Damaged, dry hair affects millions of people, and is only made worse in the winter months by cold air, central heat, and too-hot showers. Luckily, nature provides a number of natural hair treatments to moisturize and restore hair.
Dry Hair Treatment Before the Shower
Hair packs and aromatherapy oil treatments can be absolutely invaluable for damaged dry hair.
Natural Beauty at Home, by Janice Cox (Owl Books, 2002) recommends a particularly simple hair pack to moisturize hair and restore its natural health and shine: ½ to ¾ cup of honey worked into the hair and scalp, and left to absorb for 30 minutes or so. It is probably wise to cover hair with cellophane or a plastic shower cap, as it will be very sticky, then simply rinse well and wash as normal.
It also recommends a pre-shower "Perfect Hair Conditioner"; dry hair or any hair benefits from the healthy ingredients it contains. Mix together:
- 1 tsp. Almond oil
- 1 tsp. Avocado oil
- 1 tsp. Olive oil
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 Tbsp. Honey
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
Apply liberally to scalp and down the entire length of the hair. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse and wash normally. It recommends using this natural hair treatment about once a week for optimal hair health and shine.
Aromatherapy treatment for dry hair is very similar; simply add essential oils of your choice to a base oil appropriate for dry hair, such as coconut oil, almond oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, or even corn or sunflower oil.
Some of the best essential oils to choose from are:
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Rosewood
- Geranium
- Sandalwood
- Carrot
- Yarrow
- Parsley
Aromatherapy for Women, by Maggie Tisserand (Healing Arts Press, 1996), for instance, calls for the following treatment for dry hair:
- 15 drops Rosewood
- 5 drops Geranium
- 5 drops Sandalwood
- 5 drops Lavender
- 1 Tbsp. Jojoba oil
- 2 Tbsp. Base oil for dry hair
The Complete Book of Essential Oil & Aromatherapy, by Valerie Ann Worwood (New World Library, 1991), on the other hand, recommends the following for damaged dry hair:
- 1 tsp. Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp. Sweet Almond oil
- 1Tbsp. Peach Kernel oil
- ½ tsp. Avocado oil
- ½ tsp. Evening Primrose or Borage oil
- 2 drops Carrot essential oil
- 3 drops Geranium essential oil
- 4 drops Parsley essential oil
Damaged Hair Treatment in the Shower
First and foremost, never take very hot showers, or overly long ones. Using too much heat in the shower makes damaged dry hair (and skin), considerably worse. In addition, do not over-wash your hair.
When it comes to shampoo, use as little as possible while still getting clean, and apply only to the root and scalp area; the rest of your hair does not need much cleaning, and the shampoo being rinsed off the roots is generally sufficient.
Always use a thick, nutrient rich conditioner; dry hair needs the extra boost. There are many such conditioners offered to moisturize and restore hair. Apply to hair, concentrating on the lower parts of the hair, and leave on for at least three minutes to allow the nutrients to soak in before rinsing.
Treatment for Dry Hair After the Shower
There are several packs and rinses for immediately following the shower that can do wonders for very dry hair.
For dry hair treatment, simply take coconut oil, mashed bananas or avocadoes, or mayonnaise, and apply liberally to hair, and allow to stand for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly. For normal hair that just needs a little seasonal help to moisturize hair, try mayonnaise, eggs, olive oil, or plain yogurt in the same manner.
An apple cider vinegar rinse is also beneficial for all types, but especially for dry, damaged hair. It leaves the hair soft and silky, and if you add a few drops of the essential oils listed above, will leave it smelling divine, as well. Add essential oils of your choice to 2 tsp. of apple cider vinegar and mix well, then add 3 cups boiled or spring water. Shake well just before applying, and use it as a final rinse; do not rinse it out of the hair.
And finally, be very careful how you treat dry hair, especially when it is still wet from the shower. Do not blow dry hair if it all avoidable; towel dry carefully instead then allow to air dry. Do not go into cold or wind until it has finished drying. Use a comb, or at least a very wide-spaced 'peg' style brush. Small amounts of lotion or oil can be rubbed on hands and then onto the ends of the hair if excessive frizz is a problem.
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