Hair care : How to do Salon like Hair Spa at home

When away from home, trying to blend in foreign places, battling the world on differences, I often tend to ignore my greatest wealth… My Health!And then issues like hair fall, freckles and fine lines on my face, dead rough skin on body starts bothering me frequently.  I guess you might have felt the same way at times.

For me, it first showed up when I had left home to go to college, in a different city. New city, change of climate, water, food habits, hectic first year and the feeling of being away from family, lead to deterioration of my skin, hair and health. I was scared, yes! My mom had taken very good care of my beauty regime (so to say) before that. I hadn’t seen my skin so dull and patchy nor had I seen that sliver hair showing right on top of my head. Some things get seriously ruined once you have stopped living with your parents, for sure!

Fortunately now, after almost 11 years of staying on my own, I have realized that all these problems of skin and hair and temporary. With regular care, little discipline, and a lot of love for self, one can pull the cart back on the track, once again… J

In this blog I will share a very effective Hair Spa Hot Oil Treatment procedure that you can easily try at home. This treatment will help you maintain healthy texture and shine by adding that extra healthy glow to your hair. (Shhhh … Of course this comes from my Mom’s secret book of health and beauty).

1. Take generous amount of coconut oil – 2 tbsp (30ml).

You may use Parachute oil that is an easily available brand across all grocery stores in India. Stick to the basic variant, and avoid the advanced or jasmine mixed oil options.

Coconut oil will be used as carrier in this Oil therapy as it has a high moisture retaining capacity. It does not let moisture escape, thus keeping hair moist and soft, which prevents breakage of hair. Use of warm coconut oil helps in keeping hair shimmering and soft.

2. Now add equal amount of Bhringraj oil – 2 tbsp (30ml) 

‘Bhringraj’ is a herb Eclipta alba that Ayurveda considers a ‘rasayana’. It rejuvenates and slows down the ageing process. Bhringraj oil is generally a combination of bhringraj extract with coconut or sesame oil. This oil promotes healthy hair growth, reduces stress and keeps dandruff and greying away. Some of the well-known commercially available brands are Baidyanath Mahabhringraj Tail, Dabur Mahabhringraj Oil and Khadi Herbal Bhringraj Hair Oil.

3. Add Almond oil to the oil mixture – 2 teaspoons (10ml)

Almond oil is rich in magnesium and is thus used in a variety of hair products. Deficiency of magnesium can result in heavy hair fall. It is extensively used in aromatherapy due to its well-known therapeutic properties. Adding almond oil to your oil mixture will work as shine enhancer and leave in conditioner. Almond oil is also particularly effective in getting rid of Split ends.

4. Next, add some Olive Oil – 2 teaspoons (10ml)

Olive oil is loaded with antioxidants, which can keep the skin of your scalp in better shape. It can even reduce the damage done by hair care products or overuse of styling products. Dandruff, head lice and other adverse conditions can contribute to hair loss. Fortunately, olive oil fights off all of these things, helping keep your hair healthier. If Olive oil is not available, you may try replacing it with jojoba oil.

5. And finally add a few drops of any essential oil 

Remember I mentioned about inculcating a lot of SELF Love in daily routine above. Well essential oils will help you do just that. These oils add blissful aroma to the oil mixture. While messaging your scalp, the perfume will drain stress completely out of your system. You will fell light, fresh and beautifully nourished from within. And even after you have shampooed your hair, you will feel light fragrance submerging your senses the whole day… 🙂

Now, different oils have different usage and you may try to find the one that suits you best. These days I’m adding a few drops of rosemary and lemon to my oil mixture. I have also used thyme and lavender before. They have all proved effective in their own ways.

6. Make a water bath for heating the oil

In a saucepan, bring 1 cup (250 ml) of water to boil. Now place the small cup of oil mixture in the water bath that is already on stove.

Allow the oil to sit for a few minutes until it is warm but not hot. You do not want to burn yourself with the hot oil. Remove the oil cup with an oven mitt.

7. Massage the oil into your scalp using fingertips dipped in the hot oil.

One thing your scalp really needs is stimulation. So when you start applying your hot oil hair treatment, do it at the very roots of your hair and rub in circular motions. I like to start in the temple area and work backwards. Once you’ve massaged your scalp with the oil for 3-5 minutes, move on to applying it down the shaft of your hairs. This is where you can be a little less liberal with your oil application. Your hair does not need to drip with oil.

8. Now prepare a head wrap with bath towel

After massaging, collect your hair into a loose bun and tuck it into shower cap (plastic bag wrap). Soak a towel in hot water and wrap it over the shower cap. This ensures better absorption of the oil. You have to sit with this warm head wrap for around 30 minutes. Once your towel starts to get cold after around 15 minutes, just pull it off your head and soak it again in hot water. Wring out extra water and put the towel wrap for another 15 minutes.

9. Rinse the hair thoroughly with some mild shampoo

First with warm water (this reheats the oil and gives your hair one last boost of extra moisturizing) and then with tepid water.

I don’t use any conditioner post hair wash as these oils give me the best conditioning my hair would require.

And that’s it!

You have the secret to gorgeous, buoyant, moisturized, shiny hair. It’s easy, simple and you can get a Hair spa done right at your home. I try doing this hair treatment at least twice every month. So I don’t have to care if I am visiting any dry country or windy city or an extremely humid suburb for my work. I am sure, I will be able to pamper myself and take care of my hair once am back!