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Overview:
Your hair is your crown. Hair thickness, shine, length, and overall health largely depend on how you keep your mane. But it also depends on the scalp's health which is often ignored due to busy life schedules, work commitments and/or dietary habits. These practices lead to various hair-related problems such as hair fall, dryness, dandruff, frizziness and thin hair. These problems can easily be tackled by doing the proper hair treatment with the right products. The types of products that can be used in hair treatments range from hair oils, shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, serums, etc.
In this blog, we will discuss some of the important DIY hair treatments which you can do easily at home and reap their benefits with the ease of not going to salons.
1. Oil or Hot Oil Treatment:
When it comes to nourishing and hydrating your dry and brittle hair, hair oiling is the perfect option. Hair oiling is a popular practice of pouring oil onto your hair and massaging it into the scalp to hydrate the dry dull hair, moisturize the rough texture and make hair shiny and smooth.
An oil or hot oil treatment involves using a (1) heated oil to provide nourishment from roots to the tresses, of course you can use a normal room temperature oil howerver, heated oil makes the oiling more effective because your hair strands absorb the essential nutrients and vitamins 30-40% up to more as compared to a dry application without heat. Alternatively, using an oil under a heated cap with hair either damp or in a wet damp state provides the same result. This is because heat helps to refine the oil making the molecules finer and allowing them to penetrate deeper into the hair strand.
Fouther more, warm oil seals the cuticle by adding more moisture to the hair follicle, which helps in repairing your hair texture and preventing split ends.
Benefits of an oil or hot oil treatment:
Oiling plays a very important role in protecting your hair from regular wear and tear. Let's see how;
Moisturizes scalp – Frequently washing your hair, using too many hot tools, environmental pollutants and sun damage can leave your scalp dry. This dryness not only leads to dandruff but also stunted hair growth. Using an oil/hot oil once or twice a week provides intense moisture to your scalp which helps in increasing hair strength and preventing dandruff except for excess oily scalp.
Reduces frizz – Dryness and frizz make your hair extremely dull, damaged and honestly this is super annoying. Hot oil massage is a quick at-home treatment to provide you instant hydration that helps in reducing frizz and dry hair.
Promotes hair growth – When you massage your scalp with hot oil, it helps in stimulating dormant hair follicles plus the nutrients in the oil helps in strengthening the hair follicles. As a result, your hair starts to grow healthier and stronger.
Eliminates dandruff – Scalp dryness is the major cause of dandruff. Hot oil massage fights against the dry, itchy, and flaky skin by providing moisture and hydration that makes your scalp healthy and nourished for a longer period.
Improves blood circulation – Lack of blood supply to the scalp leads to a lot of hair problems including hair fall and stunted hair g
rowth. Blood carries vital nutrients to your scalp which helps in promoting hair growth. Hot oil massage not only improves blood circulation throughout the scalp but also transfers a wide range of nutrients to your scalp to promote stronger and healthier hair.
Reduces hair damage – Split ends and weak hair are not the only signs of hair damage, but they also affect the overall texture of your hair. This is because the hair follicles absorb a large amount of water and gets swelled up which can be a contributing factor for hair damage. Applying hot oil to your hair helps penetrate deeper and reduces the amount of water absorbed while minimizing the damage.
What are the best hot oils to apply?
There are so many essential oils and carrier oils that are considered suitable for treating different hair concerns, but we have enlisted some of the best oils for a hot oil treatment below for your convenience.
Coconut oil
Avocado oil
Olive oil
Peppermint oil
Argan oil
Hemp seed oil
Almond oil
Lavender oil
Rosemary oil
Grapeseed oil: this oil is super thin and can be used to thin-out or loosen thicker oils and give them a light weight consistent.
How to do a hot oil treatment at home?
You can pamper yourself by getting a hot oil massage both in-salon and at-home. Here we’re giving you a rundown of how to apply hot oil treatment easily at home.
Step # 1: Wash your hair – To achieve the maximum benefit, it is important to begin with a clean scalp and hair so always wash your hair and let it dry halfway before applying the oil.
Step # 2: Heat your oil – Take an appropriate amount of your favorite carrier oil and heat it in a pan for a maximum of 30 seconds, or boil water and place the oil in hot water. Make sure oil is warm enough but not too hot as it can badly burn your scalp. You can even add 2-3 drops of any essential oils of your choice to this mixture for fragrance and added benefit.
Step # 3: Prep your hair – Gently comb your hair to get rid of any knots so that it remains frizz-free.
Step # 4: Apply your oil – Divide your hair into sections and apply the oil either using your fingers or a dropper. Massage gently so that the it spreads evenly and is absorbed into the scalp properly.
