HAIR CARE SOLUTIONS

QUESTIONS REGARDING HAIR CARE AND PRODUCT USE

FOUR STEPS TO GORGEOUS HAIR?
Clean, condition, cut and style. In fact, a good hair care program is second to great looking skin. What kind of hair you have is determined largely by heredity, but hormones and diet also place an important role. But like skin, your hair is also affected by the environment and how you care for it. The better you understand the effect these factors can have on the general condition and appearance of your hair, the easier it will be for you to enhance its positive aspects, adapt to its limitations and minimize the potential for damage. Below are some practical solutions for all types of hair.

HERB LEAVES FOR HAIR TYPES?
Herb leaves used to condition dry hair include comfrey, marsh mallow, stinging nettles, parsley and sage; plus burdock root and elder flowers. Herbs for greasy hair are horsetail, lemon balm, mints, rosemary, southernwood, witchhazel and yarrow; plus calendula petals, lavender and lemon juice.

HERBS TO ADD BODY AND LUSTRE?
These include goosegrass, horsetail, parsley, rosemary, sage, southernwood, stinging nettle and watercress; plus calendula petals, lime flowers and nasturtium.

WHICH IS BETTER FOR COLOR TREATED HAIR?
Our thoughts are on shampoos with little sudsing ability. The least suds comes from the Real Purity® line. Think about a rich conditioner like the Living Nature conditioner, which is great for daily use, but also wonderful as a deep conditioner used two or three times weekly. For daily conditioning, I prefer the Kettle Care, but I'll let you make that choice. Logona also makes a ColorCare Shampoo in three shades to bring out highlights.

WHAT TO DO FOR NORMAL HAIR?
Check your current product labels for the pH, as well as for harmful or artificial ingredients. Two good essential oils that aromatherapist recommend are lavender and rosemary. To apply them, gently comb out wet hair with a wide-toothed comb, working from the ends to the scalp. When the hair is completely dry, put one drop of rosemary essential oil on your palm, rub it into your natural-bristle brush, and brush the hair, again from the ends of the scalp. Don't overdue it because to much can dry the hair. See our Skin Oils.

WHAT DOES NORMAL HAIR LOOK LIKE AND WHAT ARE GENERAL RULES FOR CARING FOR IT?
"Normal hair is soft, shiny and relatively resistant to damage when cared for properly. There is enough moisture in each strand to keep it from breaking, and enough oil coating the shafts to protect against moisture loss." according to the book, Inside Beauty. They recommend having your hair trimmed every six to eight weeks to keep split ends to a minimum; gently massaging the scalp daily; using a general conditioner daily but deep conditioning once a week; and for those who blow dry their hair, be sure to use a medium to low setting so it doesn't dry the ends.

WHAT HOLISTIC APPROACH DO I HAVE FOR DRY HAIR?
If you have dry hair, you probably have a dry scalp. Without adequate sebum production by the scalp to protect hair's moisture, it is vulnerable to split ends and can appear unmanageable as well as produce flakes. Follow these simple steps: Drink plenty of water; Take in a sufficient supply of essential fatty acids such as evening primrose oil or other oils that contain GLA, such as flaxseed oil; Protect your hair from exposure to drying conditions like wind or sun; Avoid chemical treatments such as perms, dyes or pool chlorine; Avoid daily shampooing and use a mild shampoo containing fatty acids and moisturizers - these will allow the hair shaft to reflect the light and appear shiny. Pay attention to your herbal hair conditioners as they are best left on at least a few minutes before rinsing.

WHAT DOES DRY HAIR LOOK LIKE AND WHAT ARE THE GENERAL RULES FOR CARING FOR IT?
According to the book, Inside Beauty, dry hair has too little moisture and not enough oil, and is often dull and difficult to manage. There is 'naturally' dry hair, 'chemically' dry hair, and 'mature' dry hair. The longer the hair, the older and drier the ends, so length becomes an issue. Consequently, dry hair usually looks best when its kept relatively short - shoulder length or shorter. Frequent hair cuts are a must. A trim every five to six weeks will help control the dry, frayed ends. Shampoo one to three times a week and be careful with your wet hair. Massage the scalp with your fingers to improve circulation. Condition with each shampoo and deep condition at least once a week. When drying, gently blot the hair with a towel. If you blow-dry your hair, be sure to use a medium to low setting so not to dry the hair. If your using hot rollers or a curling iron, you may want to use a small amount of styling gel on your palms and gently squeeze it into your hair before the final brushing. This will help restore the sheen and minimize problems with flyaway hairs.

WHAT HOLISTIC APPROACH DO YOU HAVE FOR OILY HAIR?
If you have oily skin then you probably know how one gets oily hair. Its caused by the same condition, over- active sebum production. For oily hair, the oil comes from the scalp and hair is much oilier near the roots than the tips. It can make it look heavy, lifeless and even dull. But the right amount of oil makes the difference, springing life back into it. Hormones and diet can be a factor. Because one has too much sebum production, it requires frequent washing with a mild shampoo. Those harsh detergent shampoos on the market only overdry the hair, stimulating it to produce more oil. Protein shampoos and those with balsam, according to the book, "A complete guide to aromatherapy," can tend to increase oiliness, making the hair heavy and attract dirt. They advise seaweed in conditioners to improve matters. Also suggested is brushing hair thoroughly before washing. There are a few essential oils that discourage oil production by the scalp. These are cedarwood, lemon, lemongrass or sage (conditioner). Diluted lemon juice as well. You can add one drop of patchouli essential oil to your daily dose of shampoo also. Vinegar hair rinses discourage dandruff and keep oily hair in check, comments the same book. If vinegar isn't up your alley, then try rinsing with sage tea - it helps reduce dandruff and excess oil as well.

