Healthy Hair Starts at the Scalp: Part II

(Part II of our Healthy Hair Series)

The issue: Oily scalp

Description: Oil glands work overtime due to shifts in hormonal levels

Symptoms: Hair is greasy close to the roots and drier at the ends

Healthy recommendation: Blend 10 drops of lavender essential oil or tea tree essential oil with 1 ounce of jojoba or sweet-almond oil and massage your scalp for five minutes before you shampoo.

Nutrition tip: Take 160 milligrams of saw palmetto extract twice a day; this has been shown to inhibit an enzyme that stimulates sebum secretion..

The issue: Thinning hair

Description: Hair loses strength and thickness. This can be caused by crash diets, pulling hair back too tightly, or endocrine disorders

Symptoms: Hair becomes finer, shorter, and takes up less space, exposing more of the scalp

Healthy recommendation: To strengthen brittle hair, massage a small amount of coconut oil (it strengthens the roots of the hair and conditions the shaft, promoting healthy growth) into your scalp for five minutes, working through from roots to ends. Wrap your head with plastic wrap and a warm, damp towel. Wait 5–15 minutes, depending on the length of your hair, and rinse out thoroughly. Repeat twice a week.

Nutrition tips: Feed your scalp! What you eat affects the health of your hair and scalp. Nutrients from food provide the energy that fuels hair growth.

• Protein strengthens hair: Iron-rich protein builds strong keratin, the outer layer of the hair and scalp. Without it, hair grows more slowly and becomes weak and brittle. Eat lean meat, fish, low-fat cheese, egg whites, spinach, and soy.

• Vitamin C builds collagen: Collagen supports hair follicles and keeps blood vessels in the scalp healthy. Vitamin C also helps you absorb iron from plant proteins. Try soy yogurt with an orange, a cup of strawberries, or a cup of steamed spinach with chopped tomatoes.

• Silica promotes growth: Silica—a nutrient found in oats, rice, cucumbers, asparagus, cabbage, and sunflower seeds—supports growth of hair and nails.

• Biotin improves texture: The essential B vitamin—found in salmon, carrots, egg yolks, and sardines—helps form keratin, the protein that strengthens hair, improves texture, and stimulates growth.

• Regular meals fortify follicles: Food energizes the body and boosts hair-follicle activity. Snack on grains, fruits, and veggies between meals to get the most hair boost for your bite.

Try this mask: In addition to your normal routine, try this treatment once a month:

1. Make a tea with hibiscus leaves. When tea is tepid, strain and mix in enough seaweed powder to form a paste. Seaweed is rich in calcium and magnesium, minerals essential to healthy hair.
2. Blend a few drops each of rose, bergamot, geranium, orange, and sandalwood essential oils, then add 1 ounce of jojoba oil.
3. Scrub your scalp with the oil for five minutes to improve blood supply to the area.
4. Cover hair with a warm towel and plastic wrap for 20–30minutes.
5. Rinse well, then shampoo and condition. Allow hair to dry naturally.

If you found a recipe here that works for you, or if you have other natural solutions you’ve tried successfully, please share in the comments sections! Keep in mind that the essential oils in our hair-care products retain their therapeutic-grade benefits, so you are enhancing your essential oil experience just by washing your hair! That’s definitely a beauty solution you can feel good about!

—Rebecca
Product Manager, Essential Care

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