The personal care products industry is big business. Consumers collectively shell out millions of dollars each year on hair treatments in the hope of taming an unruly or damaged mane. However, many conventional hair care products touted to restore lost locks actually contain harsh, synthetic ingredients that harm more than help. There is no sure-fire or single home remedy for dry, frizzy hair that's guaranteed to work for everyone, but there are several strategies you can use to naturally improve the appearance and texture of your hair.
Step 1
Stop washing your hair with shampoo. Believe it or not, it is not necessary to force your hair into a pile on top of your head and "knead" it in a mountain of suds to get it clean. Most conventional shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, as an emulsifier and surfactant to achieve this effect. However, according to the cosmetics database provided by the Environmental Working Group, SLS is a known skin irritant. More importantly, this substance is a suspected carcinogen. (Reference 1) Dr. Mercola of the FoodConsumer.org news site explains that although SLS is derived from coconuts, the extraction process produces 1,4 dioxane (Reference 2), which the Centers for Disease Control (Reference 3) considers toxic to the brain, liver, kidneys and central nervous system.
A safer and natural alternative is to use a shampoo made from a vegetable based soap, like castile liquid soap. To make your own natural shampoo, combine 1 tbsp. liquid castile soap, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar, 1 oz. olive oil and 10 to 15 drops essential oil of choice in a blender. Spread this mixture onto wet hair, gently working it onto your scalp and pulling your fingers through to thoroughly coat the hair from root to tip. In terms of essential oils, calendula is traditionally used to condition hair and control frizz.
Step 2
Rinse your hair clean with cool water, not hot. Then use ½ cup of apple cider vinegar as a final rinse. Apple cider vinegar helps to restore the proper pH mantle to your scalp, but without stripping your hair of the natural oils it needs to look and feel healthy.
Step 3
Detangle your hair with shea butter. Shea butter is obtained from the seeds of the African shea tree. Although it is hard and wax-like in appearance in the container, it readily melts on contact. Rub a small amount between the palms of your hands to liquefy it, then spread it evenly onto your damp hair and comb through. Shea butter is widely available in health food stores, some supermarkets and various online sources.
Step 4
Give your hair the spa treatment now and then. Mayonnaise is a time-honored home remedy for deep conditioning. Apply 1 to 2 tbsp. of mayonnaise onto dry hair and wrap your head in a towel for an hour, or even overnight. Wash with your natural shampoo as usual.
Tips and Warnings
- Let your hair dry naturally, whenever possible. High heat from blow drying can further damage dry hair. Likewise, keep the use of curling irons and other implements to a minimum.
Things You'll Need
- 1 tbsp. Liquid castile soap
- 1 tbsp. Lemon juice
- 1/2 cup Apple cider vinegar, plus 1 tsp.
- 1 oz. Olive oil
- 10 to 15 drops Esseential oil of choice
- Shea butter
- 1 to 2 tbsp. Mayonnaise
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