CARE FOR HEALTHY HAIR
Hair is the mirror of one’s health, whether male or female, apart from adding to one’s personality. But the health of hair can be adversely impacted due to mental, emotional and physical
disorders, or due to unbalanced diet, pollution factors etc. Moreover, to ensure healthy hair surface should also be massaged.
OILS FOR SCALP MASSAGE
Avoid using hair dyes, soaps, or acid colourants. Instead, use conditioners and shampoos that contain jojoba and almond oils. It is said that hot oil treatments permit (essential) oils to soak in quickly and also condition the hair. Massage the scalp with warm oil, then wrap the head in a warm towel and, then leave it in the same position for half an hour or so.
Oils for Greasy Hair: Basil, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Lemon Grass, Rosemary and Sage.
Oils for Normal Hair: Geranium, Lavender, Lemongrass, Rosemary.
Oils for Dry hair: Geranium, Lavender, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang-Ylang.
METHOD TO MIX ESSENTIAL OILS
WITH BASE OILS
You can use any base oil that suits you the best, out of apricot kernel or sweet almond oil. Evening Primrose, Avocado, Jojoba or Sunflower. For massage on one scalp, you can choose up to 3 oils and use 5 drops of each oil to 30 ml base oil. For extra lengthier hair, more quantity would be required. Put the bowl containing blended oil in boiling hot water and then massage into the scalp, whereafter wrap the head with a hot towel and leave it off for about 15 minutes and then shampoo.
GENERAL HAIR PROBLEMS
Most of hair-related disorders is dependent on genetic, nutritional, environmental and psychic conditions. When such conditions are massaged, the problem itself will get dispelled, and in such cases, no medical aid is called for. General hair care can be attended to and maintained by proper hygienic and health rules.
HAIR LOSS
Do not be anxious if hair falls during and after combing. This condition surfaces as the consequence of anxiety, stress and hormonal imbalance. So, learn how to relax and avoid tension. Seek guidance and advice from a Trichologist if there is some unusual thinning patch. But you can use blended oil of rosemary and lavender in a base oil for this condition.
DANDRUFF
Causes of dandruff are many and some of which are poor hair care, bad eating habits, unhealthy lifestyle, chemical body changes, stress and wrong application of hair products. It is said that hot water baths also precipitate this condition. Hence baths with lukewarm water if weather conditions permit. For rinsing the hair, use dandruff shampoos and conditioning rinses, which are specially prepared for the removal of dandruff. But blended essential oil also serves the purpose. Use cedarwood and lavender oil in a base oil for dry and itchy scalp, and for general treatment, use oils of Tea Tree and patchouli. Massage into the scalp with these oils.
GREY HAIR
Long-standing disease, worry, anxiety, stress, use of hair dyes for colouring hair, poor diet and irregular eating habits, genetic factors etc., may cause hair to become grey. First, remove the contributory factor. Use essential oil enhance (like chamomile) to lighten hair and make it safe for darkening and discolouration.
SCALP MASSAGE
Massage of the scalp is an excellent way to stimulate the scalp, relieve tension and condition hair. If you have small hair, you can massage your scalp yourself, but for long hair, ask another
person to do the job for you. The following methods are advised, duly supported by illustrations, for massaging your scalp.
• Shampoo the hair and towel dry to absorb excess water. Comb through with a wide tooth comb. Tilt your head and pour some oil into the hairline. Massaging with thumbs on the temple and spread the fingers apart over the centre of the head.
• Loosely run fingers and oil over the top of the scalp from front to back, lifting hair at the crown. Keep dipping your fingertips in the treatment oil to spread through the hair while massaging.
• Massage the head by kneading. Grip and push with finger
pads rather than fingernails) against the scalp. The scalp should
gently rotate against the skull. Concentrate on one area at a time
with the hands positioned on either side of the scalp.
• Scalp massage works from front to back, from the forehead, frontal hairline, temples and sides, over the crown of the head to the base of the neck, following the natural flow of blood. If the scalp feels particularly tight, concentrate on areas where the scalp does not want to move. At the base of the skull, press firmly and push the whole scalp up towards the crown to release tension.
• Pull any extra hair oil through the hair, working out from the roots to the tips. Ensure all the hair is well coiled, and leave the towel wrapped for at least 15 minutes before shampooing.
Note: Keep in mind the condition of your hair; use the most suitable oils (suggested earlier) for better results.