Useful Tips for Holi 2018

“Holi Hai!” The moment we hear this, the only thing we imagine is the multiple types of colors floating in the air. Well, Holi is one of the biggest festivals in India and it goes on for 3 to 4 days where everybody expresses their love and joy by applying colors to each other. In the earlier days, the color called “Gulal” was made by crushing marigold flowers and rose petals which was very soothing and healthy. But, as the world changed, we have now landed up with artificial colors mixed with harsh chemicals. Such colors tend to damage the hair and skin as well as health.
Well here are some useful Tips to make your Holi celebrations joyful and not painful:

1. Always prepare your own herbal Holi colors by using flowers, leaves, edible components like turmeric powder, fruits like pomegranate, beverages like tea, coffee powder etc.
2. Try playing with water colors as the water particles will keep your skin and hair hydrated in sunlight, though it is mixed with colors.
3. Choose full sleeved clothes so that the harmful chemicals mixed in Holi colours won’t reach your skin directly.
4. Apply lots of oils like coconut, almond, mustard or amla oil on the entire body and hair before and after Holi celebration.
5. Wear a bandana or scarf on your hair so that it will cover maximum area of the hair thereby protecting it from artificial colors.
6. Also apply thick nail paint on your nails as the strong grease and chemical colors can affect them for days.
7. Once the Holi celebrations are over, have a quick and thorough shower with Luke warm water in order to take off the maximum color from your body. Once it gets dry, it becomes very difficult to get rid of colors from your skin and hair.

Hair Care After Holi:

Apply oil to your hair and shampoo your hair with a mild herbal shampoo. Try to remove the excess color from the hair and scalp. Apply a lot of conditioner regularly for at least 4 to 5 hair washes after Holi. Make hair oil your best friend as it will help your hair to overcome the damage done by harmful colors in Holi celebration. The application of homemade hair mask made of honey, curd, Aloe Vera, etc. will help you retain the original health of your hair quickly.

Skin Care After Holi:

It is very hard to keep yourself away from colors during Holi. That means, how much ever you try, there is a huge chance of skin damage and roughness due to harmful chemicals mixed with the colors. Never mind, you can still get back your healthy skin. Make sure you do not rub your face or other parts of your body vigorously in order to get rid of colors. This may lead to skin rashes and burning sensations. Instead, apply an herbal cleansing cream or Gram Flour (Besan) gently on your skin. Do not use harsh soap or shower gel as it may further damage your skin. Massage your body with natural oil on a daily basis before your bath & apply body lotions after your bath as it will moisturize the rough skin and heal the skin. Herbal beauty pack or “uptans” are the best remedy for the face as it will not only remove the colors but also nourish the skin and make it glow naturally.

Do You Want to Get Rid of Hair and Scalp Problems?

Dandruff, dry hair, itchiness, hair fall, baldness and much other hair related issues are a big concern for most people today. You try new shampoos, conditioners, hair spa and so much more to keep your hair smooth and thick. But still, you don’t get the long beautiful silky hair you always dreamt of. Your hair still gets broken, scalp issues. No growth, etc.

So, Do You Want to Get Rid of Hair and Scalp Problems?

The most effective remedy that has always helped in hair care is by using the right hair oils…, not just any hair oil, but natural and ayurvedic oils that penetrate deep into your scalp and nourish your hair from the roots.

Coconut Oil:

A magical oil that has all the goodness of nature and required elements to nurture the hair from the roots itself. Though it is slightly greasy, this oil is absolutely suitable for hair massage and has been used for centuries now. Hot oil massage by heating up the coconut oil slightly can help it to penetrate your scalp deeper.

Almond Oil:

Rich in vitamin E, sweet almond oil is very beneficial for hair growth. Application of almond oil on a regular basis makes the hair longer, stronger and shinier. You can mix almond oil with other natural oils like amla, coconut, etc. for a better result.

Castor Oil:

It is counted among the age-old skin and scalp healing remedies which is why it is now blended in most beauty products. It has excellent skin inflammation reducing and healing properties of skin conditions caused by sunburns, dry skin, acne, etc.

Amla Oil:

Amla, the natural ingredient containing essential fatty acids has been used for hair care remedy since ancient times. It helps in strengthening the hair follicles and improving the quality of hair.

Mustard Oil:

Mustard oil is used extensively in North Indian kitchens but it also has the anti-fungal properties which make it perfect for scalp treatment. Daily massage with this oil gives you faster hair growth and cures dandruff completely. As it is quite greasy, you can add almond oil, or coconut oil to at any apply 2 hours before taking bath.

Olive Oil:

Olive oil is widely used in restaurants to give excellent taste to the food. However, it is even more useful in hair treatment. Its high exfoliating property helps us to regain lost hair quickly and it also makes the hair root stronger.