WHAT DOES OILY HAIR LOOK LIKE AND WHAT ARE THE GENERAL RULES FOR TAKING CARE OF IT?
Oily hair is caused by excess sebum as described in the above question and answer. The sebum forms a coating that can dull the hair's surface within as little as 24 to 48 hours after shampooing. The most convenient length for oily hair is shoulder length or shorter, says the book, Inside Beauty. You'll also want to choose a style that is easy to maintain - especially those cuts that occasionally allow the hair to air-dry. Regular hair cuts - no less frequently than every six to eight weeks - will help keep the style in shape. Shampoo daily - mornings are best. Condition, leaving on less than one minute. If you have shoulder length or longer, or if you use heat generating appliances, deep-condition the ends once a month. If you blow-dry your hair, start on a high setting, but finish on a low setting. Perspiration generated by the heat can make hair look stringy.

WHAT CAUSES DANDRUFF AND WHAT HOLISTIC APPROACH DO I HAVE TO CHOOSE FROM?
Dandruff is caused when the skin cells on the scalp reach the surface before they are fully mature. The under-developed state of the scalp cells cause them to flake off in large clumps rather than in barely noticeable particles. There is no known cure for dandruff, but mild cases can be managed by the following scalp treatments below. Maybe one will work for you!

LICE FORMULA?
Take 20 drops of Eucalyptus, 10 drops of Rosemary, 10 drops of Juniper, 10 drops of Lavender, 10 drops of Geranium, 5 drops of lemon and 4 oz of carrier oil (preferably jojoba). Apply to dry hai,r wrap in plastic & towel. Leave on 2 hours. Shampoo - Lavender Rinse. See our skin oil Recipe from reference material.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CONDITION YOUR HAIR?
Using conditioner after shampoo is a vital part of hair care because it replaces the essential oils that are unavoidably washed away during shampooing. Conditioning also helps detangle fragile, wet hair, preventing it from snapping and breaking from the pressure exerted during combing. Finally, conditioning carries the added benefits of improving manageability and imparting shine and softness.

TIPS FOR CONDITIONING HAIR
For oily hair, leave the conditioner on for one minute or less. For normal hair, you'll want to leave the conditioner on for up to three minutes. For dry or damaged hair, up to five minutes. For the best results, apply conditioner from the roots to the ends of normal and dry hair; to the ends only of oily hair.

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE CAUSES
Improper eye development in children and cateracts in adults, says Dr. Keith Green, at the medical school of Georgia. Taken from our reference material.

WHAT TYPES OF HAIR RINSES COULD I MAKE?
Prepare a strong tea of chamomile for a light hair rinse. Burdock leaf tea cleanses the system and helps give the hair additional shine from within or topically. Nettle juice cleanses the system and provides help for lackluster skin and hair. Rhubarb root tea rinse will lighten light brown or faded blonde hair. Author, Dr. Earl Mindell, suggests brewing 2 cups of Marshmallow tea. Let cool. Rinse through after shampooing.

HOW CAN I STIMULATE HAIR GROWTH?
The book, Herbal Medicine, suggests rinsing the hair with Sage tea. However, there are few legitimate remedies for baldness and it's important to note that patterns of hair loss are largely determined by genetics. Author, Dr. Earl Mindell, suggests massaging the scalp with an extract of rosemary at the first sign of hair loss. After the treatment, shampoo as usual.

SCALP TREATMENT #1
A hot oil treatment may be something you will want to try. They are great for dry hair, dry scalp and dandruff even. They are simple to prepare, but can be messy to apply. They can bring back shine to damaged hair but not always restore flexibility and bounce however. Simply add 2 oz jojoba oil (or witch hazel, aloe juice or neem oil) and 30 drops of lavender, rosemary or even sandalwood (applied to dry ends of hair is helpful but fragrance lasts for hours). Warm it up and then apply to hair. Put a cap on and then rinse off one to two hours later with shampoo.

SCALP TREATMENT #2
You could start with a basic plant oil and use a few of these suggested essential oils instead of what was referred to in Treatment #1. Juniper is suitable for acne, eczema, and greasy hair or dandruff (but maybe not as suitable for those with kidney troubles). Birch is a skin softener that soothes irritation and psoriasis and helps prevent dandruff. Cedarwood is an astringent for oily and congested skin conditions, acne and dandruff. It relieves dermatitis, insect bites and itching. Clary Sage can be used for mature or acne complexion, inflammation and dandruff. It rejuvenates cells and is also said to encourage hair growth. Patchouli is a cell rejuvenator and antiseptic, the oil treats acne, eczema, inflamed, cracked or mature skin, and dandruff. - Referred by the book, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy.

SCALP TREATMENT #3
Plant oil bases are not always the best way to blend your essential oils. Hydrosols and vinegars are great too. Or adding them to your existing hair care! Whatever way you wish, the book, The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils, suggest these oils: West Indian Bay, Cade, Cedarwood (Atlas, Texas & Virginian), Eucalyptus, Spike Lavender (use with caution), Lemon, Patchouli, Rosemary, Sage (Clary & Spanish), and Tea Tree. Use one or combine a couple, you'll have fun while you find what's best for you!