long in the oil, just 1-1.5 minutes maybe...and then keep the powder soaked overnight in the oil. Strain it the next day. xx

Raquel on August 01, 2014:

I would like to try this but I can't find the leaves of any plant you wrote about (I live in Spain so it's a bit difficult ). All I could find was powder. Is it the same? What would the quantity be in this case? Thank you for writing this amazing receipe! :)

Shilpi Kanoria on January 22, 2014:

Amazingly written :)

I love discovering and sharing DIY beauty tips, especially all-natural solutions that you can easily make at home.

Is your hair dry, damaged and withering away? Are you looking for all-natural easy hair treatments to liven up your dull locks? Using totally simple ingredients that you can quickly fetch from your kitchen, you can create amazing hair masks to bounce your dry hair back to life! Let's look at three easy peasy hair masks you can make at home:

1. Moisturizing At-Home Hair Mask for Dry Hair

Using just two kitchen ingredients, you can whip up a nourishing hair mask that will feed your dry hair with vitamins and healthy fat, transforming it into a silky mass of lustre. Coconut oil is well known for its wonderful hair moisturizing and conditioning properties. Honey is the all ancient cure for many common ailments including dry flaking skin and it will work wonders for dry damaged hair! Here's a quick look at the benefits the ingredients in this hair mask provide for dry hair:

Useful Tips

Wet your hair.

It's easier applying the hair mask to damp hair. You can also simply apply coconut oil alone to your dry hair strands without adding honey and wash off.

Always use organic.

When making this hair mask, use extra virgin coconut oil and pure honey for the best results. Pure coconut oil will be easier for your hair to absorb.

How often?

Since it's an all-natural hair mask, you can use this as often as you want. Once a week is good for dry and normal hair. Take care not to add a lot of coconut oil - just a tablespoon will do for long hair (mid-back length). If you have short (shoulder length) hair, you can use 1 teaspoon.

Long/short hair modifications

You can always add more/fewer teaspoons of some ingredients if you have longer/shorter hair.

Coconut and Honey Hair Mask Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons honey

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, add in the above ingredients and stir well till you get a thick mixture. And voila, your hair mask is ready to use! Yes, it is that simple!
2. When applying the hair mask, use clean fingers and slather the mixture into your scalp first. Use a circular motion to massage the mask into your scalp gently. Work coming downwards from your scalp to your locks.
3. After the application, you can sit with a warm towel wrapped around your head to open up your hair follicles so that all the goodness of the hair mask can sink in.
4. After 15-30 minutes, rinse off your hair. You don't even need to condition your hair as coconut oil is one of the conditioners!

2. Nourishing At-Home Hair Mask for Dry hair

This nourishing hair mask also needs just two kitchen ingredients: eggs and olive oil. Eggs are rich in protein, vitamins and fat - all of these being very nutritious to nurse dry hair back to its shiny lustre. Olive oil is one of the best nourishing and moisturizing oils for dry hair treatment. Let's look at the in-depth benefits of these ingredients for dry hair:

Tips

Rinse with only cold to tepid water.

Make sure to use cold to tepid water to rinse especially for this hair mask. Using hot water to rinse off this olive oil and egg hair mask can leave you with cooked bits of egg in your hair.

Rinse, rinse and rinse.

Rinse your hair thoroughly as many times as possible to remove the hair mask completely from your hair. Use an organic shampoo to wash it off and give a final rinse.

Massage your scalp.

Give your scalp a soothing massage as you apply the hair mask. This will stimulate blood flow to your scalp, promoting a healthy scalp and luscious long hair locks.

Egg Yolk and Olive Oil Hair Mask Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

1. Whisk the egg yolk in a small mixing bowl till it turns frothy.
2. Add in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and mix well.
3. Using clean fingers, apply the hair mask onto your scalp first. Massage the hair mask into your scalp in a gentle circular motion for about 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Cover your hair with a disposable shower cap/plastic bag.
5. Sit for 15 minutes.
6. When the time is up, rinse your hair thoroughly with cold water. Please do not use hot water.
7. Use an organic shampoo to remove the egg smells from your hair.
8. Give your hair a final rinse and condition as usual.

3. Hydrating At-Home Hair Mask for Dry hair

Lock moisture into your hair cells with an amazing avocado and banana hair mask. This hydrating hair mask will definitely rejuvenate your dull dry hair. You will be astonished to see how fast your dry locks spring back to their original lustre. What's more is that this hair mask doesn't stink at all! All you need is avocado and banana. Sounds yummy, doesn't it? Let's first discover the importance of these two ingredients for dry hair and hair in general.

Tips

Place a towel around your neck.

Wrap a soft cotton towel around your neck to protect your clothes from this hair mask.

From top to bottom.

Work the hair mask from your scalp to the tips of your hair. Slather a generous amount of the hair mask onto your hair ends, where most damage occurs.

Relax.

As the hair mask works its magic, you can relax your mind by reading a book, meditating or even pampering your nails with a lovely manicure.

Sticky/oily hair mask

Don't over proportionate the amount of teaspoons or tablespoons of ingredients you need to put in your hair mask. For example: Adding too much honey can make a very sticky hair mask which you'll spend a long time trying to remove. Also, using a lot of coconut/olive oil can give you greasy hair which is also hard to rinse off.

Avocado and Banana Hair Mask Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 ripe avocado
• 2 ripe bananas

Directions

1. Puree the above ingredients in a food processor until it turns thick and is absolutely lump free. This is important: Make sure the hair mask is very smooth with no chunks whatsoever. It can be a big pain trying to comb out dry banana/avocado bits from your hair!
2. As usual, using clean fingers, apply the mixture to your damp hair from the hair roots to the ends.
3. Cover your hair with a plastic shower cap.
4. Wait for 15 minutes.
5. Rinse your hair thoroughly. Take your time rinsing, ensuring the whole mask is off. This hair mask smells great, so you don't even need to shampoo your hair.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

unicornchic on January 25, 2020:

always blend as well as mash bananas

from experience it goes REALLY LUMPY

SkinMudra from Pune on November 18, 2018:

all good stuffs....keep it up

Teresa on April 02, 2016:

I'm desperate about my dry hair....

I'm definitely going to try these masks asap.

Thanks a lot!

Paige on August 04, 2015:

Omg the egg yolk and olive oil hair masks worked wonders for my hair. Like it just dried and my hair is so silky and smooth and it shines ! I love my hair now.

Baconchick on July 19, 2015:

I was going to try to qmake a mask with honey, milk, and eggs. But im haveing second thoughts that mixing these together could end up messing up my hair. Will it?

jaz on December 01, 2014:

Should you wash your hair before the mask and after the mask ? And do you use conditioner?

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on November 23, 2014:

I have tried coconut but not avocado with banana. Will have to try this. My hair is really dry right now.

Josely on August 26, 2014:

I'm going to try the coconut oil and honey but one question: after washing your hair will it still smell? Thanks!

mona on August 26, 2014:

I relaxed my hair & its satisfying and all but its dry and looks un-natural, i only have the egg yolks,honey,olive oil & avacado. what should i mix?

Diana Harvey from Philippines on August 21, 2014:

Excellent advice thank you so much

Ombre haired girl on July 14, 2014:

Hiiii, thank you so much for the post!

I have ombre hair and it's starting to get a bit dry and some split ends, which mask would you say between the egg one and the avocado one, which one would you say is the best for me?

Byeee xxxx

healthmunsta (author) on January 13, 2014:

Try the olive oil and egg yolk first, it'll hydrate your hair cells from deep within. I love hair masks with egg to give my hair a protein boost, making it look strong and healthy!

rls8994 from Mississippi on January 13, 2014:

These sound great. My hair tends to be on the dry side these days and nothing I have bought seems to help. I am definitely trying these. I bet they will help!

healthmunsta (author) on January 13, 2014:

Hi Moon Daisy! Thanks for pointing that out - it's a typo. You need 1 tablespoon of olive oil. 1 tsp is too little, even for short hair. Try out the mask, and you wont feel like buying ole 'poo anymore! ;)

Moon Daisy from London on January 12, 2014:

These sound amazing! My hair gets dry sometimes and I don't really like hair products because of all the chemicals, so these are a great idea, and all things I have at home! And it sounds like a nice way to pamper myself.

I would like to try the egg yolk and olive oil one, and I just have one question. Do you add 1 tablespoon or 1 teaspoon of olive oil? (You've put tablespoon in the ingredients and then teaspoon in the directions. Maybe you mean a different amount depending on how long your hair is?) This is a great hub, voted up. :)

I enjoy giving tips and advice on how to care for and manage hair.

What's a Relaxer?

Relaxers contain carcinogenic (toxic) chemicals that penetrate your hair shaft during perm application. Imagine taking a beaker full of hazardous waste and pouring it onto your scalp. Relaxers are like hazardous waste, but not to the extreme.

They break the hair bonds that curl your hair, leaving a straight and smooth finish. All relaxers contained lye at one point. What is lye? Lye is an alkaline solution used in cleaning products. It’s corrosive and poisonous. Lye relaxers contain sodium hydroxide and high pH levels between 12 and 14.

Our hair’s normal pH level is between 4 and 5, so you do the math. Lye quickly breaks down your hair bonds and cause scalp irritation. A neutralizing shampoo is used to balance the pH levels after perm application.

No-Lye relaxers contain calcium or guanidine hydroxide. Its pH levels are between 9 and 11. These relaxers dry hair due to calcium buildup. Clarifying shampoos removes this. Deep conditioning treatments are needed to restore moisture since clarifying dries your hair.

There are milder chemicals in no-lye relaxers, so those with sensitive skin would prefer to use this one. Either way, both kinds of relaxers have harsh chemicals.The chemicals burn your scalp if the relaxer is left in for too long.

To leave relaxers on your hair beyond what’s recommended will lead to over-processed and dull hair. It can cause breakage and fall-out. African-American hair texture is already weak because of its natural curliness. Relaxers only weaken your hair even more and gradually damages it.

Relaxers Damage Your Hair

With relaxers comes great responsibility. It’s because the hair is chemically processed that it needs special post-treatment.

The hair needs to stay well oiled and moisturized to prevent breakage. Curls, flat ironed styles, weaves, waves, etc should be worn with relaxers.

Braiding relaxed hair will only cause excessive breakage because the hair is already fragile. Once the relaxer wears off, normally after six weeks, a “touch-up” is needed.

A touch-up is when a relaxer is applied to the roots of the hair because the natural curl pattern starts to grow in. Relaxers are a temporary fix.

Reapplying relaxers regularly is what causes damage overtime. Your hair thins out and can eventually break off.

Some relaxer applications can permanently burn your hair follicles to where your hair won't ever grow again.

I've read articles and have seen videos of relaxers gone wrong. Relaxers weaken your hair over time. They can cause split ends and hair fall-out.

Ways to Transition

The first step to transitioning from relaxed to natural hair is to prepare yourself to accept your hair in its natural state.

It may be your first time as it was mine, and so you have to be ready to love your hair for what it'll be natural. The transition from relaxed to natural is more than a hair thing: You have to change your mindset.

Before we go on, let's quickly throw away the term "good hair." Soft and curly hair does not constitute good hair. This is a ridiculous hair adjective that African-Americans need to do away with.

We only segregate and discriminate against ourselves when we do this.All hair is good hair as long as you take good care of it. This will be your first time seeing your natural hair grade without chemicals, so you have to prepare yourself for this drastic change.

There are two ways you can transition from relaxed to natural: 1) Big Chop or 2) Wear transition styles. The Big Chop (also known as BC) is when you cut off all of your hair at once. You start with a low hair cut and let your hair grow out.

The second way to transition is by wearing transition styles. This is where you wear braids, plaits, weaves, flexi-curls, or any style that conceals both hair textures as your hair grow out. Instead of jumping in all at once, you take baby steps with the transitioning method.

When I transitioned from relaxed to natural, I wore plaits and braids for one year. The picture to the picture above is a style I wore during my transitioning phase.

Once you feel your natural hair has grown out enough, then you can cut off the permed ends. This way allows you to have some hair to work with as you allow your natural hair to grow out completely.

The Growth Is Endless

Since being natural, my hair has become stronger, fuller, and longer. Relaxer damage influenced me to transition to natural. My hair was thin and never grew to touch my shoulders.

Next month (January 28) will make two years I've been natural and my hair touches my shoulders. For my entire year as a new natural, I haven't used heat. I've only used natural curling methods (plaits, twists, braids) and let my hair air dry whenever I wash it.

I condition my hair more than I shampoo. Keeping my hands out of my hair has helped me retain hair length also. What I mean by this is I've worn protective styles 99% of the time I've been natural.

My hair's mini-twisted even as I write this. I mostly focus on keeping my hair conditioned and moisturized. Also, I'm very particular about the products and ingredients I use.

Don't Forget

• Relaxers contain carcinogenic (toxic) chemicals that penetrate your hair shaft during perm application.
• African-American hair texture is naturally weak because of it's tightly coiled structure.
• Relaxers weaken your hair by using strong, harsh chemicals.
• You can still achieve straightened hair with natural hair.

Quick Tips

• Educate yourself on healthy hair practices.
• Treat your hair as you would the health of your overall body.
• Consider the damaging effects relaxers have on your hair overtime.
• Read and research relaxers so you can get a better understanding of what's in them and what they actually do.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2013 Asia

Comments

Asia (author) from Georgia on August 19, 2014:

Hi Paulette:

Try using a leave-in conditioner when combing. Natural hair should be moisturized when combing through it. I usually use water, a moisturizer, or conditioner to comb my hair, but that's normally during wash-day.

Paulette on August 17, 2014:

My problem is my natural hair is thick and I can't get a comb through it unless I wet my hair. What products can i use on my thick natural hair, that would make it easier to comb?

Asia (author) from Georgia on July 21, 2014:

Hi Sharon,

I felt the same way about the big chop, which is why I wore micro-plaits and braids for an entire year. Plaits aren't as intense as braids, so maybe you could try getting plaits with extensions. Weaves are another option. I'm not too familiar with weaves, but I understand that your hair still needs to be braided beneath it. The main point of transitioning is trying to blend your relaxed hair while you're growing out your natural hair.

Another hair option could be flexi rods. This is great because it blends both your natural and relaxed hair while you're transitioning. If you'd like, you can visit my site lovenaptural.com for more on natural hair care tips. Also, feel free to message me through the contact page or email (lovenaptural[at]gmail.com) if you still need assistance.

I hope this helps!

~Asia

sharon on July 20, 2014:

Hi I am contemplating on going natural but wants a change. Thing is I love to style my hair and make sure my hair looks good however I don't know if I have the patience for this as my hair don't grow fast. The big chop is something im not sure of as don't know how I will look. Is there any advice u can give or suggestions towards my trasition. Its been three months now I haven't relaxed my hair. Oh I can't do braids as two days and they begin to irritate my scalp

Silver Q loves doing research about anything she finds interesting. She hates talking in the third person.

I'm in love with natural oils! I have been using jojoba, coconut, and grapeseed oil for a while. I had been wanting to use argan oil for a long time, but it was so expensive that I didn't think I could afford it. However, one fortunate day, I went to Marshall's and found a 4 oz. bottle of 100% all-natural argan oil for half the price. There were two bottles left, so I snatched them both.

I'm beginning to see why this oil is so expensive. It really works wonders for your hair, skin, and even nails.

This article will cover the following topics:

• What argan oil is and what's in it
• Benefits
• How to use it on your hair, and nails
• How to use it when shaving

What Is Argan Oil?

Argan oil is also known as Moroccan oil. It comes from the Argania Spinosa trees found in Morocco.

It is made up of 80% essential fatty acids, which work wonders for your skin and overall health. It is also rich in Vitamin E, containing three times more vitamin E than olive oil. It is precisely because of this vitamin E and natural antioxidants content that argan oil lasts a lot longer than any other oil.

For the geeks out there like me, here's a chart that tells you exactly how much of what you can find in argan oil, also known as liquid gold.

Argan Oil Nutrient Content

Benefits of Using Argan Oil

Now that you know those facts (which seem completely useless unless you're writing a report on it), let's move on to how it can improve your hair, skin, and nails.

