Having smooth and shiny hair is everyone’s dream. We’re ready to do all sorts of things and buy expensive products to achieve that dream. When we’re healthy and have healthy hair and scalp, it also reflects how hair is smooth and shiny.
Did you know we can use natural ingredients to prepare home remedies to get silky hair? Not only are these ingredients readily available in most cases, but they’re also affordable and chemical-free.
Understanding Hair Health
Healthy hair is naturally shiny, silky, and smooth. Many factors can affect hair health, leaving it looking dry, lifeless, and lacking shine. The key factors include:
- Climate and environmental factors
- Overwashing Hair
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Certain health conditions like hypothyroidism
- Hormonal imbalance
- Heat and chemical treatments
Lifestyle Changes for Healthier Hair
Simple changes can make a great difference in your hair and scalp health, leaving you with shiny hair.
- Quit any damaging habits you may have, like smoking.
- Exercise regularly; a healthier you translates into healthier hair.
- If your hair is dry due to weather, using a humidifier can help
- Choose bedding that doesn’t leave your hair high and dry by absorbing the natural oils and moisture from the hair.
- Protect your hair from sun damage using sun protection or head cover when stepping out.
- Protect your hair from heat damage using heat by using a heat protectant. Avoid it whenever you can.
- Use a conditioner to replenish lost moisture during hair wash.
- Consider using a leave-in conditioner if your hair is prone to dryness.
- Nourish, condition, and moisturize your hair using hair masks once a week.
Home Remedies for Shiny and Smooth Hair
Egg Mask
Eggs not only nourish your hair but also leave it soft and shiny. Eggs and Olive Oil are a classic combination used with or without other ingredients for hair.
Eggs also promote hair growth, especially when growth is stunted due to lack of nutrients. This mask is especially useful to restore shine and luster due to hair damage or dryness.
Usage & Instructions
- Whisk an egg with a tablespoon of Olive Oil to make the hair mask.
- You can use whole eggs, though those with greasy hair and scalp can go with egg whites.
- You can use up to two eggs and other ingredients according to your hair length requirement.
- You can use the pack once a week.
Notes
- You can combine eggs with honey, coconut milk, banana, mayonnaise, olive oil, or avocado, according to your requirements.
- Don’t use hot water to rinse off the pack, as the eggs can get cooked, and washing it out will become a hassle.
- You can add essential oils to this hair mask.
- You can use any carrier oil you choose, like coconut oil, or combine it with Olive Oil. We’ve chosen olive oil for its exceptional moisturizing properties, though Avocado Oil can also be added for shine and sheen.
Vegan Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
There are times when hair loses its shine due to product buildup. During times like these, clearing the scalp residue helps restore shine. Additionally, apple cider vinegar also helps restore the scalp’s pH levels.
Usage & Instructions
- Add equal quantities of water and apple cider vinegar to spray the mixture all over your hair. Depending on your hair length, you can take 2 tablespoons each.
- Massage your scalp for a few seconds.
- Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off. You do this after shampooing your hair when your hair is still wet.
- Alternatively, add a cup of apple cider vinegar to a jug of water and pour it on your head after shampooing and rinsing your hair.
- Make sure to cover all areas and pour it over slowly.
- Massage your scalp for a few seconds and wait a couple of minutes before rinsing it.
Notes
- You can add essential oils to this rinse, though apple cider vinegar solution is great for clarifying and restoring shine all on its own.
Vegan Avocado Mask
If you want to strengthen hair and restore shine, avocado is a good choice to deep condition hair and nurture it, thanks to its rich natural fat content.
Usage & Instructions
- Mash a ripe avocado or run it in your blender for a few seconds to get a fine paste.
- You can add a ripe banana for nourishment and shine.
- Add in two spoons of coconut oil.
- Mix to combine and apply the hair mask all over your hair and scalp.
- Wait for 25 minutes at least before washing off.
- If you feel residue and the pack did not wash out well, try using a shampoo comb to remove the residue.
Notes
In this recipe, you can use any carrier oil of your choice instead of coconut oil.
You can also use infused hair oils in place of plain carrier oils.
Yogurt Mask for Conditioning and Repairing
When your hair needs nurturing to combat and reverse hair damage, you need a natural conditioner that moisturizes and strengthens. Yogurt is a very useful ingredient you can consider.
It is not only great to moisturize hair, it also leaves you with shiny and soft hair. Though the results may vary slightly, you can substitute vegan options with vegan curds.
Usage & Instructions
- Take enough yogurt according to your hair length and apply it to your head.
