In previous articles, I have attempted to tackle the issue of all natural skin care. This week my Editor in Chief, fellow Odyssey writer, and friend Shannon Clarke asked me "What about all natural hair care?". So that will be a topic we will tackle together today!
All natural hair care is surprisingly similar to skin care in certain respects. The basics start with knowing your own hair. What type of hair do you have? Dry, oily, curly, straight, thick, thin? These factors will inevitably affect what kind of maintenence your hair will need.
Today I am going to focus on oily hair types.
Cleansers and acidic hair solutions are usually best for managing oil production.
Honey with lemons juice will help to manage oil without stripping hair. It will also inevitably naturally lighten most hair type giving your locks great highlights in the process. Lemon juice can also be mixed with water to create a rinse rather than a thicker mixture if desired. Adding honey is recommended if you want the moisturizer to reduce oil or if you have a non oily hair type but still want a deep cleanse.
Lemon juice mixtures can be used about every other day.
Apple ciders vinegar is also a great substitute for lemon juice that is not as potent in hair lightening, but highly recommended for cleansing of oily hair or a deeper cleansing for normal hair.
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which will balance the pH of your hair in the same way it balances your skin. Regular soaps and shampoos often contain harsh sulfates that strip hair of good natural oils causing your follicles to over produce oil and shift the pH of you hair to an unnaturally alkaline state. Adding a water and ACV rinse to your routine two or three times a week will reduce oil and bring the luster back to your hair.
A third option for oily hair is a mixture using baking soda, which will give you a deep clean, washing away any oil, debris, or products left in your hair. Mix one part baking soda with three parts water to create a paste that can be applied to damp hair in lieu of shampoo.
Baking soda can also be sprinkled on hair and brushed through to be used as a dry shampoo that will absorb oil from your hair immediately in a pinch.
Lastly, tea tree oil is great from soaking up excess oil in both hair and skin. It also functions as a tingly menthol-like dandruff fighter. Simply add it a few drops to your cleanser mix when washing your hair and enjoy.
Normal and dry types can benefit from cleansers as well, as long as they are used in reduced moderation, but these types will need a different routine to truly benefit from all natural hair care. Next week's article will take a deeper look at how to accommodate those hair types. Especially curly/dry hair which needs a different frequency of cleansings and a specialized regimine to remain healthy rather than frizzy.
So until next time, remember beauty is an inside out process. If you put good things in you will receive good things out