Enjoy this list:

• Argan oil moisturizes, smooths and revitalizes skin
• Great for all skin types. It's non-comedogenic (won't clog pores). It can even be used on baby skin to alleviate redness and irritation.
• Heals scars left behind by acne, chickenpox or anything like it.
• Prevents premature aging (wrinkles)
• Heals blemishes.
• Heals sunburn and the pain associated with it
• Heals cracked and scaly skin
• Protects against UVA rays
• Prevents stretch marks
• Great against dandruff and other fungi
• It's a great antiseptic to clean mild wounds
• Prevents hair loss by strengthening hair roots
• Accelerates hair growth
• Hydrates, moisturizes, and strengthens hair
• Controls frizzy hair
• Restores skin and hair elasticity
• Great against acne, psoriasis, and neurodermatitis
• Revitalizes and strengthens fragile nails

How to Use Argan Oil on Your Hair

Much like any other oil treatment, argan oil must be massaged into your scalp and used at least once a week. So let's go through it step by step:

1. Massage oil into scalp.
2. Comb hair to spread oil throughout the rest of your hair. If you have split ends, you may want to apply a little more argan oil to the ends of your hair.
3. Cover your hair to keep the heat and make the treatment more effective. You can use plastic food wrap or a regular shower cap.
4. Leave on for at least 30 minutes. The longer you leave the oil, the more effective the treatment.
5. Wash your hair with a neutral shampoo.

You can also apply argan oil to your hair before blow-drying to add shine and volume to your hair. Since it is so light, it won't weigh your hair down as most oils do. Quite the opposite, it adds body and shine to your hair.

You can mix a little argan oil with the serum that you use before blow-drying. I like to mix a little argan oil with a little jojoba oil (the ceramides in the jojoba oil protect your hair against heat) to my wet hair and then blow-dry. It works great and leaves my hair super soft and manageable!

Also, you will start noticing new hair growth after just two months of using this treatment. Awesome!!

Argan Oil for Wrinkles

If you are targeting wrinkles with argan oil, don't forget to apply it around the eyes and on the expression lines (forehead, around your mouth, etc.)

How to Use Argan Oil for Your Skin

Argan oil smooths and nourishes the skin. And it prevents wrinkles! So you will really want to include it in your nightly routine. How?

• Massage a few drops of oil onto your face and neck. Your skin must be clean and dry for better results.

If you're too scared to apply the oil by itself, mix a few drops of argan oil with your moisturizer (either day or night moisturizer). You will see and feel the difference in a few days.

For Those With Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, don't overdo it. I have oily skin, and I began applying argan oil at night. Since I loved the results so much, I also began using it as a day moisturizer...and then two big pimples started growing on my chin and cheek. So, if your skin is oily, apply argan oil only once a day. If your skin is normal or dry, you may want to apply it twice a day and see how it goes.

How to Use Argan Oil on Your Nails

This treatment can be done as often as once per week.

1. Mix equal parts of argan oil and lemon juice.
2. Dip your nails for 15 minutes in this mixture
3. You're done!

This treatment will strengthen those flaky, peeling, annoying nails.

Argan Oil Before and After Shaving

Massage oil to the area that you're about to shave and proceed to shave as usual. Argan oil will provide a film or barrier to prevent cuts, scrapes, and irritation.

You can also use this oil after shaving, to keep your skin moisturized and itch-free.

Consuming Argan Oil

Argan oil has a mild taste that makes it great for cooking. Some studies have shown that taking 2 tsp. of argan oil a day provides excellent health benefits and can even reduce cholesterol after one month of use due to its high content of linoleic acid.

Argan oil seems to be the thing right now and a lot of products are including it into their moisturizers and cosmetics. However, keep in mind that the best way to obtain all the benefits that it has to offer is to use it in its purest form. Make sure that the oil you buy is virgin, pure and 100% natural. You can buy argan oil in some health stores, on-line, and even at Marshall's.

Keep experimenting with what nature has to offer and never cease to be amazed!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Silver Q (author) on December 30, 2013:

Hey Tirelesstraveler:

I know! Argan oil is VERY expensive and from what you say, it seems it has gone up in price. Wow! I'm a bit depressed now...:(

Judy Specht from California on December 30, 2013:

You are not kidding about the cost. $31 for a small bottle at our health food store.

Silver Q (author) on December 30, 2013:

Hey Toytasting:

I'm happy you found this information useful! Thank you for reading and commenting!

Toy Tasting from Mumbai on December 26, 2013:

Hey, it is great to know so many benefits of argan oil. The best thing, I liked is that it can be used in so many ways. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information. :)

Silver Q (author) on December 20, 2013:

Hi tirelesstraveler:

Olive oil is good, but I would strongly recommend that you get argan oil. Personally, I can't stand the olive oil smell on my hair, but argan oil does not smell like anything and can be left on your hair throughout the day.

But if you can't find it, olive oil is also a good choice.

Thank you for commenting and reading!

Judy Specht from California on December 20, 2013:

My hair is so dry I have been using olive oil. I will see if I can find some argan oil.

Silver Q (author) on December 20, 2013:

Hi Angryelf:

Yes, I went through the same thing and chopped my hair off. Right now it's so short that I'm starting to miss my long hair. But I'm trying my best to keep it healthy this time around. Thank you for commenting!

angryelf from Tennessee on December 20, 2013:

Yes definitely! I bet what it is is that the oil isn't actually stimulating growth, but rather maintaining what's already there, and keeping it from breaking off while nourishing it! I chopped almost all of my hair off last year, because it stayed the same length for over 3 years (never trimmed it) now, 1.5 years later, it's back to the same length and still growing. I need another trim- but I think ending the breakage/split end cycle is what helped :) Nonetheless, our hair always needs pampering ;)

Silver Q (author) on December 20, 2013:

Hi angryelf:

Yes, I believe nutrition should be the first way to change our hair, skin, nail and overall health. I hadn't heard about the protein shake, but I wouldn't doubt it. I have noticed that when I'm really careful about what I eat, my skin and hair start showing my healthy decisions. I think argan oil's properties are what help the hair stay healthy, especially the fatty acids. But definitely, our first choice to keep healthy hair should always be good eating habits.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

angryelf from Tennessee on December 20, 2013:

I always wondered about all of these miracle cures for hair and nails; but personally, I always wondered if complete protein shakes (with all 9 [i think it's 9] forms of protein and amino acids) were the best supplements for hair. If you think about it, hair is nothing but amino acid chains... I don't really know too awful much about hair health, but that was always in the back of my mind. Perhaps argan oil has lots of these in it- if so, that would definitely explain it! Great hub!

Silver Q (author) on December 20, 2013:

Hi mylindaelliott:

I bought mine at Marshall's for $12, but usually you will find it for double that price for a 4 oz. bottle. If you buy it online you might find it slightly cheaper depending on where you buy it.

Thank you for reading and commenting!

Silver Q (author) on December 20, 2013:

Hi torrilynn:

Yes, all those oils are awesome. I love them all for different reasons. Try them all out and choose your favorite!

Thank you for reading and commenting!

Silver Q (author) on December 20, 2013:

Hi FullOfLoveSites:

Yes, I encourage you to buy it. If you've never tried it, get a small bottle first and try it out. Usually buying it online is cheaper than going to a health food store, but it also takes longer.

Thank you for reading and commenting!

mylindaelliott from Louisiana on December 20, 2013:

I didn't know Argan oil had so many benefits. I may try to get some. I wonder how expensive it would be in dollars.

torrilynn on December 20, 2013:

Argan Oil is one of many hair products that seem to help strengthen the hair and help to the hair grow. I've also heard that coconut oil and jojoba oil is beneficial as well. nice hub. voted up, shared, and pinned.

FullOfLoveSites from United States on December 20, 2013:

I have seen someone on my Instagram account selling this argan oil. Now I'm encouraged to buy it! It seems that argan oil is a miracle oil -- I discovered it's also good for the nails. Thanks for posting. :)

Asia Mouzone creates content for her natural hair care site Love Naptural, a site dedicated to promoting natural hair health.

Why so Much Breakage?

Natural African-American hair requires unique maintenance for its unique texture. Afro-textured hair is fragile because of its tightly coiled structure, so it’s prone to greater breakage.

This is why extra precautions have to be taken when handling natural hair. Roughly pulling, tugging, and manipulating your hair can increase damage. Carelessly combing dry hair can contribute to breakage.

It’s important to ensure that your hair is moisturized (spray it with water or apply your favorite moisturizer) before combing. Natural hair must be combed from starting from the ends and working your way to the roots.

This method allows you to gently detangle the ends first. Also, ensuring that your ends are well-moisturized and tucked away will aid in retaining length instead of increasing breakage.

Not only does rough manipulation damage natural hair, but your product use can contribute to breakage as well. Do you read the labels before buying?

Are you aware of the ingredients in the products and whether or not they’re beneficial for your hair? Products that contain alcohol can eventually dry your hair over time.

African-American hair is tightly coiled, and so this prevents sebum from reaching hair ends. Sebum is natural oil that our skin produces.

Our scalps should produce sebum regularly. Since afro-textured hair is tightly coiled and prevents sebum from reaching the ends, extra moisturizers must be added to keep our hair from becoming dry and brittle. Dry hair causes breakage.

Reasons Your Hair Might Be Breaking

1. Are you applying too much heat to your hair?
2. Are you over-moisturizing?
3. Are you under-moisturizing?
4. Do you wear your hair out often?

1. Are You Applying Too Much Heat to Your Hair?

It is because natural hair is already in a fragile state that excessive heat only weakens hair strands. Since the coily texture of afro-textured hair is weak, heat straightens those coily strands and puts them in an even weaker state.

When you excessively apply heat to your hair, you’re setting your hair up for potential breakage. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t use heat at all, but if you desire to just be sure to use it sparingly.

Instead of blow-drying AND flat ironing your hair, you could allow your hair to air-dry in twists or plaits and then flat iron later. There are many ways you can accommodate heat into your hair regimen.

You can choose which time of the month you’d like to use heat—whether it’s straightening, blow-drying, or any other methods that alter coily and kinky hair texture. Just as too much sugar at one time isn't good for you, too much heat at once isn't good for your hair. Remember: In moderation.

2. Are You Over-Moisturizing?

Ever had that nauseating feeling after drinking too much water? It felt like your stomach could pop at any minute. All you wanted to do was stretch out or sit down until that sickening feeling went away.

This same thing can happen to your hair. When you over-moisturize your hair, you weaken your strands. Weaker strands lead to more snapping instead of shedding.

Shed hairs have white bulbs at the ends of their strands. Snapped strands don’t. Snapped strands is the breakage that you’re complaining and worried about. To avoid all of this, moisturize only when your hair needs it.

You can tell when natural hair needs moisture because you'll hear it. The sound of dry hair sort of mimics sandpaper or a scouring pad. Thoroughly moisturized strands are soft and soundless.

3. Are You Under-Moisturizing?

Not only is it important to avoid giving your hair too much moisture at one time, but it’s also necessary to keep it from drying. Healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp. Thoroughly cleanse your scalp and replenish with stimulating essential oils such as peppermint, tea tree, or any others that you prefer.

Keep in mind that these kinds of oils are extremely potent, so they should be mixed with a carrier oil (jojoba, for example) before applying them to your scalp. You can use other natural oils to moisturize your scalp as well.

Even after caring for your scalp, it doesn’t end there. You must replenish any moisture that may have been loss from your strands during the washing process. As mentioned before, if you can hear your hair when you gently rub strands together between your fingers, then it’s time to moisturize.

Not giving your hair enough moisture can dry it out and eventually break. You can do something as simple as misting your hair with water and seal in the water with oil. Just be sure that your hair is thoroughly moisturized: Not too much. Not too little. Just enough.

4. Do You Wear Your Hair Out Often?

Natural hair can be exciting and many women want nothing more than to show off the beauty of it. So they wear their twist-outs, braid-outs, blow-outs, bantu knot-outs, and any other style that free their strands. It's wonderful to wear such styles, but doing it too much can wreak havoc on your hair.

Natural elements such as wind and sunlight can cause dry and brittle hair. It's important to incorporate protective styling. Protective styles give your hair a break. It allows you to re-moisturize and tuck away your ends. Hair ends are the oldest part of your hair. If you desire to retain length, then you have to keep your hands out of your hair sometimes.

Simple Tips:

• Use heat in moderation.
• Moisturize as necessary.
• Give your hair a break. Don't touch it.
• Consider the products you're using.
• Be gentle and patient with your hair.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2013 Asia

Comments

Lady Summerset from Willingboro, New Jersey on July 16, 2015:

You covered a lot of bases on how to keep your hair moisturized. I'd like to just add something. Another thing that we should be mindful of is keeping the balance of moisture and protein to our hair diet. Enjoyed the article!

www.crowningglorycoilsandkinks.blogspot.com

I have curly, frizzy hair and had always felt trapped using expensive products to manage my curls—until I found this natural solution.

Natural Hair Care

I have curly, frizzy hair and have always felt trapped using expensive shampoos and conditioners to try to manage my curls. Meanwhile, my straight-haired friends complained of finding good hair products that would leave their hair soft but not weighed down. Add in a concern for all the strange chemicals found in many hair products—from DEA, an irritant and a carcinogen, to DEHP, a compound that contains formaldehyde—which can make their way into your breast milk and are sometimes hidden within the ingredient list as "fragrance," and it was time to find an alternative.

How to take care of my hair and body, while still looking (something like) normal, though? Turns out the answer is as easy as apple cider vinegar and baking soda. Try this out and use it as your regular hair care method or as a weekly treatment.

How It Works

Essentially, when we wash our hair we're trying to get the gunk off while keeping it strong and soft. Here's how baking soda and apple cider vinegar work.

Benefits of Baking Soda

Baking soda is known as a fantastic cleaning product in general. Its main benefit is the fact that it is a mild alkali with fine, slightly abrasive particles. These two factors work together to break down dirt and grease incredibly effectively, leaving your hair super squeaky clean. It also is not a common irritant and so should not cause issues for most people.

Be aware that baking soda can be rather drying, so you'll want to keep it to the scalp. Don't rub it into the tips of your hair.

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar works in complement to baking soda incredibly well. As a more acidic product, it balances out the alkalizing effect of the baking soda to restore your hair's natural pH levels. It also helps kill bacteria (great if you have dandruff issues!) and is a natural humectant, which means that it helps hold in moisture.

How to Use Baking Soda to Clean Your Hair

So now the question is, how do you actually do this? Do you sprinkle some baking soda on your hair in the shower? Do you awkwardly cup it in your hand? There are a few different methods, but here's what I like to do.

What You Need

• A squeeze bottle (I used an old hair conditioner bottle—don't need that anymore!)
• Baking soda
• Water

There is debate over the correct ratio of baking soda to water. I don't overanalyze it—I just put several (probably 4-5) spoonfuls of baking soda into the squeeze bottle (mine is 400 ml) and then fill the bottle the rest of the way with warm water, with just enough space at the top that I'll be able to shake it up to mix it all in.

Shower Instructions

1. Get your hair all wet.
2. Shake up the water and baking soda mixture to make sure it's evenly mixed.
3. Squeeze it out right onto your scalp - I separate my hair into sections sort of like at the hair dresser's and squeeze it right onto my scalp.
4. Rub it in well and let it sit for about a minute (during which time you can do something else—I shave my armpits. Too much information?)
5. Rinse well.

Remember to keep the baking soda at the scalp level as much as you can. You won't destroy your hair if you rub it in root-to-tip, but it can be rather drying and so you should only do that if you have serious product build-up that you need to clean off.

How to Condition Your Hair With Apple Cider Vinegar

Here's the part that I really didn't believe would work—sure, baking soda will clean, but there's no way my curly, frizzy hair will be conditioned with apple cider vinegar. I used to use deep conditioner treatments almost every day.

Turns out, I was wrong.

What You Need

• A spray bottle
• Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
• Water

The ratio here can vary depending on your hair, but generally about 1:4 of ACV to water. Some people use a squeeze bottle for this as well; I found I got much more mileage out of a batch with a spray bottle instead with the same effectiveness.

Shower Instructions

1. Make sure the baking soda mixture is rinsed out.
2. Squeeze excess water out of your hair.
3. Grab your spray bottle and spray away! I start off focusing on the scalp, separating my hair into sections again, because I have dandruff and want to the ACV to get in there.
4. Make sure you really cover your hair, right into the ends.
5. Rub it in a bit, and, like with any conditioner, let it sit for a moment.
6. Rinse well.

Before you ask, yes, the ACV kind of stinks. Like, kind of a lot. This is not a great option if you're doing a sexy "let's wash each other's hair" type shower. However, the scent does rinse out well. You can try adding some essential oils to your mixture if you would like to try to mask/alter the scent.

