Have you ever used a hair mask? Just like face masks help to hydrate and nourish skin, hair masks do the same thing for your hair and scalp. They are typically more concentrated than conditioners and you leave them on your hair longer. You can make your own at home, or you can purchase them. You can even add your own boosters to help amplify their healing powers.

There are many options of ingredients that you can use to create your own hair masks and boost your existing ones. We are going to concentrate only on a few here in this article, but definitely do some research to see what’s going to work to address your specific hair concerns.

INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR

Bananas

The silica in bananas helps reduce frizz, soften hair and add shine. Bananas also possess antimicrobial properties that may help reduce dryness and dandruff.

Eggs

Egg yolks contain a lot of nutrients, including Vitamins A and E, biotin and folate. All of which help promote hair growth. The egg whites contain protein that helps strengthen your hair.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil contains minerals like folic acid, iron and magnesium that help seal your cuticles. This can help make hair more resistant to damage and breakage.

Honey

Honey is a humectant, it can help your hair pull in and retain moisture. It can also stimulate the growth of skin cells which could help promote stronger hair follicles.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft so it’s great for deep conditioning. This mean less dryness and frizz.

Olive Oil

Olive oil contains squalene, which is essential for moisturized hair and skin. Our bodies produce it naturally, but that declines as we age.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory properties that are magic workers for soothing dry and itchy scalps. It also contains Vitamin C, E and B-12 and folic acid, which help strengthen and nourish hair.

Flax Seed

Flax seeds contain a lot of omega 3 fatty acids and also protein. This will give your hair volume and body, increase elasticity, and help fight off dandruff.

MAKING YOUR OWN MASK

If you decide to go in this direction, and you’ve never made a mask before, you may want to experiment with a couple of different recipes until you find one that’s more suited for your hair. If your hair feels soft and moisturized after using one, without being greasy, then you know you’ve found a winner. The internet is a good source for information on homemade hair mask recipes, tips, and do’s and don’ts.

STORE BOUGHT MAIR MASKS

If you don’t have the time to make your own, or just don’t want to go down that road, then there are some really good options on the store shelfs. You can find them at beauty stores, drug stores and online. If you choose this route look for masks that contain natural ingredients likes oils and plant extracts like our Color-Safe Keratin Hair Mask. You can also give them little boosts by adding a couple drops of natural oils like coconut or argan oil for boosters.

HOW TO USE A HAIR MASK

Most masks work best when applied to clean, damp hair. If you are doing this out of the shower make sure to protect your clothing by putting a towel over your shoulders or wear an old t-shirt. If your hair is long or really thick you may want to divide your hair into sections to make sure that you get all of your hair well saturated.

Begin near your scalp and work towards the ends. After you have the mask applied to the rest of your hair you can go back and gently apply it to your scalp. If you are specifically treating dandruff you’ll want to start at your scalp. If your hair is oily then start towards the middle and work to the ends.

Once you have covered all of your hair run a wide tooth comb through it to help ensure the mask has been distributed evenly through all of your hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap, then wrap a towel around it. Leave the mask on for 20 to 30 minutes to allow it to really absorb into your hair then rinse with cool water. Try to avoid hot water if possible. The cold water will help seal your cuticles and lock in the moisture.