Step # 5: Turn up the heat – To increase the heat factor, put on a shower cap. This feels good on your scalp.
Step # 6: Let the product sit – Leave this oil for about 30 minutes to an hour and then wash it off with lukewarm water not hot with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
Step # 7: Repeat as needed – Depending on how much care your hair needs, you can repeat this treatment once a week or once every two weeks but do not make this routine or too frequent.
2. Deep Conditioning Treatment:
Sometimes, despite following all the hair care routines, your hair may still look dull and feel rough and even dehydrated. This is because your hairs are constantly exposed to harmful aggressors, environmental pollutants, heat styling tools, and whatnot. To combat all these issues, a deep conditioning treatment can be a savior for your hair.
Deep conditioning is a hair care treatment in which your hair is introduced to nourishing products that coats the hair. As a result, it moisturizes your hair, strengthens elasticity, and reduces the damage caused by chemicals and other styling products. Now, you must be wondering whether a deep conditioner is the same as your regular conditioner?
Let us explain this.
Deep conditioners are more intense as compared to your regular conditioner and leave a more lasting effect than a regular conditioner. Tipically, you leave your regular conditioner for about 2-3 minutes, but deep conditioners stay on for around 30 minutes to achieve the best possible results.
Now let's have a look at the ingredients of a deep conditioner that makes it different from a regular conditioner. All conditioners contain a couple of key ingredients.
Emollients – These are the moisturizing substances that soften hair and reduce moisture loss by creating a waterproof protective barrier around the hair strands.
Humectants – These are the substances that bind to water and add moisture to the hair.
In deep conditioners, the concentration of these two ingredients is quite high compared to regular conditioner and they have a more thick and heavy texture.
Benefits of deep conditioning treatment:
Deep conditioning leaves plenty of benefits to your hair and is highly effective for almost everyone with any hair type.
Hydrates hair – Your hair needs hydration just like your skin to maintain its overall health and integrity. Deep conditioning helps provide moisture to your hair leaving it soft and prevents breakage.
Reduces damage – Regular deep conditioning keeps your hair healthy and hydrated. It provides all the essential nutrients to your hair that are known to add moisture even to the driest hair hence making it more resilient and less prone to damage.
Improves shine – Your hair loses its natural shine when it lacks moisture. A deep conditioner helps close open hair cuticles and penetrate your hair shaft which results in hair smoothness and that enhances the natural shine.
Adds strength – Dry and damaged hair is more prone to breakage and hair fall but deep conditioners have certain moisturizing, repairing, and fortifying ingredients that help restore the nourishment and reduce breakage of hair.
Nourishes color-treated hair – Coloring your hair can take a huge toll on your overall hair health. After all, you’re exposing your hair to different chemicals that alter your hair structure resulting in weak roots and dry texture. Deep conditioning for color-treated hair is highly important to reverse the harmful effects and make your hair strong and healthy.
Are there any homemade recipes for deep conditioners?
Well, you can go to a store and find a wide variety of deep conditioners but that's nothing new. If you want to be more creative and experimental, then why not try these two best recommended DIY deep conditioning hair masks. We can vouch for these.
1. Banana + Yogurt + Honey Mask:
Bananas are enriched with potassium and vitamins that provide rich moisturizing benefits to your dry strands and also helps to reduce frizz. Yogurt contains lactic acid that repairs the hair damage very well and honey makes your hair super soft and conditioned for a longer time.
How to use:
Mash one small banana, add two tablespoons of yogurt and one tablespoon of honey together, and mix it to make a thick paste. You can also blend them together using a blender.
Apply the mask on damp hair from root to tip and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse it with a gentle shampoo followed by your regular conditioner.
2. Coconut oil + Honey Mask:
Coconut oil is enriched with essential fatty acids which retain moisture in your hair and make them super nourished. Honey has natural keratin that helps to strengthen weak and brittle hair which reduces breakage and hair fall.
How to use:
Add a tablespoon of coconut oil and honey to a mixing bowl. (you can just heat the coconut oil then add honey and stir till you have a thin consistency.)
Heat this mixture a little bit until the consistency thins out.
Apply the mask all over your scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes.
Wash it off with a gentle shampoo.
How to deep condition at home?
The deep conditioning treatment is quite simple and takes 35-40 minutes entirely.
Step # 1: Choose your product – It's highly important to choose the right product according to your hair type. If you have dry and damaged hair, then use a thicker conditioner but if you have fine straight hair then use the lighter formula.