How to Choose Essential Oils for Your Hair

What to Expect

You will find after you wash and condition in the shower, your hair will feel a little like it isn't properly clean or just kind of weird—DON'T FEAR! Once you get out of the shower and dry your hair, you will find it softer and smoother than you ever expected.

Afterwards, feel free to style as normal. Some of my friends who use this method found they don't need to use any styling products afterwards. I still need to follow my usual post-shower hair routine, but found my curls bouncier, shinier, and softer as a result of this technique.

Warning: This technique should not be used every day. I already only wash my hair 3-4 times a week, and that's about as often as you should use this method of hair care.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2013 Andrea

Comments

Ashley Chamorro on December 23, 2019:

Can you still wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner after using baking soda and vinegar

Research scientist by trade on August 30, 2018:

Baking soda: is extremely alkaline, and not recommended at all for hair. Several people found significant hair loss after years of use, even though it initially felt great. The sources are found via google search.

ACV: is very acidic, with pH of around 3. Hydrochloric acid is pH 0-2. There are some benefits for ACV consumption, but this is from limited scientific articles. In no way should ACV be used less than 1:10 dilution for hair, and even then only as a rinse and between 1-3 times a month.

But if course, don't take a my word for it. Be smart and research it.

Rohan Khedkar on August 22, 2017:

i tried this method Baking soda and Apple cider vinegar 2 times.

After Applying baking soda mixture on my scalp i was 15-20 Hair falling rapidly. Why is that !!

i request you to please suggest.

Treina jones on July 30, 2017:

How often are u supposed to wash your hair wirh baking soda and apple cider vinegar

Donna on April 08, 2017:

In answer to why I want to try this recipe, I want to because I need something that will hopefully actually work and make my hair healthier and healthier looking.

Liliya on March 22, 2017:

I also have curly and frizzy hair but natural masks and shampoos have always been a little bit scary :) This recipe looks awesome though, so I think I will step out and try it :) I know the GorgeousGirl website also have a lot of DIYs for natural hair!

Brenda Gatlin on March 21, 2017:

I dont see how much your suppose to mix with what , Can you help me there , Thanks could really use the help , i have very dry hair and it is falling out really bad , Thank You

Lil on February 20, 2017:

I am yet to try. Do I use warm water with ACV mixture when I shampoo? I have an occasionally sensitive to touch scalp that eventually leads to shedding of hair. Thanks.

clifford mckay on December 30, 2016:

if you get thismixture in your eyes what happens?

fred on May 09, 2016:

Can men also use this for thinning hair and dryness

Karen on April 25, 2016:

I have been using the combination since Christmas. My daughter brought the bottles and baking soda with,her.,it has worked fantastically. My hair doesn't show any grease, it is soft, and I have had new hair growth. I am over 70!' My hair has always been thick, but now you can see the new hair growth on my scalp near my forehead. The other thing I have noticed, it has retained my color. It is soft, but the only negative it may not shine quite as much as before.

yogahip on April 17, 2016:

Been using baking soda and apple cider vinegar for 8 months now. Can leave hair for three weeks now and does not get greasy! I wash it once a week or once every two weeks. Shampoo is a con!

Laura Chambers from Mills River, NC on March 27, 2016:

****UPDATED******

I've been using both of these methods for about a month now because I had awful dandruff, itchy scalp, psoriasis on my scalp and ears, and have always had sensitive skin when it came to fragrance sprays, shampoos, conditioners, etc. I went to my doctor and a dermatologist and they had me try over the counter and prescription products and nothing helped at all so I decided to do some research on my own and see what I could use that was more natural, less harsh for my skin, and had minimal ingredients instead of a truck load of unpronounceable ingredients. I got the recipes I use from www.diynatural.com/homemade-shampoo/. This is a great website with all kinds of DIY projects, tips, info., recipes, and inspirations for the home. I use the homemade shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, and hair gel so far. I plan on also making my own citrus cleaner, dish soap, and laundry soap very soon as well. The recipe on this website calls for 1 cup of water to 1 TBS. of baking soda for shampoo and 1 TBS. of ACV to 1 cup of water for conditioner but sometimes I mix the conditioner with lemon juice instead of ACV and always add in a TBS. of pure unpasteurized honey just for a slight change. Honey is great for the hair as well. It is a natural humectant, loaded with vitamins, antibacterial, and helps get rid of dandruff. I use essential oils as well in all 3 of my shower products. I like peppermint just because it makes my scalp tingle and I like that but I've also used tea tree oil (I don't anymore because I personally just don't care for the smell of it very much but it's an antimicrobial and very good for hair/ skin care and in other diy products to clean the home), lavender, lemon, orange, eucalyptus, and citronella in spring and summer to ward off bugs and mosquitoes. I find that the vinegar smell is not present at all when I use the essential oils. Even when I use citronella I combine peppermint in as well and my hair doesn't stink at all. I make my husband and coworkers smell my hair from time to time and they all say my hair smells, feels, and looks great!! I first reused old shampoo and conditioner bottles then went to Earth Fare and was talking to someone who worked there about what I was doing and they offered to sell me clear shampoo bottles that they put samples in for .99 each and they also sell glass and metal containers with either a screw off lid or sprayer for deodorants, rooms sprays, etc. I wash with the baking soda every other day and use the conditioner every day. I just tilt my head back, squirt a little from ear to ear then straighten my head to let it run down to the bottom of my scalp. I let both sit for a couple of minutes and gently massage with my fingertips and always rinse conditioner mix out with cool water to close the cuticle. I will never go back to using conventional beauty products. It's cheaper making them myself, healthier for me, and kind of fun too!!

Laura Chambers from Mills River, NC on March 27, 2016:

I've been using both of these methods for about a month now because I had awful dandruff, itchy scalp, psoriasis on my scalp and ears, and have always had sensitive skin when it came to fragrance sprays, shampoos, conditioners, etc. I went to my doctor and a dermatologist and they had me try over the counter and prescription products and nothing helped at all so I decided to do some research on my own and see what I could use that was more natural, less harsh for my skin, and had minimal ingredients instead of a truck load of unpronounceable ingredients. I got the recipes I use from www.diynatural.com/homemade-shampoo/. This is a great website with all kinds of DIY projects, tips, info., recipes, and inspirations for the home. I use the homemade shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, and hair gel so far. I plan on also making my own citrus cleaner, dish soap, and laundry soap very soon as well. The recipe on this website calls for 1 cup of water to 1 TBS. of baking soda for shampoo and 1 TBS. of ACV for conditioner but sometimes I mix the conditioner with lemon juice instead of ACV and always add in a TBS. of pure unpasteurized honey just for a slight change. Honey is great for the hair as well. It is a natural humectant, loaded with vitamins, antibacterial, and helps get rid of dandruff. I use essential oils as well in all 3 of my shower products. I like peppermint just because it makes my scalp tingle and I like that but I've also used tea tree oil (I don't anymore because I personally just don't care for the smell of it very much but it's an antimicrobial and very good for hair/ skin care and in other diy products to clean the home), lavender, lemon, orange, eucalyptus, and citronella in spring in summer to ward off bugs and mosquitos. I find that the vinegar smell is not present at all when I use the essential oils. Even when I use citronella I combine peppermint in as well and my hair doesn't stink at all. I make my husband and coworkers smell my hair from time to time and they all say my hair smells, feels, and looks great!! I will never go back to using conventional beauty products. It's cheaper making them myself, healthier for me, and kind of fun too!!

DebMartin on July 17, 2015:

Worked great! Thanks again!

Kristin on July 17, 2015:

I had some major build up and my shampoo was not cutting it. I have thick, fine, curly/wavy hair. I tried this today and my hair looks and feels amazing!! Shampoo and conditioner - NO MORE!! Thank you for sharing this information.

DebMartin on July 16, 2015:

Excellent! Eager to try this so I'm off to the shower. Thanks!

Rayna on June 29, 2015:

Hi, I was wondering what the best baking soda is for no poo method! I have heard a lot that it matters what baking soda you buy!

Adrian Cloute from Cedartown, GA on May 21, 2015:

This worked well - I've been trying to do all natural recipes for my cleaning as well

Daphne on May 16, 2015:

Do this work on natural course hair

I have dandruff and it is disgusting but I usually don't wear my hair I keep it braided or a sewed in

bianca on May 06, 2015:

How much honey can you add to the vinegar, to help the smell?

Besarien from South Florida on May 04, 2015:

I have been doing this for a while now. It works better for me than anything else I have tried and cost next to nothing. It hurts me to remember what I used to spend on janky hair products.

Erica on April 29, 2015:

I workout daily and therefore, I shower daily. Do I just need to wash with regular water the days of not doing this new sequence of 3-4 days with the baking soda and acv?

Dalila C from Denver, CO on April 22, 2015:

I am going to try this! Thank you for sharing!

Jennifer on April 14, 2015:

Thank you for this!! It worked just how you said and the descriptions were so helpful!

Sister on March 08, 2015:

What is the benefit of using apple cider vinager aposed to white vinager?

Katie on March 04, 2015:

is it safe to continue lightening my hair after switching to BS & ACV?

Rebecca Young from Renton, WA on February 23, 2015:

https://bellatory.com/hair/Natural-Hair-Care-Bakin...

J.M.Z. on February 19, 2015:

Hi Andrea,

I have not washed my hair in almost a year until I recently came across this "no-poo" treatment, so luckily I already made it through that whole greasy hair phase just after I stopped using hair products. My hair was healthy and fine afterwards but I did want to clean it thoroughly so every once in a while and that's when i found this method.

It does work and my hair feels even softer than usual. Only problem is that my hair can get rather frizzy next to having a wavy hair-type which can be pretty annoying. I found that massaging 2 tablespoons of coconut oil into my hair and letting it simmer under a shower cap for 2 hours minimum before washing it out with the "no-poo" method really does the trick. The oil washes out without a problem due to the cleaning effect of the baking soda and yet it still leaves a straightening effect behind with no frizz. A natural straightener. Only thing is that I don't want to do this every week and i thought it to be possible to fight the frizz with this regular method of BK and ACV. Perhaps i'm getting the dosage wrong. Any idea if I should lessen tor up the dosage ratio for both treatments?

Also, there seems to be no difference in effect between ACV and normal white vinegar. The latter one however is cheaper and less smelly.

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on February 17, 2015:

I have not used this technique. Does it leave your hair shiny and your scalp healthy?

thanks for sharing Angles are on the way to you this afternoon. ps

C L Mitchell on February 17, 2015:

My friend and I both have curly frizzy hair type. She's been using baking soda and vinegar for a year now and is loving it so has been trying to persuade me to try it. My concern is that I like to straighten my hair sometimes, so how does this method work for blow dried then flat ironed hair?

Lizahn on January 25, 2015:

worked soooo well! I have allot of bushy and curly hair with high lights. After my hair is sooo soft and clean. Can't believe the results! Thank you for the post"

Love form South africa

Andrea (author) from Canada on January 21, 2015:

Kavita - Yes, that means 1 cup ACV for every 4 cups of water, but you can finesse the ratio to suit yourself.

kavita on January 21, 2015:

I have a doubt, I did not understand the quantity of ACV i mean 1:4 is it 1 small cup of ACV and 4 small cups of water, if i stored in that way then what should i do then. give me the clear description about the quantity.

Reply soon

Thanks

Bec on December 13, 2014:

I have been using this method for around 1 1/2 to 2 years now and its great, i have also in this time grown out all my hair so its all my natural colour. I have been thinking of re-dyeing my hair to red and i was wondering if anyone has used this method with dyed red hair just wondering if it strips the colour or makes it fade more quickly?

LauraS on November 19, 2014:

I color (professionally) my hair. Will using these ingredients cause my color to fade faster? Thanks

Pushpa on November 10, 2014:

ACV 3-4 times a week sounds like an awful lot...it is far more acidic than the hair shaft (even in a dilution) and will degrade hair over time with overuse. Most people recommend ACV only once or twice a month at most.

Jemjoseph on September 11, 2014:

I just read about using Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar as a shampoo a few days ago, thanks for clarifying exactly how they each work.

Mackenzie Sage Wright on September 11, 2014:

Good hub! I gave up conventional washing long ago... don't even bother to wet it more than once or twice per week anymore.

I just give my hair a hot-water scalp massage and combing rinse with my shower set on a strong pulse, then a cold-water rinse. Once every couple of weeks or so I add a little ACV to the rinse water, and once every couple of months I use baking soda just to scrub the scalp.

I think the baking soda just acts as an abrasive to exfoliate the scalp. I don't think it does that much for the hair.

I also brush twice per day with a natural brush (which I clean every day as well) and once in a while I give it a 'dry shampoo' with talc or corn starch to get through till the next rinse. Sometimes I spray the ends with a water/essential oil mix, or I add a couple drops of essential oil to the cold water rinse.

I used to have VERY oily, stringy hair and it was so hard to keep it looking good. When I moved to a subtropical climate I hated using loads of products on it.

When I stopped using harsh products like shampoo and and gels, my scalp stopped over-producing oils. My hair got shiny without looking greasy, and got great body-- it's thicker and grows faster. It's much more manageable and good looking now, and the essential oils make it smell nice, too. I get a lot of compliments.

No one can believe that my secret is as little washing as possible, lol. But it's true... those products really just ruin hair.

Hezekiah from Japan on September 11, 2014:

Great advise there, it would nice to have one for black afro type hair too.

PlainGraces from Nebraska on September 10, 2014:

I haven't tried plain baking soda, but I have added baking soda to my shampoo with wonderful results. I am definitely going to try mixing soda and water in a bottle as you suggested. Thanks for the great idea!

Dawn on September 10, 2014:

I've been trying this for a couple weeks now and no matter what I try my hair stays dirty and greasy feeling even right after washing it. It hasn't felt clean once. Anyone have any suggestions?

Sarah Fletcher from Adelaide on September 10, 2014:

Great advice, I'm keen to try it and aee what my hair does! My hair is super fine and tends to have blow away strands everywhere and waves but not proper curls. Sometimes it can be a bit lifeless and flat. Any suggestions for quantities?

Lauren on September 09, 2014:

I used this method for the first time and I had great results. I color my hair every 4 to 6 months. My hair is normal to dry. My hair feels fuller and holds natural waves well. I only used 2 open containers for each. Vinegar burned my eyes a little who well what can you do. My hair feels clean and is true I can still smell the vinegar a little. Hope it works.

aya on August 15, 2014:

Hi! I've recently been researching on how to care for my low porous natural tightly curled hair (4a) and came across a lot of blogs suggesting using baking soda with a co-wash or sulfate free shampoo to help open up the cuticles and allow moisture in. I tried it this evening and my hair felt amazing and the curl definition was wonderful. It felt a bit oily and conditioned (I used a co-wash with the baking soda), the oil I don't mind since my hair is naturally dry. I used the ACV (Braggs) afterwards (some blogs suggested a mixture of ACV and honey but I don't have any honey on hand at the moment). I wasn't happy with using the ACV afterwards, it seemed to minimize the softness I experienced after the wash. it was still soft but not as soft. I followed up with lightly heated olive oil (not EVOO). My hair still felt soft but slightly dry after I applied the oil. I'm wondering if it is necessary to use ACV after a baking soda wash because I loved the way my hair felt after using the baking soda. I'm just worried that by not using the ACV, I'm leaving my cuticles open and susceptible to drying out, which will defeat the purpose of trying to moisturize and hydrate my hair. I plan to try the ACV with honey next time, but if I don't need to use ACV, I won't. Any suggestions/comments? Thank you!

David BruiseDude from Cleveland, Ohio on August 10, 2014:

Great article...I love articles like these on natural beauty options..

Desiree Savarese from Suwanee, GA on August 09, 2014:

Use about 5-10 drops for each batch. I do 1 tbs vinegar for a cup of water

Suzie from Carson City on August 09, 2014:

This is one I've never heard of...but am very glad I came upon your hub. Great info and well presented. Thanks...Up+++

ljquilts on August 06, 2014:

How much essential oil do you add to the vinegar rinse?

Desiree Savarese from Suwanee, GA on August 02, 2014:

Lauren, I use plain old Kroger brand ACV and it works just fine. It's not organic or anything and it works great.

Lauren on August 01, 2014:

Hey, I've been using this method for a couple weeks and I love it! I just have a question. I started off using organic ACV with 'the mother' and it worked great but I recently ran out. I have a bottle of regular ACV without mother and I was wondering if there was a difference? Or if one works better than another? Thanks!

