Homemade Damaged Hair Treatment

Heat styling, chemical treatments and exposure to heavy wind, sun or saltwater can deplete hair of its natural oils and make it lose shine, tangle easily and even break off. Professional lab-tested products teach that hair needs oil, moisture and protein in order to stay smooth and silky. For centuries, women have used homemade damaged hair treatment recipes for deep-conditioning hair.

History

Homemade hair treatments have been recorded throughout history. In Ancient Egypt, for example, heiroglyphic drawings show men and women covering their hair with things like animal fat and fruit emulsions in order to maintain or restore sheen.

Considerations

Treating damaged hair means replacing the lost moisture, the missing oils (that help hair retain the moisture) and the protein that's lost from chemical treatments. A good hair treatment will include high moisture ingredients, small-molecule oils and protein.

Using Hair Treatments

Homemade hair treatments don't come with a label of instructions. Shampoo hair thoroughly with a buildup-removing shampoo, Towel dry and apply the treatment. Cover with a plastic shower cap or grocery bag (to keep it moist and keep the heat in) and sit in the sunshine or cover with a towel to keep it warm for 30 to 45 minutes. Rinse with warm water and shampoo afterward. For coarse hair, follow-up with your daily conditioner and style as usual.

Ingredients

For protein ingredients, the most common is egg, followed by yogurt. For light-weight oils, try olive or sweet almond oil, as well as bananas or avocados. Mayonnaise is popular, but the vegetable oil molecules are very greasy and not readily absorbed by the hair. For moisture-rich ingredients, try avocado, raw honey, or coconut milk.

Misconceptions

Many people think that a vinegar rinse is an effective conditioner. The first few times you use it, the acid in the vinegar removes the buildup of products on the hair and closes off the cuticle layer, smoothing it down and bringing out the shine. It does not, however, add moisture, protein or oil and is not effective as a conditioner. You can use a vinegar rinse daily or after deep conditioning.

Potential

Salon treatments can cost around $20 and stylists recommend weekly treatments for damaged hair. Over the course of three months, that can cost $240. Home treatments are less expensive, ranging in price from $2 to $10. Over 3 months, commercial deep conditioners can cost $24 to $120 for home use. Homemade damaged hair treatment recipes save users money, because they're made with food ingredients that are less expensive and not packaged in plastic.

Warning

No treatment will repair split ends. When the end of the hair is split or broken, it can catch on other ends and lead to breakage. It's important to keep hair ends trimmed in order to prevent breakage. if your hair feels like it's "not growing" it could be that it's breaking off faster than it grows.