Right Way to Give Yourself a Scalp Massage

Massages are a welcome practice at any time of day, but they are truly divine after a long day. Not only do massages relax the body and mind, but also rid you of unwanted tension and stress. Certain types of massages like a scalp massage, when done right, regulate better blood flow through your system and aid hair growth as well. 

Allow yourself the pleasure, and take out ten to fifteen minutes of the day to pamper your cells and revitalize yourself with a scalp massage. Incredibly easy and a delight to master, scalp massages go a long way in relieving stress and anxiety. Once you master the art, you can even practice it on your friends, who will love you more than ever for it. 

Scalp massage – Steps to follow

Here’s how to massage your scalp the right way. 

• Start by letting your hair loose. If you have your hair in braids or twists then that’s fine and doesn’t need to be undone. However, open ponytails and remove all headbands, hair-ties, bands, and pins. 
• Section your scalp into about four to eight major areas of focus, you could start making sections by parting your hair down the middle. If you have braids then keep these sections in mind. It is important to give your massage a flow of direction. Remember to work each section properly with equal attention and time. 
• Begin your scalp massage at the temples. With gentle pressure, work your fingertips in a circular motion and rotate around to relax and soothe your scalp. Regulate the pressure according to your preference, avoid pressing any area hard; remember it is all about soothing the body.
• Start to work back from forehead to the area behind the ears applying gentle pressure with your fingertips and moving in small to wider circular movements. 
• Try as much to keep your fingertips on the scalp to prevent them from getting entangled in long locks and thick curls. 
• Massage each section of the scalp in the same manner and cover all sides of the head. 
• Gently rub the back of the neck down to the shoulders using your fingers close together by applying sufficient pressure. 
• Relax and enjoy the effect of the scalp massage!

You can also dip your fingertips in warm natural oil; coconut, almond or olive oil are good choices for hair and scalp treatments. Plus, oil also works as a natural hair conditioner. 

Home Remedies for Split Ends in Afro Hair

Split ends can take away the beauty from your hair. No matter how great your hair style is, split ends affect the overall appearance and feel of hair. Everyday, your hair battles the most trying conditions by fighting exposure to dust, sun and pollution, which strip natural oils from your hair and make it unhealthy.

Split ends along with frizzy and dry hair are common complaints faced by women. They are caused by common practices like over washing, infrequent moisturizing and excessive use of heating tools.

Here are some quick and simple home remedies to treat split ends.

Egg mask - Three of a kind!

Perhaps one of the most nourishing items resting in your kitchen, eggs work wonders on hair, especially in preventing split ends.

• Mix well either just the egg white (albumin) or the entire egg with some olive or almond oil and honey. Apply the mixture to your hair strands and leave it for about 45 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water and a natural, mild shampoo.
• Beat an egg with some water in a bowl and use it as a conditioning shampoo to treat damaged ends. Rinse off with a gentle shampoo and feel the immediate difference in your hair.
• Blend an egg with a banana and a few drops of orange juice. Apply it to hair and leave it for about 30 minutes before rinsing it.

Remember to always wash off egg masks with cold water.

Papaya treatment

• Blend half a cup of yogurt with a diced ripe papaya to make a thick paste. Apply the mask onto your hair, leave for about 30 minutes and then wash off. It works as a natural hair conditioner.

Fresh cream

You may find it hard to believe, but fresh cream is a superb hair conditioner and a brilliant remedy for split ends.

• Whisk together half a cup of milk and a tablespoon thick cream. Leave the mixture on your hair for 15 minutes and wash off.

Avocado paste

• Mash the flesh of an avocado. You can also add a teaspoon of olive oil to it. Massage it into damp hair covering the split ends and leave it on for about 30 minutes. Rinse it with a mild shampoo.

Mayonnaise delight

Surprisingly mayo works wonders as a hair and scalp moisturizer. Simply treat your hair to a mayo mask (leave in for 30 minutes) twice every week. 

Things to Know Before Getting a Weave

Are you tired of the same hairdo and would like to transform your look with something more glamorous, full and luxurious? Then perhaps you should try adding a weave to up your style quotient. Weaves are excellent ways to rest and help grow your natural hair without having to go through any awkward and unseemly transitioning look.

While getting a weave is a welcome change of style and addition to volume and intensity of hair, it is not a procedure that should be tried with damaged hair. Make sure your hair is healthy and if not, get on a treatment regimen with natural deep conditioners before you attempt a weave. Here are a few helpful tips and facts you ought to know about weaves before you get one.

Types of weaves

A weave can either be synthetic or real (remy) strips of hair that are added to your natural hair via a number of varying methods. It is important you get your weave put in by a professional hairdresser for you to have a quality hairdo that looks good and natural.

Here are the many different types of terms to know when choosing and buying your hair additions.

Virgin hair weave is natural untreated hair that is cut along the cuticle which makes it effortless to handle and does not tangle easily. Found in natural straight, wavy and curly styles.