Desiree Savarese from Suwanee, GA on August 01, 2014:

I can't do the "no-poo" thing. I tried it and just wasn't happy with it. I have a Castile soap shampoo that I use and love that I put tea tree essential oil in. I've also got some eucalyptus essential oil in my ACV rinse. I use 1 tbs ACV for each cup of water. If I use anymore my short chin length hair is a greasy mess.

diane on July 18, 2014:

ive ried this about 2 weeks now . I have thin lifeless hair and this has made my hair fuller like ive never seen it before. Im afraid its SO "straw" like that I can't put a comb or brush thru it without a half hour to 45 minutes to dedicate to it. I tried a lil coconut oil which just greased it out. appreciate the comment about the white vin.. would hate to go back...

Ellen on July 13, 2014:

Hi, One of the problems I have noticed using particualrly the ACV conditioner is that, even after rinsing very well, that the smell can come back later in the day or when I am working out. I am using a 1:4 ratio, and it seems like less than 1/4 won't really have much effect. Any advice?

Kierstin Gunsberg from Traverse City, Michigan on June 29, 2014:

Cool, I've never used the baking soda--always just the vinegar. Sharing!

Niki on June 26, 2014:

So strangely enough, this mix has been drying out my hair leaving it tangled. My hair is naturally thick and wavy. I've been using it for about a week (I know, not long), but everyone has been talking of greasy issues and mine's the complete opposite. Any suggestions??

Andrea (author) from Canada on June 22, 2014:

Buco, try adjusting the ratio of baking soda to water, and use an old condiment bottle or something else that you can squeeze to get good scalp coverage. There are a few more comments in the thread about this issue.

Buco on June 21, 2014:

Hi, I washed my hair with baking soda and vinegar for the first time. And it is greasy :/ I don't if I did something wrong, or is this normal for the first couple of washings?

Andrea (author) from Canada on June 20, 2014:

Bolor - depending on your hair, I would just give it a rinse after a work out. If you really feel like you need to wash.

Bolor on June 19, 2014:

I just tried it out. Very cool. But, now i am going to do workout. After the workout how should i clean my hair if i have to use it 3 to 4 times a week?

Farrah on May 25, 2014:

this is great .

i read it's a great way to grow the hair faster - which what ive been trying to do for the past 6 months - so i tried it today for the first time , i was a bit scared my hair wouldn't get cleaned well . IT IS GREAT !

IJR112 on May 22, 2014:

Good practical info. Thank you!

Elizabeth on May 20, 2014:

Parveen: Do not use coconut oil before washing with this method. I did the coconut oil as a deep conditioning treatment because my hair was unmanageable. The baking soda does not get it out. I had to go days with a greasy mane. It was gross. Turns out my hair was unmanageable because I was using too much baking soda in my mixture so I adjusted that instead. If I do feel I need a little something something on my ends, I use Jojoba oil, sparingly. The coconut oil condition was a disaster.

Elizabeth on May 20, 2014:

Krista: I've been no poo for a little over a month now. Everything is fine, except when I DO blow dry my hair. If I air dry it is fluffy and not greasy. I can go a few days before washing again. But the two times I've tried to blow dry my hair so I could have a nice straight look for a date night, it ended up waxy and greasy immediately. The top was flat to my scalp and the strands stuck together. I had to wear it up both times. Any ideas what I am doing wrong?

kayann 89 on May 10, 2014:

Can these products be used on processed hair?

meek on May 10, 2014:

I used it once I didn't notice no damaging effect I have dyed red hair

Brian Urbina on May 02, 2014:

I've tried this approach before and it's legit. Although I would be careful of getting it into your eyes.

jeanne on April 29, 2014:

I have the same question as andreajoy.

Andrea (author) from Canada on April 12, 2014:

Good question, April! I did a quick google and found positive responses about using baking soda on dyed hair, but I don't dye myself to verify. Does anyone here have personal experience using baking soda and ACV on dyed hair?

April on April 11, 2014:

I have heard women talk about how amazing this is for your hair. I am interested in trying it however I dye my hair every month, will this destroy my coloring?

Andrea (author) from Canada on April 03, 2014:

I just spritz my hair and put in a little styling product (I use a light gel), which usually does the trick. I also use a little bit of a cream leave-in conditioner if the frizz is getting to be too much to handle. So far I haven't found any natural/DIY styling products to replace my drug store stuff with in between hair washing days.

Andrea on April 03, 2014:

Hi, I'm just wondering what you do with your hair in between washes? I have curls too and like to wet them to reset the curl each day. Do you use the ACV each day or spray your curls with water etc? When washing with shampoos I would condition each day but I'm finding that makes my hair way to greasy now. Thanks!

Krista on April 02, 2014:

Parveen: I'm not sure about the oil treatment but I don't think it would make much difference. That said, the thing about this treatment is that it preserves your hair's natural oils, so your hair might be super oily with both the oil treatment and no regular shampoo to strip those oils away. All the baking soda and ACV are doing is cleaning your hair of dirt and neutralizing smell, and softening the hairs (the ACV is, anyway). The hair is soft and shiny because of it's own oils, rather than having it completely stripped by shampoo and re-moisturized with conditioner.

I also colour my hair (about once every 6 months) and I've found no difference to the colour fading. It's about the same as using regular shampoo and conditioner (if you normally use a special colour preserving S/C it might not be as good).

To everyone saying they've been trying for a couple of days/weeks and not had great results: KEEP TRYING! It took my hair about 3 weeks to calm down when I first started. It went super oily, then a bit dry, then finally settled into a natural soft and shiny state (I was also trying to get the mixes right and that took a while).

In my experience (and a few other people I know) your hair goes crazy for a little bit at first. You've been stripping natural oils for years! They flood your head at first, and eventually find the right balance but it takes time.

As I mentioned in the other post, using a hairdryer will help the oiliness/itchiness if you're getting some of that, too.

Krista on April 02, 2014:

Hello everyone!

I've been using Baking Soda and ACV for about 4 years now, so I thought I might offer a couple of tips based on my experience:

I mix new batches every time I wash. This is mostly because during winter a pre-mixed bottle is FREEZING! I've experimented with various amounts of baking soda and found the results can vary wildly. For me it's about a tablespoon for 500ml. You should definitely try to find your correct amount: too little will leave your hair unclean, too much will dry out your scalp and make it itchy. I have found, however, that the amount of ACV I use isn't as variable: I get similar results with a lot or a little.

I wash my hair every second day. I don't use any other products. It is quite short (a bob), so often I'm happy for it to just fall as it wants. In fact, a hairdresser friend of mine recently asked me if I was using salt-spray as a product, because the baking soda (which is a salt) leaves a bit of texture. Apparently salt-spray is all the rage at the moment!

Towards the end of the second day it will start to develop a bit of a "scalp" smell (if you know what I mean) and oil, but no more than it did when I was using shampoo and conditioner. Often I use the baking soda twice without the ACV, but this might just be laziness/not wanting the ACV smell.

On the point of avoiding the ACV smell: you can use a second treatment of baking soda after the ACV. BS, ACV, and then a small amount of BS (teehee!) and the ACV smell will be completely gone. I discovered this after being rather embarrassed by the ACV smell coming back with a vengeance when I was playing sport and my head started sweating. Blurgh.

Your hair won't be quite as soft as when you finish on ACV, but it will still be much softer than BS alone.

Lastly, here is the BIG TIP!

Use a hairdryer, especially if you have longer hair.

For whatever reason (I suspect the presence of your hair's natural oils) your hair will stay wet for much longer when you wash like this. This can lead to an itchy scalp, dandruff and a lot more oil in your hair.

You don't need to dry it completely, but I've found a couple of minutes just drying my scalp and roots makes ALL the difference.

Parveen on March 30, 2014:

Hi, does the baking soda cleanse work on oiled hair as I like to oil my hair with coconut oil before a wash? Also, I am planning to color my hair (to cover greys), will it strip the color or react? Please advise, thanks!

Andrea on March 22, 2014:

I've been using this method for two weeks now. I used to be SUPER greasy by the end of day two. I am now using a bit of dry shampoo (from an aerosol can, until I finish them all and will switch to cornstarch) on the morning of day three, then I wash again that night.

I was experiencing the dry, straw-like feeling when using ACV. I read a blog that suggested using WHITE VINEGAR instead, and it's been smooth sailing ever since! :) My hair feels much better with the white.

Using a condiment "squirt" bottle and a small spray bottle make a world of difference too.

My goal is to be able to go 4 days in between washing. My hais is about two inches from my pant line, it's VERY thick, wavy and frizzy. So, the less I have to fight it when wet the better! :)

Siobhan on March 20, 2014:

SJ- I tried the baking soda and ACV last week for the first time but I just mixed my stuff in 2 different cups and tried pouring each thing on my head because I didn't want to invest in the containers. I did get the weird greasy heavy feeling! Yesterday I went out and got a condiment bottle and a little spray bottle and tried again and I had MUCH better results. I know by using this method I was using way less ACV than last week. Not sure if that helps.

Andrea (author) from Canada on March 20, 2014:

SJ - Good question! Generally baking soda is considered a "deep cleanse" and so greasiness should not be an issue. Try upping the ratio a bit - more baking soda to water. A friend of mine who does this forms a paste with baking soda and water, and that might be better in your case.

Elizabeth - that's interesting! So far I have not experienced any bleaching (it's been over a year now) and haven't heard of it in others, but would be interested to know if anyone else in the wide interwebs has.

Elizabeth on March 20, 2014:

Does anyone had problems with hair bleaching when using baking soda and vinegar for hair? Some report such issues, but not sure if it is a valid info: http://www.bakingsodavinegar.com/baking-soda-and-v...

SaraJayne455 on March 19, 2014:

Hi, Andrea

I've been trying this method for about 3 weeks now and I haven't really gotten results. :/ My hair is naturally thick, dry and frizzy. I find that I have less frizz and my hair is shiny, but it feels lifeless, greasy and heavy. I've also been losing a lot more in big clumps. I wash my hair every 3-4 days and it feels straw-like and not soft to the touch at all. More like shiny, hay.haha! I used the exact ratios you posted and even rinse the vinegar out with cold water. Should I opt for a different ratio of vinegar or do you think this treatment is not for my hair type?

Thank for your consideration!

-SJ

Andrea (author) from Canada on March 14, 2014:

Hi purple23 - I do prepare them in advance. I keep a spray bottle of the ACV/water mixture and a squeeze bottle of the baking soda mixture pre-mixed in my shower and just replace them when I run out. The baking soda mix lasts me about a month, the spray bottle a bit longer.

purple23 on March 13, 2014:

hi, my question is how to store these two. can we prepare them in advance and keep them in the bottles until its finished?if yes, how long do u think we can keep them like this? or do we have to prepare a new batch every time we have to wash out hair. thanks :)

Zsa Zsa on March 02, 2014:

Thanks for explaining how. I tried this a couple times, and got discouraged because it felt awkward haha.

I love discovering and sharing DIY beauty tips, especially all-natural solutions that you can easily make at home.

All-natural and organic homemade hair masks nourish the scalp and hair roots. Making a homemade hair mask is not only very cheap but also very easy—all you need are a few simple kitchen ingredients.

My grandmother always said that hair is like a precious seedling: You must water and nurture it so that it may grow into a healthy, strong tree, full of vitality. With these homemade hair masks, you will do just that. Feed and nourish your scalp and hair with powerful nutrients provided by mother nature to achieve bouncy, lustrous hair.

In this article, we shall explore the most powerful ingredients you can use to create homemade hair masks.

What Are the Roles of the Key Ingredients Used in the Recipes?

1. The Nutrifying Egg Hair Mask

Eggs are packed with numerous nutrients, from vitamins D, B, and A to iron to protein. In fact, the protein found in eggs is of the highest quality you can find in any food. Here is a brief summary of nutrients found in eggs that benefit hair:

• Protein. Nourishes the hair roots, which encourages growth.
• Fatty Acids. Give your hair a natural glossy shine.
• Potassium. Heals dry, damaged hair.
• Vitamin A. Prevents hair breakage.
• Vitamin D. Prevents hair loss and balding.
• Vitamin B12. Promotes hair growth.
• Calcium. Promotes hair growth and is important for the proper absorption of vitamin D.

Now before you make that disgusting 'eww' face, imagine the soft feel and lustrous shine your hair will have after you treat it to calcium, protein, and these other nutrients. Show your hair some love!

How to Make a Homemade Egg Hair Mask

Ingredients:

• 1 egg (for especially long or thick hair, use 2 eggs)
• 1 cup milk (for shoulder-length hair, use 1/4 or 1/2 cup)
• 1 squeeze of lemon
• 2 tsps to 2 tbsps of olive oil

You will also need a plastic shower cap.

Quick Tips:

1. Make sure to wash your hair very, very, very well, especially if you have really long hair. Do not use hot water to wash your hair—this will cook the eggs in the mask, and you will have cooked egg bits stuck around your hair strands. Use cold water and rinse out as many times as necessary.
2. After ridding your hair of the egg mixture, you can lather an amazing strawberry shampoo (or any delicious-smelling shampoo) into your hair, so that all the egg-y smells are gone.
3. Don't over-squeeze the lemon juice. It may give you a burning sensation on your scalp. Use the ratio 1:2 of lemon juice to egg yolk.
4. You might want to do an egg homemade hair mask at least once a month. I know it is a bit icky, but if you are dedicated to making your hair beautiful, it is well worth it.

Directions:

1. First, separate the egg white and yolk depending on your hair type. For oily hair, you will only use egg whites for this recipe; for dry hair, use only the egg yolk. For normal hair, use the whole egg. Place whichever part of the egg you are using in a clean bowl, and dispose of the rest how you will (maybe as part of a tasty omelet).
2. Beat the egg. For steps 2–4, I recommend mixing the mask by whisking with an egg beater.
3. Add the milk and olive oil to the gooey egg mixture, and mix well.
4. Add a squeeze of a lemon to the mixture—this will give your scalp a refreshing feel. Mix well.
5. Massage the mixture into the scalp, working from the roots to the hair ends, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Make sure you stand in the shower or over a sink because this mask is really drippy. Cover your hair with a disposable plastic shower cap, as you do not want drops of egg mixture everywhere. While waiting for the mask to penetrate for 15 minutes, you can be soaking in a bath/shaving.
6. Using lukewarm or cold water, thoroughly rinse the mixture out of your hair, making sure to tackle all areas of your scalp to get rid of egg bits.
7. Use an organic fruit shampoo for a final cleanse.

2. Going Bananas: Homemade Banana Hair Mask

Bananas are simply the best fruits one can find year-round. They are incredible beauty fruits, as they are super rich in potassium, vitamins, anti-oxidants, and natural oils. Use a homemade banana hair mask for its amazing moisturizing properties. The moisture boost will strengthen your hair to prevent breakage and split ends, maintain your natural hair elasticity, and make your hair bouncy and healthy. Here are some of the powerful nutrients found in bananas:

• Potassium. Heals dry, damaged hair.
• Vitamin A. Strengthens hair follicles and nourishes dry hair.
• Vitamin E. Promotes healthy hair and scalp.
• Vitamin C. Regulates hair oil.

How to Make a Homemade Banana Hair Mask

Ingredients:

• 1 to 2 overripe bananas
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey

Quick Tips:

1. Overripe bananas will make blending your bananas much easier. Freezing, then thawing the bananas before use will also make them easier to blend.
2. Blend the bananas until your smoothie is very fine. If you rush through this step, you'll have a very unpleasant time trying to comb out tiny banana pieces. Good luck with that!

Directions:

1. Blend the bananas very smoothly, until there are absolutely no chunks or teeny banana pieces. This is not the recipe to be cutting corners—put in the time for the fine blending.
2. Add the honey and coconut and olive oil to your delicious mixture and blend again.
3. Slather the smoothie into your hair, and let it settle and sink into your scalp for at least five minutes.
4. Thoroughly rinse the mixture out with warm water. Afterward, take your time to comb through your hair. You want to make sure you have removed any pieces you may not have blended thoroughly.
5. Do a final rinse. Because bananas smell delicious, you need not shampoo.

3. Yo Yogurt! Homemade Yogurt Hair Mask

Yogurt is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, calcium, and protein. Yogurt has moisturizing properties that help control oily, greasy hair by washing away excess oil in the scalp and hair. This recipe can also be combined with other kitchen ingredients, such as bananas for more moisturizing hair care or strawberries for extra oil control.

