Natural Home Remedies for Dry Damaged Hair

Dry hair tends to be thin and rough. It is susceptible to tangles, damage, breakage and split ends. We suggest a few remedies you can try at home for managing dry hair. The primary aim is to replenish the oil and the moisture in the hair. That is why the emphasis is on the conditioning aspect of hair care. Strong cleansing routines and dry toning exercises and massaging of the scalp promote dryness and flakiness of the scalp. The use of strong-action shampoo is prohibited for dry hair. Often a generous oil application and massage is recommended before washing the hair. Frequent shampooing is harmful for dry hair. For the moisture-dry hair, a moisturizer application is required.

Common Causes for Dry Hair

    * One of the major causes for dry hair is malnutrition. Lack of certain nutrients in your daily dietary plan may result in dry hair.
    * Over exposure to sun is another cause for drying of hair.
    * Excessive use of certain hair styling products that may contain some harsh chemicals may also lead to this problem.
    * If you wash your hair very often, it can also cause drying of hair.
    * Drying your hair with hair dryer at a very high temperature can also cause loss of moisture, thereby resulting in dry hair.
    * Intake of certain medicines such as antibiotics can also cause the problem of dry hair.
    * Prolonged illness can also lead to dry and brittle hair.

Home Remedies for Dry Hair

Be Kind to Your Hair

Dry hair is the most fragile type of hair and is subject to breakage, so it must be handled with care. When lathering, be gentle. Avoid any pulling or yanking on your hair in any way, which strains the hair shafts. Don’t scrub with your fingernails, which can not only break the hair but irritate your scalp. Work up a lather using your fingertips, instead. Gently rubbing your scalp with your fingertips will also stimulate the oil glands.

Use Hot Oil

Hair-care professionals often recommend hot-oil treatments to repair dry, damaged hair. Over-the-counter hot-oil products are available that you heat and place on the hair for 5 to 20 minutes (according to package instructions). Wear a plastic bag or shower cap over your hair while the hot oil is on, then wash the hair thoroughly with a gentle shampoo.

Brush Less

Despite what you may have heard, too much brushing can actually fracture the hair, causing it to fall out. Fragile, dry hair is even more vulnerable to excessive brushing. Always brush hair gently and never when it is wet (use a comb, carefully, when hair is wet). The type of hairbrush you use is important, too. Boar-bristle brushes or “vent” brushes are good choices, since their rubberized tips don’t pull the hair excessively.

Pace Your Hair Treatments

If you perm on Tuesday, dye your hair on Thursday, and put it in hot rollers on Saturday, your hair is destined to be dry and damaged. You don’t have to abandon styling practices such as dyes, permanent waves, or hair straightening if you have dry hair. Just keep in mind that it’s important to space those treatments out as much as possible.

Be Careful With Shampoo

Shampooing too often is one of the most common causes of dry hair. Many people believe that squeaky-clean hair is healthy hair, so they wash it one or more times every day. But shampoos often contain harsh cleaning agents that can strip away your hair’s natural oils, which help hold in moisture. On the other hand, a gentle shampoo will stimulate the oil glands, so you probably shouldn’t go longer than three days without a good lather.

The ideal shampoos for dry hair have a pH of between 4.5 and 6.7, but here’s a good rule of thumb: Don’t use any hair cleanser that you wouldn’t put on your face. Some people recommend baby shampoos, but their pH is usually far too high; such alkaline shampoos dry out the hair. Acidic shampoos are better for your hair.

Pour on the Conditioner

Strawlike hair needs conditioning. Look for products that contain little or no alcohol, which will dry out hair even more. Reading labels will help, but it might be simpler just to take a whiff before you buy: Conditioners with little or no fragrance tend to be low in alcohol or contain none at all. If your hair is really dry, consider using an overnight conditioner, which you apply before going to bed (you sleep wearing a shower cap) and rinse off in the morning.

Hold the Heat

Using hot combs, hot rollers, and blow-dryers is asking for dry hair. Hot rollers are the worst because they stretch the hair while the heat shrinks it. Hot combs also tend to stretch the hair while exposing it to heat. If you must use artificial heat, keep your blow-dryer on a low setting and avoid pulling or stretching the hair while drying.

Look in the Cupboard

Nuts and seeds. Try snacking on some seeds and nuts. They contain essential fatty acids that can pop that sheen right back into your hair.
Avocado and banana. Mash a little overripe banana and avocado together, spread in your hair, and leave it there for up to an hour. Then rinse with warm water.

