Restore the Body of Dry and Damaged Hair
Are you having a bad hair day? Do you feel that your hair already lost its elasticity and is already damaged?
The sad truth is, oftentimes, it was our decisions that damaged our hair in the first place. Hair can be damaged in a number of ways which affects the cuticle layer of the hair and the cortex.
- Mechanically because of over brushing, braiding, pony tail.
- Thermally because of blow drying or ironing.
- Chemically because of bleaching, coloring, synthetically loaded shampoo and conditioner
- Environmentally due to extreme temperature variations, changes in air humidity, exposure to UV light, usage of salty and chlorinated water.
Hair Structure
The structure of our hair consists of the Cuticle, Cortex, and Medulla as shown in the image below. The Cuticle, which is the outermost part of the hair shaft, has the job of protecting the cortex against outside forces that cause hair damage.
Healthy Hair versus Damaged Hair
As you can see from the image, a Healthy Hair has the following characteristics:
- The cuticular layer is intact
- The cells overlap nicely and they protect the cortex from damage and moisture loss.
- Hair with a healthy cuticle looks soft and shiny, since light rays are reflected from it evenly
On the other hand, the Damaged Hair has the following characteristics:
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The cells of the cuticular layer are “open”
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They do not overlap as they should, and they can start to break off.
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The hair loses its sheen and the ends of the hair become frayed and split
The first stage of hair damage is when the cuticle cells are raised instead of smooth. This will increase the friction between the hair and will cause tangling, more static electricity, higher combing forces and over time, more damage. Even during wetting our hair or washing it with a shampoo, cuticle cells will raise a little. With proper care, the cuticle can be ‘closed’ again to prevent further damage.
Since hair is not a living structure, it cannot repair any damage caused on it by itself. Proper care is first and foremost directed towards preventing damage. The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) provides several hair care habits that can damage your hair. Take time to read through it. It's very informative!
Hair Body Restoration
Given what we have discussed so far, I'm hopeful that you now have a better appreciation for your hair and that some of the habits you thought were harmless were actually damaging your hair.
So, if you what to care for your hair, there are several things that can help protect your hair from damage and restore its body.
- Using a hair mask filled with botanical butters and oil can soften and nourish the hair effectively and protect it from damage and breakage.
- Humectant (Glycerin) helps provide missing moisture to the hair and locks moisture in.
- Fruits rich in oleic acid and monounsaturated fats penetrate the hairshaft and gives deep moisture to the hair.
- Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter restore, nourish and improve the elasticity of damaged hair. The fat content of these butter form a protective barrier on the hair to hold in moisture.
- Argan Oil enhances the hair's elasticity and restores shine to dull hair.
Most importantly, there are several Essential Oils that can help restore the body of your dry and damaged hair.
Lavender Essential Oil lubricates the scalp and helps balance the natural oil production of the hair. The aromatic scent will also calm your senses.
Chamomile Essential Oil softens the scalp and adds shine to the hair. The mild and sedative properties of Chamomile calms the nerves and brain.
Peppermint Essential Oils soothes the hair and scalp with its cooling effect.
When massaged into the scalp, these ingredients penetrate the hairshaft and give deep moisture to the hair, while protecting your hair from damage and breakage. The essential oils lubricate the scalp and balance the natural oil production of the hair.
In case you want to formulate these on your own, try to get much education from a certified formulator since essential oils are concentrated and the ratio of the ingredients must be carefully balanced. You may also try to look for products that have been especially formulated to restore your damaged hair. Let me know what you have in mind and I will see how I can help you.
There is a way to Restore the body of your Damaged Hair, the NATURAL way.