Do you have damaged, dull, and lackluster hair? If your answer is yes, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Read on to know several common kitchen ingredients that can help in treating your dull, brittle, and damaged hair, easily at home. Every hair strand has three layers. The innermost layer of hair is known as medulla, the middle layer is known as cortex and the layer that forms the protective covering of the hair strand is known as cuticle. When the cuticle gets damaged, it leads to dry, brittle and damaged hair. Other signs that you have damaged hair are frequently experiencing split ends, hair breakage, itchy scalp, and a harsh hair texture.
Also, damaged hair is hard to style and maintain as they get tangled easily. The hair strands can get damaged owing to several reasons. They might be damaged due to excessive styling through excessive use of heated styling equipment, excessive washing of hair, swimming in water with excess amount of chlorine, regular use of chemical products, stress, and friction due to cotton pillowcases. Several medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, anorexia nervosa and malnutrition can also cause damaged hair.
Though cutting or trimming hair might eliminate damaged part of hair but several easy to do home remedies can help you in treating your damaged, frizzy, and lackluster hair. It might take time for you to see the results but having patience can help you in getting those beautiful and lustrous hair you have always desired.
Here are some easy-to-do home remedies to treat your damaged and dull hair naturally at your home:
1. Olive Oil:
Olive oil contains vitamin E, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. It is an excellent home remedy for treating damaged hair. Olive oil seals the cuticle of hair strands with moisture. Massaging olive oil regularly also prevents further damage of hair.
Ingredients:
- One fourth cup olive oil
- Half a cup honey
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Heat one fourth cup olive oil in microwave.
- Apply olive oil to the scalp and hair strands by gently massaging for around 10 minutes.
- Let it stay for around an hour or overnight.
- Wash with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat the process twice or thrice a week.
Method-2:
- Mix one fourth cup of olive oil into half a cup of honey to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste over scalp and hair strands.
- Let it stay for around half an hour by using a shower cap.
- Wash the paste off with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat the process twice a week.
2. Avocado:
Avocados are rich in essential fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, fats and natural oils. They are yet another excellent home remedy to treat damaged hair naturally. Avocados coat and hydrate the hair strands making them flexible and soft. They also help in preventing future hair damage due to free radicals.
Ingredients:
- One ripe avocado
- Two teaspoons olive oil
- One egg yolk
- Half a cup coconut milk
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Mash one ripe avocado and add two teaspoons of olive oil into it to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste over scalp and hair strands.
- Let it stay for around an hour.
- Wash the paste off with lukewarm water and a mild shampoo.
- Repeat the process twice a week for best results.
Method-2:
- Add one mashed ripe avocado to an egg yolk and half a cup coconut milk.
- Mix the above ingredients thoroughly to make a smooth paste.
- Apply the mixture over the scalp and hair strands in circular motions.
- Let it stay for around an hour.
- Wash the paste off with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat the process twice a week for smooth and stronger hair.
3. Eggs:
Eggs can provide the much needed nourishment and nutrients that your damaged hair need. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and essential amino acids that can help in repairing the damaged hair strands. The enzymes present in eggs help in natural cleansing of the scalp.
Ingredients:
- Two eggs
- Half a cup yogurt
- One tablespoon almond oil
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Whisk an egg and apply it to your scalp and hair strands.
- Let it stay for around half an hour.
- Wash off the mixture with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat the process once in a week.
Method-2:
- Beat two eggs along with half a cup yogurt and one tablespoon almond oil to form a frothy mixture.
- Apply this mixture over scalp and hair strands.
- Let it stay for around an hour by wearing a shower cap.
- Repeat the process once a week for best results.
4. Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil is loaded with nutrients that provide the required nourishment and moisture to the damaged hair cuticles. It has ability to penetrate deep into the hair strands and provide nourishment and strength from within. Regular massaging with coconut oil can help you in attaining strong and enviable tresses.
Ingredients:
- Three tablespoons heated coconut oil
- One-fourth cup honey
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Slightly heat the coconut oil in a microwave.
