Hair Cleanse

Hair is made of strong elastic strands of protein called

keratin and in chemical terms is composed of oxygen,
iron, nitrogen, hydrogen, sulphur, carbon and
phosphorus. The exact proportions of these chemical
elements vary with sex, age, type and colour of hair.
The sources of hair are very small tiny pockets in our
skin and scalp known
as
follicles.
These
follicles are found together in groups of two to five
each. Every follicle follows a life cycle of its own
producing about six inches of hair a year for as long
as four years before it falls out then starts all over
again after a short period.
The basal tip of the
hair in the scalp is known as papilla which is a small
out-growth of the skin shaped like a doorknob and
lying at the tip of the follicle. The papilla contains the
blood vessels to supply nourishment to the hair.
During the active period the new cell growth pushes
the older part of the hair away from the papilla until
the hair falls out. It is the pattern of cell growth at the
papilla which determines whether hair grow straight, wavy or curly. The growth
pattern usually becomes uneven during the adolescence when the hair growth is at
its peak. It declines as we grow older.
Though hair strands look as singular fibres, each hair is constructed in three different
layers: the cuticle, the cortex and the medulla.
Cuticle
The cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair which provides protection to the inner
cortex layer. It is made up of flattened, hard, horny cells.
Cortex
The cortex is the second layer. The qualitative properties of strength, elasticity,
pliability, direction and growth pattern, width and the texture of hair depend on the
composition of the cortex. The cortex is composed of fibres twisted together like a
rope.
It is the cortex which gives the hair its colour. The presence of the four natural
pigments black, brown, yellow and red are logged in the cortex in varying proportions
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and the air spaces in the cortex determine the colour and shade of hair. The excess
black and deep brown pigment gives the dark hair.
Medulla:
The medulla is the unimportant innermost layer which is composed of soft keratin.
Medulla is often not present in some hair. Hair that lacks medulla is no worse than
hair that has medulla.
Hair functions
Since ages, human hair are considered to be the epitome of beauty. However, there
are more than the looks.
Like an organic helmet, the human hair is a good barrier against natural elements.
The head is the closest to the radiation of the sun and experiences most of the
bumps and falls of childhood to early teenage years (and even well into adulthood).
Hair provides the most efficient means of protecting its immediate surface.
The protective function of the human hair is to prevent germs, insects and other
undesirable creatures from directly invading the scalp. The thousands of strands of
hair act as shields; the 'invaders' stick to the strands, where you can wash them off
with shampoo or similar hair care products.
One of the main channels of temperature change in the body is the head itself. Heat
escapes easily through the head. With a full head of hair, the process of heat escape
is retarded or gradually slowed down during cold winter months. Conversely during
summer, hair acts like a roof over the head and keeps it cool. The melanin present in
hair helps block out the heat of the sun (direct radiation). This works in conjunction
with the sweat and oil glands in the scalp to keep the scalp moist but at the same
time cool due to the evaporation of sweat.
Healthy Hair Characteristics
While describing the condition of hair, it is important to keep hair growth in mind.
Unless the growth is proper and regular, the hair condition is considered affected.
Some of the most common characteristics of healthy hair are:
1. Thick and dense.
2. Fine and silky, not too oily or rough.
3. Lustre-filled, having a shine and gloss.
4. Pliable, capable of setting and styling.
5. Full-bodied and not limp or lank.

Hair Problems
Some common hair problems are as follows:
Grey hair
For some people, grey hair is a distinguishing characteristic; for others it is a
reminder that they are getting older. However you feel about it, grey (or white) hair is
pretty much inevitable with age (if you are fortunate enough to still have hair in your
later years).
Some people start to go grey young - as early as their teens. When greying begins is
usually determined by genes, so if your mother or father became grey early, you may
too. Smoking and certain vitamin deficiencies (particularly vitamin B12) can also turn
hair grey prematurely.
Hair loss
Normally, hair goes through a regular growth cycle. During the anagen phase, which
lasts three to four years, the hair grows. During the telogen phase, which lasts about
three months, the hair rests. At the end of the telogen phase, the hair falls out and is
replaced by new hair. The average person loses about 100 hairs each day.
Losing excess hair can be a normal part of growing older but it also can have other
causes, including drugs or disease.
As they age, many men lose the hair on top of their head, which eventually leaves a
horseshoe-shaped ring of hair around the sides. This type of hair loss is called malepattern baldness. It is caused by genes (from both parents) and it is fuelled by the
male hormone, testosterone. In female-pattern baldness, the hair loss is different - it
thins throughout the top of the scalp, leaving the hair in front intact.
Hair damage
Blow drying, straightening, highlighting and perming regularly can wreak havoc on
hair, leaving it brittle, broken and unmanageable. Split ends and dry hair are just two
of the possible outcomes of over-styling.
Split ends

Excessive styling and heat can cause split ends, which occur when the protective
outermost layer of hair layer (the cuticle) is damaged and peels back.
Some cures for split ends include.
Brushing gently with a soft, flexible hairbrush and not over-brushing.