How to Make a Yogurt Homemade Hair Mask

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of yogurt (or less, depending on your hair volume and length)
• 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of honey

Quick Tips:

1. Remember only buy probiotic natural yogurt. You can even make yogurt at home! This yogurt contains live natural enzymes, which are a rich source of nutrients. Also, remember it should be plain yogurt, not sweetened or flavored.
2. You may buy yogurt in paste form if you don't want to deal with a drippy mess, which can be quite disastrous.
3. Don't add a lot of apple cider vinegar as it can actually give your scalp a burning sensation. Follow this recipe, or, if you want to use the ingredient alone, dilute it in a 1:2 ration of apple vinegar to water.

Directions:

1. Mix the yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and honey in a bowl.
2. Apply the mixture to the scalp, working from the roots to the ends of the hair.
3. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
4. Wash again with an organic fruit shampoo to get rid of any lingering yogurt smell.

Use Yogurt for Beautiful Skin—Find out How!

• Yogurt for Skin | Powerful Nutrients in Yogurt for Glowing Skin
  Yogurt has been used for glowing skin throughout many cultures. Here are recipes to lighten skin, tighten pores, clear acne and pimples, and reduce wrinkles with yogurt.

4. Creamy Homemade Avocado Hair Mask

Avocados have long been used in beauty treatments for their nourishing and hydrating properties. This homemade avocado hair mask is perfect for those with dry hair, as the avocado contains moisturizing properties that revitalize dull, lifeless hair.

How to Make the Creamy Avocado Hair Mask

Ingredients:

• 1 small ripe avocado
• 1 tablespoon olive or almond oil
• 1/4 cup milk

You will also need a plastic shower cap.

Quick Tips:

1. Choose a very ripe avocado to mash and blend very finely.
2. Remember to rinse very thoroughly in order to remove all avocado remains.
3. Add the milk a little at a time until the avocado mixture reaches a conditioner-like consistency. You may only need to add as little as 1/4 cup. Don't add too much unless you want a drippy hair session.
4. After the rinse, you can leave without using a conditioner, as avocado acts as a natural hair conditioner.

Directions:

1. Blend the avocado chunks until you get a very smooth avocado puree with absolutely no lumps.
2. Add the milk and your choice of oil, and mix very well.
3. Apply the mixture to your hair, from the roots to the very ends.
4. Cover with the plastic shower cap and wait for at least 15 minutes. Now would be an excellent time for a warm, cozy bubble bath.
5. Rinse well with warm water. Use your fingers to remove all avocado residue while rinsing.

5. Homemade Sweet Strawberry Hair Mask

Strawberries are tart fruits, loaded with vitamin C, which makes them perfect for controlling scalp oil. They help rinse away excess oil build-up and are very gentle in doing so. Strawberries also regulate the scalp's natural pH. Use strawberries in your homemade hair mask for glossy, shiny hair!

How to Make a Homemade Strawberry Hair Mask

Ingredients:

• 1 handful of fresh strawberries (roughly seven for medium-length hair)
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon honey

Quick Tip:

You have to use a moisturizing ingredient together with strawberries to prevent your hair from over-drying, as strawberries are mostly used for very oily and greasy hair.

Directions:

1. Blend the ingredients to form a fine puree of sorts.
2. Apply the mixture evenly throughout damp hair.
3. Rinse well with warm water. You don't even need organic shampoo, because strawberries have their own mouth-watering delicious smell.

Lastly, remember, the longer you keep the hair masks on, the deeper the nutrients will sink into your scalp, nourishing and energizing the hair roots. The time you keep your hair mask on will also impact how soft your hair will become.

With these vitalizing homemade fresh and fruity hair masks, your hair is bound to become naturally healthy and beautiful!

Attention Homemade Hair Mask Lovers!

Hair Masks Targeted at Specific Types of Hair

• Growth Formula: Avocado + Egg Yolk Hair Mask—Looking to help make your hair grow more quickly? Try this protein-rich hair mask.
• DIY Hair Masks for Frizzy Hair—For those with frizzy hair, try these homemade hair masks.
• Got Dry Hair? 3 Hair Masks to Nourish Dry Hair—If you have dry hair, these three masks will help add shine and bounce.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2013 healthmunsta

Comments

Macaroni Dude on June 30, 2020:

The egg one smelled like vomit and nearly made me regurgitate my breakfast I took it out straight away in the shower with cold water

Mae on March 26, 2020:

Thx for the recipes! FYI: vinegar is spelled incorrectly in recipe #3 photo

Hi on February 18, 2020:

Do vegan products (e.g. soya milk/yoghurt) work?

Veronica on July 06, 2019:

Is it the same thing if I use a towel instead of a plastic bag to wrap my hair when I do these masks?

Jeannette bos on May 15, 2019:

I use whole egg honey and olive oil mixture and i have not had cooked egg in my hair i rinse luke warm water.makes hair really baby soft feel good healthy and very shiny.

g8-26 on January 13, 2019:

i do not recommend the nutrifying egg mask (1) because it went absolutely terrible for me. when i was in the shower the mask was very thin and it wouldn't stay in my hair. it says in the directions that you must wash your hair out with cold water so that the raw egg doesn't cook, so i used cold water and the egg still cooked in my hair... and to add to that it wouldn't come out. i even tried a fine tooth comb and the egg remained in my hair. finally when i went to dry my hair i smelt a horrible odor and it was my hair. it smelled positively awful and i had to rinse my hair 3 times afterwards to get the smell out. so overall i think this is a great page but i defiantly do not recommend mask 1.

Ariana Grande on January 03, 2019:

Any replacement for the apple cider vinegar in the yogurt masque.Cause it smells horrible

Maple on June 27, 2018:

Are you supposed to wet your hair before you put them in your hair?

Kristin field on April 09, 2018:

This was really helpful can't wait to try the avocado hair mask

April on February 17, 2018:

It's funny, but I only decided to try a hair mask once my husband and I decided to put ourselves on a budget. That means I have to spend less money on hair products and skin products, so I started doing some research on DIY solutions.

I tried the last mask, substituting the coconut milk with some half and half I had in the fridge. I left the mask on my hair for a little over an hour, and I was amazed at how easily my hair detangled!

I styled it using a new and cheap product for the first time (Eco Styler Krystal - I have 2c curls). I'm sure it was a combination of both the deep conditioning and the new hair product (it's much lighter and less sticky than my other products), but regardless, my hair has never looked so good. My curls have body and bounce, my strands have shine, and the color is so defined.

Thank you!

Sherry Turner on January 04, 2018:

Glad I stumbled across your page. My oldest daughter has been loosing a ton of hair lately. She’s a nurse, but won’t get his issue taken care of! I’m positive it is h thyroid, but she get a doctor to Eder a CNC panel with an emphasis on the 3 types of Thyroid tests that should me mandatory when getting older and lose of hand fulls of har been fatigued way more than normal, etc...I just received my Fasting cbc panel and everything came back within the lowest rating of the lowest end of the guide lines. Why would he have waits 4 MONTH after I’d already told Home this regarding my extreme fatigue, lack of motivation, moody, falling4 times in just two days, etc...

Nikki on October 10, 2017:

What it can do for my hair i need something to do my hair to fast grow fast and heavy and healthy and amazing

Joanne Ikani on September 05, 2017:

This is a lovely page, full of edifying topics.

nubianldn on August 01, 2017:

Hi I had a look at this article and after trying a variety of different hair masks I also tried to make my own based on items I knew would be fantastic for my hair, and ones that were used in products for well over £10/$15 in the hair care shop for Natural Hair

Check Out a video of the process

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLn-00Gi7Z4

izzy on July 09, 2017:

any replacement for honey in the strawberry one?

Nancy on July 03, 2017:

Please help. My hair has always been my pride and joy. I figured since it is pretty damn healthy, it could deal with some bleach damage. And I figured the master stylist who did all the color-corrections would know how much would be too much. I was wrong, and now I want to burst into tears every time I look at my hair or touch it. I just don't know what to do. my hair has also NEVER been shorter than this and it breaks and falls out. What should i do to regrow hair?

Wtf on June 23, 2017:

These recipes are horrible. I tried the banana mask and ended up with matted and tangled hair. I followed the instructions exactly and still ended up with pieces of banana stuck in my hair that could not be washed out. It took me over an hour to brush out all remaining pieces and ended up washing my hair over four times. I would not recommend these masks to anyone as the smell was not pleasant and the results were worse from when I started.

Sharron on June 01, 2017:

Does this help your hair grow, I am eager to know, I also have shorter hair and I am doing about everything to help, but it is super slow. I am glad I found this site

krissy on February 23, 2017:

any replacement for olive oil?

lily brown on February 20, 2017:

is there any replacement for honey because my mom says it makes your hair white

anonymous on January 29, 2017:

Can u use evaporated milk instead of fresh milk?

Moiella on December 27, 2016:

How long do u keep the last one in for

Ariana on December 06, 2016:

Can i use shampoo after if i want to?

Roo on November 06, 2016:

pls explain apple cider vinegar and apple cider are both same? or not?

Liv on November 05, 2016:

Any replacements for the coconut oil on the last recipe?

Muntaha on September 17, 2016:

I did the lemon, milk, egg and oil one ... My hair feels like a horses tail, lost hair and had white reside after I throughly washed it. It was like I had cooked egg sites in my hair

Amanda on September 12, 2016:

Please help. My hair has always been my pride and joy. I figured since it is pretty damn healthy, it could deal with some bleach damage. And I figured the master stylist who did all the color-corrections would know how much would be too much. I was wrong, and now I want to burst into tears every time I look at my hair or touch it. I just don't know what to do. my hair has also NEVER been shorter than this and it breaks and falls out. What should i do to regrow hair?

Tahja on August 12, 2016:

I haven't yet tried these recipes but am anxious to try them out

......... on July 29, 2016:

will they work

Ann810 from Sunny Cali on July 10, 2016:

Awesome article, many Black people are going natural by not wearing perms in the hair. The avocado recipe hair mask I will try, but my milk of choice will be almond milk added. Organic ingredients are best for all hair types. Thanks

Kiki190 on April 01, 2016:

Do the same hair masks above apply to curly hair?

Best of Aying from Philippines on November 05, 2015:

Cool tips, thanks

tranhieu on October 26, 2015:

this cool post ! Thank...

my website : http://mydeal.vn/

Sakshi Davessar from Punjab, India on October 26, 2015:

Thanku for sharing....great!

Anna Christie from London, United Kingdom on October 21, 2015:

Great Hub I love all the homemade masks. I get the Lush ones sometimes as well.

Veronica Adams from Mobile,AL on October 21, 2015:

I can save money with recipes.

Ana Maria Orantes from Miami Florida on October 12, 2015:

I like your hub. It is great to know other ways about the natural masks for the hair. I like natural products as well other products made on the lab for the regular use for cleaning the hair. Thank you for writing and creating a wonderful hub miss healthmunsta.

Susannah Birch from Toowoomba, Australia on October 10, 2015:

This came up in my feed - interestingly, I'm currently sitting here with my hair full of coconut oil - haha. I'll wash it out in a few hours with a smidge of apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil then some shampoo.

waliur rahman from sreemangol moulvibazar Bangladesh on October 09, 2015:

real share,thanks

Becs from Brooklyn, NY on October 07, 2015:

I am OBSESSED with D.I.Y. skin and hair care, Thanks for sharing I need to add this recipe to my to do list!

Danielle Nash from North America on October 06, 2015:

I love DIY hair and skin care. These are great, and I can't wait to try them out.

Bano Ghaffar from Karachi on October 06, 2015:

Thanks for all wonderful tips . I will try one of them.

Jasmen Vilando from Yokohama on October 05, 2015:

Thanks for this. I tried the banana mask without the bananas...I was afraid my hair would smell like bananas all day so I just used the coconut oil, olive oil and honey and like the results.

Angelina on September 19, 2015:

is the egg recipe supposed to be so liquidly? and do you have to blend the avocado or can you leave very small lumps?

Melinda on September 05, 2015:

can you use lemon juice in a bottle rather than a real lemon for the egg recipe

Elbee on August 17, 2015:

For the first one do u need lemon juice

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on July 31, 2015:

Great recipes to make a natural homemade mask with the ingredients at home. Very useful! Voted up!

healthmunsta (author) on June 12, 2015:

Please everyone, if you have any questions, ask me on my facebook page where I can see you and reply to you immediately. I'm always available there.

@Amihra - Sure you can make the banana mask without the honey, but it obviously has better results with honey.

healthmunsta (author) on August 09, 2014:

Don't panic, just let your hair dry completely and begin brushing it, the lumps will fall off. You can wash your hair the next day do get rid of all the banana particles.

But next time, remember to blend the mask to a silky puree!

Irina on July 25, 2014:

And I want to add something after that mask (yogurt-vinegar-honey) my hair became amazing. Its really great

healthmunsta (author) on June 29, 2014:

Yes, the first recipe is more of a hair rinse or non-foaming shampoo, so it is liquidy indeed. Just slowly pour it all over your scalp and length of hair, while gently massaging. Then allow it to sit only for 10 mins and rinse off your hair at least 3 times. Ideally, you'll use this in the shower so you don't need to worry about making a mess. Hope you get gorgeous soft hair with this! It also cleanses the scalp and clears dandruff.

Hakunamatata on June 29, 2014:

I got a question:

I did the first mask and with one cup of milk it is so liquedy I couldn't even make it stay on my hair. It was running down my face the whole time. Is it supposed to be like that? Because that was super annoying :/

healthmunsta (author) on March 31, 2014:

@ Cat M: Keep it for 15 - 30 minutes. The longest time you can keep it on for is until it starts getting dry-ish and sticky. Don't let it dry on completely though - it may become hard to wash off.

Cat M on March 31, 2014:

How many minutes do u place the first mask ?

healthmunsta (author) on March 07, 2014:

You may use diluted lemon juice.

heena on March 07, 2014:

Any replacement for vinegar?

Suzanne is a qualified beautician with experience as a freelance makeup artist.

Pump Up the Volume

Pumpkins are by no means only suitable for baking, roasting, boiling or steaming into delicious dishes. Pumpkin flesh, pumpkin seeds, canned puree and pumpkin spice may be used in gorgeous homemade products including face masks, exfoliating cleansers, lip balms and hair treatments.

Pump up your hair's volume using this DIY pumpkin and coconut oil hair treatment. Shiny, thicker, stronger locks are only 30 minutes away.

Benefits of Pumpkin on Hair

Pumpkin is a natural antioxidant that contains Vitamins A, C, E, and the B-complex group that will recondition and re-hydrate hair, provide UV protection and give a new lease of life to dry, damaged or over processed hair.

Vitamin A is extremely good for the scalp and pumpkins are a rich source. Many commercial hair treatments contain a synthetic vitamin A. The beauty of this fresh recipe is receiving all the natural goodness directly from the source without the need for synthetic additions.

Pumpkins are rich in the nutrient potassium, which is known for promoting re-growth of hair. Banana and avocado are two more fruits that are high in potassium and commonly used in hair-loss treatments.

Coconut Products

Benefits of Coconut Oil on Hair

This versatile oil has a host of benefits to the hair and scalp and is a natural sealant that can lock in moisture to keep the hair strong. With its ability to penetrate the hair shaft, it works from within, keeping the hair follicles well-moisturized, conditioned and protected from environmental damage and heat.

Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which helps prevent hair breakage and protects the roots of the hair. Rich in antifungal and antibacterial properties, coconut oil helps prevent head lice, dandruff and dry scalp conditions.

Vitamins E and K both help to keep the hair healthy, soft and shiny. Massaging in coconut oil at the scalp helps to stimulate the circulation and increase blood flow.

Hair Mask Recipe

This hair mask can do wonders for your locks if applied regularly. It's totally natural and super easy to make at home with a few simple supplies.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked and cubed fresh pumpkin (or canned pumpkin puree)
• 3–4 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp jojoba oil (optional)

Supplies

• Blender/food processor
• Small bowl
• Hair mask brush (optional)
• Sarang wrap or shower cap

Instructions

1. Add all the ingredients into your blender and mix for approximately 4–5 minutes.
2. The consistency should be creamy like hair conditioner.
3. Pour your hair mask into a small bowl.