Beer. After your shampoo, rinse your hair with a little beer. This can help restore shine.
Mayonnaise. You’ll need the full-fat kind, not a diet or low-fat version. Slather 1 tablespoon or so onto your hair, rub it in down to your scalp, then cover with a plastic cap and wait about 30 minutes. Rinse it out thoroughly or you’ll be craving tuna salad the rest of the day.

Oil. Rub a little oil into your scalp. Olive oil works well, as does coconut oil. After you rub it on, cover your hair with a cap and leave it on overnight, then shampoo and rinse the oil out in the morning.

Use Eggs for Shine

To clean hair and give it a super shine, whip an egg into tepid water (not too hot or you’ll be dealing with a poached egg), then lather it into your hair. Rinse it out with tepid water or that egg will poach right on top of your head. To deep-treat damaged hair, give it a healthy sheen, and cure dryness right down to the roots, use this pre-shampoo conditioning treatment: Mix together 3 eggs, 2 tablespoons olive oil or safflower oil, and 1 teaspoon vinegar. Apply it to your tresses, cover with a plastic cap, and leave it on for 30 minutes. Then shampoo as usual.

Try Vinegar

There are several ways you can help your dry hair with vinegar. Vinegar is a great conditioner and can improve cleanliness and shine. Just add 1 tablespoon vinegar to your hair as you rinse it. Keep a travel-size plastic bottle of vinegar in your shower for this purpose, and take one when you travel, too. Since dandruff can make your hair look dull, use vinegar to make dandruff disappear. Massage full-strength vinegar into your scalp several times a week before you shampoo. Or, a brief soak in vinegar and water before you shampoo can help control dandruff as well as remove the dulling buildup from sprays, shampoos, and conditioners.

Add 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar to a small basin of water and drape your hair into it. As an alternative, you can put the concoction in a spray bottle and apply it to your hair. A conditioner that controls dandruff and gives your hair a healthy shine can be made by mixing 2 cups water and 1/2 cup vinegar. Apply the conditioner after rinsing out your shampoo, and let it stay on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water. If you need a stronger treatment for dandruff control, use this same method, but keep the rinse on your hair for 1 hour, covered with a shower cap. Then rinse it out. This vinegar rinse will also help control frizziness in dry or damaged hair.
Some More Remedies for Dry Hair

    * To a cup of coconut milk add two tablesthingys of gram flour. Apply on the scalp and massage gently. Rinse the hair after five minutes. Use this method once a week. This is very good and effective home remedy for dry hair.
    * Make a conditioner by mixing one tablesthingy of castor oil, one tablesthingy of glycerin, a teasthingy of cider vinegar, a teasthingy of protein to a tablesthingy of mild herbal shampoo. Apply it on scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse the hair.
    * Massage the scalp with warm almond or olive oil.
    * Add a teasthingy of lavender oil to the coconut oil and heat it for few seconds. Massage the scalp at night and shampoo the hair next morning. Follow this procedure twice a week for soft and shiny hair. This is very useful home remedy for dry hair.
    * A diet rich in zinc should be followed, as the main cause of dry hair is the deficiency of mineral zinc.

Easy and Simple Ways to Protect Your Oily Skin Care: Useful Remedies

Easy and Simple Ways to Protect Your Oily Skin Care: Useful Remedies


Oily skin generally appears shiny, has rough pores and is prone to pimples, blackheads and blemishes. In oily skin, the sebaceous glands produce excess oil which oozes out through the pores of the skin giving it a shiny look. Oily skin could be due to heredity, hormone levels, diet, pregnancy, humidity, or due to the kind of cosmetics used. The excess oil secreted by the sebaceous glands is more during adolescence and decreases with age. But oily skin does not develop wrinkles or does not show signs of aging very early as in dry or normal skin types. With a little care, oily skin can appear naturally beautiful.