Step # 2: Wash your hair – Deep conditioning works best when you have a squeaky clean scalp and hair so always wash your hair with a gentle shampoo before starting the treatment.
Step # 3: Apply your deep conditioner – Apply your favorite DIY deep conditioning mask to your hair shaft and cote well the tresses. Make sure to avoid applying the product too close to your roots.
Step # 4: Let the conditioner set in – Wear a shower cap and leave the conditioner on your hair for 25-30 minutes.
Step # 5: Use heat if required – Certain products require heat to absorb better so you can use a blow dryer but make sure that heat settings are not too high.
Step # 6: Wash with cool water – Wash your hair with cool water and allow it to air dry for best results.
Step # 7: Repeat the process – You should do the treatment once or twice a week to maintain your overall hair health but not too frequently.
3. Protein Treatment:
Do you know that your hair strand is made up of 90-95% of a protein called keratin? Yes, you heard that right. When it comes to hair health, protein is extremely important because it strengthens your hair by providing elasticity and gives your hair a defined structure.
Despite all the care that you give to your hair, they are somehow deficient in protein and that’s why protein treatments are introduced to specifically target your hair protein needs.
There are so many options for you to get your protein treatment done in the salon or make a DIY protein hair mask by yourself and apply it at home. Keratin treatment, Cysteine treatment, and hair straightening are the procedures that are professionally done in the salons by professional hairstylists. These treatments require the use of chemicals and heat styling tools which can probably damage the overall integrity of your hair. But the homemade masks are usually made with natural ingredients and a much healthier alternative which we can also say are much safe to use.
How to tell if you need a protein treatment?
There are two simple methods to check whether you need a protein treatment or not.
The porosity test:
When your hair lacks protein, it becomes more porous and absorbs water more quickly. To check this porosity, take a few strands of your hair and place them in a glass of water (Like the picture below). If your hair sinks to the bottom that means you have porous hair because the cuticle has holes that allow water to absorb into the hair strand. This means that your hair has high porosity and needs a protein treatment. A protein mask fills those holes and makes your hair floats in the water which means your hair has low porosity.
The elasticity test:
This is another way to check the levels of protein in your hair by observing the elasticity of the hair. Hold a single strand of your hair between your thumb and index finger and stretch it. If the strand bounces back, it means that your hair is strong but if it breaks easily or does not return after stretching that means your hair needs a protein treatment.
Benefits of protein treatment:
As we have already mentioned that protein is very important for your hair, protein masks or treatments leave very positive effects on your hair health. Let's see how.
Improves hair porosity – Highly porous hair makes your hair dry, frizzy, and more prone to breakage. Protein treatment helps in reducing the porosity of your hair.
Reduces hair loss – Your hair mostly stays in the growing phase that helps the hair to grow but when there is a deficiency of protein the hair goes into the shedding phase resulting in hair fall. That’s why protein is important to keep the hair in the growing phase to reduce hair fall.
Protects the hair – Due to excessive use of heat styling, environmental pollutants, and harsh chemicals, your hair gets highly damaged. Applying a protein mask creates a protective barrier around your hair shaft to protect them from all these harmful external factors.
Improves hair volume – Lack of keratin protein makes your hair flat and lifeless but an adequate amount of protein makes the strands fuller and voluminous.
Restores damaged hair tissue – Protein masks help in repairing the damaged tissue of the hair and make it stronger and more durable. It also helps in repairing split ends if you have dry hair.
Improves elasticity – Protein treatments also help in improving the elasticity of your hair just like the porosity.
What are the DIY protein treatments?
One of the best DIY protein masks that we highly recommend is the Egg mask. All the ingredients can be easily found in your kitchen and it is so simple and quick to make.
Egg + Avocado Mask:
Eggs are the most inexpensive protein-rich source which has numerous benefits and avocados are rich in vitamins that can repair hair damage.
How to use:
Whisk one egg along with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, half avocado, and one tablespoon of honey to make a thick paste.
Apply the mask on your washed hair and let it sit on for 10 minutes.
Rinse your hair with a gentle shampoo and use conditioner afterward.
How to apply a protein mask at home?
The method of applying a protein mask is the same just like applying other hair masks for deep conditioning. The only key is that your scalp must be clean and washed before applying the treatment. Also, avoid applying the protein mask too frequently. For best results, apply the mask once a week or when you feel that your hair needs a certain TLC. For salon treatments, we recommend you get your treatment done once every six months.
