Healthy Hair Using Essential Oils

Hair can define your image and style but it is also a mirror of your health. Emotional or physical problems can soon result in a lack of bounce or shine. Keeping hair in peak condition is a combination of caring for it on the surface and nurturing it from inside with a well balanced diet.

Scalp Massage Oils

Dry hair is rough to touch, thick in texture and dries out at the first sign of heated rollers or tongs. Avoid chemical colorants and perms and opt for shampoos and conditioners with jojoba and almond oils. Hot oil treatments allow essential oils to soak in easily and condition the hair. After massaging warm oil into the scalp, wrap the head in a warm towel and leave on for half an hour.

Oils for dry hair : Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang-Ylang, Lavender and Geranium

Greasy hair tends to look dull, lank, lacks body and won’t hold a style. Central heating and environmental elements aggravate the condition but it can stem from a hormonal imbalance. Check your diet and avoid harsh degreasing shampoos. Clean brushes and combs weekly. Plastic brushes are better for brushing through as bristle continually stimulates the scalp. Choose light conditioning rinses to detangle but try a scalp massage to regulate the oil-producing sebaceous glands.

Oils for greasy hair : Basil, Eucalyptus, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Lemongrass, Cypress, Sage and Rosemary

Normal hair is glossy with plenty of natural body and bounce. An occasional hot oil scalp treatment will keep it looking good and growing healthily.

Oils for normal hair : Geranium, Lavender, Lemongrass and Rosemary

Combination hair has ends that are dry or normal and the roots are greasy. Avoid using hot appliances near the scalp and keep the ends regularly trimmed and conditioned. Use a scalp treatment with oils fro greasy hair but don’t comb through to the ends.

How to Mix

Base oils : Choose from sweet almond, apricot kernel, avocado, jojoba, evening primrose or sunflower.

Essential oils : for one scalp treatment, choose up to three oils and use five drops of each for two tablespoons of base oil. Warm the blended oils by placing the container in a bowl of boiling water, and then massage into the scalp. Wrap with a hot towel, leave for 15 minutes and then shampoo.

Hair Problems

Dandruff

There are two types: dry and the more common oily. It is not catching! It can be caused by factors such as chemical body changes, stress, poor eating habits or wrong application of hair products. Both flakey and dry scalps can be treated with essential oil. Use special dandruff shampoos and conditioning rinses and treat the scalp by gently massaging with oils to suit. Use a base oil formula with patchouli and tea tree. For a dry, itchy scalp try cedarwood and lavender.

Grey Hair

Grey hair is more porous and needs extra conditioning, particularly if it is chemically treated or colored. Use a scalp formula for dry hair adding essential oil enhancers like chamomile to lighten or sage to darken any discoloration.

Hair Loss

Hair coming out in handfuls is often due to a hormonal imbalance, stress or anxiety, so the first step is to learn to relax. Any unusual thinning patch should be looked at by a trichologist but, as a general remedy, use a scalp massage with lavender and rosemary oils.

Sources:

http://www.essentialoils.co.za/hair-care.htm

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/essential-oils-for-hair-care.html

http://www.aworldofaromatherapy.com/essential-oils-skin.htm

http://www.curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=974753