To Apply

1. Brush or massage the orange mask in over dry hair, coating it completely.
2. Wrap hair up in saran wrap or pop on a shower cap.
3. Leave for half an hour.
4. To remove, shampoo the hair as normal. You may need 2 or 3 shampoos to completely remove the coconut oil and jojoba oil. You will feel when the oil is completely rinsed away.
5. Hair does not need conditioner.
6. Apply as a deep treatment once a week or a few times a month, particularly if you use styling products daily, use hair color oruse hair dryers, tongs or straighteners.

Pumpkin Trivia

• The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word pepon meaning –“large melon”.
• The Irish are credited with bringing the tradition of pumpkin carving to America.
• Pumpkins are 90% water.
• 100g of pumpkin produces 26 calories.
• Pumpkins are classed as fruit and used frequently as a vegetable.
• Native Americans used to flatten strips of pumpkin, dry them and make mats.
• Pumpkins were said to remove freckles and cure snake bites.
• Antarctica is the only continent that does not grow Pumpkin.
• The “pumpkin capital “of the world is Morton, Illinois.
• Over 1 billion pounds (450 million kg) are produced in USA every year.
• Pumpkin is often prescribed for cats when they have hairballs.
• Pumpkins are rich in beta-carotene, carotenoids, vitamin C and zinc which make them super beneficial for homemade skin care products.
• Whilst usually orange, pumpkins may be white, green, red or yellow.

Pumpkin Hair and Face Mask

Food for Thought

Pumpkins are one of the most nutritious foods available all year round and so much more than a fruit for Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, pumpkins are an amazing skin and hair treatment restoring both to a healthy state without the need of preservatives, chemicals or synthetics. Turning leftover pumpkin into a hair mask is as easy as pie!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 28, 2013:

Hi DDE,

Glad you enjoyed this one, appreciate your comment and visit!

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on August 28, 2013:

Great you shared an awesome hub on this topic so glad I stopped by.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 19, 2013:

Hi Thelma,

Thanks so much! Pumpkin always looks so weird when using in the hair or face, your grandmother would be proud of you! Cheers for your votes and pin!

Thelma Alberts from Germany on August 19, 2013:

I love pumpkins, too. I will definitely try this hair mask at home in the Phil. I want to see the awesome faces of my relatives when I´m doing this. LOL! They already told me I´m like my late herbalist grandmother which is a compliment to me. Thanks for sharing Suzie. Voted up and pinned.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 17, 2013:

Hi Carol,

Always a delight to have you in my corner! Decided it was time for a few fab pumpkin recipes so a face mask is on the way too! Such a nutritious fruit (thanks to my mate Rajan's hub!) it was a definite must do and see. Canned puree is great if pumpkins are not available but not the canned pie filling one. Cheers for the votes and pin, always great to receive :-)

carol stanley from Arizona on August 16, 2013:

Oh my how did I miss this one..Love all the goodies in this..pumpkin and you can take a bite or two This really sounds most interesting...The usual votes and pins..

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 16, 2013:

Hi SEO IT,

Many thanks for checking this out,glad you enjoyed and are keen to give it a go! Enjoy this lush treat for your locks!

Karla Domanski from Cadillac, Michigan on August 16, 2013:

Thank you for the recipe! I had never heard of using pumpkin for anything but food and beverages. I am going to give this a try, for sure!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 16, 2013:

Hi Radcliff,

Sorry, did not mean to infer you should watch video! LOL You could try it as a scrub on the feet or hands too if sugar is in it. Even add some granulated sugar into it and apply it on as a scrub to remove dead skin cells, leaving the skin silky smooth!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 16, 2013:

Hi catmalone,

Cheers for your interest and support! I would only keep it a few days in an airtight container and keep an eye on it. Make sure not to allow any water in it as it will contaminate it and encourage bacteria. Have fun and enjoy! You could always try freezing it in an ice cube tray and defrosting before using!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 16, 2013:

Hi Rose,

Many thanks for visiting and comment. Two lush ingredients for skin and hair! glad you found this intriguing!

Liz Davis from Hudson, FL on August 15, 2013:

Ohhhh, ok. Well, that's what I get for not watching the video. Hahah! The can says that it's just organic pumpkin, sugar, and spices--I'll probably take a walk on the wild side and use it anyway. Then after my hair falls out, I'll switch to regular pumpkin. ;-) Thanks again, Suzie!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 15, 2013:

Hi Radcliff,

Thanks for checking his recipe out. A word on the pumpkin pie mix, it is different to pumpkin puree and it is the puree that is recommended for cosmetic use. I have not used the pie mix so can't guarantee the same results. The girl in the video actually mentions that the pie mix is not suitable too so I would google it first if I were you, just to be on the safe side. Thanks so much for your interest and for commenting, good luck, hope you have a successful treatment!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 15, 2013:

Hi Jill,

Lovely to see you, so good to hear you are keen to try this out! Appreciate you sharing and voting!

catmalone on August 15, 2013:

I think I might have to try this natural hair recipe for hair conditioning, it sounds so healthy for the hair. Question! How long will it keep if I make a batch of it to use.

Rose Clearfield from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 15, 2013:

Pumpkin and coconut, what a great combination! I had never heard of a hair mask before, but I'm intrigued now. Thanks for another amazing recipe!

Liz Davis from Hudson, FL on August 15, 2013:

Woah. I am really excited to try this. I have a can of that Farmer's Market pumpkin but it's the pumpkin pie mix and it's about to expire (I never used it because it has a high sugar content). I think I'll use it to give this a try--the only problem is I'll crave pumpkin pie after I wash my hair. LOL

Thanks for the tip!

Jill Spencer from United States on August 15, 2013:

This sounds super easy to make, Suzie. Think I'll try it. Thanks! Shared & voted up.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 15, 2013:

Hi Janet,

Delighted you enjoyed this simple but highly effective treatment using so few ingredients. I have another one on the way for the face so stay tuned!! Many thanks for dropping by it is always so good to hear from you! Glad to hear you are using the coconut oil, it really has many many uses you will find in my recipes and great as a moisturizer on it's own.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 15, 2013:

Hi teaches,

Your whoopie pie season! Yummy! What a great recipe, I had to include it so thank you! Hopefully you will get to try a homemade product or two with some of your pumpkin this fall. it really is so beneficial to both health and skin and ultra easy to prepare this hair mask, ideal for all year round!

Appreciate your votes, and sharing on. It is a pleasure to be able to support great writers writing such great pieces so THANK YOU my friend!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 15, 2013:

Hi Vespa,

So you are changing to coconut oil from your jojoba, it is a marvel for everything! I love jojoba too, I have to say and if you like to use it in this too you can. Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds are magic for the skin, the seeds are perfect for grinding in the blender or food processor and using in body scrub or face scrub recipes. They are an ingredient I love now for skin care and for health. Used them in my exfoliating face cleanser recipe for oily/ combination skin with oatmeal and wow, my skin was heavenly!

Must be lovely to have "different" pumpkin varieties, white look so anemic on the outside! LOL

Thanks as always for great commenting, interest and feedback!!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 15, 2013:

Hi Rebecca,

Do give this a go, as a pumpkin fan you are sure to enjoy this one! Thanks for your support and taking time to comment!

Janet Giessl from Georgia country on August 15, 2013:

Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I love pumpkins and I can use my beloved coconut oil.

Dianna Mendez on August 14, 2013:

It is about that time of year again and pumpkins will be readily available for this special mask, and this one is so simple to make. I can almost feel the smoothness of the pumpkin on my hair. You have also highlighted some other special writers. Thanks for the mention. Voted up++ and sharing.

Vespa Woolf from Peru, South America on August 14, 2013:

I've been using coconut oil for my hair and skin (it's my new "jojoba") but I didn't know about the benefits of pumpkin and Vitamin A. Now I'm itching to try this mask...and it's perfect timing as I just ran out of conditioner and am far from anywhere that I can buy more. I loved the pumpkin fun facts, too. We have white pumpkins here in Peru. Thanks for another great one, Suzanne!

Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on August 14, 2013:

I love pumpkin anything, so I will give this DIY hair mask a try.Thanks!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 14, 2013:

Hi kathryn,

Delighted you saw this one as I know you are a real Pumpkin fan! I have a mask coming up too! It is such a versatile food that many have leftovers from which may be turned into such beneficial treats for the face and hair. Thanks for the interest and comment!

Kathryn from Windsor, Connecticut on August 14, 2013:

I love, love, love pumpkin! I recently brought a pumpkin candle from the condo in Connecticut to the apartment in Boston, just so I could smell it. I love the idea of making a hair mask, and I definitely want to try it, as soon as I get the coconut oil :)

Thanks for sharing , and have a wonderful night!

~ Kathryn

Brittanie loves sharing her knowledge on natural health and beauty.

Flyaways

Everyone gets them, and I don't know one person who likes them. They go by many names frizzies, flyaways, split ends. That hair that just wants to do its own thing and is always out of place. Serums and salon visits can get expensive, and who really knows what's in those commercial hair products. The ingredients look like a foreign language most of the time. Luckily there are some natural ways to get rid of frizzies, and most of them are under five dollars and can be used over and over again.

What Causes Frizzy Hair?

Lack of moisture is the culprit. Different hair types can have a harder time with this, especially curly hair because it is the driest of the dry. Heat styling can be another cause since it robs the hair of oils and dries it out. Sun damage especially if you live somewhere with lots of sun and heat can cause your hair to dry out. Chemical usage like dying, bleaching, relaxing, and so on. Anything with chemicals that you put in your hair is going to cause serious damage and take away oils and moisture. Dry hair is more likely to break snap, get frizzy, and stick up so the two major keys to solving this problem are prevention and moisture.

Using Natural Oils

There are a few different ways to use oils to get rid of flyaways. All of them work wonderfully and are great for different times of the day.

Quick Topical Use

This is when you just grab a bottle of your favorite oil like olive oil or maybe coconut because it smells so good. You rub a pea-sized amount onto your hands and gently rub it into the ends of your hair and on the frizziest areas on your scalp. Only use a small amount to avoid grease slicks.

Hot Oil Treatments

This is better for a long term solution to get rid of the untamed hairs. All you need to do is pick your favorite oil and warm it up in a bowl. Make sure it is not too hot. Apply to dry clean hair and comb through to make sure it's all over and evenly distributed. Leave in anywhere from a half an hour to two hours before rinsing out with shampoo and water. Air dry your hair, and love your soft, smooth hair.

Adding an Oil to Your Regular Conditioner

If you are looking for something even simpler that you only have to do once to get results every day. Just add a tablespoon or two of olive oil to your normal conditioner and when you're in the shower, let it sit for an extra couple of minutes before washing it out. This is a very subtle way to fight off the frizz, but it helps, and it does not take too much time or thought to accomplish.

Different Oils

There are many kinds of oils your hair can benefit from. They don't only help with flyaways, but they promote new hair growth, smell great, and add vitamins to your hair, but each oil is different, and so is each person's hair. A list of different oils that are great for hair is listed below.

• Argon
• Coconut
• Moroccan
• Jojoba
• Olive
• Almond

All of these oils are great for your hair and do different things. When choosing an oil, think about your hair type and fragrances you like.

Maintenance

Keeping up with the usual hair care maintenance is a good way to prevent flyaways. This means trimming your hair every six weeks. Using the right brushes. Brushing your hair starting at the bottom and working your way to the top. Not brushing your hair when it's wet. Heat style as little as possible and use a heat protectant when you do. Doing all of these little things will help prevent split ends and little unruly pieces of hair. This is just regular hair maintenance but if you follow these rules you will see a big difference.

Egg Whites

Putting some egg whites in your hair for an hour or two may sound a little gross, but it's a miracle worker on hair. All of the protein in the eggs gets absorbed by your hair, making it stronger and bringing back elasticity. If you don't like the idea of using eggs, you could always you mayo, but it is a little smellier. This is great for damaged and dried out hair. The healthier your hair, the less breakage you have, and this means less frizzies. Dried out snapping hair equals super frizz.

Using Honey

Adding honey to your usual conditioner works really well, and it does not take much time or effort. Just add a tablespoon or so. This may work out differently depending on the kind of conditioner you have. Another way to use honey is to mix a half cup with a half cup of olive oil or any other oil you prefer. Put this solution in your hair in a half an hour before rinsing out. This will help with flyaways and make your hair silky soft. I have used honey many times; it is my favorite way to condition my hair.

Anti-Frizz Myth

When I was younger, I thought that putting water in my hair and smoothing it out with my hands would get rid of flyaways. This is NOT true. It did help my hair look nicer and get into place for a few minutes. Then my hair would dry again, and then all of a sudden, it would come back!

Water does not really help. Using something thicker like a little tiny bit of oil, lotion, or your usual conditioner can help weigh those strays down and make them conform. I don't actually know how many other people out there thought or think water will help, but I just want to help bust this myth in case I am not alone in having been fooled.

Frizzy Hair?

Natural Hair Care Articles

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I Would Love to Hear What You Think Leave a Comment

Cynthia Lyerly from Georgia on June 17, 2013:

I'll have to try the egg whites. Right now I am using Aveda's heavy moisturizing line and loving it. When the humidity comes out, I often use shea butter. The flat iron does a number on my hair!

Neha has been writing beauty articles for many years. She is passionate about skincare and natural remedies.

Natural hair masks are an excellent way to remedy dull and dry hair at home. Dry hair can be easily identified due to split ends and excessive hair breakage (your hair gets damaged and breaks easily). If you are looking for a solution for your frizzy, dull, rough hair, a homemade hair mask can help you out!

There are many natural ingredients, such as avocado, egg, and yogurt, that can prevent dryness by nourishing your locks with needed moisture. Dry hair suffers from a lack of oil and moisture, which makes the hair brittle and frizzy. For soft, shiny, and silky hair, check out these mask recipes.

Avocado

Ingredients

• 1 ripe avocado
• olive oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil

Instructions

1. Peel a ripe avocado and mash it. In a bowl, beat it with olive oil. (Note: Do not use olive oil if your hair is color-treated. Olive oil has the tendency to lighten highlights. You can substitute almond oil or jojoba oil instead.)
2. Wet your hair before applying the hair mask. Apply the mask to the scalp and hair ends. Make sure you tuck your hair into a shower cap after applying the mask.
3. After around 25 to 30 minutes, run your fingers through your hair and massage your scalp.
4. Rinse off, and enjoy your soft and manageable hair!

Benefits

• The fleshy, high fiber content of this butter fruit makes its application easy on the hair.
• A ripe avocado is a great moisturizer for skin and hair, and it's loaded with lots of nutrients and vitamins.
• This fruit's natural oil acts as a deep conditioner for dull hair.
• It can be used alone or with other ingredients in a hair mask.

Egg

If you straighten your hair all the time and use harsh chemicals, this homemade egg and olive oil hair mask will help to smooth your hair.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 4 tablespoons of olive oil

Instructions

1. Take two eggs and 4 tablespoons of olive oil and blend together well.
2. Apply to hair for 20 to 25 minutes. Make sure you wear a shower cap whenever you apply a hair mask, as plastic wraps help trap in the moisture and as a result your hair gets better hydration.
3. Rinse off the mask, and you will find your hair thoroughly conditioned and shiny.

Warning: You should not use hot water to wash off the mix! Hot water makes egg difficult to rinse from the hair, because warm water partially cooks and hardens it, making it harder to rinse off. Make sure you use cold or room temperature water.

Benefits

• Many people like to crack eggs on their head because they make the hair extra shiny and smooth.
• Eggs are a simple remedy for the damaged and dry hair. The high protein content found in them is useful to strengthen hair follicles.
• The nutrients in eggs act as a deep conditioner that helps to add shine and texture to dull hair.

Banana

To add loads of moisture to your flaky, dull and dry hair, you can try banana mask for hair. Apply this once a week for healthy and shiny hair.

Ingredients

• 1 or 2 ripe bananas
• 1 tablespoon milk or olive oil (as needed)

Instructions

1. Take one or two ripe bananas (according to hair length) and blend it. If the pulp is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk to it. The pulp should be smooth with no chunks or lumps with in it. (You can also add a tablespoon of olive oil).
2. Dampen your hair before applying the mask. Apply the mashed mixture to the roots, scalp, hair, and hair ends.

This is more effective than expensive treatments in spas and parlors.

Benefits

• Banana moisturizing properties are beneficial for dry and rough hair.
• The fruit is rich in minerals and vitamins help to strengthen damaged hair.
• It also gives the required moisture to hair, which helps in preventing breakage and split ends. Regular application of this on hair improves the overall health of hair.
• It can also be helpful in treating dandruff.

Honey and Olive Oil

This mask is good for both hair and the scalp. It will make your hair silky, smooth, and shiny.