Avoiding towel drying. If you do dry your hair with a towel, rub it gently.

Using a conditioner with no artificial chemicals about once a week.

Applying a heat-protective serum or spray before you dry or style your hair.

Dry hair
Hair needs moisture and a certain amount of oil to keep it looking healthy. A number
of things can dry out hair, including:

Washing it too often or using a harsh shampoo.

Excessive blow drying or use of a curling or straightening iron.
Wind, dry air perms and dyes, chlorine in swimming pools.
Poor nutrition and
Certain medications.

Greasy hair
The scalp contains a natural oil called sebum, which helps keep the skin lubricated.
Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands. Sometimes these glands work
overtime and produce too much oil, leading to a condition called seborrhoea or
greasy scalp. Greasy hair can look dull, limp and lifeless and it may be more difficult
to manage.
Regular Hair Care
An effective hair-care discipline involves cleansing, toning and conditioning routines
carried out with religious regularity.
Hair Cleansing
The purpose of cleansing is to wash away excess oil on hair and scalp and clear the
hair follicles off the debris of non-exfoliated dead cells. Proper cleansing encourages
healthy hair growth.
1. Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar and sage tea. This helps hair grow.
2. Rosemary or stinging-nettle may help
combat dandruff, a source of hair loss and
scalp irritation. Put a large handful of
rosemary into a pan and cover with water.
Simmer for 10-15 minutes and leave to
cool. Strain the mixture through a sieve
into a jug containing a few drops of wheat
germ or any oil. Use this as a rinse after
you have washed your hair with a very
mild shampoo. Finally rinse thoroughly
with tepid water.
3. Sometimes, hair is excessively stripped of
moisture or oil due to harsh cleansing, sun
or application of harsh chemicals such as
perm lotions etc. Massage scalp regularly
with tinctures of stinging nettle, birch,
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horsetail and rosemary for hair growth stimulation, to disinfect the scalp and to
increase blood circulation.
4. Liquorice extract may help prevent hair loss. Arnica, marigold, rosemary or
southernwoods are also useful for hair loss. For best results, massage infused oil
into the scalp.
5. Wash hair regularly with mixture of Reetha and Shikakai powder.
6. Homeopathic shampoos and oils do not have artificial chemicals. They give good
nourishment to hair. Arnica, Jaborandi are a few of them. They are available at
medium and big shops of Homeopathic medicine.
Hair Cleanse through Jojoba
Jojoba is a natural plant derived liquid wax able to penetrate into your hair, pores
and hair shaft rapidly to loosen and dissolve oil and waxy encrustation. You can use
jojoba oil (nimbu ka tel) on its own to clean your scalp and hair, leaving them free to
continue their normal function.
Depending on the condition of your scalp and hair, you may need one heaping
tablespoon or more of jojoba.
Method
1. Warm up jojoba oil to body temperature by using a double boiler.
2. Make a double boiler by placing a smaller container such as a metal or porcelain
bowl into a bigger container. Pour hot water into the bigger container. Ensure hot
water does not get into the smaller bowl.
3. Preheat the metal bowl by pouring hot water into the bowl and then throw away
the water when the bowl is hot.
4. Place jojoba oil into the bowl. Cover for a few minutes to allow jojoba to warm up.
5. Stir jojoba to ensure temperature is evenly distributed and apply on scalp and
hair.
6. Cover your scalp and hair with a plastic shower cap. Wrap a very warm towel
around the head and wait for half an hour or more to allow jojoba time to
penetrate your hair shaft and dissolve build-ups. When the towel has cooled, put
it in hot water again to warm up. Squeeze out excess water and wrap it around
your head again.
7. After half an hour (more, if preferred) remove towel and shower cap. Massage
your scalp using gentle, circular motion. Start the massage along your hairline
and work inwards in concentric circles.
8. Follow up with a mild natural shampoo. Rinse with warm water and end with a
cool rinse to close pores. The number of rinses will depend on your hair type and
how much jojoba you have used.
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Note: Initially you may have to experiment with different amounts of jojoba oil to find
the quantity that suits you.
Lemon Tea Amla Hair Wash
Both amla (Indian gooseberry) and **lemon juice are
high in vitamin C. Green tea and amla contain tannin,
which makes this solution astringent. All three
ingredients are acidic and have powerful antioxidant
properties. This hair wash give your hair bounce and
luster.
Powder ingredients

3 tbsp green tea leaves (*seeds or root of the plant are better cleaners)

2 tbsp amla

Liquid ingredients

1 tsp lemon juice

2 liters boiling hot water

Materials

Steel or porcelain container

Stick or long handle spoon for stirring

Strainer

Method
1. Place dry ingredients in container.
2. Pour in boiling hot water and allow to steep for 30 minutes or more and then
strain out residues.
3. Add in lemon juice and stir to mix.

