Hair Type, Know your Hair Types

In order to determine your hair type , check it out by performing a simple test.

On the second day afer the wash, simply dab a tissue on your scalp . If you have oily hair then the tissue will leave an oil blot and if you have normal hair then the tissue shows nothing and it is dry, the strands stick to each other

Dry hair
The hair has a moisture content of approximately 10% tends to be limp,looks flat and lacks volume .This kind of hair are difficult to manage and have lot of problems associated with it. It does not hold a hairstyle . You will know all about the way in which greasy hair clings to itself and to your scalp, how the excess oil weighs the hair down and spoils your style, and how dust sticks to the grease so that your hair seems to be dirty only a day or two after it has been washed.

You know that your hair's condition is due simply to your sebaceous glands being particularly active. But you can help it to improve. Remember, sebum produced by your scalp does not spread itself over your hair by magic, or out of spite!

It is spread by direct contact of the hair with your scalp. And something as simple as passing your fingers through your hair speeds up the transfer of the grease. So, after you have styled your hair, avoid fingering it or running your fingers through it. You can thus slow down the rate at which sebum collects on your hair, and it will not get greasy again quite so soon. You should also wash your hair with, and use a special conditioner for greasy hair. This will improve the feel of hair that is greasy at the roots and dry at the tips, as well as protecting the hair from dirt.

The oil glands are not active and all the moisture in the hair evaporates and the hair is extremely dry and fragile and more prone to damage.Thus your hair dry or brittle and unmanageable with split ends. Exposure to Sun, salt and chlorinated water snatches all the moisture is drawn from the hair resulting in frizzy,dry hair. Thus dry hair needs great care and using harsh shampoo and chemical treatment can cause exceesive damage to dry hair.

Dry hair should be washed less frequently and that too with use a mild shampoo and a good cleansing shampoo specially designed for greasy hair as the chemicals present in harsh shamposs can cause furthervdrying of the scalp . Always use a cream conditioner afterwards. Never brush too hard and always comb it gently as dry hair is brittle and fragile. Also avoid the use of electric curlers and hair. Heat, open cuticles and harsh chemicals ans lastly poor care are majorcauses of dry hair. Massage well atlesat once a week and it is adviced to take a healthy and nutritious diet especially rich in zinc.

Oily hair
Here the oil gland is overactive resulting in over secretion of oil and trhus the oil is oily, greasy, or stringy .It is also accompanied with oily skin. Oliy hair can be made drier by getting it it permed or tinted . Oily hair is recognized easily as it looks more oily and greasy, the scalp and hair gets too oily and even after shampooing it attracts more dirt.

The oily hair should be washed as frequently as you like depending from indivisual to indivisual and no conditioner is required for oily hair. For best results oily hairshould be rinsed out with lemon andwith oils and shampoos rich in neem and henna. Its is very wrong to say that oily hair does not need a head massage. Infact head massage Is necessary once to maintain the pH level of the scalp. Oily foods should be avoided and more stress should be given on green leafy vegetables

Normal hair
This is the most ideal hair because it is neither too oily nor too dry or greasy. Normal hair is shining and can hold style really well. It is well balanced ,does not dry out and is not permed or color-treated . Thus normal hair looks been permed or color-treated

Indian head massage

Indian head massage is a wonderful relaxing treatment given to a person, while he/she sat in a chair. This therapy is practiced in India for over a thousand years. Indian head massage is a branch of ayurvedic treatment. Ayurvedic is a Sanskrit word meaning science of life.

The head massage has been a regular part of family grooming in India, where it is necessary for babies to be massaged from birth. By the age of six they are taught the massage themselves to share with family members. The massage can be carried out anywhere, as it is done fully clothed, with the person seated, shoes and jewellery removed.

Benefits of head or Scalp massage

To combat hair loss due to hypertension, poor circulation, serious illness and even the aging process, Indian men and women practice regular head massage. Today, everyone from children to grand parents use the technique to decrease stress, improve overall health and promote hair growth.

