6 Winter Hair Care Tips You Should Definitely Follow

Winter has already set in! While it is time to thank the stars for putting an end to all the sun damage that your hair was being put through, it is also time to start planning a haircare routine that is fit for winter. Summer might be gone, taking its troubles with it, but winter means a whole new set of problems that you need to deal with.

While the season is perfect to get comfortable with a cup of hot cocoa, you can’t ignore the fact that the dry and dreary weather can wreak havoc on your hair if the right precautions aren’t taken. Your hair starts to find it harder to retain moisture, making it brittle and prone to breaking and damage, not to mention the frizz and static that often comes with your winter wardrobe. However, these are all problems that can be avoided with ease as long as you have the right hair care routine for winter.

Hair care Tips For Winter

1. Fight The Flakes

 

 

Your scalp is drier and itchier than ever during the winter months because of the lack of moisture in the air. This leads to issues like dandruff and aggravated scalp irritation, which can lead to hair fall. What most people don’t realize is that the dandruff problem can be super manageable with the right care. All you will need is a couple of tablespoons of olive or coconut oil and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Heat the oil for a couple of seconds until it is warm and then mix it with the lemon juice. Massage the oil into your scalp and leave it in for 20-30 minutes. Rinse it out with shampoo and condition.

2. Control Frizz

One of the most annoying things about winter is all of the static. The hoodies, sweater, scarves, gloves, and beanies all seem to gang up on your hair, making it a static, frizzy mess. To tackle this, use a vented hair brush that has a combination of plastic and boar bristles while combing your hair. Wash your hair only with lukewarm water, not hot water, as the latter will strip away the natural oils that protect and nourish your hair. Apply a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair smooth.

3. Shine And Bounce

The lack of moisture in winter not only dries out your scalp and makes your hair frizzy, but also leaves your hair looking dull and lifeless. Brush or comb out your hair with a wide-toothed wooden comb to remove tangles and apply raw honey to the length of your hair from the roots to the tips. Cover up your hair with a shower cap or towel and leave it on for about 30 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water. Honey is a humectant that seals in the moisture and helps restore shine and bounce to dull and damaged hair.

4. Olive Oil For Maintaining Hair Health

Warm up two teaspoons of olive oil and massage it slowly on your scalp. This slow massaging helps the oil penetrate deep into the roots. This will help to keep your scalp moisturized and improve blood circulation, ensuring that your follicles get enough nourishment. It will also prevent hair fall. Optionally, you can use a few tablespoons of the oil to coat the entire length of your hair as a deep conditioning treatment.

5. Drying Your Hair: Do It Right

Drying your hair out completely can be a pain, especially if you have long hair. But you should never, I repeat, never put your hair up while it is still damp. Damn hair and scalps attract a lot of problems like dandruff, breakage, and split ends. You must also never rub your hair dry with a towel as the friction will cause damage. The best way to dry your hair would be to gently squeeze the excess moisture out with a towel and then use a blow dryer on the cool setting. If you are using hot air to speed things up, ensure that you are holding the dryer at least 15 centimeters away from your hair.

6. Conditioning: Do It Right

Your hair needs all the moisture it can get during winter, and this makes conditioning a vital part of your hair care routine. Using hair oils and deep conditioning packs at least once a week becomes vital for maintaining the health of your hair. It is important that you end every wash with a conditioner. Shampoo your hair and then rinse it thoroughly. Once all the lather has been rinsed out, start applying the conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair. Concentrate on the ends as they are the oldest and most damaged parts of your hair. Leave the conditioner in for a few minutes and then rinse it out with cool or lukewarm water. It is advised to end a wash with cool water as this will seal in the moisture and leave your hair feeling smooth and looking lustrous.
Make these tips a part of your hair care routine and your hair won’t even notice that winter is here. A little extra care can go a long way when it comes to ensuring hair health. Try out these tips and tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

Threading Eyebrows Versus Waxing Eyebrows. Which is Better?

Are you in confusion and want to choose a better option between threading your eyebrows and waxing them for a perfect eyebrow shape? Here’s a guide to help you choose better.

 

What is eyebrow threading?

Eyebrow threading is the most popular way to shape eyebrows. And that too – in the budget. Because all you need is a cotton thread or anything like that to squeeze out, tweeze out and remove hair for shaping the brows.