Method of washing
* Seeds and root of green tea contain higher amounts of Saponins, a natural soaplike substance. The whole seeds and root are available in some herbal medicine
shops. Crush the seeds slightly before use. If you are using the root, cut root into
shorter lengths to allow the Saponins and other phytochemicals to seep out more
easily. Boil about 30 cm of the root in 2.5 liters of water. Simmer root for 10 minutes
after water has boiled.
** Lemon juice imparts a pleasant, zesty aroma to your hair wash. With a ph value of
2.0, it is highly acidic. Dilute the lemon juice so as not to weaken your hair. If you do
not wish to use lemon juice, replace it with vinegar .Some people highlight their hair
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by applying a strong solution of lemon juice. Then, they go into the sun to let UV rays
and lemon juice to interact with the hair and bleach it- a damaging process on your
hair.
Home Made Shampoo-Conditioner
Powder ingredients

3 tbsp amla

2 tbsp shikakai

1 tbsp soapnut ( Reetha)

Liquid ingredients

Water

Method of Washing
Mix the powder ingredients with water to make thick paste. Wash your hair with body
temperature water. Apply the paste to whole scalp. Keep it for thirty minutes and
then wash.
Shikakai Tea
This is quite beneficial to the hair that has not been oiled before wash. Some people
like to mix shikakai powder and water into a watery muddy tea and immediately
apply to wet hair. This method is very messy when the muddy rinse tea out of the
hair. It is also not easy to get all the grit out of the hair. Others prefer to strain out the
residue, which is the method I prefer as well.
Ingredients

1 to 2 tbsp shikakai powder

Warm water
Bowl
Spoon or stick for stirring
Squeeze bottle

Method of preparation
1. Put 1 - 2 tablespoon of shikakai powder into a bowl.
2. Add enough water to stir into a paste.
3. Pour in warm water and stir until the mixture looks like watery, muddy tea.
4. Stand for at least an hour for nutrients and phytochemicals to seep out.
Occasionally stir the mixture.
5. Strain out residues.
6. Pour liquid into a squeeze bottle.
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Method of washing
a) Rinse your hair with clean water. Shake the bottle of shikakai tea until it foams.
b) Divide your hair into vertical rows along the scalp. Starting from the back of the
head, apply tea systematically along the length of each row. Squirt tea on your
hair as well.
c) Use a plastic shower cap to cover the head and hair after tea application is
complete.
d) Let the solution soak for about 10 - 15 minutes. In the meantime, take a bath or
do whatever you like.
e) After 10 to 15 minutes, massage your scalp and wash off the solution with warm
water followed by cool water.
f) If your hair feels dry, condition it.

Hair care through kitchen therapy

Baking Soda
A thorough cleansing with baking soda at least once a week will wash all of the junk
out of your hair. Simply add 1 tablespoon soda to your hair while shampooing. In
addition to removing all the chemicals you put in your hair, it will wash away water
impurities and may actually lighten your hair.
Beer
Put some life back into flat hair with some flat beer. Before you get into the shower,
mix 3 tablespoons beer in 1/2 cup warm water. After you shampoo your hair, rub in
the solution, let it set for a couple of minutes, then rinse it off.
Butter
For dry and brittle hair, try buttering it up for a luxuriant shine. Massage a small
chunk of butter into your dry hair, cover it with a shower cap for 30 minutes, then
shampoo and rinse thoroughly.
Washing hair with curd gives the same result.
Castor Oil
For healthy, shiny hair, mix 2 teaspoons castor oil with 1 teaspoon glycerin and one
egg white. Massage it into your wet hair, wait 10-15 minutes and wash out.
Olive Oil
Put the moisture back into your dry and brittle hair by heating 1/2 cup olive oil (dont
boil it) and then liberally applying it to your hair. Cover your hair with a plastic grocery
bag, then wrap it in a towel. Let it set for 45 minutes, then shampoo and thoroughly
rinse.
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Olive oil also works well if you got paint in your hair: Remove that undesirable tint by
moistening a cotton ball with some olive oil and gently rubbing it into your hair. The
same approach is also effective for removing mascarajust be sure to wipe your
eyes with a tissue when done.
Tea
To give a natural shine to dry hair, use a quart of warm, unsweetened tea (freshly
brewed or instant) as a final rinse after your regular shampoo.
Vinegar
You can make a highly effective hair conditioner by combining 1 teaspoon apple
cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 3 egg whites. Rub the mixture into your
hair, then keep it covered for 30 minutes using plastic wrap or a shower cap. When
times up, shampoo and rinse as usual.

