With all the weaves, wigs and  a general  need to have great scalp health, it’s become increasingly important in what treatments are available for black hair and scalp.
While this is not an article per se on nutrition and your scalp, a healthy head of hair begins with a healthy scalp and most hair and scalp problems also respond to a healthier diet as well.  When your eating habits improve, so will the condition of your hair and scalp.

Essential Oils and Black Hair Care Treatments

The appropriate hair products are just as important as what you eat and Essential oils have been known to provide great antiseptic, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties for scalp treatments for centuries.

The most common hair and scalp related challenges for African Americans are dry hair, dandruff and hair loss.  Aromatherapy hair treatments can help improve the condition of your hair and scalp by stimulating circulation in your scalp and balance its oil secretion.

Dry Hair has a tendency to appear dull and lifeless.  Your oil glands are not producing a sufficient amount oil to lubricate your scalp.  In addition to this, curling irons, hair dryers, perms/relaxers and styling products can contribute to the drying of your hair.

Essential oils can help improve dry hair conditions. Some of the essential oils known to treat dry hair and scalp conditions are cedarwood, lavender, rosemary chamomile and clary sage.

A good Hot Oil Treatment for Dry Hair would be:
1 ounce of jojoba oil
1 ounce of  coconut oil
3 drops of cedarwood oil
3 drops of clary sage oil
3 drops of lavender oil

Dandruff is another challenge with African American hair.  It can appear in both dry and oily scalps.  Once again nutrition plays an important role when your scalp is challenged with dandruff  .  Often those of you with dandruff have diets with high saturated fats and fried foods.  Most commercial shampoos for dandruff contain harsh chemical and coal tar as active ingredients.

Essential oils for Dandruff scalp treatments are on dry hair are: cedarwood, Clary sage, laurel, lemon, patchouli, pine, rosemary and tea tree.

For Hot Oil Treatment or Overnight Conditioning Treatment:
2 ounces jojoba oil
6 drops tea tree oil
4 drops rosemary oil
3 drops cedarwood oil
3 drops pine oil

Hair Loss can occur overtime in patches or over your entire scalp.  Most cases of hair loss are related to aging, heredity and hormones. Excess oil can cause build up on your scalp and interfere with new hair growth.

Other causes of hair loss can include chemotherapy, diabetes, certain drugs, smoking, poor diet, skin disorders and “Stress”, just to name a few.

Hair loss may not be reversible but you can often prevent further loss by reducing some of the contributing factors.  Avoid stress like it’s a plague.  Be cautious of styling products, they can clog your hair follicles and discourage new hair growth.

Essential oils that slow hair loss and stimulate your scalp to encourage growth are cedarwood, clary sage, rosemary and ylang ylang.

There’s nothing like a great hair massage oil and here is one for you if you are challenged with dry hair:
1 ounce jojoba oil
3 drops clary sage oil
2 drops cedarwood oil
1 drop rosemary oil

If your hair is oily your recipe would be :
8 ounces of pure grain alcohol or vodka
4 drops Clary sage oil
3 drops cedarwood oil
3 drops ylang ylang oil

Remember to use caution when working with essential oils and never use isopropyl alcohol for aromatherapy purposes.  Keep out of the reach of children and avoid using if pregnant.

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel,
Skin Therapist/Author/Publisher
Nyraju Skin Care