By Oritsegbubemi Peace Pessu.
I feel awful when my hair breaks or looks thin, dry and unhealthy. It makes me wish for a head of healthy hair and wonder if I’d ever get it. I also wonder whether it’s the curse of damaged hair that plagues black people at play; but black people with beautiful hair are proof that damaged hair does not have to be a part of life for us.
Fortunately, with a little knowledge, time and effort you can repair your damaged hair. Damaged hair cannot be repaired overnight, but you can get healthier hair over time by putting these tips to use:-
a) Trim your hair ends. Damaged hair causes your hair to be uneven, which makes your hair look thin and sheer.
b) Apply a protein conditioner to your hair to strengthen and repair damaged hair.
c) Space chemical relaxer treatments at least six weeks apart. More time in between chemical relaxer treatments leaves your hair more time to strengthen and grow.
d) Sleep in a satin bonnet each night. The satin material protects your hair from breakage and damage caused by the hair rubbing against your pillowcase at night. It also helps to maintain the moisture levels in your hair by not drying out your hair like cotton materials do.
e) Restrict your use of heated styling appliances. If you must use heated styling tools, use a heat protector on your hair to prevent further damage.
In addition, there are some natural remedies that can help you repair your damaged hair using easy-to-find ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen cabinet. These remedies have not been evaluated for effectiveness or safety, so you may want to talk to your doctor before trying any of them.
i.Olive oil and beer: A mixture of olive oil and beer can help restore some of your hair’s essential moisture.
ii.Vitamin E Oil: Vitamin E oil can help replenish hair’s natural moisture if it has been damaged by heat and excess exposure to the sun.
iii.Coconut and Avocado Paste: Coconut and avocado paste is regularly used in Ayurvedic beauty treatments for dry or damaged hair. It works by adding essential moisture to the root of the hair follicle and scalp.
Now I can shout for joy at last. There’s redemption for us with kinky and rubbery hair which we can learn to nurture from great damage to excellent health and shine. I can’t wait to try some of these remedies myself.
