Although hair products may not speed up the rate of hair growth, they can help protect the hair, minimizing hair damage and breakage. Damaged hair can split and fray, making it difficult to grow long and healthy locks. While many commercial products may help protect your hair, homemade products enable you to choose what ingredients to put on your hair. Making your own products allows you to provide the elements your hair requires to grow long and strong, while eliminating unnecessary chemicals and expensive ingredients.
Oil Treatment
Your scalp naturally produces oils to lubricate and protect your hair strands. Homemade oil treatments can strengthen your hair shafts and may reduce the possibility of breakage, allowing your hair to grow naturally. Mix together 1 tsp. rosemary oil, basil oil, lavender oil, burdock oil and aloe vera gel. Apply this mixture to your scalp, massaging gently into your skin. Work the excess oils into your hair strands, pulling the moisture toward the ends of your hair. Allow the oils to remain in your hair for at least three hours. Shampoo and rinse your hair to remove the oil treatment.
Rosemary Treatment
Practitioners of folk medicine use this fragrant herb to stimulate hair follicles. Pluck fresh rosemary leaves from your garden or purchase dried rosemary at your local health food store or grocery store. Allow fresh leaves to dry, and then crumble the leaves into a fine powder. Sprinkle the powder into your favorite shampoo and massage into your scalp to treat the hair near the follicles.
Protein Treatment
In addition to making your breakfast complete, eggs can provide a useful ingredient in homemade hair products. Separate two egg yolks from the whites. Stir your egg yolks with a whisk or fork until they become slightly frothy. Stir in 2 tbsp. castor oil. Apply this mixture to your clean, damp hair. Place a plastic hair bag or grocery bag over your treated hair. Wrap a thick towel around your head to hold in the heat. Allow this product to remain on your hair for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse well with warm water, removing all traces of the protein treatment.
Vinegar Rinse
This slightly acidic rinse may help remove built up products from your hair shafts. Mix 1/2 cup of cider vinegar with 1 1/2 cups of cool water. Pour this mixture into an empty bottle, and shake well to mix. Slowly pour the vinegar rinse over your freshly washed hair. Brush the rinse through your hair, allowing this leave-in product to remain on your hair. Dry and style your hair as usual.
