Natural hair care

Nutrition

Nutrition is the basis for good overall health, including healthy hair. While topical treatment may minimize damage, increase shine, highlight colors, and build strength, only foods stimulate the growth of healthy new hair. Nutrients of all sorts contribute to healthy hair, and the mainstay is protein. (Hair is made up of 97 percent protein and 3 percent mineral. and ash). Good sources of protein include eggs, beans, yeast, nuts, fish, and dairy products. Brewer's yeast is a good source of B vitamins, which assist in protein synthesis. Sugar, on the other hand, destroys B vitamins.

In the event of a hair problem, nutritional deficiencies should be considered. Dry, thin hair, for example, may indicate a need for unsaturated fatty acids, while dandruff may be a call for vitamin A. In general, a well-balanced diet - with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and sufficient protein - will produce healthy, beautiful hair. Adequate fresh air, exercise, rest, and other commonsense health habits are also good for hair. Stress, especially over a long period of time, is not.

Brushing

Although the old "one hundred strokes a day" regimen has been debated, it remains sound advice. Brushing distributes natural oils along the hair shaft, stimulates growth, removes dirt and pollutants, and improves elasticity.

Brush hair regularly and thoroughly with a natural-bristle brush. (Plastic brushes and combs split ends, and sharp bristles break hair). Starting at the ends of the hair, carefully work your way up, a section at a time, until all tangles are removed. Then bend over and brush from the scalp to the ends, following the brush with your free hand to smooth down the hair. To tone and condition while brushing, first rub the bristles with an essential oil such as lavender, basil, or rosemary, making sure to keep the oil out of the reach of little ones. Teach your children well - hair brushing is one way to learn the pleasures of taking good care of oneself.

Children who are too young to brush well will enjoy washing the brushes and combs. First, demonstrate how to pull out the loose hair. Then swish the combs and brushes in a sinkful of water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda added. Using a spare brush or comb, clean all brush bristles from bottom to top, rinse the brushes in cool water, and set them on a towel to dry, bristle-side down. For the combs, simply rinse in cool water and towel-dry.

Brushing, especially with clean brushes, is good for scalp. Other forms of stimulation are, too. Inverted yoga postures, such as the headstand or shoulderstand, increase circulation to the scalp. Scalp massages are also invigorating - or soothing, depending on the touch you use. Work with the pads of your fingers, not the nails.

Cutting

Trim the ends of your hair as needed. The goal is to keep hair free of split ends, which otherwise will continue to travel up the hair shaft, creating more and more damage. If your hair is healthy, it won't require the recmmended monthly trimmings. If you like to keep your hair a particular length, however, monthly trimmings may be best because healthy hair grows quickly. I wear my hair long and straight, and have it trimmed about twice a year. Because my children wear their hair shorter, theirs need trimming more often.

With the help of a good book [see For More Information], you can learn to cut hair yourself. I did, and my children often ask for a game of hairdresser. They sit in the high chair, with the tray removed, and I wrap their necks loosely, first with paper towels, then a larger towel which I clip closed in the back. Donning my haircutting apron, with its special scissor-shaped pocket, I snip, sing, and use a spray bottle to authentically wet their hair. We finish with a sprinkling of cornstarch about the neck - and a manicure for the patient ones.

Shampooing

Whereas many haircare books suggests shampooing about once a week, we shampoo at least every other day, with no ill effects. A good guideline is: shampoo often enough to keep the scalp clean, while not overdoing it. Too much shampooing - or using a product that it too strongly concentrated - can aggravate oily or dry conditions. To prevent your children from overindulging, give them their own bottle of shampoo diluted with water. Begin each headwash by thoroughly wetting the hair and scalp. This will open the pores and help distribute the shampoo. Using only a small amount of shampoo, work up a lather around the scalp (preferably not along the hair strands), and massage gently. Rinse well with warm water to eliminate the build-up of shampoo residues, which can leave the hair dull and the pores clogged; then following with a cool-water rinse to close the pores. Apply more shampoo only when the hair is exceptionally dirty.

Avoid combing or brushing wet hair, as moist strands are delicate and may easily break. Also avoid using dryers or other heat-styling tools. Instead, gently towel-dry the hair, and let it finish drying naturally. (On cold days, my children sit near the wood stove while their hair is drying). When the hair is completely dry, remove all tangles with a wide-toothed wooden comb or natural-bristle brush. Conditioning. Most cream rinses and conditioners coat the hair with layers of oil to undo the damage caused by detergent shampoos, dryers, teasing, permanents, dyes, electric curlers, rubber bands, or excessive sun and wind. Conditioned hair feels smooth again; it may also feel limp and weak. Healthy hair does not require heavy conditioners or rinses after shampooing. Instead, use an herbal rinse [see "Herbal Infusions"] to complete regular cleansing, and an occasional conditioning treatment such as warm oil or henna to keep hair at its best.

RECIPES

Making your own hair-care products can be simple or elaborate, depending on your level of interest. Here are some recipes for preshampoo treatments, simple additions to commercial shampoos, shampoos to make from scratch, and rinses.

Source Elizabeth Kiely