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Did you know your hair growth starts way beneath the surface? A healthy scalp is the foundation for strong, beautiful hair. Just like fertile soil nourishes plants, a healthy scalp environment provides the perfect conditions for hair follicles to thrive. When your scalp is balanced and free from irritation, it can efficiently deliver nutrients to the follicles, promoting healthy hair growth and minimizing breakage. By incorporating scalp care into your routine, you'll be nurturing your hair from the root up, setting the stage for long, luscious locks.
As a fellow hijabi, I totally understand the struggle. Remember those carefree days when we could just shower, throw our hair in a messy bun, and head out the door? (Sigh)Â Those days are long gone!
For me, the switch to wearing hijab was amazing, but it definitely came with a learning curve, especially for my hair. Here's the thing: back then, I'd hop out of the shower, hair dripping wet, and wouldn't think twice about it. But with the hijab trapping moisture, that innocent habit turned into a nightmare for my scalp. Months later, I started noticing major issues - itchy scalp, dandruff flakes, and even hair loss! Turns out, a damp scalp is a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, and let me tell you, it wasn't pretty!!
Fast forward to today, and my hair has totally bounced back! Educating myself and researching natural remedies, I got to know what's been going wrong and how to rectify it. Now, I have a healthy scalp and gorgeous hair, all thanks to ditching the harsh chemicals and embracing the power of nature.
But wait, there's more! I'm not just speaking from experience. Being an expert in using essential oils and a hair and skincare formulator and creator, I have tons of stuff to share with you. Keep reading! 🤓
Areas of Focus
Ditching the chemicals: While chemical hair products promise dramatic results, they often come at a hidden cost. These harsh chemicals can disrupt your scalp's natural oil balance, leading to dryness, irritation, and even breakage over time. The concern goes beyond just hair health; some chemicals have been linked to hormonal disruption and even an increased risk of cancer. Thankfully, natural ingredients offer a gentler, yet powerful alternative. They work with your scalp and hair, promoting health and shine without the potential downsides of chemical products. You can ditch the chemicals and still achieve beautiful hair, with the added benefit of reducing your exposure to potentially harmful ingredients.
Scalp health: Our scalp, like our gut, has its own unique microbiome – a community of tiny living organisms. This balance of bacteria and fungi plays a crucial role in scalp
health. Harsh chemical products can disrupt this delicate ecosystem, leading to dryness, irritation, and even hair loss. Natural ingredients, on the other hand, can be much gentler. Some can even act as prebiotics, feeding the good bacteria on your scalp and promoting a healthy balance in the microbiome. This, in turn, strengthens the scalp's natural defenses and creates an optimal environment for healthy hair growth.
Hair Ends:
Unless your hair is super silky, sebum will lose its way amongst the curls and waves as you grow old and use harsh tools and chemicals. This is why we need to find the right products to add to our hair ends and lock in moisture. A good routine is to apply a nice and gentle leave in conditioner once you are out of shower, even before putting your hair towel on. This way you will help lock in the moisture. Applying a good quality hair oil nightly is a wonderful addition, too. For it compensates the sebum issue while giving additional nutrients to your hair ends.
Split ends are another common issue where hair shaft starts splitting into tiny tears, caused by dryness, heat styling, or environmental damage. Once a split occurs, it will travel up the hair shaft if left untreated, leading to breakage and frizz. To keep your hair looking healthy and strong, preventing split ends is key! Here are some natural treatments you can incorporate into your routine to keep your hair ends happy and healthy:
Trim regularly: every 6-8 weeks is a good rule of thumb
Use heat protectant before styling your hair with heat tools
Apply good quality hair oil or butter for your hair ends every night. A very small amount is more than enough so your hair doesn't feel greasy
Finish up your shower with an apple cider vinegar rinse. Use ratio 4:1 where 4 is the water 😉
Building Your Natural Hair Care Routine:
Do's and Don'ts:
Do: Identify your hair type (dry, oily, etc.). Don't: Use harsh products unsuitable for your hair type.
