Summertime sees us hanging out at the beach or by the pool, slathering on suntan oil or sunscreen, bathing in the sun or splashing in the water. We make sure to look after our skin during this time. We remember to put on our sun lotions and potions. Yet we often overlook the devastation the water, whether from sea or pool, combined with the sun has on our hair. It often becomes damaged, dry, and breaks due to the sun’s rays breaking down the natural proteins in our hair. A homemade hair mask, however, could really help with this problem.
However, the problem of brittle and breaking hair isn’t only caused by the sun’s actions. It is also the result of a condition many people are unaware of, adrenal fatigue. Understanding the source of your damaged hair can help you fix it.
Simply put, adrenal fatigue happens when your adrenal glands become worn out and cause a number of health issues. The adrenal glands produce cortisol when you are under stress. This stress may be psychological, physical, or even due to environmental factors; it does not matter. Your body responds in the same way by producing higher amounts of cortisol.
Cortisol is a hormone that helps you cope with stress, but there is a downside. When the situation does not get better, your adrenal glands keep producing cortisol, even trying to increase their output. The problem with this is that your body’s pregnenolone gets used up making cortisol.
Pregnenolone is a precursor hormone and a ‘master’ hormone. In other words, it is a hormone, manufactured by the body, which is able to become just about any other hormone. When you are stressed out, it is shunted to make cortisol. This means that other hormones, also necessary for your body to function, cannot be made in the amounts needed to ensure proper function. These hormones include testosterone and estrogen, which, in turn, affects the health of your hair.
Your hormones have a huge impact on the quality and quantity of your hair. When your hair’s texture changes, becoming dry for example, it may actually be due to hormonal problems stemming from the thyroid or an imbalance in testosterone and estrogen levels.
A great example is women undergoing menopause. During this period, the body produces less estrogen. Women may suffer a variety of symptoms as a result, including brittle hair and hair loss, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and a host of other symptoms.
Women who stop taking hormonal birth control pills also notice changes in their hair quality and structure. The pill’s hormones ‘boost’ hair growth and quality, but once women stop using it, many experience sudden hair loss, slower hair growth, or deteriorating hair quality.
And then there is stress. Constant stress also tends to have a negative effect on our hair, leading to increased cortisol taking most of the resources needed to build other hormones. Sometimes we are not even aware of the stress we are under because it has become part of our lifestyle. Yet it does affect us on a subconscious level and has negative effects on health.
Diet plays a role as well. We live in a society where fast foods, processed foods, and foods that have been sprayed with insecticides are the norm. These foods all put stress on the body, resulting in many issues, including hormonal imbalances.
The best solution would be drastically reducing stress levels in your life, but that is not always possible. However, there are other steps you can take to help you deal with stress.
Changes for stress reduction could be as small as doing some gardening, starting a yoga course, practicing relaxation techniques such as mindfulness breathing, or hanging out with friends more often.
Cutting out fast foods and processed foods is a start. Concentrate on eating ‘whole’ foods, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and taking appropriate supplements. When taking supplements, however, it is best to consult a qualified practitioner or consider nutritional coaching for dosages and the correct supplements for you. Also consider cutting out cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine.
Moderation is key here. Exercise does not necessarily mean joining a gym. Taking the dog for a walk or riding a bicycle works just as well.
Strange as it may seem, the electrical emissions around you, from the television set, microwave, clock radio, cell phone, and even the wiring in your house, causes your body stress. While living without electricity may not be an option, you can limit the emissions you are exposed to. Consider unplugging all electrical appliances when not in use, sleeping with your head away from the wall in which the electrical conduits are housed, and not having your laptop or cell phone anywhere near you when sleeping.
Of course, none of these things are going to change dry hair overnight. Hair that is damaged and lacks shine is dehydrated. While you may drink water to combat dehydration in your body, your hair needs a different type of hydration – one that is, to a large extent, oil based.
Unfortunately, most purchased hair masks contain petroleum-based ingredients, something you might not want to use on your hair. A homemade option, however, works just as well, and it’s healthier and environmentally friendly.
These recipes are 100% natural and easy to make using ingredients most people have right in their kitchen.
When you’ve been out in the sun, at sea, or by the pool all day, however, make sure you rinse your hair first in order to rid it of salt and damaging chemicals.
This simple homemade hair mask is packed with protein and will give your hair a fantastic boost.
1 egg yolk
1/2 avocado, mashed
Blend the ingredients well (a food blender works great). Apply the mixture to your hair, starting from the roots and working your way up the hair shaft towards the tips. Pin up your hair, wrap in a towel or shower cap, leave on for about twenty minutes, and rinse well.
The honey and oil combination in this recipe moisturizes the hair and scalp, while the honey has an antibacterial and antiviral effect (honey is a great antibiotic). The banana adds protein and promotes elasticity.
1 ripe banana
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon olive oil (almond oil works just as well)
1-2 drops lavender oil
Blend all ingredients well. Apply the mixture to your hair, and massage your scalp. Pin up your hair, wrap in a towel or shower cap, and leave on for about fifteen to twenty minutes. Rinse well.
Most oil-based hair products contain petroleum. This hair mask contains light-weight oil that is totally natural and hydrating.
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons olive oil
Mix the two oils well and coat your hair with it, focusing on the ends. Pin hair up and cover with a towel or shower cap for about half an hour before you shampoo and condition.
The addition of honey makes this hair mask great for your scalp as well.
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon raw honey
Mix all ingredients and coat your hair with it, placing your focus on the more brittle ends. Pin up hair and wrap in a towel or shower cap for about thirty minutes. Shampoo and condition.
This recipe is not only great for your hair but for your skin as well. The ingredients add moisture and shine to dry, damaged hair.
1/2 cup aloe vera gel
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1-5 drops argan oil
This mask goes on after you have washed your hair but while it is still damp.
Mix the three ingredients well and apply to your hair. Leave it on for about five minutes before rinsing.
This natural mask that locks in moisture and adds shine.
Half a cup of raw honey
Two tablespoons olive oil
Shampoo hair and apply while still damp.
Mix the honey and olive oil and apply to hair, making sure to massage it into the scalp. Wait about ten minutes before rinsing and applying conditioner if needed.
Using a homemade hair mask can go a long way towards healing and deep-conditioning dry, damaged hair. But if your hair is dry and damaged due to an underlying health issue, a homemade hair mask can only go so far. Make sure you are taking good care of yourself, in addition to taking care of your hair, and your hair will thank you for it.
Healthy hair starts with the right ingredients, and making your own hair masks at home allows you to customize treatments to fit your unique needs. From hydrating avocados to nourishing honey, these homemade recipes can rejuvenate your hair and enhance your overall well-being. Embrace natural beauty with ingredients you already have in your kitchen!
Want personalized advice on how to achieve your best hair health? Call us today at +1 (626) 571-1234 for a free initial consultation. Let’s discuss how you can tailor these recipes to your specific needs and get on the path to gorgeous, healthy hair!
© Copyright 2017 Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
Yes, a natural hair mask should give you the same results or better. Since it contains only 100% natural ingredients, you are being environmentally friendly and avoiding chemicals that could add to adrenal fatigue in the process.
