Are you looking for one ingredient hair masks for your hair? Well, you’re on the right page, because here are 7 DIY hair masks which can help treat different kinds of hair problems from hair fall, to dandruff, to dry hair to hair thinning!
Check out the hair masks below:
1. Aloe Vera for Dry Hair:
Aloe vera can penetrate into the hair follicles and can condition and improve dry and damaged hair. It has moisturizing properties that can help nourish damaged hair. It also acts as a protective layer for the hair follicle and can help restore hair shine, while also reducing hair damage and hair breakage.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh aloe vera gel
Method:
After hair wash, squeeze out the excess water and apply the aloe vera gel on your hair. Leave it on for 5-10 mins and rinse off.
2. Rosemary for Regrowth:
Rosemary can help stimulate the hair follicles and can also help prevent baldness (also known as androgenetic alopecia). Rosemary is known to have ‘carnosic acid’, which is an active ingredient present in some plants that can heal nerve endings and could possibly stimulate regrowth and rejuvenation of hair follicles, in turn restoring hair growth.
Ingredients:
- 1 litre of water
- 2 handfuls rosemary stalks
(Stalks should be around 8 to 10 inches in length)
Method:
Pour the litre of water in the heating pan and place on high flame, add the stalks of rosemary in and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until the water starts to change colour (light greenish). At this point, turn off the flame and let it sit for a few minutes and then transfer into a glass container by straining using a strainer or cloth (muslin cloth or even a handkerchief will do). The hair mask is ready to be used. READ MORE – ROSEMARY RICE WATER for longer, stronger hair
3. Onion for Hair Fall:
Onions are rich in sulphur. This property of onions is beneficial to promote blood circulation on the scalp and provides stimulation to the hair follicles and improves collagen (a protein that can prevent hair follicle damage and promote hair root strength) production that nourishes the hair follicles, makes the hair grow faster and roots grow stronger, in turn reducing hair fall.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium or large onion
Method:
Wash and remove the skin of one big sized onion and roughly chop it into 4 to 6 big pieces and grind it to a fine paste, using a mixer grinder. Then using either a strainer or a muslin cloth, squeeze the juice out of the grated onion and collect it into a small container and it is ready to use.
4. Rice Water for Hair Growth:
Rice water can help strength the hair and promote longer hair growth. Rice water contains an ingredient called inositol, which can penetrate into damaged hair and promote hair repair from inside the hair follicle. Using fermented rice water (fermentation makes the solution more potent), has an additional benefit, as fermented rice water contains a substance called pitera, a nutrient, which is a natural byproduct that is rich in minerals, vitamins and amino acids and can boost cell regeneration.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice (any rice of your choice)
- 400 ml to 500 ml water
Method:
Wash the rice two times with water, before making the rice water for the hair, as all the impurities and dirt from the rice needs to be washed off in order to avoid it from getting into your hair.
Then, into a bowl or a container (with a lid preferably) or into a mason jar (preferable), add in the one cup of washed rice and then add in the water. Mix it well or shake it well once you screw on the lid and let it sit for 25 to 30 minutes. This is the plain unfermented rice water method.
The second way is the fermented rice water method for hair growth, where you will have to leave the rice in the water to sit for 24 hours.
For both recipes, you just have to strain the rice and pour the water into a spray can.
5. Bay Leaves for Dandruff:
Bay leaves are rich in antioxidants which can help reduce oiliness in the scalp, in turn reducing dandruff and itchiness.
Ingredients:
- bay leaf
- water
Method:
Add 2-3 bay leaves into a suacepan with water and let it simmer on low for 15 mins. Spray this water on your scalp twice a day until your scalp is clean and healthy.
6. Hibiscus to Deep Condition:
Shampoos have a lot of chemicals in them, which in turn remove or reduce the natural oil content in the hair. Hibiscus flowers have a high amount of mucilage (a gelatinous substance in plants), which naturally conditions the hair and helps make it smoother and silkier, by nourishing the hair follicles, making it soft and manageable.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp hibiscus powder
- 3 tbsp curd/yoghurt
Method:
Mix the hibiscus powder and curd/yoghurt in a bowl and make it into a fine paste.
7. Clay to Detox Scalp:
Bentonite clay is a well-known detoxifying agent that can help eliminate toxins when it comes in contact with water or any liquid.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup bentonite clay
- 3 tbsp water
Method:
Into a mixing bowl, add in the bentonite clay and water and mix well. Add in 1 to 2 tbsp. of water to dilute the mixture and mix well.
How to use these masks:
For the thicker masks, use this method:
Comb your hair properly and make it free from tangles. Then partition your hair and then use an applicator brush or your finger tips and apply the mask all over your scalp and hair evenly. When applying it on your hair use downward strokes. Once the application process is over, tie your hair into a loose bun and cover your head with a shower cap for half an hour to one hour before washing off with a mild shampoo and conditioner. Let your hair dry naturally.
For the liquid masks, use this method:
Pour the liquid mask mixture into a spray can and spray it evenly all over your scalp and hair, until it is damp and let it sit for 30 to 40 minutes. You can tie your hair into a lose bun or into a shower cap. Lastly, wash it off with a mild shampoo and conditioner. Let your hair dry naturally.