Do: Wash hair regularly, but not excessively. Don't: Over-wash, stripping natural oils. Showering twice a week is a good start, and shampooing your scalp two times is a key! The first time is where shampoo clears out all build ups while the second one with half the amount of shampoo will ensure your scalp is nice and fresh
Do: Use gentle cleansing methods. Don't: Rely on harsh shampoos that damage hair >> avoid hair products from grocery stores which include tons of chemicals harmful to your hair and scalp.Â
Do: Buy a good quality hair brush. Natural bristles are gentle and distribute oils. Wet Brush is a great option. Don't: over brush your hair.
Do: Wash your hairbrush regularly, like monthly. Don't: use a dirty brush as it harbors bacteria and dead skin which can irritate your scalp and even lead to hair loss! Search YouTube for "how to clean hairbrush at home" for a quick guide to a healthy hair care routine, brush included!
Scalp massage
Benefits and Techniques:
Giving your scalp a massage isn't just a feel-good moment (although it definitely is that too!). It can also be a powerful tool for promoting healthy hair growth. Scalp massages increase blood circulation to the scalp, delivering essential nutrients to your hair follicles. This can help strengthen strands, reduce breakage, and even stimulate new growth.
Here's how to incorporate scalp massage into your routine: use the pads of your fingers to gently apply pressure in circular motions all over your scalp. Start at your hairline and work your way back towards your neck. You can even use a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil for added moisture and slip. You may also use one of my organic oil blends 🤓 For a more detailed guide and visual demonstration, check out this helpful article:
https://www.greenpeople.co.uk/blogs/the-beauty-hub/a-guide-to-the-benefits-of-a-relaxing-scalp-massage! If you're a more visual learner, search for "scalp massage for hair growth". There are tons of wonderful content that could be inspiring.
Quick Tips for Your Shower Routine:
Water temperature: avoid hot water, and always finish up with cool water, the coolest you could stand! This will help seal the hair cuticle
Organic shampoo: look up good quality shampoos, preferably organic, your scalp and hair will thank you!
Split your hair into two halves from the front all the way back, then apply the shampoo along that line in the middle and a little more on sides. Massage gently and then rinse.
Importance of conditioning: deep condition your hair,,, HAIR, not scalp! DO the
same as above, that split thing, but this time apply the conditioner to your hair ends and go up like 2 inches away from your scalp. Don't afraid to use a good amount, and don't rinse your hair toooooo well, a little left is nice to your hair.
5. Leave-In Conditioner: This is a very important step many people skip. While deep conditioning your hair during the shower moisturizes your hair wonderfully, applying a leave in conditioner will lock in all the moisture. The best way is to apply it on your wet hair, just give a little squeeze all the way down to avoid dripping water along your back! 🥶
Beyond the Basics:
Nature offers a treasure trove of ingredients to address all sorts of hair damages! Feeling dry? Deep conditioning masks can quench dryness.
The role of diet and hydration: What you put in your body shows on your scalp too! Nourishing your hair from the inside out is just as important as external care. A balanced diet rich in protein, iron, and healthy fats provides the building blocks for strong, healthy hair growth. Staying hydrated also plays a crucial role – water keeps your scalp healthy and prevents dryness, which can lead to breakage and split ends. So, fill up your glass and fuel your body with good food – your hair will thank you for it!
Do protective hairstyles to minimize breakage. Braid is a wonderful go to:
Loose waves
Low ponytail or bun
Loose braids
Messy updos
Short and sweet
Precede heat styling with a good quality heat protectant.
Conclusion:
As you can see, taking a natural approach to hair care goes beyond just using the right products. It's about creating a holistic routine that nourishes your scalp and encourages healthy hair growth from the root up. Remember, everyone's hair is unique, so don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you! Embrace the journey of discovery and celebrate your natural beauty.
I'd love to hear from you! Share your hair concerns, natural hair care experiences, or any questions you might have in the comments below. Let's create a supportive community where we can all learn and grow together on our natural hair journeys!
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