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According to Ayurvedic medicine, a form of alternative medicine that originated in India 5000 years ago, keeping the head cool can prevent hair woes like graying or balding. Ayurveda also suggests specific herbs to promote hair growth and prevent problems.
NaturallyCurly.com talked to Nicole Hinterstocker, an Ayurvedic practitioner and owner of Ajara Ayurvedic Beauty, for tips on creating an Ayurvedic hair regimen.
Five Elements Theory
Ayurveda offers an alternative model of biology where everything is made of five elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth.
“Everything you look at has some component of everything,” says Hinterstocker. “Hair would mainly be earth because it’s physical, but it’s going to have everything in it. Growth of the hair would be fire because anything that is being transformed from one thing to another would be the fire component.”
An Ayurvedic hair regimen uses cool, soothing herbs to calm the scalp and promote hair growth. The theory is that if someone is bald, it’s because they burned all their hair away, so Ayurvedic tradition encourages keeping the scalp cool.
Bone health is also believed to improve hair health.
“Anything that strengthens the bones will also cause the hair and nails to grow healthier, stronger and longer,” adds Hinterstocker. “So looking at bone health will help promote hair health. If you have osteoporosis you might also see porous hair.”
Ayurvedic Hair Regimen
Ayurvedic Products
- Styling Product: Qhemet Biologics Amla Nourishing Pomade
- Oil: Ancient Ayurvedic Herbal Hair Therapy Oil System
- Shampoo: AfroVeda Ylang Conditioning Shampoo
- Conditioner: AfroVeda Advanced Therapy Rejuvenating Emu Oil Conditioner
In lieu of traditional shampoo, Ayurveda followers wash their hair with a tea made from a blend of herbs found in powder form. While the tea needs warm water to steep, Hinterstocker cautions that in keeping with Ayurvedic principles, you never want to use hot water on your head.
“Use the lowest temperature that’s still comfortable for you,” she says.
Next, the Ayurvedic hair regimen involves applying oils to the scalp and lightly through strands of hair. The choice of oil depends on the individual’s hair.
“If it’s falling out, oftentimes you would apply an oil made of coconut and Brahmi or Gota Kola, which is a little bit more common in the US,” says Hinterstocker. “People with curly, unruly, breaking hair would do really well with taking Brahmi.”
Another commonly used herb, Bhringaraj, which means “king of the hair” in Sanskrit, is believed to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss. Hinterstocker says she’s seen major hair growth while taking Banyan Botanical’s healthy hair tablet, which contains a proprietary blend of Bhringaraj, Brahmin and hibiscus, among other ingredients.
The ritual ends by scenting the hair with a cooling incense such as benzoin, which acts as an antibacterial agent, or amber, which promotes cell respiration and regeneration. “When you burn amber, some of the oils will land on the hair and scalp itself, therefore working its way into our systems through our skin,” adds Hinterstocker.
Looking to Henna?
Try conditioning your hair with Ayurvedic herbs after your henna hair coloring treatment.
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Whether you dye your hair a sun-kissed blonde, a sultry chocolate or another fabulous hair color you already know that color-treated hair is expensive to maintain. Fortunately, we’ve uncovered some expert strategies to make color last longer, saving you time and money. Read on for hair coloring tips from Shan Casey, a DevaCurl educator and owner of Shan Hair in Boston, MA, and Elsa Rhodes, co-owner of Platform Color Style Salon in San Dimas, CA.
- Avoid Over-shampooing Rhodes advises clients to limit hair washing to two or three times a week, tops. The amount of shampoo you use matters, too.
“Most of the time people are still using too much shampoo, because they think they have to put more in to make it foam.” says Casey. He suggests halving the amount of shampoo you normally use and pouring it into your fingertips instead of your palm. No need to rinse and repeat. Once should be enough to cleanse your hair without drying it out.
- Turn Down the Heat Like over-shampooing, excessive heat styling with a blow-dryer, curling iron, or straightener can cause fading. That’s why Rhodes advises applying a hair serum before styling to protect the hair shaft.
“Think of putting a ‘shield’ over your hair,” she says. “This will protect the hair from damage, and also make the color last until your next appointment. And consider getting a professional conditioning once a month to keep hair hydrated.”
- Choose the Right Products Not all hair products are created equal, so pay attention to the ingredients in your hair color, shampoo, and styling products. One of the hair coloring tips Casey offers to clients with color-treated hair is to steer clear of products containing silicon, parabens, and waxes since they don’t allow moisture to penetrate the hair. Rhodes recommends using a shampoo that’s specifically formulated for color-treated hair. Also look for non-ammonia hair color.
“Ammonia tends to strip hair and make it more vulnerable to breakage and color-fade.” says Rhodes.
- Shield Your Hair From the Sun Headed to the beach or a BBQ? Sun exposure can fade color (not to mention burning your scalp”>, so Casey suggests wearing a hat to protect your hair and scalp. Spraying your hair with a leave-in UV sun protector can help, too, according to Rhodes. You might also consider postponing your salon visit until after you return from the beach to minimize sun exposure on newly treated hair.
- Minimize Chlorine Damage Chlorine is another hazard to hair color, particularly in the summer.
“Leave your regular conditioner in as long as it’s silicon free,” says Casey, who also recommends using lemonade mix before swimming. “Cut up a lemon and put it in some water with a dollop of conditioner and rinse your hair in that.” he says.
“The hair is like a sponge. You should always wet the hair and put conditioner in it to minimize damage.” Afterwards, Rhode suggests using a clarifying shampoo and deep conditioner to maintain shine and prevent fading.
