Hair is the most significant part of your body because it not only forms protection for the scalp but also adds beauty to your personality. You may face frequent hair shedding if you have dull and lifeless hair. There is a need to act wisely while selecting the hair product to give it a better shine, increase its density and thickness, and prevent premature graying.
Instead of visiting expensive hair salons and purchasing costly hair products, there is a need to act wisely in choosing the right product. But ancient Ayurveda provides personalized hair care tips by verifying the dosha type. One will get back the natural hair shine, longer length, thickness, and strength within the roots.
Importance of Ayurvedic Hair Care Routine
Ayurveda specifies that if the bone is healthy, then surely the hair would be stronger, and thicker from the root with softness and shine and an increase in density.
It is about topical and oral cleansing and nourishment with various oils, herbs and dietary ingredients.
Ayurveda inspires eating healthy and oiling and nourishing the hair with til oil, mustard oil or coconut oil daily; cleansing the hair with homemade shampoo every alternate day; and applying hair masks made from different herbs once a week.
Ayurvedic View on Hair Health
Poor mental health, which may be in the form of depression, anxiety and worry, and physical disorders or abnormalities in metabolism would determine the quality of hair strands and scalp conditions.
Coordination between the mind and body is necessary, and that is possible only with the help of Ayurvedic remedies or by using elements of nature.
To stimulate hair length, strength, and thickness and to increase the hair strands by huge numbers:
- Applying gentle combing techniques, oiling, massaging and cleansing with ayurvedic oils and shampoos.
- Using yoga or meditation or any stress management techniques.
- Avoid exposure to the harsh rays of the sun by wearing a scarf or umbrella and avoiding getting wet in rainwater.
- Getting plenty of sleep might stop breakage and split ends in the hair.
- Drinking sufficient amounts of water and fruit juices.
- Consuming and applying protein substances by drawing it from eggs or pulses, vitamins from green leafy veggies and using healthy fats of almond oil, coconut oil and even fish oil.
Different Types of Hair as Per Dosha Variations
3 major doshas govern the hair pattern and scalp.
1. Vata Hair Type:
It would make the hair prone to breakage, thin and dry.
Remedy: Massaging with sesame oil or coconut oil. Controlling the usage of heating tools is necessary to prevent dryness any further.
2. Kapha Hair Type:
Chances of hair fall or loss are less with this form of hair type. Though the hair may be thick and greasy, it may get affected with dandruff.
Remedy: Lighter hair oils are preferred. The oils that may thoroughly cleanse the hair and scalp include jojoba, sesame, and tea tree.
3. Pitta Hair Type
Inflammatory conditions conditions arise due to excess pitta type, and it happens when the liver is worst hit. In this condition, hair will turn thin and grey.
Remedy: Coconut oil, Bhringraj oil and neem oil have the potency to cool down the scalp and control the heat. Blending with Brahmi, Shatavari and Licorice will not let you suffer from frequent hair fall, thinning and early graying.
Panchakarma Hair Treatment
- Shiro Abhyanga or Oil Massage: Massaging with warm amla oil, almond oil, and coconut oil will nourish the hair follicles from the root. Either you can keep it as it is or rinse it off with any ayurvedic shampoo.
- Nasya: Inhaling ghee or mustard oil can strengthen hair follicles, increase blood flow to the scalp, and prevent hair damage.
- Shirovasti: It is the process of massaging the hair and scalp with any ayurvedic hair oil, covering the scalp with leather or rexine in the next step and pouring the oil on the scalp once again.
- Shirolepa: Using any Ayurvedic herb with water make a paste and apply it on the scalp. It might improve the quality of hair strands and keep away from any disorder or infection.
8 Essential Hair Care Tips for Healthy, Gorgeous Hair
1. Oil Massage
It applies to all Ayurvedic hair types. Use amla oil or coconut oil or castor or sesame oil for massaging your scalp. This abhyanga therapy will deeply cleanse the scalp and nourish the hair and scalp with nutrients.
2. Hair Cleansing
The purpose of using any shampoo for hair is to remove dirt and excess oil from the scalp. A person with kapha dosha hair needs to wash their hair daily. Because there is a need to wipe out the excess greasiness from the hair. In contrast to this, pitta and vata dosha persons would require only 2 to 3 hair washes. Because daily hair wash may wipe out the excess moisture from the hair.
3. Balanced Diet
The type of food you would choose may influence your hair, nails and skin. Eating brahmi, ashwagandha and turmeric would act as Ayurvedic superfoods for your overall hair and scalp health. Protein, omega-3 fatty acids and iron would nourish your hair texture and strengthen the roots.
4. Controlling the Use of Heating Tools
Excessive use of heating tools for straightening, drying, curling or perming may cause breakage in the hair and so would weaken the hair follicles. You can create your at-home heat-protective product for your hair by combining coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and a few drops of Bhringraj or Brahmi oil. Apart from facilitating a protective barrier, this natural heat protectant will also nourish your hair.
5. Scalp Massaging with Any Essential Oil
Any hair expert would suggest using chamomile essential oil as hair care for different hair types. Different hair types may be related to dandruff, thinning hair and itchy scalp. However, using any carrier oil, let’s say coconut oil, is suggested for blending with the essential oil to stimulate thick and dense hair growth. This specific ayurvedic blend may also prevent premature graying.
6. The Pattern of Hair Washing
Natural oils in the scalp and hair will be well protected if cleansed with normal or cold water. Very hot water is not suitable for hair; it will remove the oils, make hair follicles weak, and lead to premature hair loss and graying.
7. Managing Split Ends
Trimming every month or every quarter may prevent split ends and quicken hair growth. It will aid in maintaining the hair thicker and longer. Neglecting trimming may result in poor-quality hair growth or slow hair growth with damaged hair shafts.
8. Practicing Yoga and Mindfulness
Consistent stress, indigestion, liver disorder and bloating of the stomach may hurt hair growth. Either one can go through frequent hair fall or premature graying. Performing Balasana, Pawanmuktasana or pranayama may relieve stress, strengthen gut health, boost liver function and active blood circulation, and help supply nutrients to hair follicles.
Conclusion
Hair care should be a part of our daily routine. If ignored, then it can weaken follicles and lead to frequent hair fall or loss. Some of us may also face premature graying. Ayurveda determines a suitable diet, oil and hair mask depending on the dosha type. Instead of choosing harsh chemical-based products, it would always be safe to choose a 100 per cent natural product in the form of oil and herbs, which may be available at home.