Here are some points to know about eyebrow threading:

• It is painful, but the pain is definitely bearable. Since every of your unwanted hair is going to be threaded out individually, you’ll have to go through sets of pain.
• It is the most preferred method when you’re getting your brows done for the very first time.
• You get precise results. You’ll have to research a lot. Thick eyebrows look good but some faces look better with thin eyebrows. Plus, the thick and thin thing depends on how thick or thin your eyebrows are.
• You may end up with red skin, watering eyes but your beautician might suggest you post-threading soothing treatments. Don’t worry, it is completely normal, though some might end up with worst irritations. Soothe yourself with moderately cool ice.
• You have 2 options – thread your brows with trimming or without trimming. For a natural look, you should always go for ‘no-trimming’ thing. For a more precise look, if you’re not satisfied with the way our eyebrows look, ask for trimming them. Trimmed eyebrows are somehow easier to fill in with gels, fillers, etc. So, this would save your time. For eyebrows that are untrimmed, they have a natural fuller look. No make-up needed.

 

What is eyebrow waxing?

Nothing different than waxing the other body areas; eyebrow waxing is a quick method to achieve sharp eyebrow looks. 

Here are some points that you need to know about eyebrow waxing:
 
• It requires extreme care while getting it done. You’ve to be very much careful about the eyebrow hair that has to be removed.
• You need to be very careful while choosing the right wax for eyebrows. It is essential to choose a trusted brand if you’re looking for a readymade eyebrow wax thing.
• It gives a smoother look and the hair grows back smoothly.
• If you have a sensitive skin, this might not be the right option for you.
• Definitely not in the budget, nor too expensive.
• This needs practice if you’re doing it at home.

 

Threading Eyebrows versus Waxing Eyebrows:

VERDICT! Both the methods are quite popular and most preferred. The choices differ from person to person and the kind or type of eyebrows one has. Here’s why you should be choosing to thread or wax.

Why should you thread your eyebrows instead of waxing?
If you’re a beginner and you are extremely afraid of getting your eyebrows done. This has very minor losses since your eyebrow will grow back to the natural version after 6 weeks. Also, it is in the budget and offered by most professional beauticians. Though ingrown hairs can be a problem, they aren’t really visible.



Why should you get an eyebrow waxed?
For a smoother, professional and more precise look, you should go for waxing. It requires the budget, but it isn’t expensive. The results will last longer than that of threading’s. Also, you do not have to think about the small ingrown hairs. An even growth is a merit in eyebrow waxing!

What to do for your hair during pre-wedding days

“Regardless of how long or short you decide your hair will be, get a trim two weeks before your wedding to eliminate dead ends and freshen bangs, if you have them. Switch to a cleansing shampoo that removes residue, and pay more attention to conditioning — “consider overnight treatments or oils.” A week before your wedding, use a gloss or mask on your hair to boost shine.“

How To Use 5 Essential Oils For Skin & Hair Care

With the stern heat pollution dust in the environment our skin and hair condition gets deteriorated day by day taking away the real shine from the skin and hair, thus our skin and hair needs full attention and care to protect them against any damage. For such damages essential oils seems to be working faster since they are highly concentrated and vigorous in terms of their performance by targeting the very problem of the skin. Let’s see how we can use essential oils to give the boost to our skin and hair.

Before we precede further let me brief you about what essential oils are. “An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetherolea, or simply as the oil of the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove. An oil is “essential” in the sense that it contains the “essence of” the plant’s fragrance—the characteristic fragrance of the plant from which it is derived”.

Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is one of the most extensively researched essential oils, and one of the most backed by the findings and conclusions discovered from the studies done on it. You can use the same for your face and hair.

• FOR FACE ACNE: To treat the acne just add 2 to 3 drops of tea tree essential oil in coconut oil and clean your acne using the same solution with the cotton. This oil works wonders if included in skincare routine for acne prone.
•  FOR DARK SPOTS AND BLEMISHES: Take 2-3 drops of tea tree oil along with 10 drops of lemon mixed in aloevera gel. If applied on the dark spots and blemishes you will surely see them fading in a day or two.
• FOR TREATING DRY SKIN: Apply few drops directly to the skin to curb the dryness.
• HAIR GROWTH: To promote the hair growth: For promoting hair growth, mix 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to 1-2 Tbsp almond oil or coconut oil. Since this essential oil is very strong, the base oil should be first applied on the scalp before the oil mixture is used. Wash off after 15-20 minutes.

Sandalwood Essential Oil: Not just it smells heavenly, but it works great for the skin and hair, and the best part is the easy availability. This oil is so easily available in any store.

• FOR THAT BRIGHT GLOWING SKIN: Mix few drops of sandalwood essential oil in a curd, mix and apply it on your skin to find you skin bright glowing and flawless.

Lavender Essential Oil:  This Sweet smelling lavender oil is extracted from the flowers of Lavandula angustifolia. It is mild and soothing.

