Hair care programme

Brushing forms an integral part of your hair care program Always brush the hair from the hairline. In general, your hail benefits from upward brushing and not downward strokes Start by combing the hair to free it from knots and tangles. Now begin brushing with a lifting motion off your head.

When you brush the sides of your head, the movement should be upwards and outwards. Work all round your head like the hands of a clock. It is relatively easy to brush your back hair, if you bend over a chair so that you have an unbroken line to work across.

Bend low as you brush. This facilitates the flow of blood to the hair. Constant brushing stimulates scalp circulation and helps to distribute natural oils to the hair ends. ‘Brushing is bad for greasy hair’ is a false conception. Brushing may aggravate this condition as it stimulates the sebacious glands to produce more oil.

However, if brushing is done regularly, your scalp will gradually secrete less oil. Brushing helps to retain, stimulate and replace natural oils. Regularity in brushing plays a key role in achieving luxuriant hair growth.

Scalp massage

Good brushing will keep your hair looking its best. But a scalp massage is a must for healthy, strong hair. It helps to hasten the flow of blood to the head.  A scalp massage everyday will improve circulation and actually help to fight split ends. You may use the pads of your finger tips or a rubber scalp massager for scalp massage.

Rubber scalp massage

A rubber scalp massager has small circular pads with rubber needles protruding out and a handle. Using a rubber scalp massager enables you to massage your scalp without banning the sensitive tissues or tiring yourself.

Finger massage

Organise your massage in such a way that your fingers remain more or less in one place, but the scalp moves. With the small, circular movement or back and forth motion, you should be able to cover larger areas of your scalp. A fifteen minute scalp massage with oil twice a week before shampooing must form a part of your hair care programme.

Oiling

Oil nourishes the roots and gives a shining, healthy look to hair. All types of hair must be oiled regularly. Dry, dyed or perm - dented hair best benefits from an oil application. You can choose from a wide range of oils - almond oil, olive oil, coconut oil or aloe oil.

Application

Take a little pure oil and warm it. Dip cotton wads into the warm oil and apply to every section of your hair beginning at the hair roots. Massage well. Dip a towel in hot water and wrap around your head. Leave on for twenty minutes before shampooing.

Aloe vera oil is used to stimulate hair growth.

Here’s the recipe

Ingredients: 4 big leaves of aloe

250 grams of coconut oil

Method: Aloe leaves are thick, succulent and have a transparent pulp. Slit each leaf and scrape out the pulp. Use a liquidizer to make it into a smooth paste. Heat coconut oil in a karai and add the aloe pulp. Keep stirring until oil floats On top. Strain the oil and bottle it.

Application: Take two tablespoons of oil and massage well into the scalp. Work your way from the scalp to the ends of hair. Leave on for one hour atleast. Aloe oil helps to combat split ends.