Natural treatments for strengthening weakened hair
Well-being — di Silvia C. Turrin
With the arrival of autumn, hair needs targeted care to regain softness. Some natural treatments help us nourish it in depth.
Natural treatments for strengthening weakened hair
With the arrival of autumn, hair needs targeted care to regain softness. Some natural treatments help us nourish it in depth.
With the arrival of autumn, it is a good idea to take care of your hair to make it strong, soft and shiny. A first tip is to strengthen it with a good cut; alternatively, you can limit yourself to the ends, removing those final sections weakened by summer sun exposure.
Oils are a great help for hair
Avoid using hairdryers and straighteners wherever possible, as well as synthetic brushes, which increase static electricity and risk splitting the ends of the hair. For regenerating treatments — both for dry and oily hair — oil proves to be a precious ingredient, versatile and easy to use, thanks also to the different varieties available: olive oil and sweet almond oil protect and nourish an irritated scalp; shea and coconut oil revitalise hair in depth; avocado oil is rich in vitamins and promotes growth; argan oil moisturises, protects and invigorates the hair follicle.
Used to massage the scalp, oil helps to dilate the pores and activate microcirculation. It also allows dead cells that have accumulated around the hair roots to be removed. If specific essences are added to the chosen oil, the massage (self-massage is perfectly fine and effective too) becomes even more targeted: for example, for dry, weakened hair it is preferable to add a few drops of rosemary, sage or rose essential oil; whereas for oily hair it is better to combine it with lavender, lemon or orange essence.
Hair masks in combination with oil
A natural hair mask is another indispensable treatment for regenerating and softening hair, as it facilitates the absorption of the nourishing substances contained in the oil, such as vitamins E and A. Applying at least one mask per week, especially during seasonal changes, helps to counteract hair loss and brittleness, as it nourishes the scalp and helps create a kind of protective barrier against external atmospheric agents. To apply a mask, simply distribute the oil along the full length of the hair and leave it on for 30 minutes; if preferred, you can wrap the head in a towel.
For an even more nourishing mask, you can add shea butter and an essential oil (of your choice) to the oil. Follow this procedure: melt 30 or 50 grams (depending on the length of the hair) of shea butter in a bain-marie, add the oil (olive, sweet almond or another of your choice) and 3–5 drops of rosemary essential oil. Apply some or all of the mixture to the hair and leave it to act for one hour: the longer it is left on, the better the result.
To strengthen brittle hair, you can turn to an old remedy that remains always effective: create a mask based on egg yolk, adding olive oil and the juice of a lemon. Mix everything together and leave on for at least half an hour. After each mask, rinse with lukewarm water, using a gentle shampoo. Using lemon is very useful for adding shine to hair: after each shampoo, add the juice of an untreated lemon to the lukewarm rinsing water.
Clay is also helpful for strengthening hair, thanks to its remineralising and purifying properties. It is particularly recommended for those with oily hair. It is used by preparing a mixture based on olive or coconut oil (one tablespoon), an egg yolk and a tablespoon of honey. Two tablespoons of white clay and a little water are added to the mixture until a soft, smooth cream is obtained. Leave the mask on damp hair for approximately 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.