Ingredients

• honey
• olive oil

Instructions

1. Add equal parts honey and olive oil into a bowl. Mix well.
2. Apply to damp hair, scalp, and cover your hair with a warm, damp towel.
3. Let it sit for 30 minutes, and then wash off with a mild shampoo.

Benefits

• Honey can easily hold the moisture in your hair, and is perfect for hair care.
• Honey and olive oil both will infuse moisture and help to repair split ends and control dandruff.
• This mask also helps to improve the manageability of rough hair, adding an extra shine to it.

Yogurt

This is one of the easiest masks to make. The only ingredient is yogurt.

Instructions

1. Take a cup of yogurt and whip it up.
2. Apply it onto your scalp, hair, and hair ends.
3. Let it sit for 20 minutes with a plastic cap on.
4. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo.

Notes:

• You can also make a yogurt and egg version by beating an egg into the yogurt.
• Yogurt has cooling properties so this one is recommended for summers.

Benefits

• Yogurt or yoghurt is full of lactic acid. Anti-fungal and antibacterial agents found in yogurt makes it a great hair mask.
• Besides moisturizing dry and damaged hair, it has numerous benefits for hair. It helps to get rid of dandruff, clean your scalp, reduces itchiness, and gives overall strength to your hair.

Hot Oil Treatment

To restore health and strength, you can try applying hot oil weekly to your hair as a beauty routine. A good head massage with hot oil improves the blood circulation of the scalp, giving enough moisture to dull and dry hair to maintain their shine and softness. A hair dryer, irons, overexposure to sun makes your hair dry, fragile and weak. Hot oil can help repair this.

Ingredients

An oil of your choice, which could be one of the following:

• coconut oil
• avocado oil
• olive oil
• almond oil

Instructions

1. First of all, wash your hair so that it's clean. Hair should be dirt free so that the hot oil can penetrate easily in hair follicles.
2. Warm up your oil and massage the lukewarm oil to the scalp and wet hair with your fingers.
3. Cover or wrap your head with a hot towel, shield this hot towel with a second towel to trap the heat.
4. Leave in for an hour and then rinse out with shampoo.

Tips

• If you have thick, rough, dry and dull hair, avoid styling products on hair.
• You should shampoo less—maybe once or twice a week.
• All the ingredients in these homemade hair masks can be found in your kitchen or a local grocery store.

Treating frizzy and damaged hair the natural way is often more effective than chemical products. Choose one that best suits your needs, and enjoy the difference!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: Is Patanjali shampoo good for dry and rough hair?

Answer: I have used Patanjali milk protein shampoo and it is beneficial for dry and rough hair. Regular use of this shampoo makes my hair more manageable and soft.

Question: For egg/honey/avocado treatments, should I wash hair with shampoo and then apply them or apply shampoo afterward?

Answer: You need to wash your hair with shampoo after applying any egg mask because the egg has a potential smell that might bother you.

Question: What will a mixture of curd and Mehandi leaf powder do for my hair?

Answer: It will make your hair healthier.

Question: How long should I keep the banana mask?

Answer: You should keep the mask for 15 to 20 minutes.

Question: Can I leave the avocado mask for a night?

Answer: Wash off when the mask is dry!

Question: When and how much time should I apply a mask with honey, olive oil, and avocado mixed with aloe vera?

Answer: You can apply any time for 15 to 20 minutes!

Question: Can I use an egg, mayo and olive oil hair mask? My hair is extremely rough and brittle.

Answer: Yes, this will make your hair soft and smooth!

© 2013 Neha Sadana

Comments

M.M.B on May 27, 2020:

My hair cut very hard and painful I don't know what to use

Ina on January 03, 2020:

My hair is very thin dry and feels rough,,, it's short shoulder length too... I tried everything it is not growing and I am loosing more hair. Please hrlp

ESTHER on August 05, 2019:

Can i also use condition after applying them

Neha Sadana (author) from India on April 26, 2019:

Hello Pramila! Keep Banana mask for 25 to 30 minutes!

Pramila on April 25, 2019:

How long should we keep banana mask on hair

Geetanjali on April 19, 2019:

Could you please suggest which shampoo i should use for my dull and rough hai?

Milu on August 28, 2018:

In my early age, my hair is very oily and silky but now my hair is very hard and rough. I used egg, olive oil and yogurt very often but no results

Ranjana on September 12, 2017:

Hi Neha,

Wanted to ask about Avocado and Olive oil mask.. Can I use Coconut oil instead of Olive oil? Will this combo work ?

Neha Sadana (author) from India on August 31, 2017:

Hello maha, All the above hair mask are very effective. You can choose according to the availability of ingredients. Yogurt mask or hot oil treatment would be best and easy to follow.

All the Best!

maha on August 24, 2017:

i have very dry hair, which mask would be the best

Neha Sadana (author) from India on August 12, 2017:

Hi Gnanaprakash,

Egg hair mask is very rich in protein which will surely condition your dry, rough hair. The frequency of applying the hair mask depends on quality and roughness of your hair. As you say they are too dry like wire, so you should apply at alternate days firstly. Afterwards you can decrease the frequency of applying mask like twice a week.

Do it consistently for long time benefits.

All the best!!

Gnanaprakash on August 09, 2017:

Hey I am a boy,21 years old.My hair is dry and rough like a wire they are not even. I DECIDED GO WITH the EGG itreatment. But I have a doubt,How often should I use this treatment?

Will the result be tenporary r permanent? Need 2 know!!

Neha Sadana (author) from India on August 08, 2017:

Hello Zain,

You can give your scalp a massage with warm oil at alternate days. Do this regularly. Oil treatment will moisture your dull, rough and dry hair making them soft and shiny.

Zain on August 05, 2017:

I have hard thick dry and rough hairs please tell me the easiest way to get soft shiny and beautiful hairs especially soft hairs I want

Grace on July 04, 2017:

What if i put everything together? Wipl that matter?

Kirti Rai on January 17, 2017:

Thanks for the remedies. It really works..

keziah on January 07, 2017:

for the egg hair mask can you use vegetable oil instead of olive oil becuase we don't have olive oil

Lauren on December 14, 2016:

The egg mask was a lifesaver. I have fine curly hair and I used heat on it several days in a row for a conference I was attending. Once I was back home I washed my hair per usual and my curls were flat and parts of my hair were straight. I thought I had killed my hair and was worried that I might have to chop a good portion of it off which mortified me. I came across this article and tried the egg mask. After using the mask I had my curls again! Thank you so much for the helpful article!!!

tanya on August 01, 2016:

The Shielo Intensive Hair mask is great like @aestheticx said. I have really hard water and it seems to be the only one that works. My hair is soft again. Be careful of HARD WATER!

sara on April 12, 2016:

You know that hair fall is normal matter for every man and woman, but excess hair fall is bad for life, it makes our life unhappy. But if you take some step for that then you can get good results for your problem

http://health-vision-for-all.blogspot.com/2012/03/...

Neha Sadana (author) from India on April 11, 2016:

Thanks for stopping by! Do try the above hair masks, they will surely make your hair healthy.

Annette nikanor on April 11, 2016:

thanks for the techniques, my hair so dry and don't grow,,, but recently used egg mask.

Neha Sadana (author) from India on April 10, 2016:

Yes, olive oil is safe to use on color treated hair.

divyaaneja18@gmail.com on April 08, 2016:

Can we use olive oil for color treated hairs?

Psbhatt.bhatt44@gmail.com on August 20, 2015:

i m using methi and olive oil hair mask since 1 month for sudden extremely rough hair ,waiting for positive result !

smriti on June 11, 2015:

My hair is very rough and dry what can I do plz give me some essay tips

marìa on May 16, 2015:

my hair is dull and rough plz suggest me home remedy

jasveer on May 06, 2015:

Thank u so much

khushbu on April 16, 2015:

thanks for easy suggestion

Neha Sadana (author) from India on April 14, 2015:

I am glad you like the banana mask for dry hair. Thanks for stopping by and giving the feedback!

omchanda.mishra @gmail on April 11, 2015:

Read this article today and immediately tried banana mask. It worked wonder!

My hair was very smooth after using mask. Worth trying.

Thanks, Ms. Neha

Neha Sadana (author) from India on March 04, 2015:

Hello Rahila,

You can try any of the above home masks for dry hair. Keep in mind, consistency is very important to get the desired results from natural treatments!!

rahila on March 03, 2015:

My hair is very rough dry nd hard nd curly pls suggest some tips

anushka on January 04, 2015:

I really liked all the given techniques.. something really informative

lovely on October 25, 2014:

plz tell me something that make my hair silky,stright and stop my hair fall

EasyReading from Florida on September 30, 2014:

Thank you! Hot Oil treatments works like a gem. F0llow with the egg wash, fabulous hair shine. So simple and easy great care for my hair! Thank you for putting this out there for me and many others,

zani on September 16, 2014:

very nice to use this masks.and give me a advice for curly hair

Kavitha on August 22, 2014:

Egg really works. It keeps my hair straightened and smooth. Also I wondered To see banana here. Thanks for posting that. I will try!!!

aman on August 22, 2014:

My hair so dry and rough plzzz suggest

Neha Sadana (author) from India on August 21, 2014:

Good to know that banana hair mask works well on your hair. Thanks for the feedback!

mask user on August 21, 2014:

I tried banana hair mask it really works. I am happy to say it also controls hair fall problem

anjum on March 20, 2014:

Very informative. practical.effective effort has been done from the author.God bless u.Liked it very much.

tejasvini on October 28, 2013:

My hair has now become very rough and dry they look very dull.pls suggest me some tips for silky and shiny hair.

Cleaning supply on September 17, 2013:

These are totally awesome tips. Specially the tips regarding egg and banana. I was surprised that banana can be used as hair mask. Egg really works best. I have tried it. It gives shine to hair.

Shadaan Alam from India on June 17, 2013:

Hi, these are really easy to use hair masks, to me yoghurt has been of great benefit.

Neha Sadana (author) from India on May 23, 2013:

Hello Karen, Thank you very much for dropping by! One other thing you have to consider, if you have dry hair is not to wash your hair with hot water whether you have applied any mask or not . The reason is that warm water take off the moisture from hair, making your hair more dry and dull.

Neha Sadana (author) from India on May 23, 2013:

Hi Chitrangada! I too have dry hair and use yogurt hair mask to moisture them. You are right, all the above mask recipes are worth trying..

Neha Sadana (author) from India on May 23, 2013:

Hello mariasial! Yes hair masks are very easy to prepare at home. Thanks for stopping by!

Karen Hellier from Georgia on May 22, 2013:

A very nice variety of hair masks are offered here. I especially liked that you added the warning about not rinsing off the egg mask with hot water because that is probably what I would have done, thinking that the best way to rinse something clean is with hot/warm water. Voted up.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on May 22, 2013:

Very useful and interesting suggestions for treating dull and rough hair. I have used yogurt or curd and even egg mask. The other ones suggested by you are also worth trying.

Thanks for sharing this useful hub!

maria sial from united kingdom on May 22, 2013:

good and easy to use mask .... i personally use egg mask and its very good voted up :)

I love messing around with my own hair and sharing hair tips and tricks with others.

Cocoa butter is a great helper from nature. It does wonders for your skin and also for your hair. If you are trying to let your hair grow, cocoa butter will help you keep it healthy and soft in the process. Much like coconut oil, cocoa butter has healing and softening properties that will make your hair healthy and shiny. Also, it smells delicious! The hardest part will be trying not to smell or touch your hair after you apply the wonderful cocoa butter.

How Does Cocoa Butter Benefit Hair?

Because cocoa butter is a natural emollient, it has a lot of benefits! Cocoa butter . . .

• Moisturizes your hair
• Makes it more manageable
• Prevents hair loss due to breakage
• Strengthens the hair shaft
• Adds volume and strength to fine hair
• Replenishes oils lost due to chemical processes
• Repairs damaged hair strands
• Can prevent further damage to hair

Convinced? I know I am. Now let's find out how to use it . . .

How to Use Cocoa Butter for Hair

Cocoa butter solidifies at room temperature. When solid, it becomes a lot harder than coconut oil, so you might need to melt it before applying it to your hair. You can use your fingertips to rub it and let friction melt it. However, it takes longer to melt in this manner than coconut oil. Here are a few ideas on how to use this wonderful gift of nature.

Pre-Wash

Cocoa butter makes a wonderful pre-shower treatment. You will need to melt the butter, massage it into your hair and scalp, and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.

Do not leave on for more than 20 minutes. Cocoa butter solidifies at room temperature. This means that if you leave it on for more than 20 minutes, the cocoa butter will harden on your hair, making it very difficult to wash away. Have a timer ready when you apply this treatment.

In the Shower as a Conditioner

Cocoa butter is super versatile and makes a wonderful conditioner. You can do one of two things: melt it and add it to your conditioner, or use it as a conditioner.

You can use plain ol' melted cocoa butter as a conditioner. Apply it only to the ends of your hair and stay away from the scalp. If you don't, the cocoa butter will weigh your hair down and it will look as if you haven't showered for weeks. Yikes!

Don't apply too much. A little cocoa butter goes a long way. The ideal amount would be a nickel-sized drop. Spread through the ends of your hair and leave on for 3 to 4 minutes.

Create a Better Conditioner: Mix It Up

Personally, I like to mix cocoa butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil to make the perfect hair conditioner/leave-in treatment body moisturizer. (I'm super excited because this mixture can be used anywhere on your body. You can even eat it, although I don't recommend it. It doesn't taste that great. Don't ask me how I know . . .)

Ingredients

• 2 tbs. of cocoa butter
• 1 tbs. of coconut oil
• 1 tbs. of jojoba oil

Instructions

1. Melt the cocoa butter and the coconut oil together. You can use a double boiler or a candle melter plate to do this.
2. After the cocoa butter and the coconut oil have been completely melted, add the jojoba oil. Mix.
3. Let the mixture cool until it starts solidifying.
4. Before it becomes completely solid, whip it until it acquires a whipped cream texture. It shouldn't take that long and should be ready after about 4 to 5 minutes of continuous whipping.

And there you have it! Your perfect mixture for every part of your body. Remember, you can also use this mixture as a conditioner and apply it after the shower as a body moisturizer for supple skin.

My hair is wavy, and this mixture has really defined my waves and made my hair super soft and manageable. Now I can't stop touching my hair.

Leave-In Conditioner/Cream

If you apply cocoa butter as a conditioner, they will be very little need to use a leave-in conditioner afterward. However, if you don't use it as a conditioner, you can tame your frizzes with cocoa butter.

Once again, my favorite mixture to use is the previously mentioned cocoa butter, coconut, and jojoba oil mixture. Apply it to the ends of your hair and scrunch it up. Don't use too much or you'll end up looking greasy. Melted cocoa butter by itself also makes a great leave-in cream/pomade.

Remember, your hair will thank you if you use less harsh chemicals. So go natural. Shea butter, coconut oil, aloe vera, and cocoa butter are just some of the awesome beauty products nature has to offer. Keep experimenting, and keep beautiful the natural way!

Other Mixtures You Can Try

Cocoa butter and shea butter

• 1:1 ratio
• melt together
• Whip before mixture completely solidifies

Cocoa butter, jojoba oil and honey

• 6 tsps. of cocoa butter
• 3 tsps. of jojoba oil
• 3 tsps. of honey

Mix and follow same whipping procedure as above.

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This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Danica on July 14, 2020:

I wonder dose jamaican coca butter works on my hair ? Because i have jamaican coca butter and i want to know if it affects and damage my her when i put it in.

tricia on April 02, 2019:

I have been using cacao butter and shea butter whipped together with jojoba oil for a year now. this is the best thing I've ever done for myself. it has worked wonders on my hair and body!! I recommend everyone try this.

Sabrina on January 01, 2019:

Thank you for the recipes. I made the conditioner and it whipped up quite nicely. It brings out my curls and feels good on the skin. Only a little bit at a time is required.

Andreea on March 22, 2018:

I leave it for a whole day when i have time and it's NOT hardening on my hair, that's ridiculous ...Tip: it comes out easier with conditioner rather then shampoo.

Natasha on January 26, 2018:

Dear "Proofreader"

She is not writing a book and I understand this recipe perfectly and do not see any reasons why the grammar could be used better.

Dear "Good For Recovery"

Just a nice aired place with a damp cloth would help alcoholism or any drug addiction, cocoa butter place no part except for the scented one could possibly take your mind off drinking or doing drugs for a couple of minutes.

