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Natural Fine Hair Tips

People with fine hair often complain about how difficult their hair is to style and maintain. Oftentimes they abuse their hair with a lot of artificial ingredients and procedures to make it conform to fashion/media expectations. Fine hair is fragile hair. But it’s often labeled as flat and limp. Commercial shampoos are made specifically for this hair type, many of them containing silicones, such as: dimethicone or cyclomethicone,. While silicones [or any word ending in “cone”] are added to products like shampoo, conditioners, and hair serums to enhance shine, people with fine hair don’t need them at all. Your hair is naturally shiny! If your hair is dull or you think it’s in need of taming, silicones may work initially, but over time there is a build up which can weigh down your hair and dry it out, creating a cycle of damage that can result in hair loss.

To maintain fine hair, it’s important to be kind to it. Healthy hair is that which is grown from a healthy scalp. Here are some ways to help your fine hair become healthier.

Combs - Invest in a good wide tooth comb. Whether it’s made of wood, horn [bone], or sturdy plastic. The edge of each tooth must be flat so as to avoid damaging your hair. Wash your comb frequently as clean combs help keep your scalp clean.

Brushes – these are recommended for those of you who have straight to wavy hair. Boar bristles are best as they’re durable. Mason Pearson makes some of the best on the market. Depending on how oily your hair is, brush at least once a day, but do so very gently. Brushing stimulates the sebum, which acts as a protective barrier and moisturizer. Brushing also stimulates the scalp, which encourages hair growth. It’s also as important to keep your brush as clean as your hair. Never bush wet hair, as that’s when it’s at its weakest. Wash your brush with a shampoo bar at least once a week, or more frequently if necessary.

Air dry/towel dry – using hairdryers or blowdryers, even on low settings, can cause breakage to fine hair. In the summertime, air drying is a lot easier. You can also use a microfiber towel or turban which cuts down on drying time. When using a towel, don’t yank or massage too vigorously.

Silk or satin pillowcase – sleeping on one helps avoid tangled hair and even breakage. Cotton pillowcases have a rougher texture and can cause hair to get snagged on the fibers. Satin or silk allows the hair to slide over its slippery surface. Another option is to buy a satin or silk hair covering, (sometimes called a sleep cap or sleep bonnet) or scarf.

Vitamins minerals herbs – the following will help your hair thrive. Hair care formulations, vitamin A, zinc, vitamin E, vitamin C, flaxseed oil, MSM [Methyl Sulfonyl Methane], silica, horsetail, biotin, B vitamin complex. Consult with your health care practitioner before taking supplements. Your hair is a reflection of your physical state Get plenty of rest. Drink enough water and exercise to suit your lifestyle. Eat fruits, vegetables, cereals, eggs, milk, and bread. Organic food is always a healthier option.

Scalp massage - An inexpensive method for helping hair growth/regrowth is to massage the scalp. Whether you buy a wood or rubber scalp massager, or opt for your ten fingers, you can invigorate and help cleanse your scalp either before shampooing, or whenever you shampoo. By stimulating your scalp you encourage the circulation, think of it as scalp aerobics, and this allows your scalp’s natural oils, sebum, to be distributed. When using your fingers, never use your nails, only your fingertips. Always massage gently, and start at the crown of your head and work your way lower.

Oils - In the book, “Aromatherapy Handbook for Beauty, Hair, and Skin Care,” author Erich Keller writes: “Since the hair is made of keratin cells, which consist almost exclusively of protein, it is particularly important to supply it with protein in the form of milk products, fish, soy products, nuts, seeds, and the essential fatty acids contained in cold-pressed vegetable oils.”