FAQs:
Q. Do I need to wash my hair before an oil or hot oil treatment?
A. Most people make the mistake of applying hair oil before washing the hair, but it shouldn’t be the case usually. Your scalp must be free of dirt, oil, sweat, and residual products so that the hair oil could absorb better into your scalp. Moreover, the hair oil absorbs much better in your semi-dry hair (damp) as compared to fully dry hair. So, we recommend you apply oil on a clean scalp and then wash afterward.
Q. What should be the tips to follow while applying oil or hot oil treatment?
A. There are certain tricks that you should always follow:
Always check the temperature of the oil before applying. The oil shouldn’t be too hot otherwise it will burn your scalp leaving permanent damage to the hair follicles.
Always do a patch test first if you’re trying a new oil to avoid any adverse reaction especially if you have a sensitive scalp.
Don’t apply too much oil as it will be difficult for you to remove all the oil residues with shampoo.
Check out the JNJS Dry Hair Treatment oil https://www.chedoj.com/product-page/jnjs-dry-to-very-dry
Q. Can I add essential oil with my carrier oil?
A. Yes, you can add essential oils into the carrier oil to help repair dry and damaged hair. Just add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil or peppermint essential oil into your coconut oil before heating it. Adding essential oils makes your hair smell and feel great along with some extra benefits.
Q. Can I leave a hair mask on too long?
A. If you have normal hair then you can leave the hair mask for 3-5 minutes but if you have rough and dehydrated hair then you can leave it on for 15-20 minutes. If you’re dealing with extremely dry and damaged hair then you can leave the mask overnight. But here, we’d like to address this concern too, when you apply your mask on damp hair it absorbs more product that leads to a condition called hygral fatigue. This means that your hair has stretched with the extra addition of moisture, to an extent that it becomes weak and more prone to breakage. So try to avoid applying the treatment overnight frequently.
Q. Can I use a homemade hair mask every day?
A. It is best advised to use your favorite hair mask only twice a week if you’re not facing any serious scalp concern but if you have dry and brittle hair then it is recommended to use the hair mask on alternate days. Although the ingredients used in a homemade mask are completely natural, still its not advised to apply every single day.
Q. How long should I deep condition my hair?
A. Since these kinds of hair masks are thicker in their consistency, so they take more time to absorb into your hair and moisturize it. Therefore, it is recommended that a deep conditioner should be left on your hair for a good 15-20 minutes but not too long.
Q. Should I use a regular conditioner after deep conditioning treatment?
A. No, there is no need to apply your regular conditioner once you’re done with deep conditioning as the deep conditioner is packed with enough moisturizing ingredients that provide enough moisture and hydration to your hair. Applying another round of conditioner only makes the process hard and makes your hair lifeless.
Q. Can I use my regular conditioner as a deep conditioner?
A. If you’ve run out of your deep conditioner and your hair needs some maintenance then yes, you can use your regular conditioner as a deep conditioner. But make sure that your conditioner has these moisturizing ingredients which can easily penetrate deeper into your hair like coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera, vitamin E, soybean oil, etc.
Q. Is it necessary for every girl to deep condition?
A. Deep conditioning is vital to your overall hair health so there is no harm in incorporating deep conditioning into your hair care regimen.
Q. Can protein treatments cause hair fall?
A. Hair fall is not caused by the protein treatment itself but it’s the lack of post-treatment hair care that can lead to breakage and weak hair. So always make sure to use shampoos, conditioners, and serums that are richly infused with soy protein, whey protein, or keratin protein.
Q. Can protein treatments hurt my scalp?
A. Yes, when protein treatments are done at the salon, the products contain chemicals that can cause burning, sensitize your scalp, increase dandruff and hair fall. So always make sure to avoid contact with these harmful chemicals.
Q. How can I get to know if my hair needs protein?
A. You can perform a simple method, if you gently pull your healthy hair, it will stretch and then bounce back to its normal state. However, your unhealthy hair that lacks protein will stretch and then break.
Q. Should I use heat with protein treatments?
A. Yes, for best results you may use heat as it amplifies the effects of a protein treatment. But keep in mind not to overdo it instead, opt for a low heat setting since high heat will damage your hair. Alternatively, Place your mixture in a bowl of hot water cover for 5-10 minutes before use. 🌹Always check to make sure it's not too hot🌹
Q. Should I wash my hair before a protein treatment?
A. Yes, protein treatments should be done after washing your hair to achieve the best results.
Q. Are non-formaldehyde-based keratin treatments damage-free?
A. Non-formaldehyde-based keratin treatments can also be damaging to your tresses because running a hot iron rod through your hair can still produce traces of formaldehyde as well as the heat itself from the iron rod can be very damaging. To maintain the integrity of hair, it is recommended that you should follow a proper post-treatment hair care regimen.