Useful Tips for Oily Skin Care

    * Firstly, before you try anything new, try a small patch test if you have sensitive skin. A reaction or eruption on your face would be unpleasant. No matter how safe you think a remedy is, first try it on your wrist or the inside of your elbow.
    * Before you apply any facial masques or oily skin treatments, make sure your skin is clean. Make it a point to use products meant for oily skin when cleansing too as many facial cleansers are oil based and will only add to the greasiness of your skin. Natural cleansers are again preferable.
    * Avoid using moisturizers or cold creams that are oil based.
    * To cleanse your face, use warm water and an appropriate cleanser. Wash off with cool water and pat dry your skin instead of rubbing it vigorously.
    * A facial masque prepared from oatmeal and honey is effective for oily skin. Make a paste using raw oatmeal, lemon juice and honey and apply it over your face. Be careful that it does not enter the eyes. Rinse it off after around ten minutes with warm water and pat dry your skin. This will keep your skin clean, smooth, and fresh, and rid of any greasiness.
    * You can also use a clay masque or use fuller’s earth mixed with water for a good facial masque to reduce oiliness. Leave it on for around twenty minutes before rinsing off.
    * Lemon juice, honey, and turmeric are some natural bleaches that are effective for removal of a tan and improvement of your complexion. Cucumber and potato juice also contain natural bleaching properties.
    * Yogurt and white radish are also effective natural bleaching agents.
    * Drink a lot of water as keeping your system well hydrated is believed to minimize dark circles.
    * Used tea bags can be refrigerated and placed over the eyes for around fifteen minutes daily.
    * A slice of raw potato or cucumber placed around the eyes is also believed to help.

Home Remedies for Oily Skin

Use of Almonds and honey

Take 2-3 almonds and grind them properly. Add ½ tablespoon honey to it. Mix them to make a fine paste. Massage your face with this paste gently for 15-20 minutes. Wipe off with a hot water dipped cloth. Wash with water after that. It gives your skin a deadly glow. It is very effective home remedy for oily skin.

Use of Salt

It is a simple and well known home remedy for oily skin. Add a teaspoon of salt in a bottle of water. Sprinkle this water on your face several times a day. You will notice the changes in your skin after a week. It is an efficient way to get rid of extra oil on your skin.

Use of Egg yolk

An egg yolk mask helps in drying out the skin. Take the egg yolk and apply on the oily part of skin with a cotton ball. Let it dry for 15 minutes. Wash with cool water after that. Regular use of this will balance the oily spots on your skin.

Use of Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel work like wonders in reducing oily spots on the skin. Take a leaf and slice it to get the gel. Apply this gel 2-3 times daily. It is a simple home remedy for curing oily skin. You can also keep the gel in refrigerator 30 minutes before applying. It will give you a smooth as well as refreshing effect.

Use of Vinegar

Vinegar is very helpful in treating oily skin. Apply vinegar on the oily skin with a cotton ball. If your skin is sensitive then add 4teaspoons of water to 1 teaspoon vinegar. You can also freeze vinegar and use it as a cooling pad. One of the simple home remedies for oily skin.

Use of Limes and Cucumbers

Take 2 tablespoons of cucumber juice. Add same quantity of lime juice to it. Apply this solution on the oily skin parts. Allow it to dry. Wash with cool water.

Use of Cornstarch

Cornstarch helps in drying oily patches on skin. Take a cup of lukewarm water and add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to it. Mix well to make a fine paste. You can now rub this paste on your face in upward circular motion for 10-15 minutes. Now allow it to dry completely. Wash with lukewarm water after that. Regular use of this helps in removing extra oil from your skin. One of the useful home remedies for oily skin.

Use of Apples and Oatmeal

Take half cup of mashed apple and add half cup oatmeal to it. Now add few drops of lemon juice and one egg white (beaten) to it. Mix well to make a thick paste. Now apply this .paste on your skin for 15-20 minutes. Wash with cool water after that. It is an efficient home remedy for oily skin.

Use of Lemons

Take 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Mix same quantity of water to it. Apply this solution on your face with a cotton ball. Wash with lukewarm water for better and quick results.

Use of Baking Soda

Add half teaspoon of baking soda to your liquid soap or body wash. Gently massage the oily areas of skin. Wash with cool water after that. Regular use of this will help you in getting rid of extra oil on your skin.

Best Adult Acne Skin Care Tips: Treatment with Remedies

Adults have skin care problems as well. Like the experiences of teenagers the world over, it’s a combination of factors that cause sebaceous glands to fill with oil and lymph products, providing an environment for bacteria to flourish.

What Is Adult Acne?

Adult acne occurs when the pores become inflamed and cloged due to the production of sebum(oil) and bacteria.

There are many ways of treating it and we can’t single out a best adult acne treatment. Is better to see what works for you and stick with it until you see results. However, by making some simple changes to your daily skin care for adult acne regimen your chances of a clearer skin will be greatly improved.
What Causes Adult Acne?

