It is every woman's dream to have hair which is silky, strong and lustrous. The biggest impediment in getting and maintaining such hair is breakage. It normally occurs when the hair become very dry. Besides this, some of the other reasons which makes hair prone to breakage are a deficient diet, hormonal imbalances, certain illnesses or medical conditions, using excess chemicals and not taking proper care of the hair. It is very important that a woman takes timely treatment and care, before hair breakage becomes rampant and she ends up losing lots of hair. Here are some options which a woman can make use of, to restore the health and condition of her hair.
Treatment for Hair Breakage
Before learning and implementing the various remedies, it is very important for a woman to identify the main cause of hair breakage and eliminate it. For example, if the breakage is due to usage of products which have strong chemicals in them, the woman should stop using them altogether. Once she has done that, she should take the following steps to get healthy hair.
Healthy Diet
Hair breakage caused due to mineral deficiency can be taken care of by eating a well-balanced diet, which is especially rich in minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, chromium, zinc, iodine and magnesium. Intake of foods that contain high saturated fats can cause cholesterol to build up in the arteries. This reduces the oxygen in the blood stream, making the hair follicles weak and prone to breakage. So to avoid this, intake of such foods should be minimized.
Avocados and Aloe Vera
Avocados have natural moisturizing properties and hence are excellent for hair breakage. To make a mask for damaged hair, combine one mashed avocado, one egg yolk and a teaspoon of olive oil in a bowl. Mix properly and then apply it on the hair evenly. Leave this mixture for about an hour, and then wash off with a mild shampoo. Avocados, being natural, can be used on hair every time they are washed. Another natural remedy to avoid split ends and dry hair is spraying Aloe Vera juice on the hair after washing.
Hot Oil Therapy
Hot oil massage is perhaps one of the best treatments for hair breakage, as it is all natural, and no chemicals are involved in it. For this, simply put three tablespoons each of coconut oil and olive oil in a bowl and heat it. The oil should not be too hot as it can damage the hair. Now, take a cotton ball, dip it in the hot oil and apply in small sections of your hair, especially near the roots. Once the oil has been applied all over the head with your fingertips, massage your head in a circular motion. Leave the oil on overnight and wash off in the morning. Hot oil therapy should be done once a week, to avoid dry hair and to keep it well moisturized. A quick way to keep the hair moisturized naturally, is to apply this oil mixture after washing, when it is still wet.
Hair Products
There are some really good hair care products available in the market, which if used regularly, help in avoiding hair breakage. An effective product for African-American hair is H2 Ion. African-American hair breaks when braiding is done inappropriately, either too tight or left too long, without any professional help. Another reason is damage caused by strong chemicals found in dyes, heat straighteners or relaxers. When H2 Ion is applied, it uses ionic technology to revitalize the hair. The negative ions which are present in this product, fuse with the hair that is damaged by chemicals, sealing broken cuticles and moisturizing the hair at the same time, thus making it healthy.
Another product which is quite effective for hair treatment is Moisture Max Olive Oil Hair Mayonnaise, a deep conditioner. It has to be applied all over the hair, after washing with a mild shampoo and towel drying. Post its application, a towel soaked in hot water should be kept wrapped around your head for about half an hour. After half an hour, the hair should be washed with water.
Protecting the hair from the ill effects of the sun, cold weather and wind, is important. Keeping your hair tied in hairstyles such as braids and buns, helps in keeping the hair from becoming extra dry, thus preventing breakage. Lastly, cutting your hair at regular intervals, to avoid split ends, helps in keeping breakage at bay too.