10 Special Fruits for Hair Care and Skin Care

Fruits are delicious extracts bursting with vitamins offered by nature!!
We have fruits in our day to day life along with our standard meals. We all know that the fruits contain vitamins, minerals, proteins and many other major aspects. But, what does that have to do with the skin and hair?? Let’s find out:

We have selected 10 Special Fruits for Hair Care and Skin Care which are available commonly in any fruit shop. Each fruit has got its own unique specification that keeps your skin and hair healthy, glossy and gorgeous. It actually works on your skin and hair naturally and keeps them in excellent condition and slows down ageing.
Here are a listed few selected fruits that are mostly used as skin care and hair care ingredients.

Amla: Amla is the key ingredient in most hair oils since the age of ayurveda for nourishing the hair and curing all scalp and hair loss issues

Apple: Rich in citric acid, apple juice or paste acts as the perfect cleanser for face and skin especially if the skin is oily.

Lemon: With the maximum vitamin C content, lemon acts as the magical remedy for dandruff and pimple marks. It is highly suitable for oily scalp and skin. Crush it, squeeze it and apply it – that’s all you need to do.

Strawberry: It can be used as a perfect homemade scrub that exfoliates the skin pores and cleanses them with natural glow effect. Just crush it and scrub on your skin on alternative days.

Walnut: The oldest natural facial scrub ever was made out of walnut. It has balanced vitamins and proteins which not only clean up the pores but also rejuvenate the skin naturally. It is a little difficult to make at home but not impossible either .

Orange: Juicy orange extracts and its outer cover are highly effective for skin marks, pimples, under-eye circles and many other skin concerns. Just apply the fluid on the skin and see the magic instantly.

Kiwi: It is one of the glamorous fruits which has immense nutritional values and gives a glow to your skin. It is suitable for all skin type and has no side effects.

Coconut: Coconut imbibes the goodness of nature that helps in hydrating and nourishing the skin. Coconut oil can be used for both hair and skin to make them smooth and healthy.

Avocado: Avocado, also known as butter fruit has got special medicinal values that helps treating scratchy scalps as well as skin full of acne. It gives 100% positive effects that too in a very short time span.

Pomegranate: A colorful fruit rich in vitamin content – it is also a skin care remedy which helps the skin to glow and reduce all signs of aging. It can be used as a natural cleanser as well as a scrub for any skin type.

So, just don’t eat fruits but also apply it on your skin and hair simultaneously. Trust me, these 10 Special Fruits for Hair Care and Skin Care can really makes a transparent difference- check it out for yourself and glow the natural way!!

What type is your hair????Know your roots first……

From time immemorial,Healthy beautiful hair has always been one of our biggest beauty assets&at the top of our  wishlists as well!!Well,just like each part of our body needs care, so does our hair!!So let’s start at the very roots by understanding the complex structure of hair &why it behaves the way it does……….
Did you know that the hair shaft that we see is actually considered dead technically as it does not have blood vessels,and nerve cells and the only “living” portion of the hair is found in the follicle??? That’s why it doesn’t hurt when you cut hair,but when you pull it out,it does-right!!….;)
Just like a beautiful plant  sprouts forth from a bulb within rich fertile soil,so also the hair germinates in and sprouts from the hair bulb,and grows well when the root or the papilla is well nourished.Hair is  composed mainly of the protein keratin   filaments and it is the  structure of these filaments that provides strength to the hair shaft. Hair grows from follicles in our skin. Follicles are pit-like structures with layers of cells with different jobs. The base of the root is called the bulb or the papilla, which contains the cells that produce the hair shaft which is nourished by a network of blood vessels; this is from where the hair that we see actually grows. Other structures of the hair follicle include the oil producing sebaceous gland which lubricates the hair and the erector pili muscles, which are responsible for causing hairs to stand-up and giving us  goose bumps.

The structure of a single  hair strand comprises of  the medulla, the cortex and the cuticle. The medulla is the innermost core of hair and has soft keratin cells. The cortex is the second layer and gives your hair inherent strength and elasticity. It contains the pigment melanin, which is responsible for the colour of your hair and the absence of which causes greying. The outermost layer is the cuticle which acts as a protective shield. Its complex structure slides as the hair swells and is covered with a single molecular layer of lipid or sebum that makes the hair repel water.The hair strand may not be biochemically alive,but it still contains cells in all the 3 layers which are responsible for the colour and type of hair we have……

Hair follicles grow in repeated cycles. One cycle can be broken down into three phases.