Dear "Mae Chandler"

You can use as a leave in or wash out depending on what recipe you choose to use. Mine is a wash out

Dear " Sofia "

This is why you melt the cocoa butter and not use it directly into your hair unless it's a very hot humid day,.

Be sure to wash any oils out with medium hoy water as bits of the butter may not dissolve and will leave your hair feeling tacky

Good for recovery! on January 26, 2018:

When recovering from alcoholism, cleanse face/neck/chest with warm cloth and towel dry. Liberally apply palmers coco butter and also rub a little through the hair. Once in the morning and once in the evening! Very soothing!

Natasha from Finley, 2713 NSW Australia on November 03, 2017:

I have my own 2 In 1 Treatment + Conditioner Bar Using Butters, Oils & Goats Milk Soap Base.

My recipe ingredients are:

2tblsp Cocoa Butter

1tblsp Shea Butter - optioal

2tblsp Coconut Oil

1tblsp Sweet Almond Oil

2 Caps or 1/2tsp Vit E Oil

140g Stephenson Goats Milk Melt & Pour SLS & SLES Free Soap Base.

5-10 drops of Choice of Fragrance or Essential Oil - i put Vanilla in Mine

Proofreader on October 23, 2016:

While very informative, your article could use some grammatical attention.

Mae Chandler on July 20, 2016:

Would this be more for a leave in conditioner or a cream? Or could you use it for either or both?

Sofia on May 19, 2016:

TRUE CACAO butter products for the hair do wonders!

Using the cocoa butter directly is a bit of a hassle.

Paige on July 20, 2015:

My friend is putting on my hair and it feels weird.

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on May 31, 2015:

I would love to try these methods with cocoa butter sometime in the future. Very useful to know the effects of these products, too. Voted up!

Jave on May 13, 2014:

Coco butter. Is hard to find the one for hair In jersey

stretch-marks-cream.com on July 03, 2013:

I never thought that cocoa butter can also be used on hair. What I only knew about it is that it is good for stretch marks and to dry, flaky skin. Anyway, thanks for the info.

Silver Q loves doing research about anything she finds interesting. She hates talking in the third person.

I love the smell of lemon! It smells so clean and tastes even better. Ever since I stopped wasting money on chemical shampoo in a plastic bottle and began using the "no 'poo" method of washing my hair, I've been trying different natural things to get my hair clean and smelling good.

My latest find is lemon juice. The results: my hair is "squeaky" clean, and my waves have become more defined. The smell is also delicious!

Is Lemon Juice Good for Your Hair?

Lemon can make your hair shiny, strong, thick, and dandruff-free. It is also useful in hair loss prevention and is popular for lightening hair color. Lemons also help restore your hair's natural pH balance, which is very important if you want your hair to stay healthy.

Lemon juice is also an excellent degreaser, so it is perfect for washing hair, especially if your scalp is on the oily side.

I particularly like to use lemon juice on my hair because it makes my hair feel super clean, and it leaves a wonderful smell.

How to Use Lemon Juice as a Hair Rinse

Lemon juice can be used in a variety of ways, but my preferred method is using it as a rinse. Here's how to do it.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup of warm water

Directions

1. Mix the two together.
2. Apply to hair after shampoo.
3. Leave it on for 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Rinse.

I wash my hair with baking soda once a week. During the rest of the week, I use the lemon juice rinse to keep my hair clean and smelling good. However, keep in mind that you should only use this rinse twice a week. Applying too much lemon to hair can dry it out. Also, prolonged use of lemon juice can lighten your hair color. If that is not what you want to do, skip the lemon juice rinse. I personally love it because it gives me natural highlights (scroll down for tips on using lemon to lighten your hair).

There are some people like me doing the "no 'poo" hair-washing method with an apple cider vinegar rinse. You can add lemon juice to this rinse to make the smell less strong.

• 1 tsp concentrated lemon juice (or the juice of one lemon)
• 1 tbs Apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup of warm water

As above, mix the two together, apply to hair after shampoo, leave it on for 3 to 5 minutes, and rinse.

The results of adding lemon to the apple cider vinegar rinse are wonderful. Hair feels cleaner and the vinegar smell is significantly reduced.

Lemon Juice for Lightening Hair Color

A natural way to make your hair color lighter and add natural highlights is by using lemon juice. There are many different methods and recipes but I've tried two: in addition to the lemon juice rinse I mentioned above, I've also tried a mixture of lemon juice with chamomile tea, which is also known for its natural bleaching properties.

Lemon and Chamomile Natural Hair Bleach

Directions

• Mix 1 tsp concentrated lemon juice (or the juice from one lemon) in 1 cup of chamomile tea and use as a rinse or place in a spray bottle and spray it all over your hair before going out in the sun for about an hour.

Depending on the color and texture of your hair, if you do this once or twice a week, you should start seeing results in a couple of months.

DIY Lemon Hair Highlights

Treat Dandruff Naturally With Lemon Juice

If you have persistent dandruff problems, lemons are an excellent home remedy. Use the lemon juice rinse recipe mentioned above or simply add some lemon juice to your shampoo right before washing your hair.

When you have shampoo in the palm of your hand, add a tablespoon from the bottle of concentrated lemon juice or the juice of one lemon and apply to hair.

You may also want to try a lemon juice hair mask to nourish your scalp and get rid of dandruff. Here's how to do it.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup of olive oil
• 1/2 cup of honey
• 1 lemon

Directions

1. Mix the olive oil, honey, and the juice of 1 lemon.
2. Massage the mixture on the scalp
3. Cover with a shower cap and a towel and leave on for 15 minutes.

Another Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tbs concentrated lemon juice (or the juice of one lemon)
• 1/2 cup of olive oil
• 1/2 cup of coconut oil

Directions

1. Mix the oils and the lemon juice/
2. Massage onto the hair.
3. Cover with shower cap, and leave on for 20 minutes.

What's in a Lemon?

If you're like me, you always look at the ingredients of your beauty products but sometimes, I can't decipher the words. But this isn't a problem when you're using real, natural, whole ingredients like lemon.

Lemon is high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. Lemon also contains alpha-hydroxy acids that exfoliate dead cells and help you maintain a beautiful complexion.

Concentrated Lemon Juice vs. Fresh Squeezed

A note of warning: the lemon juice you buy in a bottle at the store is much more concentrated than the juice you'll squeeze from a lemon yourself. It depends on the size and juiciness of the lemon but since concentrated lemon juice is roughly four to seven times stronger than fresh lemon juice, for these recipes I estimate that one teaspoon of concentrated lemon juice is roughly equal to the juice of one large lemon.

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This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

stressed on May 16, 2016:

I've just tried to dye my hair blond, only the roots took the rest is still black, what can I do - any advise

Silver Q (author) on April 18, 2013:

Hi Rose Anne Karesh! The no 'poo method is basically washing your hair with baking soda and conditioning with apple cider vinegar. For more information, there is a link in this hub that will take you to the no 'poo hub.

Thanks for reading!

Rose Anne Karesh from Virginia on April 16, 2013:

This is really interesting, thanks! What is the "no 'poo" method? Why did you choose it?

Irina enjoys giving advice to others regarding how to care for their hair and skin.

The hair, also called a person’s crowning glory, is one of women’s greatest assets. It can project a woman’s personality when styled according to her preference. That is why several hair treatments are made available to further enhance the beauty of one’s hair, including hair rebonding. Hair rebonding is a process wherein the natural bonds of the hair are broken down through the use of chemicals and heat, rearranged, and bonded once again. The waves and curls are flattened so that the hair looks straight and beautiful. The result of this process promises silky, shiny, and sleek hair.

Some women are tempted to get a hair rebond because their hair is dull, frizzy, and unmanageable. But is hair rebonding really for you? Check out the benefits and side effects that you may experience from this hair treatment.

Benefits

• The first benefit of hair rebonding is that it gives permanent results. Unlike other hair treatments, rebonding your hair can make it permanently straight. Whether your hair is naturally straight with slight ‘S’ curve, or curly, it is guaranteed that you will have straight and silky hair at the end of the treatment.

• Another benefit of the treatment is a marked improvement of your hair’s manageability when rebound. It lets you stand a windy environment without messing your hair. You can also style or tie your hair without compromising its straightness.

Downsides

While there are several benefits of this particular hair treatment, it also has its own downsides. Most of them occur when a substandard chemical is used or a step during the treatment is not done properly.

• For one, hair rebonding may cause hair breakage. The chemicals and heat applied during the process can take a toll on your hair and may make it break easily.
• You might also notice you have more hair loss when you’ve gone through this treatment.
• Another downside of this treatment is that you may sustain burns during the process. The straightening iron may not only burn your hair, but also your scalp as well.

• Finally, even if the process leaves the hair permanently straight, it is also necessary to do a follow-up maintenance through hot oil treatments and such to keep it beautiful.
• You may need to spend a few more bucks for a separate treatment.
• The process of rebonding the hair doesn’t come cheap as well because of the number of hair products applied and its laborious process.

Conclusion

When deciding whether to rebond your hair, you should also take into consideration the type of hair rebond you want to achieve. You should also consider if you can afford the hair products you may need to purchase to keep your hair beautiful and prevent hair loss after the treatment. Finally, your stylist must be experienced enough in this kind of process in order to prevent harm and ultimately bring out the beauty of your hair.

Indeed, you need to carefully consider your decision if this process is going to give you more good than harm. Hair rebonding should help you feel and look more beautiful. Otherwise, there are other less risky and natural hair treatments that you can consider.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: What is the right age for hair rebonding?

Answer: Hair rebonding is not recommended for girls who are under the age of eleven, as the child's hair has not yet been fully formed. In this case, the procedure may harm the hair. This is perhaps the only age limitation. Women at any age can carry out this procedure. The main thing is to choose the right stylist.

Question: What oil treatment should be done after rebonding hair?

Answer: Hair Rebonding is a chemical treatment. After applying the chemical composition, the components penetrate deep into the hair shaft and break the bonds of disulfides, because of this, the hair loses the ability to curl.

During the procedure, the hair structure collapses even with the usage of low chemicals. That is why straightened hair requires special nourishing and care.

For rebonded hair, you can use argan oil which has a lot of vitamins E, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. It is also excellent hair protection from harmful UV. Olive oil has similar properties.

Oil is applied to wet hair and left for at least an hour. Another way is to apply the oil before washing the head (especially good for curly hair).

Coconut oil is used as the base oil. It consists of small molecules and penetrates deep into the hair. In addition, coconut oil is similar to hair proteins, so it effectively restores hair from the inside.

However, 3 days right after the rebonding stay away from all the hair treatments.

Question: Is it possible to do another hair rebonding after 3 days?

Answer: It is best if you have your hair rest for at least 2-3 weeks before rebonding. Otherwise, you can harm your hair. It is difficult to tell whether you can rebond your hair again or the hair is damaged too much. You need to consult with good hair stylist to make the proper analysis.

Healthy virgin hair can take retouch of rebonding very well. Coloured hair can be rebonded again with careful timing. The damage is cumulative for the hair which has been rebonded over and it’s hard to predict when they fail.

If your rebonding is successful, you do not need to do rebonding on the already rebonded hair. It is permanent. It is done only on the roots later on.

Comments

Res on June 28, 2020:

Hi, I got rebonded again this is my 2nd time and after 3 weeks I noticed my Hair is falling out and when I touched on the top of My hair it feels like mans hair, I don’t know what to do. I’m so depressed.

Anjum Eva on November 03, 2019:

Is it sweat bad after rebonded hair?

jel on November 02, 2019:

hi, is it okay not to take rebond process again if my hair is have a history in rebonding?

rose on January 22, 2019:

it is good for hair??

chary on December 14, 2018:

hello am planning to take balayage and try rebond after 8 months. Is it ok for first timers? I mean virgin hairs?

Eya on June 04, 2018:

Hi. Today is Monday that this is the day to wash my hair after rebond. But im not happy for the result. Its like nothing is change. Then my friend told me to fix it by applying again and do rebond for 4hrs. Is it good to do it?

Badeth on September 02, 2017:

Hi! I got normal delivery after 4 months, and now I had Hair fall. They said its normal, but I want to treat my hair because my hair is frizzy also losing due to hair fall. What treatment should I take if rebond is not good and has a side effect?

Thanks and more power!

IrinaV (author) on February 01, 2017:

Hi, mithila! Yes, hair fall after rebond is one known side effect, sadly you can only try to fix it with hair supplements like masks, oils etc.

mithila on January 02, 2017:

my hair looks good and sightly straight as well if I do shampoo properly. Even after I want to rebond to look much more perfect, but what about the hair fall after rebonding?????? I really want to loss my hair :( :(

IrinaV (author) on September 04, 2016:

Hi! Urmi. Thanks for your question. It's definitely not ok to do hair rebound when your hair is damaged! You should first consult with your hairdresser or a specialist who is going to do the proсedure! I think you should fisrt fix your hair problem and only then if you still want your hair straight then do rebonding! Otherwise you can end up loosing your hair.

swati on March 04, 2016:

I have rebonded ma hairs today itself from local parlour bt nw scared that may it will affect ma hairs as ma hairs are very thin in texture..

sonakshi on January 24, 2016:

Before 22 month I gone through the process of my 2nd rebounding due to which hairfall in huge amount took place and during the time period of my first rebounding was awesome normal hairfall

Now again I want to rebond my hair again is it ok or not

IrinaV (author) on August 21, 2015:

Hi huny, thank you for your question, its quite difficult to answer in a simple messge! Im going to make a research on that problem and post an article!

huny on August 21, 2015:

I have thin n unmanageable straight hairs nd I want to rebond them but I am conscious for after effects and what will the precautions and products should be use after rebonding if suffer from hair lossage

IrinaV (author) on July 29, 2015:

Yes sure! Would love to help! :)

IrinaV (author) on July 29, 2015:

Kaya hi, as I've said if you look for organic or natural hair wax then it should be fine to use it! Read the ingredients they all should be natural and safe!

IrinaV (author) on July 28, 2015:

Just google hair styling wax and you should find it! There is very little damage for the hair if you use it! Just like almost any hair styling product. (You might want specifically search for organic or narural ones to make sure its harmless for your hair)

IrinaV (author) on July 28, 2015:

Oh sorry, the only way I know how to make hair look smooth in a ponytail is to use some hair wax! Or you may try to use hair straightener, but it's also maybe quite damaging for the hair especially if you do it often.

kaya on July 28, 2015:

Thank you so much for your advice. Actually the only reason that I want to rebond is be looking nice when tieing a ponytail isn't there any other way that I can look nice when tieing a ponytail???? I thought that cutting my hair like the letter V what about that? Is there any other way? ?? Please reply fast!!!!!:'(:'(:'(:'(:'(:'(:'(:'(:'(:'(:'(:'(:'(:'(:'(

IrinaV (author) on July 28, 2015:

Well if you afraid of damaging hair much then probably you shouldn't do it, but remember that hair can always grow back! :)

kaya on July 27, 2015:

Thank you so much!!! But all of the people from whom I asked about the side effects of this told me that after few days it will totally damage my hair. Just like you have written in this page. So plz tell me what do I do? ??? I'm so confused. Plz reply me fast. I'm waiting for a reply.

IrinaV (author) on July 25, 2015:

Kaya, sorry i couldn't reply earlier. After treating hair and getting rebonded, you need to take care of your hair more than you used to do before.

Maintaining the rebounded hair requires regular touch ups within 6 min months after the treatment.

However it's difficult to say if this can effect someone's  education or not because in some cases even watching TV may effect it! It depends on the personal skill and motivation!

kaya on July 25, 2015:

Plz leave me a reply! I am waiting.

kaya on July 18, 2015:

Thanks a ton for your reply. Will this affect for my education? I am asking this because I have heard that there are many treatments that should be done after rebonding.

IrinaV (author) on July 05, 2015:

Kaya, rebonding can be done at any age if you can go through a service that takes pretty long time. It really depends on a young lady. The only thing to worry about is the level of professionalism of the stylist. The consequnce of a poorly done job could be extreme breakage or chamical burns.

kaya on July 03, 2015:

I'm just 14 years old so is it suitable to rebond my hair at this age? Will it damage my hair? Also thanks for the tips. Is there any age limit for this process? Plz give me some idea!

shehzeen on May 08, 2014:

Thanx for give me this tips but now my hair are ribondid so what thing protect my hair after ribonding because my hair have been damage plz give me some idea what i do for my hears