HairCare

We all have our bad hair day every now and then, but some complain that they have theirs almost every day or much too often for comfort. If you are one of those who rant about how gross, how limp, dull or simply unmanageable their hair has become, then you are in good company. Most women have their sob stories to tell regarding their tresses.

Short or long, straight, curly or frizzy, we all had problems with our locks, at one time or another, if not most of the time. Those with straight, fine hair wish their hair were a bit coarser and thicker, while those with coarse abundant locks are misty eyed over fine, straight tresses.

This just goes to show that we are running true to form as humans. We want what we don’t have and take for granted what we have. For years Afro-American women did everything humanly possible to get rid of their frizzy hair. They resorted to almost everything, from hair straighteners to wigs, until the afro hairdo became all the rage.  Suddenly, women of all race and color rushed to the nearest beauty parlor for the afro look.

The afro look has since left the hair scene, and we have seen today all kinds of hair do, from the simply straight and flat to the most mind boggling. We have also been introduced to all kinds of hair care products, especially conditioners, shampoos and hair thickening, strengthening, structuring and stiffening formula, all attuned to the fickle demands of a hair conscious public.

No wonder we have been beset by so many hair problems. Dandruff, dry or oily hair, itchy scalp, falling hair, split ends and what have you. Again, our beauty spin doctors offer us all kinds of solution to all of our hair problems. Some work, but in many cases they don’t.  So we end up pulling our hair in disgust and resorting to desperate measures in the hope that they will work. For those who are willing to try anything, here are seven crazy ideas for hair care that actually work:

1. Shampoo your hair at most, once a week. This will allow your hair to breathe and take a rest from all those strong chemicals from shampoos that can be harmful to the scalp as well as hair follicles.

1. Avoid having a perm if you are coloring your hair. A perm and hair dye is lethal combination. This deadly duo will do the most damage to your hair and scalp. So desist from having a perm if you can, or limit it to at most once a year, if you want to save your hair.

1. Use hair friendly conditioners. One that is tried and tested is pure coconut oil, or better still, fresh coconut milk. Before retiring, apply the coconut milk or oil to hair, let it dry and leave it overnight. You may not be able to sleep well because of the smell, but you will see, and feel the difference the next morning after you shampoo and dry your hair.

1. For thinning hair, apply the juice of aloe Vera plant or sabila, straight to your hair and scalp every chance you get and you will see positive results in a matter of weeks or even days.

1. As much as possible, limit the use of heated curlers and blow drying of hair. Intense heat can damage both hair and scalp and it has a drying effect on both hair and scalp. Traditional curlers that are soft and kind to the hair would be a better alternative.

1. Regularly massage your hair and scalp before going to bed.  A gentle, soothing massage by hand will improve circulation and stimulate hair follicles.

1. Use a gentle hairbrush that will minimize hair fall and add bounce to your tresses. Avoid vigorous brushing. The 100 strokes a day in hair care is now a thing of the past. Brush gently and slowly and only when needed.

These are not really crazy ideas. They are merely traditional. To some, they may be passé and old fashioned. But if you have tried everything and nothing worked, then it’s time to go back to the old but reliable ways that do work. Have a happy hair day!