Written By: Mita Majumdar | Updated : October 8, 2014 7:05 PM IST
It goes without saying that healthy hair is a sign of good health and it also enhances the beauty of a person. But what sometimes stands in the way of looking beautiful and feeling healthy, are bad hair conditions like dry hair, split ends, rough hair to mention a few. The most common hair problem nowadays is dry hair and split ends, which just don t seem to go away easily. Dry and rough hair is more fragile and can break more easily than healthy hair.
The hair surface has a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. This acidic pH helps to keep the cuticle layered to the cortex. Loss of cuticle or lifting-up of the cuticular plates exposes the cortex that is then readily susceptible to damage resulting in split ends (trichoptilosis) and frayed tips. Thus, split ends are the result of fraying of the hair shaft due to excessive heat, mechanical stress, and dryness.
What causes the split ends?
Split ends can be caused by many things, ranging from exposure to heat, dust, sun exposure and pollution, to excessive use of hair styling tools and cosmetics such as curlers, straighteners, gels, sprays and serums. Chemical treatments like colouring your hair or perming can dry out your hair causing split ends. Even the chlorine water in your swimming pool can harm your hair. Simple blow drying or using hot combs can dry and damage your hair causing split ends. Invest in good combs and headbands, as inferior quality products can cause split ends.
Natural remedies for split ends
It is important to note here that your hair is dead and dead hair obviously won t be able to repair itself. So, no amount of keratin hair products or shampoos can remedy your split ends problem. The only thing you can do to redeem your hair health once you have split ends is to trim the ends (2 to 4 inches) and take good care of your hair from then on to avoid further hair damage and split ends.
What natural remedies do is moisturise and protect the hair cuticle from damage. Having said that, the following natural remedies will prevent split ends and allow for good hair growth.These remedies don t involve spending half your pay-check. Just get to your kitchen and get started.
1. Honey, better still if it is natural honey, is a wonderful remedy for split ends. It moisturises your hair and reduces the possibility of split ends. Apply honey on the hair strands and scalp; leave it on for about half an hour, and then wash it off with a mild shampoo. You can also mix a little olive oil or yoghurt to the honey before applying. These moisturising agents are great for rejuvenating your hair and reducing split ends.
2. Another way of using honey as a remedy for split ends is to add it to yoghurt. Add one table spoon of honey to half a cup of fresh yoghurt. Blend it well and apply generously to the scalp and hair. Leave it on for about half an hour and wash it off with a gentle shampoo. Experience a crowning glory without split ends.
3. Regular application of avocado oil can keep your hair shiny and split end free. Gently massage your scalp with avocado oil, run the oily fingers through your hair, and leave it on for about an hour. Wash it off with mild or natural shampoos. Massage avocado oil at least twice a week. You can mix an egg yolk with the oil for added strength and softness.
4. Peel a medium sized papaya, de-seed it, and blend it to make a smooth paste. Add a cup of fresh yoghurt and blend it well. Apply the paste thoroughly on the hair and scalp. Make sure that you don t leave out even a single strand of hair. Leave it on for half an hour and then wash it off with a mild shampoo. Do it once a week for four weeks.
5. Here s a traditional Indian way of dealing with split ends and dry hair. Add a table spoon of fenugreek (methi) seeds to half a cup of black lentil (urad dal). Dry grind them into a coarse powder. Mix the powder to half a cup of fresh yoghurt. Apply the paste generously on to the scalp and hair and leave it on for about half an hour. Wash it off with a mild shampoo.
6. Applying coconut oil regularly is another way of dealing with split ends. If you find the remedies mentioned above to be too much of a bother, just massage your scalp with coconut oil and leave it overnight. In the morning apply egg white to your hair and leave it on for an hour or so. Shampoo.
7. Jojoba oil too is believed to have a good effect on damaged hair. Just combine a little jojoba oil to your shampoo and clean your hair. Using jojoba oil regularly will reduce your split ends problem. Moreover, a team of researchers from Brazil found that any oil for that matter can help reduce split ends. In general, hair treated with oils showed a significant gloss increase and a decrease for split end formation. The fatty acid composition of the oils and butters tested showed an effect on the physicochemical properties of hair, they reported.
8. And now to all ye beer lovers. You can use beer to treat your damaged hair as well. Beer is a good hair conditioner and will help keep split ends at bay. Shampoo your hair and then rinse with beer. Use beer whenever you shampoo your hair. Natural remedies may not start showing results from day one. You need to be regular and consistent if you want these remedies to take effect.
Have a happy hair day!
Photo source: Getty image
You may also like to read:
For more articles on haircare, visit our haircare section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our Questions and Answers section.
Reference:
Fregonesi A, Scanavez C, Santos L, De Oliveira A, Roesler R, Escudeiro C, Moncayo P, De Sanctis D, Gesztesi JL. Brazilian oils and butters: the effect of different fatty acid chain composition on human hair physiochemical properties. J Cosmet Sci. 2009 Mar-Apr;60(2):273-80. PubMed PMID: 19450426.
