Self Care Sunday: Healthy Summer Hair

Summer is finally here which means more fun in the sun, the pool and if you’re lucky, the ocean! While summer is a great time for your skin it may not be so great to your hair. Salt water, chlorine and the sun are the main culprits in drying out and causing damage to your hair. With a few ingredients you have around the house you can maintain, revitalize and even strengthen your hair this summer.

Massaging essential oils into the hair and scalp stimulates blood flow which helps to improve hair growth, reduce shedding while also hydrating and softening hair. Try using one of the following essential oils: coconut, thyme, cedar wood, lavender, rosemary, and peppermint. We recommend applying a small amount of these essential oils before going to the beach, pool or after a long day in the sun.

Another way to ensure your locks stay healthy and shiny this summer is an avocado, honey and olive oil mask. Avocados are rich in vitamins B and E. Vitamin B helps improve the strength and health of hair follicles thus preventing hair loss. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that repairs damaged hair follicles while increasing hair growth. Honey is a great moisture retainer filled with nutrients and antioxidants that nourishes the hair. Olive oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help hinder the production of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that is responsible for hair loss. It also helps hydrate the scalp thus preventing dryness or dandruff, and leaves hair shiny and soft.

• Improved circulation to the scalp to promote hair growth
• Nutrient packed hair from follicle to tip
• Shiny and silky hair
• Frizz reduction

 

• What you need:
  • Essential oils: coconut, thyme, cedar wood, lavender, rosemary, peppermint (to be used separately)

• How to do it:
• Rub a couple drops of essential oil in to palms
• Evenly disperse oil evenly throughout hair
• To absorb more oil into scalp; wrap a warm, damp towel around hair for ten minutes.
• Always wash hair thoroughly with a gentle shampoo ensuring the removal of excess oil.
• Style as normal

 

Bonus

• Applying coconut oil to the scalp on a nightly basis will help moisturize dry scalp.
• If you suffer from dry scalp, coconut oil can also be used as a treatment for dandruff.

 

• What you need:
  • 1 ripe avocado (peeled and pitted)
  • Honey (2 tablespoons)
  • Olive Oil (2 tablespoons)
  • Shower cap

 

• How to do it:
• Mash avocado until a smooth paste free of lumps.
• Mix avocado paste, honey and olive oil together blending until mixture is smooth in consistency.
• Apply the mixture to dampened hair from roots to end.
• Pin hair and cover with a shower cap for thirty minutes to an hour.
• Rinse hair ensuring all of the mixture is completely removed.
• Wash and condition hair as usual.