5 All-Natural Solutions For Common Hair Problems
by Wendy Dressler
Taking care of your natural hair can be challenging. With heat and chemicals causing damage to sensitive strands, breakage and slow growth are common issues.
Fortunately, there are natural solutions for natural hair problems. These solutions nourish and restore the hair rather than causing further damage. Whether you’re giving your hair a chance to breathe between trips to the salon or transitioning to your natural look, here are five solutions to try.
Papaya for Deep Repairs
Papaya is a fruit that’s rich in enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. Applying papaya to the hair and scalp not only helps nourish your tired strands but can also promote growth. When applied to the scalp, papaya can stimulate sebum production— the natural lubricant that keeps your skin and hair hydrated.
Mash some papaya with coconut oil or argan oil and a bit of honey. Apply it to your hair and leave on for approximately 30 minutes with a shower cap for some powerful deep conditioning.
Argan Oil for Dry Scalp
There are a lot of people who recommend coconut oil as a solution for natural hair. However, it can sometimes cause more harm than good as it doesn’t absorb well and can block moisture from entering the strands. Argan oil is an alternative that’s known for its rapid absorption.
If you have a dry scalp, apply argan oil, and massage it in. This works well when your hair is in a protective style too. For extra permeation, mix argan oil with sugar for an exfoliating and hydrating scalp scrub.
Aloe Vera for Clarifying
Aloe vera is one of the most potent natural remedies in the world. It has numerous benefits for both hair and skin without leaving residue, blocking pores, or causing irritation.
Aloe is powerful enough to cleanse your hair and remove build-up, yet gentle enough that it won’t strip the natural nutrients from the hair follicle. Rather than diluting your store-bought shampoo, you can mix aloe vera with coconut milk or diluted apple cider vinegar. This natural clarifying shampoo will cleanse your hair and scalp while reintroducing vitamins and minerals that strengthen your hair.
Egg for Strengthening
For a natural, restorative protein treatment, you can’t go wrong with eggs. Women have been putting mayonnaise on their hair for decades to reap the nourishing benefits.
When using eggs as a protein treatment to strengthen your natural hair, it’s the whites that will reintroduce the most protein. However, the yolk has benefits as well. The egg yolk boasts folic acid and a bunch of B vitamins that can help nourish and restore your hair, toning down the frizz and assisting with definition.
Whip up some eggs with a whisk and add other nourishing elements as you see fit. Bananas or avocado help add texture to the mask for easy application, while honey or aloe can enhance the nutrients further.
Flaxseed for Curl Definition
If you’re trying to avoid store-bought products, but still want to see some curl definition, you can make a defining gel out of flaxseed. A lot of women who rock their natural hair swear by flaxseed gel for curl definition and hold without harmful toxins, alcohol, or residue.
Flaxseed turns into a gelatin-like substance when you heat it with water, similar to chia seeds. To make your gel, you’ll need flaxseed, water, a pot, cheesecloth or pantyhose, and natural scents. It’s as easy as boiling the flaxseeds, straining the liquid into a jar, and putting it in the refrigerator for later use. You can find the full recipe here.
With these five all-natural solutions for natural hair, you can give your scalp and strands the TLC they need without costly or harmful products.
