Essential oils for hair - How effective they are for hair problems
Hair care is a topic that we probably devote as much time to as skin care. Shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments accumulate very quickly and then lie in the drawer because they have not achieved the desired success. But how do you care for your hair properly? To care for your broken hair, you don't need loads of hair care products, just a few essential oils that will restore your hair's shine through natural hair care.
What are essential oils?
The word "essential", which is derived from the Greek word "aither" and means "heavenly", already reveals that we are talking about very special oils. The highly concentrated plant substances come from the leaves or flowers of a plant, or more precisely: from the oil glands. They are tiny droplets that belong to the secondary plant substances. This is because essential oils volatilise easily and do not become greasy. That is why they do not leave greasy stains, but they can be easily dissolved in alcohol or base oils such as jojoba oil and processed further.
How do you make essential oils?
The production of essential oils is very complex. They are obtained by various methods, but the most common is probably steam distillation. In this process, the plants, leaves or flowers are heated over steam and the dissolved fragrances are passed into a cooled cauldron where the essential droplets are collected. Cold pressing, on the other hand, is more commonly used with citrus fruits, as their fragrances are found in the peel. Would you like to make your own essential oil? Alcohol extraction or base oils are suitable for DIY experiments. So collect some flowers on your next walk or cut some lavender from the garden.
A lot of plant material is needed for the production of even a few drops of the essence. For this reason, you will sometimes pay a little more for pure oils. The somewhat cheaper oils are usually stretched or made from artificial flavourings and are not suitable for body care. In the worst case, they can even cause irritation or allergies. When buying, make sure that you use certified and high-quality or organic products. You can read on the label whether it is 100% pure essential oil and whether it is for external or internal use.
How do essential oils work?
The effect of essential oils is not only physical, but also psychological. They reduce stress, provide relaxation and can lighten the mood. That is why they are also used in aromatherapy and are used, for example, for insomnia or anxiety. The scents are absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes. If some essential oil is spread on the skin, it is detectable in the blood already a few minutes later. And about 1-2 hours after application, the essences can be evidenced in the exhaled air. This is due to the fact that the essential oils are highly concentrated. Thus, it takes about 100 kg of rosemary for 400 ml of rosemary oil.
5 essential oils for optimal hair care
For natural hair care, you can rely on a handful of essential oils. Because these 5 essences are good for nourishing broken hair and promoting hair growth. However, make sure you use pure oils that are best diluted with some coconut or olive oil. No matter how you apply the natural oils, leave them on for a few minutes before washing them out.
Rosemary oil
Goodbye dandruff! Rosemary oil has a soothing effect on the scalp and prevents dandruff or can provide relief for itchy and flaky scalps. Blood circulation is stimulated to the hair roots, accelerating hair growth. The strengthened hair not only smells good, but can also be combed through better and gets back its natural shine.
Geranium oil
You know geraniums only as ornamental plants from the balcony? They make not only your balcony more beautiful, but also your hair. Just a few drops of it, repair damaged hair. Because it promotes blood circulation in the scalp, which stimulates the regeneration of hair. The application of geranium oil regulates the production of sebum and makes hair less greasy.
Sandalwood oil
Do you have hair loss or does your hair grow too slowly? Then take care of your hair healthy with sandalwood oil. A study has shown that the hair follicles, (an invagination of the epidermis in which the hair root is embedded) react positively to sandalwood and the growth phase is thereby extended. Hair growth is stimulated and they grow faster.
Thyme oil
Thyme is also called a natural antibiotic and has an antibacterial effect. Massage your scalp with it and greasy dandruff will soon be gone. It also stimulates blood circulation, which strengthens your hair down to the roots. Thus, hair loss can be reduced, if it is not genetic or hormonal.
YlangYlang oil
With YlangYlang oil it smells like vacation on your head and also gives your hair some rest. Because if you have dry hair, it's the perfect hair care to get back to a healthy shine. It strengthens the hair and provides more volume. And if you're not in a good mood, you can also smell it, because it has a mood-lifting effect.
4 hair types and their problems
How to properly care for your hair depends on your hair type. Roughly speaking, there are 4 different hair types: straight hair, wavy hair, curly hair and frizzy hair.
Straight Hair:
If your hair is really straight all the time and doesn't curl even after showering, then you belong to the Straight Hair type. Do you often have the problem that your hair is just too flat, the roots are greasy quickly and the tips are dry and frayed quickly? Then mix a few drops of sandalwood and ylang ylang oil with some coconut oil and massage the natural hair care from the roots to the tips. This will strengthen your scalp as well as the hair roots and the tips will get moisture again - your hair will shine again.
Wavy Hair:
You think you have straight hair, but when it gets wet it starts to curl slightly? Then you're more of a Wavy Hair type. Wavy hair usually needs a little less moisture than curly hair. And to strengthen your natural waves, you can mix some rosemary oil into your shampoo. This stimulates blood circulation in the scalp and strengthens your hair all the way to the tips.
Curly Hair:
There's no hiding the fact that you're the curly hair type, because your curls dance around your face? Curly hair is often stressed and dry, so it needs a lot of moisture. Coconut oil absorbs quickly and gives the hair the moisture it needs. Together with a little geranium oil, it acts like a hair repair treatment.
Frizzy Hair (Kinky Hair):
If your curls are hard to tame and quickly become dry and brittle, then you're probably the kinky hair type. Therefore, it is best to use a mixture of rosemary, thyme and coconut oil to give your curls back their bounce.
How to use essential oils for hair care
For healthy and strong hair, you first need a healthy scalp. Because if this is attacked by various styling products or colorations, it affects the entire hair. However, you can restore your hair to health with the help of essential oils.
If you want to try natural cosmetics for hair care, then you should always have a base oil like coconut oil, argan oil or a good olive oil on hand. Because the essential oils should only be used as an additive, because the potency of the pure essences is so strong.
Hair treatment with essential oils
For a quick hair treatment, mix about 50 ml of base oil with 3-5 drops of an essential oil of your choice. Massage the oil mixture from the roots to the tips and leave the treatment on for a few minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. You can also leave it on overnight for more intensity.
For another variation, mix a cup of yogurt with some honey and your chosen essential oil. Just massage it back in, leave it on, and rinse. And if the essential oil is also suitable for consumption, you can simply stir the rest of the cure into your cereal.
Hair conditioner with essential oils
This hair conditioner is very quick and easy to make yourself. All you have to do is add a few drops of essential oil to lukewarm water and massage it into your hair after washing.
Hair shampoo with essential oils
Natural hair care can be so easy. Just mix about 8-10 drops of essential oil into about 100 ml of shampoo. You can use it normally and do something good for your hair with every wash.
Hair care spray for on the go
If your hair needs a quick pimping, just make yourself a spray with essential oils that you can take with you everywhere. All you need is a small bottle with an atomizer attachment, jojoba oil and, of course, your favorite essential oil. Mix everything, spray and look good.
Essential oils for beautiful hair
With their antibacterial and strengthening properties, essential oils have a positive effect on hair. You'll have to dig a little deeper into your pocket for pure essences, but it will be worth it. Whether you want to boost your hair growth, fight dandruff or just want powerful and shiny hair, essential oils are a real wonder weapon of natural cosmetics. You can make your own natural hair care products so quickly and easily and also customize them according to your needs. And if you ever want to give something homemade as a gift, a DIY hair care spray is perfect for that.
To get beautiful hair, regular use of natural hair care with essential oils is important. With a one-time treatment you do something good for your broken hair, but you will only notice success after multiple applications. So just give it a try.
