Last week you got one step closer to luscious, beautiful hair and a clean scalp as you learned tips and techniques from two hair experts, celebrity hairstylist Asgar and Haneefah Al-Amreekiyyah, medical assistant, freelance blogger/writer on natural beauty and Prophetic medicine. Here’s part two of the article in which they spill their sure-shot secrets to a healthier mane.
Arab News: I experience hair fall and roughness, which doesn’t happen in India or in Europe. I don’t know what is wrong here. It must be the desalinated seawater used for washing hair!
Asgar: “The best way to repair your scalp and provide the hair with the grip they require is through oil massaging. You can massage your hair with oils like coconut, mustard and almond. Choose the oil that suits your scalp. Do massage at night or two hours before you’re going to wash your head. This will fulfill the need of nutrition to the hair roots.
“Something as small as eating right goes a long way to determining how your hair will look. Include a balanced diet that’s rich in protein, iron and carbohydrates, and drink enough water. The ingredients in your shampoo and conditioner are also important, and play a vital part in achieving healthy locks.”
Haneefah Al-Amreekiyyah: “Research suggests that salt makes hair very soft, smooth and adds volume when mixed with a conditioner and used as a treatment — not a staple hair care item. Many commercial shampoos and conditioners already have salt in them. The presence of salt in your everyday hair care products plus washing with salty seawater equals super dry, damaged hair. Salt is abrasive, rubs away at cuticles and the scalp causing damage and hair loss. Salt dehydrates, strips hair of oil, takes off the hair’s outer keratin coating and breaks down protein bonds. Try using natural shampoos — without salt, a water softener or purifier and all natural conditioners.
AN: I have lice. What am I to do?
Asgar: “Opt for products that contain organic herbs of rosemary, citronella, tea tree and lavender combined with vitamins and minerals to protect your head from lice. Not only will they deter the lice but they will deep clean and condition your hair. Lice don’t like the smell of these herbs and therefore stay away from hair coated in them. Also, if you have long hair, try keeping it tied up. Long hair comes into contact with more things so when you are out and about, try keeping it wrapped up.”
Haneefah Al-Amreekiyyah: “Add six droplets of rosemary oil to an equal amount of thyme and tea tree oil, mix well. Once perfectly blended, add the medley to an ounce of olive oil and comb into your hair. Be sure to completely saturate each and every strand, including the scalp. Cover the head with a shower cap, leave on overnight, and then wash with a gentle all-natural neem tree, aloe or evening primrose-based shampoo. Once your hair has been washed, comb with a fine-toothed comb to remove all nits. The oil will help loosen their grip making for an easier removal. Repeat for three consecutive nights skipping two nights in between. Resume treatment if necessary.”
AN: Riyadh has no humidity like Jeddah. My hair looks so flat here. I miss my curls.
Asgar: “You can opt for an intensive treatment masque. This treatment is suitable for any hair type be it fine, thick or curly. A rich, luxurious natural treatment will help to nourish the hair and restore the shine and bounce. Enriched with honey and vegetable proteins, this treatment will leave you with gorgeous shiny and bouncy locks.”
Haneefah Al-Amreekiyyah: “Women from all walks of life are raving about flaxseed hair gel. Anyone can make it at home and it works on all hair types. Brown flaxseeds contain higher amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, so choose it over yellow linseed. It gives curls more definition, will hold your “do” without making it stiff, promotes hair growth, provides shine and moisture. Use it like ordinary hair gel. Roll your hair at night with bendable rollers. Cover with a drawstring bonnet made of breathable material. In the morning, use your fingers instead of a comb to style your hair. Before setting out, lightly tuck your locks into the bonnet under your tarhah (head scarf), which also should be made of breathable material. The bonnet will cradle your ringlets without mashing them.”
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