Control hair graying

Hair graying is dependent on hereditary factors and the immune system. The hair that has turned white cannot be changed to black except by dyeing or colouring.

Most people know by now that chemical colourants and dyes can cause hair damage. Once the colour wears off, one has to colour or dye the hair again.

This kind of repeated colouring damages the hair, making it dry and brittle. It can also trigger off hair loss.

So, before going in for colouring, it is essential to know what methods are available and how they affect the hair. Also, find out about limiting the damage.

Semi-permanent colourants do not lift the natural colour of the hair, so they are not as damaging as permanent dyes. Semi-permanent colours may last for 15 to 20 shampoos.

They are used for camouflaging gray hair or even lending brightness to dull hair. If you use colourants, take good care of the hair by using hair conditioners each time you shampoo the hair.

Use mild shampoos to limit further damage. Have hot oil applications once or twice a week, along with deep conditioning treatments.

If there are only a few gray hair, the damage can be limited by henna application. Amla is said to check graying. So, I would advocate the use of amla along with henna.

You need to include amla and other natural ingredients in henna for hair colouring and also in hair conditioning powders.

To control graying, you can also have the juice of one raw amla daily, after adding it to a glass of water.

You can also add amla to hair oil. Roast a handful of dry amla in an iron “karhai” (vessel) and powder it. Add this to 200 ml hair oil.

You can choose sesame seed (til) oil or pure coconut oil. Keep it in a jar with a tightly fitting lid. Keep it in the sun for 10 to 15 days.

Strain and use by taking the quantity according to the length of your hair. With age, the hair becomes dry too, due to the decrease in activity of the oil glands.

Oil should be applied regularly. Avoid vigorous massage and rubbing. If the roots are already weak, this can cause more hair to fall out.

Using only the fingertips, actually, move the scalp with small rotary movements. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban.

Keep it on for five minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap three or four times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better.

A change of hairstyle can also make you feel like a new person. In fact, with thinning hair, you can go in for a shorter haircut and style, which can give the hair a fuller look and make you look younger.

We are living in an age where one can experiment with new looks without raising too many eyebrows. In fact, you will probably get appreciation and compliments as a result of these changes.

Diet is a most important factor for healthy hair. The hair is actually fed by the nutrients in the blood stream.

Have a small bowl of sprouts daily and include fresh fruits, salads, leafy green vegetables, soybean and curd in your diet. Sprouts contain amino acids, which are extremely beneficial for the hair.