1. Anagen – Growth Phase-85% of our hair is in this phase and is actively growing.The Anagen phase or growth phase can vary from two to six years.
2. Catagen – Transitional phase -lasts about one or two weeks
3. Telogen – 10-15 %  of our  hair is inthe Resting Phase ,occurs after  the catagen phase and normally lasts about 5-6 weeks.
   At the end of the Telogen phase the hair follicle re-enters the Anagen phase. The dermal papilla and the base of the follicle join together again and a new hair begins to form. If the old hair has not already been shed the new hair pushes the old one out and the growth cycle starts all over again.
   Being  the maths and science freak that I am,I had to check  out the widely known 100 strands /day normal theory for myself….So here goes-The average number of follicles in our scalp is between 1 lakh to 1.5 lakhs, 85-90% of which is in the growth cycle at any given time and 10-15 % are allowed to fall every 2-6 weeks.Even if we consider the lower limit of 10% of 1 lakh,it equals 10,000 hair every 6 weeks-that gives us a permissible normal hairfall  of 222 hair strands/day..so upto 100 strands/day can be considered totally normal..Superduper confirmed news!!!:)

Different Types of  Hair:

Did you know that the angle at which the hair comes out of the follicle is related to its shape??The shape of the follicle determines the shape of the cortex, and the shape of the fiber is related to how straight or curly the hair is.!!!
Straight hair shoots straight out from the scalp and is round in cross section.Wavy hair is oval in shape and comes out of the scalp at an angle,whereas curly hair is flattened and comes out of the scalp at an extreme angle.
DRY HAIR
Dry hair is dull,lacklustre and usually characterized by a feeling of dryness, split ends or hair that is brittle and breaks easily. This type of hair feels rough,and not smooth and silky and is generally indicated by frizziness,fly away hair  and a lack of shine . This dryness can be caused by insufficient oil production by the sebaceous glands on the scalp or due to hormonal imbalances . However,  hair can also become  dry through the use of aggressive, stripping hair treatments ,perming,hair dyes or chemical shampoos,styling products etc or due to an imbalanced diet which dos not contain zinc, essential fatty acids and vitamins.
Let’s look at what happens when the hair feels dry: The cells of the outermost layer of the hair , known as the cuticle   form a smooth, protective network. When the cuticle is healthy, these cells lay tight against one another with very little space between them for moisture to escape. However, a lack of natural oil (sebum) can lead these cells to dry and harden, thus rendering this ideally smooth outer layer rough and course. When this happens, moisture from the inner cortex of the hair escapes and the protein chains in the cortex become dry and lose their elasticity. People with dry hair need to deliver moisture to the hair’s inner cortex while keeping the cuticle well lubricated and tight.Dry hair needs protection in the form of emollients and lubricants like herbal hair oils which will lubricate the outside cuticle layer of hair,and create a shine as well.Humectants like aloevera are also needed to retain the moisture within this type of hair.

Frizzy or Curly Hair : Frizzy or Curly hair can be difficult to manage. Easy to tangle and especially prone to change shape and body with the weather – curly hair is also often prone to becoming extremely dry. That’s because the curl keeps the hair away from your scalp and your scalp’s natural moisturizers, called sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum which helps seal the hair’s cuticle and protect the protein chains of the inner cortex, keeping them moist and elastic. As curly hair often needs more moisture and protection, the trick is to get it this moisture without weighing it down with heavy, damaging residues or making it oily and more likely to collect dirt.

Oily Hair and Scalp:
Oily Hair usually  goes hand in hand with an oily scalp.The sebaceous glands in this case work overtime& hair tends to take on a  limp,greasy look.This is sometimes seen in adolescents,pregnant women or after menopause,but it settles down once the hormones stabilise.A diet loaded with fried food and saturated fats from red meat and dairy products may also cause overproduction of sebum.

Coloured or Permed Hair: The hair’s outer cuticle is normally made up of a very tightly packed network of cells which do not allow moisture to escape and keep it moisturised and soft and is responsible for  shiny, healthy hair,. The alkalis used for Colouring ,perming or straightening  treatments  first cause swelling of the cells that form your hair’s outer cuticle.  The chemicals used in dyes  then    penetrate the swollen cuticle and move into the underlying cortex, and peroxide first  bleaches out the pigment that’s there in the first place,so that the pigments can then change the colour of your hair. The first one or two times,the cells may shrink back to its original tight mesh.But the problem arises when we repeatedly subject our hair to chemical treatments.The  more often you do this, the less likely it is that these cuticle cells will shrink back into the tight, smooth network and thus become dry and frizzy. There is no way to totally replace damaged cuticle on existing hair -the only solution is to wait for new hair to grow. But a good conditioner like aloevera or jojoba will act by filling in the gaps formed between the damaged cells and replacing  the lost moisture,thus restoring some softness and shine to the hair.

Normal Hair:
Lucky are the ones who have normal hair!!!Normal hair is hair that is strong,resilient,moisturised and shiny and a normal scalp is one that is moist and pink without any flaking,irritation or bumps.The goal of people blessed with normal hair is simply to maintain it in the same balanced state.
With a little bit of extra effort and regular care with natural products and age old Nature given solutions ,a well balanced diet  and a stress free lifestyle,we could work towards that final goal-Beautiful Healthy Hair!!!! 🙂 Do let us know about your specific hair problems,as we will be running a series of articles on natural remedies to overcome the normal hair concerns most people have-Hair fall,Dandruff,Dry&frizzy  hair etc…….Read more about simple natural  tips for all  your hair concerns at  https://prakritiherbals.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/fenugreek-reduces-hairfall-and-dandruff-naturally/