Occasionally noticing that your hair looks damaged and lacklustre is a common issue. From not pampering your tresses with regular hot oil massages to frequent heat styling, there are a number of ways your hair can look dry and lifeless. Before you decide to turn to a professional for help, we recommend you to turn to your kitchen to salvage the situtation.
Using ingredients from your pantry is not only convenient, but it also gives you amazing results if used continuously over a period of time. We’ve rounded up five kitchen staples that hydrate and nourish dry and damaged hair to slow but steadily nurse them back to health.
Butter
If you think bread is the only thing that butter can be applied on to, then you’re wrong. The creamy texture of butter is really great to condition and moisturise dry hair. Ethopian women have been known to apply butter to their hair for centuries to protect them from sun damage and prevent dryness. Curly haired girls will really benefit from this treatment as applying butter to curls not only helps moisturise them but also enhances their texture.
To use: Depending on your hair length, take an appropriate amount of room temperature butter to cover the lengths. Cover your head with a shower cap and leave it for about an hour. Wash your hair as usual.
Eggs
Raw egg is one of the best ingredients to revitalise dry and damaged hair. The fats and proteins in the yolk provide unmatched moisture to dry strands. The egg white is a rich source of bacteria-eating enzymes that are a great way to eliminate excess oil and keep your scalp itch-free.
To use: Mix half cup egg yolk and some water. Whisk this mixture until it forms a fluffy mixture and using a brush, apply it on to freshly washed, damp hair. Wash this off with cool water (this will prevent the egg from cooking on your head) and a gentle shampoo after 20 minutes.
Yoghurt
If you have dull, dry and damaged hair due to an over-use of styling tools, then yogurt will help treat this damage effectively. Yoghurt is a rich source of lactic acid that eliminates dirt and product build-up, while the milk fat nourishes and moisturises your strands.
To use: Post washing, massage plain yogurt on to damp strands. Let it sit for about 20 - 30 minutes and rinse with a gentle shampoo.
Avocado
Avocado
Avocado contains oils that are extremely similar to the natural oils that are produced by our scalp. Avocados are a powerhouse of essential minerals and vitamins that are really helpful when it comes to fighting dryness and frizz. Additionally, full of fatty acids, antioxidants and biotin, this fruit tames frizz like no other.
To use: Finely mash half an avocado and massage it into your scalp. Wash it off after 15 minutes.
Baking soda
Using a lot of styling products leaves behind a residue that can lead to your hair looking dry and damaged. And the best way to deal with this issue is to use baking soda in your hair care routine. Sodium bicarbonate restricts excess sebum production and delivers moisture and shine.
To use: Form a thick paste by mixing together 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda and some water. Massage on to damp hair and wash off as usual.
Written by Urvi Dalal on Dec 03, 2019
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!