Remy hair is the same as virgin hair, the only difference being that it is chemically treated, for instance they are often colored, or permed.

Weft hair weaves are attached together either by machine or hand stitched threads. Machine wefts are cheaper and more readily found, while hand wefts enable a more natural and durable look.

Pre-bonded hair extensions are usually bonded with keratin and available in straight or I tipped end, or in-curled or U tipped ends.

Weave methods

There are several ways to get a weave, and its best to take breaks of about 3 months between weaves, to avoid causing permanent damage to your hair.

Sew in –Wefts of hair is finely braided or sewn in with natural hair.

Sew in (net) – This method has a net sewn over natural hair braids to relieve tension and keep hair from growing in volume after shampoos and washes.

Bonding (glue in) – Weave is glued to natural hair with a gun.

Fusion – Weave is attached to the scalp with wax and can last as long as six months and offers the most natural look. 

How Can Hair Extensions Damage Your Hair?

Get the look you always wanted and make it happen in just a few days with transformational hair extensions. An incredible way to create a ‘to die for’ look enjoy the freedom to choose style, color and length with the ever versatile hair extension or weave.

Add volume and color or bring in a completely different style, over all hair extensions also help protect your natural hair and let it grow out. Although weaves aren’t your natural hair, they do need care and have to be maintained and looked after to maintain wonderful style. Here are some easy tips to follow to avoid damaging and ensure healthy natural hair.

Go Pro

The best way to get a stellar look is to approach a professional hair stylist, who will not only set in your extensions beautifully, but also help you make educated choices in regard to most complementary hair type and color to use to suit your style and personality.

Care for your hair

Clean and wash your hair with gentle shampoo and natural conditioners before getting a weave. Treat your hair well with natural overnight oil treatments that will keep you natural hair healthy and your weave looking great for longer. Use coconut oil every night to condition and moisturize your hair, treat it with a mix of honey about 3 times a week for a deep and wholesome natural condition.

Keep it loose and easy

Make sure your weave isn’t too tightly done, as this can lead to natural hair breakage and hair loss if not maintained properly. Let your stylist know immediately after the first few braids or additions if the install is too tight or uncomfortable.

Treat your hair well

Give your head and scalp a nice protein treatment before you get your weave set in. This will increase strength of your natural hair, allowing it better withstand the pressures and pulls involved when adding extensions. It’s best to wait at least two weeks after any chemical treatment before you get a weave, allow your hair to get back to healthy state.

Get a trim

Prevent additional knots and tangles formed when attaching extensions by ridding your natural hair of dry and split ends with a trim. A couple of inches taken off at the bottom will help maintain your natural hair before a weave and proper treatment and care will have your hair grow back in no time. 

Massage and stimulate your scalp for hair growth

We resort to expensive hair-spa treatments that cost almost as much as one month’s rent, and use ridiculously-priced shampoos and conditioners to help stimulate and quicken hair growth. African American hair care can be particularly demanding. We gaze at Hollywood’s starlets’ luscious locks and wish we could have that kind of hair overnight.

Well, there are ways to get your dream locks without having to empty your pockets, although it may take some time. Sometimes, not much emphasis has been laid on the concept of massage and scalp stimulation to enhance hair growth. Just as combing, shampooing and conditioning are all an important part of your daily or weekly hair regimen, scalp massages should be incorporated too. Not only are they extremely relaxing and rejuvenating, but can do wonders to stimulate your skin cells and hair follicles to make your hair start growing out faster, thicker, longer and stronger.

Use essential oils to massage

If you don’t enjoy giving yourself a scalp massage, hit your nearest beauty salon or massage parlor and allow them to pamper you! They are completely affordable and don’t take up too much of time out of your busy schedule. Scalp massages work even better when accompanied with a little bit of heated coconut, olive or almond oil. The heated oil is a great stimulator to wake up sleeping hair follicles. The circulatory, and up and down movements of the massage will definitely help stimulate hair follicles and will allow them to grow out faster.

Scalp massages are not a recent development and go way back. Ayurveda recommends scalp massages for stimulation of hair growth. The technique has been used in Ayurveda for over 5000 years, and is being offered at the biggest, most modern and expensive beauty parlors today. An Ayurveda specialist would also recommend that you use natural hair care products.

Scalp massages make you happy

Scalp massages are also known to stimulate the release of serotonin and endorphin, also popularly known as the feel-good hormones. They help stimulate and increase blood flow in the scalp, directing the flow of blood to the hair follicles, which will in turn promote healthy hair growth.

As opposed to harmful, chemical-pumped shampoos and conditioners that make false promises, scalp massages are age-old, simple, affordable, relaxing and extremely effective. Oils like lavender add the benefits of aromatherapy to the scalp massage and help relieve you of life’s daily stress; considering it is a major contributor to hair loss and stunted hair growth.

So book an appointment for an indulgent scalp massage immediately to have your hair looking naturally beautiful!