Bleaching, coloring, highlights, perms, flat ironing and even blow-drying and over-brushing can damage hair. What makes things worse is that popular hair care products are full of chemicals, such as parabens and sulphates. As a result, many people, men and women alike, end up ruining the health of their hair. Here is where a natural hair treatment can help.
People with unhealthy hair and scalp face various issues, such as hair loss, frizz, split ends, itchy scalp, etc. Often, these problems arise because you’ve mistreated your hair. Whatever the cause, the most important thing is to focus on restoring the health of your hair.
The first step is to assess the pH balance of your hair. Typically, human hair and scalp oil (also called sebum) have a pH balance of between 4.5 and 5.5. This means that they are slightly acidic. Anything with a pH value of 6 or below is acidic. Anything 8 or above is alkaline. Water is neutral at pH value of 7.
If your scalp is flaky or itchy or if you have problems with dandruff, fungi or bacteria, this usually means that your scalp is too alkaline (high pH above 7). A pH imbalance can also manifest itself into hair breakage or loss. Your hair’s pH balance depends on the products you use, how you treat (or mistreat) your hair, how often your shampoo, and so forth.
Next, you need to assess if your regular shampoo and conditioner are pH balance for hair. If you cannot find the information on the product bottle, buy some pH test strips (I use Accucheck pH Test Strips). Pour some product into a glass bowl and test with a strip. I would recommend that you discontinue the use of any product outside the range of 4 to 7 pH values.
Finally, it’s time to do something to restore your hair’s natural balance. In addition to assessing your regular products, a natural hair treatment will typically help speed up the process. In the end, your hair will become stronger, more manageable and in general healthier looking. As well, a natural hair treatment may help stimulate new hair growth.
Leave-in Conditioner to Restore Hair’s pH Balance
If your has is naturally dry or damaged from over styling, here is a simple homemade leave-in conditioner recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp silicone-free conditioner (check out this 5.5 pH conditioner by Era Organics – expensive but so worth it)
- 2 Tbsp whole-leaf aloe vera juice (I use a liquidy gel by Seven Minerals)
- 2 tsp of organic jojoba oil
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Test the pH balance with a test strip. You want to make sure the pH is not under 4.5. Apply to washed, towel-dried hair and roots. Allow to dry and style as usual.
Aloe Vera Hair Oil for Growth
Because aloe vera gel has a pH balance same as hair, you can massage it into your scalp to start restoring the natural balance of your scalp. Once the scalp is healthy and producing sebum with the right pH, the hair will become healthy. This also creates an ideal environment for new hair growth. Here’s a recipe for a hair oil treatment made with aloe vera:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup aloe vera gel (if you have a plant, harvesting fresh is best)
- 1/2 cup carrier oil, such as organic jojoba oil or organic coconut oil
If using fresh aloe vera, you will have some clumps. Mash the gel with a fork, until most of the clumps have disappeared. Next, mix both ingredients together. Then, place in a pot and heat on the stove-top until warm (not boiling) for about 10 minutes, stirring often. Let cool and then store in a glass jar. Finally, two or three times per week, massage a dime size amount into scalp. Let set overnight, and the wash out in the morning with a pH balanced shampoo.
Final Thoughts
As with most natural remedies, a natural hair treatment may take 3 to 4 weeks before you start seeing results. Always remember to be patient and consistent with your treatment. Please share with us any other ideas for natural hair care that have worked for you.
Sources:
http://www.aloeplant.info/aloe-for-hair-loss-ph-balancer/
https://www.wikihow.com/Balance-pH-in-Hair-Naturally
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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Moreover, views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Awareness Junkie or its staff.