• FOR HAIR: it’s highly effective onto your hair. When massaged into the scalp, it can improve blood circulation, promote hair growth, and prevent hair loss. Best part that it suits all types of hair. For scalp massage, mix 8-10 drops in 2 Tbsp of warm olive oil or coconut oil. Work it into the scalp with your fingers. Leave it on overnight and wash off in the morning. Treat yourself to this enchanting smell by adding a few drops of oil to lotions, shampoos, and skin care products. this is the best way to Use Essential Oils For Skin & Hair Care.
• BODY SCRUB: Make a basic homemade body scrub with coconut oil, sugar or coarse coffee, and Lavender essential oil.

Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalyptus oil, also known as ‘Nilgiri tel ‘(Hindi) is one ingredient that can have far-reaching effects on our overall well-being right from Analgesic, Antibacterial, Anti-Infectious, Anti-Inflammatory, Antiviral agent, Antispasmodic, Insecticidal, Expectorant properties.

• FOR HEALTHY HAIR: this oil helps in regaining the good health texture shine of your hair. This can be applied with olive oil or amla hair oil. This also gives relief to rough and itchy scalp.

Rosemary Essential Oil: The astringent properties of rosemary essential oil make it beneficial for skin care. It contains a wide array of nutrients such as iron, calcium, vitamins and antioxidants. Thus, this oil is effective for all skin types

• FOR ANTI AGING AND WRINKLE FREE SKIN: Being rich in powerful antioxidants, rosemary oil slows down the effect of ageing on the skin. It helps in tightening loose skin, thus making it firmer and more elastic. Besides, it stimulates cell regeneration and cell growth to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
• PREVENTS SKIN INFECTION: The properties of rosemary essential oil make it beneficial for treating chronic skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. Its anti-inflammatory properties are useful in reducing the swelling and puffiness of the skin as well as healing burns.

Hope these tips would help you to use Essential Oils For Skin & Hair Care. Do share your favourite way of incorporating them in daily routine.

Which Hormones Affect Hair Growth and Hair Loss?

 

Hormones That Affect Hair Growth and Hair Loss

 

The female cycle, in Biological terms, or her entire life in the common-man’s term, is hugely effected by the hormones alone. Be it her puberty, the delay or onset of it; her pregnancy, the frequency or lack of it; her Menopause, its late or early arrival; is all controlled and monitored by the good old hormones. Good locks of healthy hair are as important to a woman as her heritage jewels. However, sometimes, despite the very best of care and treatments, you find yourself suffering from hair fall and hair loss. Well, blame the female hormone imbalance. So, which of these ‘little invisible demons-of-hormones’ are we talking about? Let’s locate them and catch them to help your hair growth, shall we?
A woman’s overall health is a play of hormones; maybe that is why they are often known to be rather unpredictable. It is the hormones that are responsible for the ‘fire and ice’ likeness of a female mood; sometimes credited to the lack of judgment that she can be a victim to or the mysterious sensuality that she can exude. However, the striking part is that, aside from just her psych, it is also a woman’s physical attributes that often fall on the not-so-friendly-side of the hormonal imbalance. One such physical aspect is her precious head of hair (and you thought it was the ‘oil’ that your mother applied when she was carrying you!).

Hair Fall And Hormones

Gonadotropins

Derived from the ‘Gonads’ which imply the testes or the ovaries, Gonadotropins are our little wonders of hormonal magicians which indirectly effect the hair growth. Gonadotropins are Partner-in-crime with other set of hormones called the ‘Progesterones’ and together they manage to create a havoc to the overall growth of your hair. However, when behaving rather well, the hair hormone rewards you with envious mane of thick, luscious hair.
The Gonadotropins are responsible for boosting hair growth, as they produce the FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormones) and the Luteinizing hormones. These hormones are in turn directly responsible for your hair fall or hair growth.

Hair Growth Hormones in Men

Androgens

These are the male sex hormones and are responsible for the secondary sexual characteristics in men, like their body and facial hair growth. However, this particular hormone is also present in females in trace-amounts. While the excessive production of Androgens leads to increased facial and body hair, they are also singly responsible for the Pattern-baldness in both males and Females. So, if any of you girls have recently spotted patchy-baldness, get hold of a nice Endocrinologist and get to the root of the problem.