Cleansing tips for public hair

It must have happened sometime in the last decade because the amount of time,
energy, money and emotion both genders spend on abolishing every hair from their
genitals is astronomical. The genital hair removal industry to those seeking the
"clean and bare" look, is booming.
Long ago, surgeons figured out that shaving a body part prior to surgery actually
increased, rather than decreased, surgical site infections. No matter what expensive
and complex weapons are used razor blades, electric shavers, tweezers, waxing,
depilatories, electrolysis hair, like crab grass, always grows back and eventually
wins. In the meantime, the skin suffers the effects of the scorched battlefield.
Pubic hair removal naturally irritates and inflames the hair follicles left behind,
leaving microscopic open wounds. Rather than suffering a comparison to a bristle
brush, frequent hair removal is necessary to stay smooth, causing regular irritation of
the shaved or waxed area. When that irritation is combined with the warm moist
environment of the genitals, it becomes a happy culture medium for some of the
nastiest of bacterial pathogens, namely Group A Streptococcus, Staphylococcus
aureus and its recently mutated cousin methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA). There is an increase in staph boils and abscesses, necessitating incisions
to drain the infection, resulting in scarring that can be significant. It is not at all
unusual to find pustules and other hair-follicle inflammation papules on shaved
genitals.
Additionally, cellulitis (soft-tissue bacterial infection without abscess) of the scrotum,
labia and penis are common as a result of spread of bacteria from shaving or from
sexual contact with strep or staph bacteria from a partner's skin. Some clinicians are
finding that freshly shaved pubic areas and genitals are also more vulnerable to
herpes infections due to the microscopic wounds being exposed to viruses carried by
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mouth or genitals. It follows that there may be vulnerability to spread of other

sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well.
Pubic hair do have a purpose, providing a cushion against friction that can cause
skin abrasion and injury, protection from bacteria and other unwanted pathogens,
and is the visible result of long-awaited adolescent hormones, certainly nothing to be
ashamed of or embarrassed about.
Pubic hair is unique in amount, color and consistency. Some women as well as men
let their pubic hair grow into a full coverage of the pubic area while others prefer to
keep their hair trimmed. (Some seasonally prefer to have a neatly shaven bikini line
i.e. removal of hair outside panty line). There are also women who choose to
remove some or all of the pubic hair. Shaving, waxing or removing your pubic hair is
by no means permanent. As the hair starts to grow back, however, it can be very
itchy and uncomfortable.
Shaving of hair in under arm and pubic area do more harm than good during course
of time very thin layer of epidermis is lost in such shaving which results in hardening
of the skin there. Waxing and hair removal harm the skin permanently for temporary
beautification.
Trimming by scissors is first choice but sometimes it becomes necessary to clear
pubic hair.
The following points should be considered.
1.
Choose your shaving cream wisely. For this sensitive body zone be sure to
get and use a good shaving cream or gel, using soap is definitely out. The Art of
Shaving, Unscented Shaving Cream is phenomenal for getting a smooth shave,
moisturizing skin and preventing ingrown hairs.
2.
Dont skimp on your razor. Stay clear of the straight, cheap disposables or
you'll be asking for cuts and nicks. Instead use a razor with a pivoting head and
multiple blades to give you a smooth, close shave.
3.
Give a haircut. Trim hair down first as short as possible by placing comb flat
on the skin and trim over comb with scissors, or with clippers using the shortest
guard. The less hair you start out with means less use of your razor.
4.
Take a warm shower or bath. At least 5-10 minutes of the heat will soften skin
and relax the hair follicle.
5.
Dab on some shaving oil. Working as a barrier on your skin, the razor will
glide easier instead of dragging and moisturize skin. It also helps prevent razor burn,
general irritation and ingrown hairs.
6.
Apply shaving cream or gel. Make sure skin is damp but not overly wet. If you
have a shaving brush, work the product with the brush in circles to help lift hair and
get a closer shave.
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7.
Using a fresh blade, first go in the same direction of hair growth and then in
opposite direction. Don't go over the same area too many times.
8.

In between strokes, be sure to rinse blade. A clogged razor wont work well.

9.

Rinse pubic area and pat dry with towel.

10.

Apply a light, preferably unscented lotion.

11.
There's a tendency for getting ingrown hairs. Flawless Ingrown Hair Serum
can help with bumps, redness and ingrown hairs.

Dos and Donts:

1.

Keep all products on the outside of your body only.

2.

Avoid shaving during your period, as skin is more sensitive.

What You Need

Comb and scissors or clippers

New pivoting razor with multiple blades

Shaving cream or gel

Pre-shaving oil

Shaving brush (optional)

Cortizone cream if pubic area starts getting itchy

Light, unscented moisturizer

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