- Apply this oil over scalp and hair strands while gently massaging for around 5 minutes.
- Repeat the process each day or at-least three times a week for best results.
Method-2:
- Mix three tablespoons of coconut oil in one-fourth cup of honey to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this mixture over the scalp and hair strands.
- Let it stay for around one hour by using a shower cap.
- Wash the paste off with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat the process twice a week for strong and smooth hair.
5. Aloe Vera:
Aloe vera contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential enzymes that help in repairing dry and damaged hair shafts. It also has humectant properties which provide the required moisture content to the damaged cuticles of hair strands.
Ingredients:
- Three tablespoons aloe vera gel
- One tablespoon coconut oil
- Two tablespoons yogurt
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Apply aloe vera gel over scalp and hair strands.
- Leave it for around one hour.
- Wash the gel off with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat this process once or twice a week.
Method-2:
- Mix three tablespoons of aloe vera gel, one tablespoons of coconut oil and two tablespoons yogurt to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste over scalp and hair strands.
- Let it stay for around an hour.
- Repeat this process once a week for best results.
6. Banana:
Bananas are rich in nutrients, potassium, and natural oils. These fortifying constituents help in smoothening and repairing the hair shafts. Applying banana regularly will help you in getting smooth and strong hair.
Ingredients:
- Two ripe bananas
- One tablespoon olive oil
- One tablespoon honey
- One tablespoon coconut oil
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Mash one rip banana to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste over scalp and hair strands.
- Let it stay for around one hour.
- Wash the paste off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process two time a week for smooth and strong hair.
Method-2:
- Mash two ripe bananas in one tablespoon each of olive oil, coconut oil and honey to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste over scalp and hairs strands.
- Let it stay for around an hour.
- Wash this paste off with lukewarm water, followed by a shampoo.
- Repeat the process once in a week for best results.
7. Hibiscus:
Hibiscus is used as an effective Ayurvedic remedy to repair damaged hair shafts. It adds a sheen to the hair, provides strength and flexibility to the hair. When used regularly it provides strong, shiny, and lustrous hair.
Ingredients:
- Eight to ten hibiscus flowers
- One cup coconut oil
How to use it:
- Heat eight to ten hibiscus flowers in coconut oil until it is charred.
- Strain the oil and apply it from hair roots to hair ends.
- Let it stay for around an hour.
- Wash the oil with a mild shampoo.
- Repeat the process twice a week for best results.
8. Honey:
Honey acts as a natural moisturizer. It locks moisture into the hair cuticles, provides strength and shine to them. Honey has a number of skin and hair benefits owing to its natural moisturizing and cleansing properties.
Ingredients:
- One-fourth cup of organic and raw honey
How to use it:
- Mix one-fourth cup of raw and organic honey into enough water to make a smooth paste.
- Slightly damp your hair.
- Apply the mixture over scalp and hair strands.
- Let it stay for around an hour by using a shower cap.
- Repeat the process twice a week for best results.
9. Black Tea:
Black tea is great to treat damaged hair at home naturally. It is rich in vitamin C, E, and polyphenols that help in adding softness and shine to the damaged hair strands. Black tea also prevents hair damage due to UV-rays.
Ingredients:
- Two teaspoons tea leaves
How to use it:
- Boil two teaspoons of tea leaves into a glass of water for around seven minutes.
- Strain the black tea.
- Shampoo your hair regularly and use the black tea as a last rinse.
- Let it stay for fifteen minutes.
- Wash the tea off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process twice a week for best results.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV is yet another popular remedy to treat damaged and dry hair. It also helps in cleansing and maintaining natural pH balance of the scalp. ACV also promotes hair growth, conditions the hair follicles, and smoothens the hair shafts.
Ingredients:
- Half a cup of raw and unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
How to use it:
- Mix half a cup of raw and unfiltered ACV into a glass of water.
- Shampoo your hair normally.
- Use the ACV mixture as last rinse.
- Let its stay for around 10 to 15 minutes.
- Repeat the process once a week for shiny and stronger hair.