Indian women used vegetable oils such as coconut, almond, olive such as coconut, almond, olive and sesame to nourish the hair while promoting circulation through massage. They sat in rows and gently massaged the hair and scalp of the person in front of them.

Today, many local barbers in India give their male clients head massages after hair cuts to promote hair growth and health. Indian head massage is ideal for any neck or shoulder tension as it works deeply over muscles in this area and also pressure points, which help the muscle to relax.

The neck and shoulder massage is followed by a Reviving Scalp Massage which relaxes and stimulates the whole scalp and encourages the circulation to move to this area and bringing with it oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain and help stimulate hair growth.

It finishes with a Soothing Face Massage, which works using pressure points and draining techniques, which have been used during headaches and sinus problems. There is a fifteen-minute consultation followed by the treatment, which lasts 30 minutes.

The benefits of traditional Indian head massage are numerous and include increased blood flow, relaxation and toning of muscles, improving function of lymphatic system, by releasing toxins from the body. Pain relief during the massage by release of the endorphins from the brain. The massage helps with emotional stress, anxiety depression and creates a feeling of calm and balance.

Although, there are many different personal techniques for Indian head massage, osteopath and massage therapist has formalized the therapy known as Champissage. Champi is the Indian word for head massage and is the origin of the English word shampoo.

Champissage incorporates neck, shoulder and back massage along with head massage along with head massage for a powerful therapy that promotes physical, mental and spiritual health.

Healthy hair should be promoted from childhood with the help of regular massage. Champissage is found to work on the body’s three higher chakras located on the crown of the head, the forehead and the throat.

Charkas are energy centres that are believed to regulate the flow of energy throughout the body. Hence, working on the top three chakras can bring the entire body into balance.

In addition to healthy hair growth, other benefits of Champissage include decreased stress, more restful sleep, more energy and mental clarity.

Hair care in summers

1. Sweating in summers is very harmful for the hair. So wash your hair thrice a week with a mild shampoo.

2. Avoid oiling the hair.

3. Essential hair pack-take 2-tbspns fuller's earth(multani mitti), 2 tbspns of besan and 1/2 cup vinegar. Apply this pack for 20-30 minutes and then wash it. If your hair are damaged by the use of ironing or rod, etc then add two full eggs in this pack. You can also apply hair oil before applying this pack. This is a very healthy pack and a good conditioner.

4. Hair cut in summers should be neat and should compliment your face, hair should not fall over your face. Select a particular look for summers and stick to this look for six months.

5. Proper conditioning of hair is must to protect from sun. Important vitamins for healthy hair

Vitamin A-
1) Helps to stimulate hair growth.
2) Prevents hair loss and in some cases hair can even grow back.
3) Gives you a healthy scalp, because it’s great for the skin! Sources are vegetables - in particular, in carrots.
Vitamin B-
1) Good for hair growth and hair color
2) Makes hair stronger and prevents spliting.
3) Important for the health and growth of the hair.

Hair Care Articles:
http://www.hairstylescut.com/healthy-hair/healthy-hair.htm
http://www.beauty-basics.net/haircare/hair-care.htm
http://www.free-makeup-tips.com/haircare/hair-care.htm
http://www.hairstylestalk.com/hair/index.htm

Importance of B group vitamins for Hair

B Group vitamins especially B6, biotin, inositol and folic acid; and the minerals magnesium, sulfur and zinc are vert important for the hair. B5 (pantothenic acid and B3 (niacin), are especially important for hair growth and its deficiency can even lead to hair loss and in extreme cases the person can even become bald.

Important sources are fruit, vegetables, cereals, eggs, milk and bread, soybeans, bananas, beans, yogurt, avocados, grains,beans, peas, carrots, cauliflower, nutritional yeast, bran, nuts .
Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Improves scalp circulation and improves health and growth of hair.
Zinc

1) Prevents hair loss and its deficiency causes poor hair growth.
2) Mantains healthy hair and keeps hair in a good condition