Treatments for Dry Winter Hair
It’s official: we have fully plunged into the frozen depths of winter. And, it’s taking a heavy toll on our looks: dehydrated, flaky skin, cracked lips and brittle nails are constant torments, but nothing compares the disaster that is winter hair. If you’re struggling to run a comb through your tangled, dry mass of wintry strands, it’s time to take action by treating your hair with the following DIY recipes — all made from ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
Whip up some DIY hair treatments with ingredients that you already have in your kitchen (Photo: Helga Weber)
Coconut oil
Coconut oil — the hottest oil in health and beauty — is on everyone’s lips these days, and it should be on everyone’s hair as well. Coconut oil contains the medium chain fatty acid lauric acid, which helps repair damaged hair by binding to the protein in hair. It protects and smooths the hair cuticle and improves scalp health, thereby boosting hair growth. It also nourishes your hair with vitamin E and vitamin K, which penetrate the hair shaft to treat split ends.
Banana, honey and coconut oil hair masque
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas
- 2 large tablespoons of raw honey
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Directions:
Place ingredients in a blender, blend until smooth and apply to damp hair, cover hair with shower cap and leave in for 30 minutes. Rinse carefully with warm water.
Eggs
Eggs moisturize dry hair and add body and shine. (Photo: Glow Kitchen)
Eggs, as you know, are full of protein, fat-soluble vitamins and healthy fats — all of which strengthen fragile hair strands. Eggs moisturize dry hair and impart body and shine to limp, lifeless locks and have been traditionally used to improve hair health and beauty.
Egg and olive oil hair masque
Ingredients:
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- Essential oils (optional) — Lavender, cedarwood and chamomile are great for hair
- 3/4 cup lukewarm water
Directions:
Separate the yolk and place in a bowl, whisk the yolk, then add olive oil and essential oils and whisk again. Slowly add in the water.
Apply to wet hair and massage the mixture through your hair and scalp. Leave in for 10 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. I also suggest a final rinse with cold water; this closes the hair cuticle and adds extra shine.
Avocado
Avocados have nourishing Omega-3 fatty acids. (Photo: Shutterbug Girl)
Avocado is well known for the health benefits conferred by its nourishing Omega-3 fatty acids and high vitamin and mineral content. Its creamy texture makes it an excellent deep conditioner for dry hair. Try this recipe to revive your desiccated locks; this one is great as a pre-shampoo hair treatment.
Avocado, honey and olive oil hair masque
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado, pitted and scooped out
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2-3 drops essential oil of choice (optional)
Directions:
Place avocado, olive oil, honey and essential oil in a blender, and blend on high until light in color and smooth.
Dampen hair with water, spread masque onto hair, paying particular attention to the ends. Fasten your hair onto the top of your head, cover with shower cap, and heat using a hair dryer for 15 minutes.
Remove shower cap, rinse out masque and wash and condition hair as usual.