While hormones tend to be the leading cause of acne problems in teenage kids, adult acne is a problem of a different sort. Common causes include stress, hormones, cosmetics and medications. These can all contribute to adult acne, which commonly occurs on the:

    * T-zone (forehead, nose, chin)
    * shoulders
    * chest
    * back

Fortunately, when it comes to your skin problems, there are a wide variety of adult acne skin care products for you to choose from.
10 Effective Tips for Adult Acne Skin Care

    * Make sure your hands stay away from the face. The hands are common carriers for bacteria & dirt which can easily be passed on to the face, thereby worsening adult acne problems.
    * Always wash your face at least two times daily, once in the morning then again at night. This prevents buildup of oils and bacteria that can contribute to acne in adults.
    * Always shower after a workout to prevent too much buildup of oil which can and will clog the pores of your skin. Clogged pores result in more severe adult acne skin care problems.
    * Exercise regularly to combat acne from within. Exercise is known to reduce stress, increase circulation and improve oxygen penetration, which are all factors that can impact your skin and help to get rid of adult acne. It may seem strange that “exercise” could have any sort of effect on adult acne, but its 100% true. Try it and see!
    * Treat your face regularly with a mask made of oatmeal. The simple mask just involves cooking oatmeal, cooling it and applying it on to the face liberally. It is then rinsed off (after about 20 minutes) and the face is then patted dried. Oatmeal has very good exfoliating properties which helps to remove acne and improve your skin’s overall look & feel.
    * Do not pop, pick or squeeze any pimples or blemishes on your face. This action usually contributes to bacteria buildup as well as increases the possibility of scarring.
    * Always keep a clean pillowcase on your pillows. If this means changing your pillowcases three times a week, this is what needs to be done to ensure you do not expose your skin to excessive amounts of bacteria, dust, dirt, and oils. Limit contact with these substances and your adult acne skin care problems will go away much faster.
    * When heading off to bed, be sure to pull your hair away from the face as well as avoid going to bed with makeup on (if you’re a women). These two factors can contribute significantly to bacteria buildup and the clogging of pores.
    * Try to get yourself on a more balanced and nutritious diet antioxidant rich food is IMPORTANT. This WILL contribute positively to the generation of newer, healthier skin cells.
    * Drink a lot of water each and every day; several glasses (about 6-8 should be sufficient). Why is drinking water important? Because water helps to flush the system of toxins and bacteria that can cause acne. Plus, a constant intake of water is very beneficial to your skin cells, as it keeps them hydrated.

Getting rid of adult acne is fairly easy as long as you focus on ensuring that activities which cause bacteria buildup are avoided. Always ensure that your face remains clean throughout the course of the day and you won’t put yourself at unnecessary risk of getting acne and/or suffering the terrible after effects of the condition; such as acne scarring. These tips are more than sufficient for keeping any and all adult acne problems at bay; that being said, get to using them right now!

Natural Solutions For Hair Loss: Effective Remedies

Natural Solutions For Hair Loss: Effective Remedies

Hair loss is a matter of grave concern for both men and women as it affects their social milieu and their own psyche in terms of self worth. Hair loss or alopecia is the thinning of hair from the scalp and other parts of the body. But a thinning scalp is more common in men and women as they approach 50. Baldness is also more common in men than in women. In men, hair loss is also called androgenic alopecia. It is generally heredity based and occurs when an excess of male hormones surrounding the hair follicles block hair growth. The other reasons for hair loss could be stress, deficiency of iron and zinc, certain hair styling and hair products, and medical treatments like chemotherapy. There are plenty of hair loss treatments that are available today. In spite of the plethora of treatments, many of them are ineffective or have a placebo effect. Minoxidil and finasteride are the main hair loss treatments that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Results show that these drugs are 50% effective among persons who have used it. They are quite successful in restoring hair growth in male pattern baldness. If the reason behind hair loss is skin and fungal infection, the drug ketoconazole, which is a hair stimulant, is used. The treatment for hair loss using this drug is given only to men as it can cause severe birth defects in male fetuses in women.

Hair Loss Causes

There are many things that aggravate the problem of hair loss. The major ones are:

    * Stress is the root cause of any problem and the hair loss problem is also associated with stress.
    * Severe or prolonged illness of about 2 to 3 months. Any major surgery also leads to hair loss.
    * Hair loss also occurs because of disbalance in harmones. Like overactive or underactive thyroid glands leads to hair fall. If any male or female harmones such as androgens or estrogens are out of balance the the hair fall occurs.
    * Baby’s delivery in mother also leads to hair loss.
    * Intake of strong medicines causes hair loss.
    *  Major hair loss occurs because of some fungal infection and diabetes.