While eating healthy food is advisable, the author touches on the subject of how cold pressed vegetable oils are vital for the hair. Choosing the proper oil sometimes is a matter of experimentation. A light oil should be used for thin, fine hair, but there are those who can use a heavier oil like olive. There are various grades of vegetable oils available from unrefined to heavily refined. Unrefined oils retain their natural vitamins and minerals and are considered healthier, but their aromas can be somewhat pungent. For example, sesame seed oil, an excellent skin and hair loving oil that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, retains a darker color and nuttier aroma in its unrefined state. However, once it’s been refined, the color is lighter and there is no discernible odor

There are many oils that are available whether in your kitchen cupboard, at your grocery store, health food store, or your favorite online shop. Experimenting with oils and their applications is necessary, sometimes you’ll discover what works for you within the first attempt, other times you may have to try out several different oils and application methods. You’ll find that organic jojoba and organic virgin coconut oil are suitable for most people with fine hair.

Oil Applications: Leave In – This involves a very small amount of oil and you can control whether it’s applied throughout your hair or only on the ends. Simply comb or brush through your dry hair.

Oiling Dry Hair – To use this method, you allow the oil to remain on your scalp and hair for approximately 20 minutes, and shampoo it out.

Oiling Damp Hair – Investing in a spray mister is a great way to easily add enough distilled or spring water so that you can dampen your hair easily. Apply the oil and comb through. Whether oiling dry or damp hair, make sure it’s free from tangles, so either combing or brushing before applying is necessary. You can choose to comb it through your hair or remain as is – it does depend upon what you’ve added. While some people feel that 20 minutes isn’t enough, others opt for an hour, and there are people who feel as though allowing the oil to remain on overnight is beneficial.

Other Applications: Clay, Dead Sea Mud, Powdered Herbs, Protein Powder, Eggs, Honey, Yogurt, Milk, Henna [neutral or colored], or Mashed Fruits – all the listed products can be used to create a hair mask which will increase its strength, encourage growth, enhance shine, and tame curls. Any of these ingredients, both singly or in combination, can be healthfully used. Read labels before purchase. If you have very fine hair, be careful about using eggs and make sure you rinse with cold water to avoid scrambled eggs!

Shampoos: To use a more natural and cost effective shampoo, consider a shampoo bar. They are simple to use, can clean your face and body, and they are easy to pack and don’t spill. All shampoo bars are formulated for fine hair. Additionally, they work in soft water and hard water areas.

Shampoo bars contain no added colorants or preservatives. While I’ve been experimenting with making solid shampoo since 2002, it wasn’t until early 2007 that I tried making a shampoo bar with a different combination of ingredients which was the prototype for what I’m now offering for sale. It took several more batches to come up with a blend that worked well enough for me, I’m extremely fussy, and had a winning combination of latherability, cleansing, and detangling abilities.

Currently, there are three varieties, with a fourth one making its debut this summer.

Conditioners: These were invented for people with medium to coarse hair types, and for those who use harsh detergent types of shampoos. Shampoo bars naturally condition your hair with the gentle ingredients. The need for conditioners will probably go away, and many people with fine hair can’t use them as they weigh down the hair.

Vinegar hair rinse – nothing works better to balance the pH than a vinegar diluted in water rinse. Any kind of vinegar can be used from apple cider, white, wine, or rice. I prefer rice vinegar myself due to the fact that it doesn’t smell quite as strong. I also add a combination of pure essential oils which are balancing for the scalp and can cover the vinegar smell. The odor of vinegar (and any added essential oils) will not linger in dry hair.

Shown here is the Strong & Silky Shampoo Bar

Lisa Maliga has been designing natural bath & body products since 1998 and this year has launched her company, Everything Shea Aromatic Creations. Her love of shea butter, which is added to all the soaps, prompted her to name her company after the moisturizing and skin-soothing ingredient that comes from the nut of the African shea tree. Learn more about shea butter, whipped shea butter, custom handmade promotional Mini SoapCakes, moringa seed oil products, fine hair care, and more at: http://www.everythingshea.com

Disclaimer: The information on this web site was gathered from various sources. It is in no way meant to prevent, cure, or diagnose any medical condition. The products offered should not be used for purposes other than that for which they were intended. All products are labeled for external use only. Everything Shea accepts no liability for the misuse of these products. Please do not rely on products or information as a substitute for medical advice. If you have a medical problem, contact a health care practitioner. Product statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Due to fluctuating market costs of raw materials prices are subject to change without notice.

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