If you're like us, then you may spend an embarrassing (but understandable) amount of time researching all of the products you can try to finally rid your hair of frizz or soothe your itchy scalp. And while there may be a hair product out there that helps give you luscious curls worthy of the red carpet, there also exists a DIY alternative: a natural hair treatment. You can whip these up in your kitchen without spending any more time or money at the salon. You may be familiar with a few of these natural hair treatments like coconut oil, banana, etc, but there are many others that has beneficial properties and can give you long, thick, shinny hair.
All of these recipes only require a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry or bathroom cabinet. While it may take some trial and error to see which natural treatments work best for your hair type, we promise these hacks will bring you closer to smoother and healthier hair, so you can pull off any gorgeous hairstyle you desire.
Below are the 11 common afro hair problems and their DIY remedies:-
- The Problem – Hairloss
The fix: Onion juice is highly effective to prevent hair fall due to the presence of sulphur in it. It is a chief component to make your hair strong. The sulphur may help to promote collagen production that helps to produce more hair follicles and clean the skin.
How to use it: Combine 3 tsp. Onion juice with 2 tsp. Lemon juice. Apply mixture to hair and scalp as evenly as possible. Leave on hair and scalp for 30 minutes. Rinse and use a mild shampoo to reduce any onion smells.
2. The Problem – Thinning Of Hair
The fix: If you have baby-fine hair, your biggest stresses might comprise hiding a visible scalp or worrying about strands you can’t afford to lose. Dispel concerns with a protein-rich treatment that can plump up a wimpy mane. Make a “banana protein smoothie,” which consists of amino acid-rich bananas and eggs to enhance hair elasticity, strengthen, and add thickness.
How to use it: Blend two egg yolks, two ripe bananas, two to three tablespoons of honey, half cup of conditioner, and two tablespoons of olive oil, until fully pureed. Slather all over and leave on for 20 to 30 minutes; rinse with cool water. Results are immediate. But keep in mind that it only lasts until your next shampoo.
3.The Problem – Brittle Hair
The fix: Strengthen strands. While dry, brittle hair is a struggle on its own, it can also lead to increased breakage and dullness. Egg yolks are an easy fix. They will help strengthen and nourish hair follicles.
How to use it: Mix a little lemon into the yolks to lessen the egg smell. When applying, put the mixture on hair from roots to ends and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour to really penetrate into hair.4
4. The Problem – Scalp Infection And Foul Odour
The fix: Excessive sweating, fungal conditions, or improper scalp hygiene can lead to infections and foul odour on the scalp. The antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties of clove water help treat scalp conditions like folliculitis and ringworm. Moreover, the refreshing aroma of clove water leaves your scalp feeling clean and fresh all day.
How to use it: Mix 4 tablespoon of clove water with 2 tablespoon of reetha powder in a bowl. Apply this mixture on your scalp with finger tips and massage. Leave for 5 – 10 mins and then rinse it off with lukewarm water
5.The Problem – Messy Waves And Curls
The fix: Define, rather than fight, your hair’s natural bends with a homemade curl enhancer made of molasses and honey. Honey and syrup are natural humectants (ingredients that attract and lock in moisture) and can treat curls while hydrating thirsty hair.
How to use it: Mix a half-cup of molasses or maple syrup, ¼ cup of olive oil, four tablespoons of honey, two bananas, half-cup of water, four table spoons of lemon juice, and two tablespoons of all-purpose flour (adjust according to desired thickness). Mix together ingredients, removing any lumps, and warm over the stovetop. Separate hair into four sections, evenly apply the sweet concoction, and cover it up with a shower cap; let sit for 45 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
6. The Problem – Dry And Damaged Hair
The fix: Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. Otherwise, you’re only a hair away from split ends, frizz, and breakage. Opt for an intensive overnight treatment if your average conditioner isn’t cutting it. Coconut oil has reparative properties. It’s the heaviest of oils and can penetrate two layers of the hair shaft.
How to use it: Take a tablespoon of coconut oil, warm it in the microwave, massage into damp hair, and sleep on it. Wear a shower cap and lay a towel on your pillow to prevent a greasy mess. In the morning, shampoo it out. Only use coconut oil on dry and damaged areas, which typically occur from the mid-shaft to the end. If you have finer hair, pick a lighter oil, like olive or avocado, as coconut oil can weigh strands down.
7.The Problem – Dullness
The fix: Lock in shine. Think of the outermost layer of your hair, the cuticles, as shingles on a roof; and those shingles must lie as flat as possible for shiny strands. Anything from friction to hot water to humidity can ruffle up the cuticles, resulting in a lacklustre mane. Residue and product build-up are also culprits of sapping shine.
How to use it: To clarify and smooth cuticles, pour an apple cider vinegar rinse (a tablespoon of vinegar to half cup of water) over damp hair and comb through. Let it sink in for five minutes, rinse with cool water, and follow up with conditioner. The acidity in the vinegar complements the pH of our hair, which helps seal the cuticle and makes it lay flatter.
8.The Problem – Frizz, Flyaways And Wisps
The fix: Smooth and tame. Unfortunately, raised cuticles not only affect shine, but they can also stir up frizz. If at the slightest hint of humidity your hair “rears its ugly head,” then your strands are parched — and they’re looking to the air’s moisture for replenishment. Castor oil acts as a thermal protectant and can actually help heal the hair, thanks to its omega-9 properties.
How to use it: Create a buffer between your ‘do and the air with a very thin layer of castor oil; apply only where you need it.
9.The Problem – Product Build-Up
The fix: Deep clean. Between smoothing creams and hair oils, it’s easy to accumulate layer upon layer of product residue. Excess buildup leads to strands that never feel clean and dandruff-like flakes. But you can cut through oils and buildup with baking soda.
How to use it: Combine 1/3 cup of shampoo with one to two tablespoons of baking soda, stir well, and pour over wet hair. Gently massage the mixture into the scalp and let sit for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly
10.The Problem – Dandruff
The fix: Keep flakes under control. Dandruff is a scalp disorder that involves rapidly shedding dead skin cells. To slow down cell turnover and fight dandruff, we suggests a ginger root scalp spritzer: ginger has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe the scalp and keep dandruff in check.
How to use it: Finely grate half a ginger root into two cups of water and boil until it’s one cup of tea. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and olive oil. Mist the brew directly onto scalp, let dry, and shampoo out.
11.The Problem – Excessive Shredding
The fix: Treat the scalp and strengthen the hair follicle. Serious hair fallout can be caused by a multitude of things: stress, a major life change, illness and pregnancy to name a few. We suggests doing a Aloe-based mask one to two times per week to help prevent shedding and heal the scalp, which is often the root of the problem.
How to use it: In a small bowl, combine three tablespoons of aloe vera gel, one teaspoon of honey, three drops of rosemary oil and three drops of lavender oil. Mix until smooth. Apply onto clean, damp hair and massage into your scalp. Place a shower cap on your hair and allow to sit for up to an hour.
The combo of ingredients includes nutrients that will smooth the hair, boost shine and strengthen the hair follicle. The essential oils and honey also have anti-inflammatory benefits to calm the scalp and prevent additional fallout.