Shampoo forms the heart of your hair care programme. Shampooing is the ideal way to remove grime and dirt from your hair. It also cleans the scalp of all gels, sprays and smoke. A good shampoo in no interferes with the scalp’s natural oil secretion. Shampooing cannot repair or change the process of overactive oil glands. Contrary to legend, washing does not dry out hair. You should shampoo your hair as often as needed. You may have to sample a couple of shampoos, to enable you to pick the one best suited to your hair type. Your ideal shampoo will not cause drying of the scalp or stimulate greasy scalps. Dry hair needs a shampoo comprising of lecithin. Lecithin is present in egg yolk. Under nourished hair needs a protein based shampoo like egg shampoo.

Greasy hair requires a protein based shampoo embodied with lime, sulphur or cedar base. A mild, non detergent shampoo is ideal. To promote beauty of your hair, soaps are best avoided. Soap tends to leave dull film on your hair that even the softest water cannot remove. It is a good idea to find two different types of shampoos and conditioners. Alternate them every fortnight. This can help to keep your hair pliant and alive.

How to shampoo

You must comb through your hair before you shampoo it. Wet hair with lukewarm Water and apply a small quantity of shampoo. Massage gently using small circulating movements of finger tips. Keep your thumbs at the nape of your neck, with your fingers spread out. With the help of the pads on your finger tips, rotate your fingers with light pressure on the scalp. Remember your scalp must do the moving and not your fingers. Gradually, move your thumbs a little higher, working firmly but gently with your finger tips. Move on to hair line and remaining area. This is where the dirt and grime tend to be trapped.

Take the ends of your hair and rub in the shampoo or suds. A single lathering is sufficient for hair shampooed every day or else you may repeat. Do not pull, tug your hair while shampooing.

Method: Follow instruction on how to make basic infusion and use as rinse.

• Tea after shampoo rinse

Ingredients:   I tablespoon of tea leaves (dried)

900 ml of boiling water.

Method: Make a basic infusion using tea leaves, but the simmering time should be reduced to three minutes.

• Nettle after shampoo rinse

Ingredients: Nettle leaves; a slice of orange or lemon peel.

Method: Use rubber gloves while handling these leaves with stinging properties. Once the herb is boiled, the stinging glands break. Make basic infusion and add a slice of lemon or orange peel before use.

• Rosemary after shampoo rinse

Ingredients: 4 tablespoons of rosemary

900 ml of water

Method: Make a basic infusion using rosemary. It is an excellent after shampoo final rinse. Leaves your hair glossy, smooth and manageable.

Acid rinses

a. Lemon rinse

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

800 ml of icy cold water.

Method: Combine the ingredients and rinse your hair.

b. Apple cider vinegar rinse

Ingredients: 2-3 tablespoons of cider vinegar 800 ml of cold water.

Method: Mix and wash hair.

This serves a double purpose. As an excellent rinse as well as a good conditioner which lends hair a lovely shine and body.

Vinegar rinse

Ingredients: 4 tablespoons celery leaves

2 tablespoons vinegar

Method: Make a basic infusion with celery leaves. Combine with vinegar and rinse. This rinse is used to stimulate hair growth.

Protein rinses

These rinses help to lubricate and strengthen hair. Use these rinses on the days you are not going out.

Wheat germ rinse

Take four tablespoons of powdered wheat germ and tie up muslin bag. Soak the bag in one pint of water for three hours. Squeeze the bag and use the solution to rinse your hair. This is an ideal treatment for dry hair.

Whey after shampoo rinse

Collect and strain whey, and use it as a rinse. This is a very inexpensive protein rinse, as whey liquid contains abundant protein.

Oatmeal rinse

Fill your muslin bag with four tablespoons of powdered oatmeal and soak the fastened bag in a pint of water for three to four hours. Squeeze out the milky white liquid and use as a protein rinse.