A Guide to Moisturizing Your Natural Hair
You will find an overwhelming number of hair-related articles online telling you the dos and don’ts. There are things (all types of hair concoctions included) that will work for you and others simply won’t. For instance, wearing scarves to protect your hair might seem like a good idea in the summers, but not always. This advice is great, but doesn’t work for everyone.
Are you in a hot and humid region or in a hot and arid one? Scarves are good for dry regions as your skin and hair lose moisture rapidly in such conditions.
That being said, products that have keratin (hair protein) and are tested and can be applied and used without any worries. Follow the steps below for superbly moisturized hair in any kind of weather. Definitely, it is possible. Don’t your favorite celebs have amazing hair the whole year round? With some additions to your lifestyle, you can too. Read on:
Hair Regimen
You have to follow a skin care routine for glowing skin. Similarly, you need to have a hair care regimen for silky and moisturized hair. The basic hair regimens let you be time-efficient without compromising on your hair.
Natural Oils
Applying hair oils once in a blue moon or in a month is not going to cut it if you want glamorous hair from roots to tips. You have to invest some time to massage your hair properly with oil for at least 10 minutes twice on a weekly basis.
When the weather is cold and dry, massage in warm oil gently on to your scalp and gradually spread it on your hair. For maximum absorption, cover with a shower cap or wrap it in a towel and leave it on for half an hour, and then shampoo and condition your hair as usual.
Kerotin’s Enriching Argan Oil is a combination of argan oil, jojoba oil, apricot oil, almond oil, pumpkin seed oil and other essential oils that rejuvenate your hair and prevent aging of your hair shafts.
Shampoo and Conditioner
You may be thinking that everybody knows this so why bother about it. It’s so common that it gets overlooked and people unknowingly make mistakes when it comes to this primary hair care tip. Quite a lot of people shampoo their hair everyday or on alternate days. Why? The answer is not because you need to, it’s because you have incorporated it into your routine.
You might be excessively shampooing and stripping your hair of its essential natural oils that your hair produces. Avoid shampoos that contain sulphate as these dry out hair shafts, making them lose their natural moisture.
Depending on your hair type, you can shampoo after two to three days. If your scalp and roots (up to an inch) feel oily, then it’s time to shampoo your hair. Enrich your hair follicles by switching to Kerotin Keratin Shampoo that helps bind moisture to your hair for prolonged durations.
Conditioning your hair each time you rinse your hair during the shower is a healthy habit. Water tends to dry your hair when it evaporates from your hair and that’s why conditioning is vital if you want your hair to retain their natural moisture and beauty.
Trimming
Oh yes, trim those split-ends to maintain your moisturized hair, just like you need to buff your nails for that sheen. Similarly, you have to trim your damaged or out-grown hair after a month or two.
The rule is simple if you are prone to split-ends, then snip up half an inch every month otherwise you can trim every three months.
Keep in mind that those celebs with luscious tresses get it done within a month to keep their hair well-moisturized because otherwise split ends will break further and damage the whole hair shaft.
Hair Masks
All of us have tried hair masks that we swear by. If you have found the right one for your hair, then apply it twice a week for 45 minutes to nourish your hair thoroughly. When you are short on time and can’t mix up an elixir for your crown, then apply Kerotin Renewal Hair Mask every week or every fortnight and have the hair you want and feel proud of.
Additional Nutrients
You have “fed” your hair from the outside with essential omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals (Argan Oil is a balanced blend of them), but don’t skip these from your diet even while you are on a diet because your mind and body (hair included) depend on these nutrients to stay healthy.
Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Get your protein intake from fish, such as salmon, mackerel, herring, etc. because they are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids which add sheen to your natural locks. Snack on almonds, pecans, especially walnuts, as they are a power-house of both fatty acids, allowing your hair to shine from the inside out.
Vitamins and Minerals
Biotin, zinc, magnesium, iron are just a handful of essential ingredients that your hair must have in order to be naturally moisturized. Generally, you get these from your food sources, but in case your diet is deficient in these areas, then add a supplement that provides your body and hair with everything you need.
Kerotin supplements have the right formulations to moisturize your hair naturally.
Water
You have heard that right when they say 8 glasses of water a day are vital for your bodily functions, but it is also important to keep those lovely locks hydrated. Do increase your water intake when you are doing strenuous activities as you lose more water through perspiration which makes you and your hair dehydrated. Water is life for your hair too.
Hair Styling
If you love styling your hair in more ways than one, then that’s great for your hair. All styles don’t require that you treat your hair with heat and that is good for your locks. You can tie them up, make a chignon, blow-dry and leave them open alternately to ensure they are always smooth and supple.
Those of you who regularly dye their hair can go for hairstyles that don’t emphasize the roots. These styles will buy you some time before you touch up your roots.