Hair Loss Remedies

Amla Oil

A good solution to have strong and healthy looking hair, amla oil helps in stimulating new growth of hair. Boil the amla plant mixed with coconut oil and use it regularly on your scalp. This solution helps add nutrients to hair root and have long strong hair. Amla is widely used as shampoo also; mix amla with lime and use it on affected areas as shampoo.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera has been used as a great remedy for many skin and hair problems from ancient time. Though basically used in lotions and creams for skin and face, it is also helpful in prevention of baldness in men’s hair. Regular usage of Aloe Vera helps add nitric oxide to body which generates more hair growth in men.

Red Pepper

Another element that is considered as a strong anti hair loss solution is the red pepper or red capsicum. Helping boost blood circulation to the scalp area, red pepper generates cell division and hair growth quickly.

Safflower Oil

Regular use of safflower oil on affected area helps to add nutrients to hair roots and enlarge the blood vessels which in turn cause better blood circulation. Safflower oil also ensures new growth of hair in balding areas.

Saw Palmetto and Dong Quai

Saw Palmetto plant is rich in fatty acids and phytosterols which helps prevent development of DHT in scalp and thus significantly reduces hair loss. Dong Quai is another Chinese plant that has herbal qualities of hair loss prevention. Both these plants are widely used from early years in anti hair fall home based treatment.

Fenugreek Plant

Soak the Fenugreek plant in water for 12 hours and then apply the water on affected area. Keep a cloth tied on your head for atleast three hours after applying this liquid solution. Repeat regularly and see how it helps to slow down your hair loss problem and also adds more healthy hair growth.

Try out the various home remedies and enjoy watching your tresses grow back in health and shine. Other than home remedies, you can also opt for pharmacy products of hair loss. Made of natural organic supplements, hair loss pharmaceutical products make a good option to avail on consultation of medical practitioner.

Stop Hair Loss with Apple Cider Vinegar: Helpful Remedies

Stop Hair Loss with Apple Cider Vinegar: Helpful Remedies


Apple cider vinegar has been used as a hair care product since generations. It is a natural product which promotes hair growth. Acidity of hair is closely related to apple cider vinegar (ACV). It is a good cleanser and germ killer. It is also useful in hair conditioning. Rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar balances the pH and also protects the surface. Rinsing with ACV protects the surface. This also makes hair shinier and smoother.

The falling out of hair is primarily due to a tissue salt deficiency, thus Apple cider vinegar with its ‘wonder products’ will re-establish a natural balance, and supply the deficiencies where needed. Therefore, by taking the Apple cider vinegar treatment the hair will maintain its natural growth.

    * Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar after washing your hair. Wash your hair as you normally do, using your regular shampoo and hair conditioner. Follow up by running a cupful of apple cider vinegar through your hair. Rinse with warm water. Gently, run a wide tooth comb through your hair and dry on the lowest hair dryer setting or allow your hair to dry naturally.
    * Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar and sage tea. Wash your hair as you normally do, using your regular shampoo and hair conditioner. Follow up by running a mixture of equal parts of apple cider vinegar and sage tea throughout your hair. Rinse your hair with warm water.
    * Mix 1 tsp. of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. Stir and drink. Drink this mixture two to three times a day. You may not see a noticeable difference in the thickness of your hair for about two months.
    * Take apple cider vinegar pills. These can be bought at most health food stores and most pharmacies. These are ideal for the people who cannot stomach drinking the apple cider directly. Make sure the pills are all natural.
    * Purchase specialized shampoos or rinses that contain apple cider vinegar. These can be found at specialized health and beauty stores, both online and at your nearest shopping mall.
    * Make your own apple cider hair rinse. Mix 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of tea tree oil. Apply to your scalp, massaging the mixture into the scalp. Leave the mixture on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Procyanidins Activate Hair Follicle Growth

The richest known source of procyanidin B-2 is the skins of immature (baby) green apples. Polyphenols from apples have an astonishing range of health effects, and may be nature’s perfect antioxidant. Many people taking apple procyanidins in pill form notice faster hair growth, stronger fingernails, and softer, smoother skin.

In every study, apple procyanidins have proven completely safe for humans and animals. There is no toxicity, no irritation, and no side effects. This natural hair loss remedy may be nature’s best option for millions of people who suffer from thinning hair, falling hair, and male pattern baldness.