Health & Beauty Desk: These are some methods to get the kinks and curls out of hair, at home, using ingredients from your shelves.
Celery Leaves
Chop a bunch of celery leaves and put the chopped leaves and little water in juicer to extract the juice. Now strain the juice with muslin cloth. Store this in a spray bottle for two days. After two days apply the juice to length of hair and scalp. Comb with a broad toothed comb so that all the hair is covered and leave it on for an hour. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and apply conditioner.
Hot Oil Treatments
Regular hot oil treatments is one the best and easiest ways to keep your hair smooth and well hydrated. For hot oil treatment, the best options are coconut, olive, almond or sesame oil.
Slightly heat the oil you wish to use in a microwave for about 20 seconds. Apply the warm oil to your hair and massage your scalp for 15 to 20 minutes. Comb your hair thoroughly to evenly distribute the oil. It will also avoid breakage while washing your hair Cover your hair with a hot wet towel for 30 to 40 minutes after then wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Gently comb your hair (use a wide-toothed comb not a brush) while it is still wet and allow it to air dry.
Milk
Milk is known to have moisturizing properties that can help straighten hair. Also, the protein in milk fortifies the hair shafts, making them smooth and frizz free.
A very popular technique is to mix ½ cup of water with ½ a cup of milk and store the mixture in spray bottle. Comb out the tangles before starting. Spray this milk on hair and scalp. Comb again. Leave milk on for 30 minutes before washing gently with water. Comb with a broad toothed comb. Repeat this technique 2 -3 times a week. Can blow dry with and brush for a finished look.
Another technique is mix one tablespoon of honey in one cup of milk. Mash up three to four strawberries and add them to the mixture. Apply this mixture to your hair thoroughly and wrap your hair in a towel for about two hours. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo, comb your hair using a wide-toothed comb and let your hair air dry.
Eggs
Eggs play an important role in making your hair stronger and shiner. Olive oil helps keep your hair well moisturized. These ingredients, when combined together, help straighten your hair naturally.
Beat two eggs properly and mix in four tablespoons of olive oil. Now apply this mixture to your hair and scalp, then comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb. Wear a shower cap and leave it on for 30 to 45 minutes. Rinse it off and wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
Take a cup of “Fuller’s Earth” or “Multani Mitti” and mix 1 egg white and 2 spoons of rice flour to this. Add water to make a paste which should be runny enough to coat the hair but not flow at the same time. Leave for 30 minutes and comb with a wide toothed comb. Repeat this 2 -3 times. Wash hair with water and a gentle shampoo after 2 hours.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is believed to help straighten hair. It has a moisturizing ability and also gives your hair a beautiful shine and luster. In addition, it has all the benefits of being antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral to keep your scalp infection free.
Extract milk from 1 coconut by first grating and then blending the tender fruit or meat of coconut. Add the juice of 1 fresh lime to this. Mix well and keep in the refrigerator. Next day a creamy layer has formed – use this on hair and scalp. Cover the head with a hot towel and keep for an hour. Wash with water and comb with a wide toothed comb. Repeat 2-3 times a week for good results. Blow drying is an option.
Beer
Beer is rich in proteins and vitamins that are a great help in maintaining healthy hair. Plus, the alcohol in beer acts as a cleansing and shine agent and has a softening effect on your hair.
Boil one cup of beer in a pan over medium heat until it reduces to half. Allow it to cool and then mix it with a cup of your regular shampoo. Wash your hair with this homemade beer shampoo. Alternatively, simply use flat beer as your final rinse after shampooing your hair. You can keep boiled beer in a spray bottle and use it as a leave-in conditioner, too.
Aloe Vera
Mix one-half cup each of aloe vera gel and warm olive oil. Optionally, mix in six drops each of rosemary oil and sandalwood oil. Massage the mixture into your hair and scalp. Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it on for one to two hours. After then Rinse it off and shampoo your hair with a mild shampoo.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is restores your hair’s natural pH levels and promotes healthy hair growth and an infection-free scalp.
Mix one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in one cup of water. Use this mixture as a final rinse after shampooing your hair. Leave this rinse on your hair and allow it to air dry.
Castor Oil
Mix together two tablespoons of castor oil and one tablespoon of soybean oil. Warm the mixture in a microwave for about 20 seconds. Massage your scalp and hair with it for a few minutes and leave it in for 30 minutes. Wash it out and shampoo your hair. Comb your hair while it is still wet and allow it to air dry.
These home remedies will give you excellent results when used regularly and with patience. Along with these remedies, you need to condition your hair properly after every wash to control the frizz and relax your hair.
The result of these tips may not be as finished and neat as a salon straightening, but you are saving on the expense and hair from effects of harsh chemicals.