Straightening/Curling Irons
You can straighten your hair or curl them as you feel like when they are moisturized; however, refrain from making this your habit. Those of you who just can’t let these devices rest for a while will do better if they focus more on the above tips.
Blow-Drying
We all have done this many times to save time; we don’t dry our hair well enough with a towel and jump to blow-drying and then we also deliberately set the hair dryer on high temperature setting. If you love your locks, then first use a soft cloth (a micro fiber cloth or an old cotton T-shirt) to dry your hair gently.
Set the hair dryer (with a nozzle) on medium heat and use your fingers to comb through your hair while directing the heat down toward the roots.
When your hair is partially dry, use a bristled brush to comb your hair and dry them from roots to tips in segments. Keep the nozzle pointed downwards and an inch away from your roots.
You can indulge in your love of blow-drying now and again provided that you nourish your hair with Argan Oil frequently. Your glossy mane will match any photo shopped one on the tabloids if you take good care of your hair.
Coloring
Cut back on your hair coloring frequency to enjoy natural sheen on your bounteous locks. I know we just can’t stay without dying our hair, especially when we have to hide those pesky grays. Opt for
hair dyes that are ammonia free as these can rob your hair of moisture.
Give yourself a keratin treatment before and after your color treatment to replenish the moisture your hair has lost during the dyeing process.
Balayage is an alternative to highlights; the main difference being balayage is done away from the roots and highlights are done from the roots. Consequently, balayage is a better option as you don’t have to touch up your roots as your hair grows out.
Life Style
Exercise Routine
You don’t need to have toned abs and sculpted thighs to moisturize your hair, but you have to exercise which improves blood circulation (your blood carries all the essential nutrients to your hair) and cuts down on your stress hormones.
Rinse your hair with water after hitting the gym to get rid of the salt build up in your hair and condition as usual.
Sleeping Habits
Some of us turn and twist too much while we sleep; your hair rubs against each other which tangles it up and causes it to break. You can tie your hair in a loose pony tail to avoid this or you can cover your hair with a silk wrap. This will help retain the natural moisture in your hair shafts without tangling them.
Outdoor Activities
You are an outdoor person and enjoy nature, whether it’s the chilling winters or blazing summers. Of course, you should live life to the fullest, enjoying bonfires in the cold while dipping in the pools in sultry weather.
Wrap your hair in appropriate head gear or apply protective layers of moisturizing products to your hair before exposing it to harsh weather. Your hair can recuperate with Kerotin renewal masks as they allow keratin to bind in with your hair shaft, which seals in the moisture.
A keratin mask will ensure you have moisturized hair, without dishing out big dollars in expensive salons.
Natural Homemade Masks
One great thing about freshly made homemade hair masks is that there are no side-effects even if you go overboard at times. I am sure you have tried and tested hair masks, and in that case, stick with them, and use them regularly.
The following are some age old recipes for naturally moisturized and luscious hair. These will give you the sheen and shine within a few minutes and you won’t have to leave the comfort of your home.
Egg, Yogurt and Lemon
You can’t stand the stink of eggs despite their great results for your hair; however, these masks are vital for your hair. Add in a few drops of lemon and two teaspoons of yogurt to make this mask; it will not only mask the odor of the egg, but also deliver more protein to your hair shafts. This combo is also great to fight dandruff issues.
If you don’t have all the ingredients in your pantry, don’t worry, as eggs and yogurt both can revitalize your hair single-handedly. Leave either of them on your scalp for 15 to 30 minutes and shampoo. Skip your conditioner after this mask.
Vinegar
Many women swear by apple cider vinegar mixed with their favorite accompaniment (egg, yogurt, mustard, coconut oil, etc). You can try these combinations with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and two teaspoons of your optional ingredient. Mix them well, apply from your roots to tips and then shampoo after half an hour.
Apple cider vinegar (plain white one will do also) lends your hair extra shine. Mix ¼ cup of vinegar in equal quantity of water and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse with water and notice the subtle difference. This also alleviates itchy, flaky scalp and weekly use can get rid of dandruff as well.
Olive Oil with Butter
Either of these two can be applied on their own to achieve fabulous and moisturized hair. When combined, this mask becomes an incredible treatment for dry hair; mix in 2 tbsp of unsalted butter with 2 tbsp oil (you can substitute with coconut or castor oil) and massage it in from your roots to tips.
You can cover your head with a plastic wrap and shampoo as usual after 30 minutes. Try this twice a month.
When you want to get extra moisture locked into your hair, especially in dry months, add in two tbsp of raw honey and whole milk to give your hair more boost.
Final Word
Your hair looks great no matter the style, length or color if it’s moisturized from roots to tips and you can achieve this by taking care of your inner and outer health. You can do so much, experiment with all kinds of dos when you have strong healthy tresses. Whether you try and test home concoctions or go for hair formulations that have been designed specifically for hair is up to you.