- Make sure to cover from roots to tips – this is not a heavy ingredient and doesn’t weigh down your hair.
- Make sure to apply on the scalp and massage for a few minutes.
- Cover your head with a shower cap and let it sit for 30 minutes at least.
- Wash off with a mild shampoo and air dry.
Notes
- You can add honey or just use yogurt as is.
- You can add essential oils for added benefits.
Vegan Black Tea or Coffee Rinse
Caffeine is a great choice when you want to improve shine and curb hair loss. You can use it as a rinse or add it to your hair masks for best results.
Usage & Instructions
- Brew a cup of black tea or coffee and a few cups of water.
- Pour this mixture on your head slowly after washing and wait a few minutes before rinsing off.
- Alternatively, you can prepare a thick brew as a hair spray with a little water.
- Spray it after shampooing your hair, and rinse off after a few minutes.
General Notes or Ingredient Additions to Consider
If you’re not looking for vegan options, honey is an excellent humectant and can be added to your hair treatment recipes to add shine and moisture. Aloe Vera is a vegan option for hydrating and nourishing hair if your hair is frizzy or dry.
It also leaves you with silky hair, a healthy scalp and hair, and a natural shine. When you want to improve hair elasticity and shine, you can add a ripe banana to your hair mask.
Mayonnaise is a popular choice to add much-needed amino acids and protein to the hair. It’s also the go-to ingredient for those who don’t want to deal with “messy” eggs.
However, it is a heavy ingredient best suited for dry, damaged, and frizzy hair. Those with oily scalps might feel their tresses weighed down.
Beer is another popular choice as a final rinse for adding shine and volume to hair. Rich in nutrients, it helps hair and leaves you shiny, soft, and smooth hair.
To use it as a rinse, just pour it over your head after washing your hair. Some prefer rinsing it out. Some don’t.
Application Tips and Frequency
- If you’re using hair masks for healthy and shiny hair, you can use most once a week. Some can be used more frequently than others. It’s a good idea to have once a week as a rule of thumb and follow specific instructions according to the recipe.
- Hair masks can be applied on hair and scalp using a hair coloring brush and comb through with a shampoo comb for even spreading and application. It’s a good idea to divide the hair into smaller sections and pin each section. Applying on each section until the entire scalp is covered helps to apply evenly and ensure all areas are covered.
- Once applied, the head can be covered with a shower cap to prevent spills till it’s time to wash off.
- Hair rinses are used post-shampooing and can be left on for a few minutes before rinsing off. When pouring hair, rinse, pour it slowly, and ensure all areas are covered, which helps with even application. After pouring the rinse, massage the scalp for a few minutes and let it sit for a minute or two before rinsing off.
Additional Hair Care Tips
- Consider using apple cider vinegar as a rinse or added to your shampoo or rinse-off conditioner to clarify the scalp and restore the scalp’s pH levels.
- You can also use herbal rinses for healthy and silky hair. They also offer many benefits according to the herb chosen.
- Clay can be used instead of shampoo to wash your hair and clarify the scalp. It is a nourishing ingredient and helps restore hair health.
- Don’t use heat or styling treatments. Air drying is not only good for hair and scalp, it also doesn’t leave scalp and hair dry like blow drying.
- Rice water or rose hydrosol rinse post-shower can leave you with smooth hair.
- Adopt protective hairstyles, and don’t try out hairstyles that call for tight pulling or braiding.
Bottom Line
Overall, home remedies are not only easier and often available in our pantries but are also natural and usually free from harmful and damaging side effects like chemicals. It’s also affordable and quite easy to incorporate into our daily routines.
Don’t have time for DIY remedies? We have you covered with a range of vegan hair care cosmetics from Vitamins Revive. Check out their online store to learn more about their products and what suits you.
As always, tweak the recipes to suit your tastes and requirements. DIY isn’t fun without experimenting and tweaking.
FAQs
When should you consult a specialist or seek medical help?
If you have any persistent issues that don’t respond to home remedies, like excessive hair fall, stunted hair growth, scalp issues like dandruff, etc., you should consult a specialist or seek medical help.
Does chlorine from swimming pools affect hair and cause dryness or lackluster hair?
Swimmer’s hair is a term coined to represent the havoc chlorine causes on hair. So, yes, it does affect hair significantly, and protective measures can help offset the damage.
Can health issues lead to damaged hair?
Our health reflects on hair health, so it can lead to hair or scalp issues. Hair fall, lackluster or dry hair, hair breakage, etc., are common issues that often reflect health.