Hair Growth Hormones in Women

Estrogen

Our very own female hormone is the Estrogen. This particular hormone is responsible for you to be ‘catty’ at times and a complete ‘lamb’ at the other times. A well-balanced Estrogen level in females is responsible for boosting hair growth. However, any amount of dip or high can lead to thinning of your hair. Now, the main reasons for the Estrogen levels to play ping-pong can be plenty. Rapid weight loss or gain, certain medication, or the Estrogen-receptors that are present in the hair follicles that get directly influenced due to the hormonal fluctuations.
Pregnancy has also a huge role to play when it comes to Estrogen behaving like a spoilt brat, as both post and pre-pregnancy conditions are reported to witness large amounts of hair loss and hair fall.

 

Cortisol Boosts Hair Regrowth

Do you find yourself ‘tearing your hair out and sawing-off your nails’ when tensed? (For girls, it could be a simple situation like a lost ‘lucky pen’ before exams!) Well, it is our good-guy Cortisol helping you deal with it, so that you do not end up cutting your veins altogether! (God…Am I evil or what?). Well, I am trying to translate that, when under a threat or a stressful situation, our body produces a hormone named Cortisol, which in turn convert the body Proteins into energy and releases Glycogen.
This finally helps counteract inflammations, which means you are now ready for ‘flight or fight’ situation in order to deal with the problem in hand. While our little hero-hormone Cortisol is saving you from danger, however on a repeated scenario your body finally wears-down, thus the hair fall. So, in order to boost hair regrowth, be sure to keep your Cortisol calm as well.

Insulin Stops Hair Fall

No, I am not necessarily discussing Diabetes. But did you know that Insulin is one such hormone which is directly responsible in boosting hair growth as well? If the Human body was ‘Bollywood’, Insulin surely is ShahRukh Khan. It is that famous, thanks to the PR skills of the disease known as ‘Sugar’! The well-known Insulin is produced in the Pancreas of the Human Body. While it is commonly known that Insulin regulates the Blood sugar, however, this hormone is also responsible for various other processes like fat-accumulation, overall working of the Heart and the Hair fall. So, it is recommended to keep your Insulin levels under check in order to boost hair growth and stop thinning of existing hair.

Thyroid Hormones

Thyroxin is a vital hormone secreted by the Thyroid Glands. Hypothyroidism or the active Thyroid production leads to rapid hair-loss, along with substantial weight-gain and weakness. Therefore it is a good idea to get your Thyroids checked within a certain period of time, if you happen to notice rapid hair-loss and weight gain. However, it is also to be noted that under the condition of Hyper-thyrodism too, hair loss is evident along with rapid loss of weight as well. So, Thyroxin is one such hormone that needs to be at the right balance in order to boost hair growth.

Other Reasons for Hair Fall and Hair Loss:

Since we have the hormones responsible for boosting hair growth or stimulating hair fall covered, there are however, a few other medical situations you need to know:

• In case of women, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is one such condition, where it is found to have increased growth of Facial hair and a subsequent loss of scalp hair.
• Hirautism is a term given to the Male-patterned-Baldness found in women. This is mainly due to the over production of the Male hormones in women.
• A good well balanced diet goes a long way in ensuring you nice long locks of hair. This is mainly because, if you do not have nice nutrition, your stomach is not able to secret the right amount of Hydrochloric Acid under stressful state. With lowered Acid levels, the stomach is unable to lower the PH in order to digest the Proteins, thus, this finally results in rapid hair loss. So, be sure to eat well to maintain a sound stomach-working condition.

 

How To Treat Hair Fall Due To Hormonal Imbalance?

Now that you know about the various aspects of hormones affecting hair loss, let us take a look at some of the dietary options that can help you maintain the right balance of these hormones in order to boost hair growth.

• Soaking of Nuts and Legumes over night with a few teaspoons of a good quality Apple Cider Vinegar goes a long way in reducing hair fall in females.
• Silica rich food should be an essential part of your daily dietary portions. Some of the best known Silica-rich food items are Bell Pepper, Celery and Sprouts.
• Simply avoiding a few unhealthy food items like Diary, White Sugar and various forms of processed food is quite effective in helping you restore your crowning glory.
• In the age of Organics, it is high-time you went ‘organic’ as well by including Hemp Proteins, organic eggs, fresh Berries and milk in your kitchen.

Lastly, ‘in order to get healthy tresses, get rid of stress’. Learn life-management and how to deal with tricky situations without having to go overboard on your health-systems. Being a woman is a gift, as you are a natural born ‘superhuman’ who knows multi-tasking and how to look gorgeous while you are at it!(Ultraviolet? Catwoman?anyone?) Never neglect yourself in the name of ‘sacrifice’, as such a thing simply does not exist.
Remember, your family and kids need you, so it is important to be there for them and for that, you need to look after yourself first. So, woman, treat your hormones well and you will be rewarded with thick and long hair with a nice, healthy life for a long time.