Shea butter is extracted from the Shea-Karite tree, located in the tropics of East and West Africa. Shea butter is often used in hair treatments due to its emolliating properties. Often soft and creamy in texture, the color of shea butter depends on the process used during production. Some shea butter is a pale white, which is referred to as refined shea butter, or a pale yellow, also known as unrefined shea butter. Shea butter can be used as a daily hair treatment to moisturize and soften the hair.
Pre-Wash Hair Treatment Conditioner
According to reports conducted by the Journal of the American College of Toxicology, sodium lauryl sulfate may cause skin irritations due to its protein denaturing and drying properties. Applying Shea butter as a pre-wash hair treatment conditioner throughout the hair and scalp moisturizes the hair and prohibits the drying effects of sulfate-shampoos that strip the hair's natural oils.
Deep-Conditioning Hair Treatment
Shea butter has been used for centuries for its moisturizing and conditioning properties. Applying shea butter as a deep penetrating hair treatment helps restore hair elasticity and soften the hair cuticle for more manageable hair. According to burtbees.com, shea butter hydrates and repairs dry, brittle hair due to its high fat content.
Hot Oil Hair Treatment
Shea butter is abundant in fatty acids and triglyceride. It can be fractioned by separating the olein, which is the liquid, from the stearin, the solid portion or the butter fat of the shea nut. Warm the oil and apply it throughout the length of wet hair for a conditioning hot oil hair treatment.
Whipped Hair Cream
Shea butter blends well with other ingredients and can be used as a natural additive to enhance the effectiveness of your favorite hair care products. Shea butter can be whipped on a medium setting, using a stand mixer and whisk attachment. Add essential oils and carrier oil such as jojoba oil or macadamia nut oil for a smooth, creamy hair treatment.
Daily Moisturizing Hair Treatment
Shea butter contains vitamin E, essential fatty acids and minerals that help soften brittle and frizzy hair. It can be applied as a daily moisturizer by rubbing the shea butter in the palms of your hand and distributing it evenly into the hair, being sure to focus on the ends to prevent split ends.
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