Whether you relax, keratin or wear your hair natural, it needs moisture.
Moisture improves the condition of the hair, making it's texture softer. Curls are bouncier and more defined. Well moisturised hair also shines well well when pressed with a comb or hair straighteners!
As soon as there is sunshine, rain or wind, my hair turns the texture of coconut husk!! Especially the ends!
When I want to intensely moisturise my hair, I make this fresh hair mask. It has no preservatives or added chemicals in it. The great thing about this mask is that the mixture is clear, light and not too oily. It does not drip. You can apply it, wrap or tie your hair, get on with the rest of your day..... and wash it out a few hours later!
I've given this recipe in ratios, so you can make as much or little as you need depending on your hair length.
The secret to this recipe is fresh aloe vera. It contains a lot of moisture and vitamins. I grow aloe vera all over my home and use its leaves in many different ways. No matter what climate you live in, it's so easy to grow! One plant can easily be turned into 10!
If you do not have an aloe vera plant, you can buy single aloe leaves from the market. Sometimes they can be found health food stores, or the fresh produce sections of the supermarket. If you do buy single aloe vera leaves, stand them in a jar of water to preserve their freshness and extend their life.
The inside of the aloe vera leaf is soft and gel like. For this recipe it's important to blend the mixture well well so that the gel pieces break up. Breaking up the gel pieces makes the mixture easier to rinse out and reduces the chance of small pieces sticking to the hair.
If you don't have a blender it's not a big deal, you could mash the inside of the leaf to break up the gel pieces and whip it with the other oils using a fork or a whisk. You may have to wash the mixture out of your hair with shampoo after use instead of only rinsing it to remove any big gel pieces.
In addition to coconut oil, I add either castor oil or jojoba oil to my hair mask, depending on how dry my hair is. Castor oil is the thickest. If you have fine hair you could use apricot oil instead, or leave out this oil entirely.
Whenever possible I try and use unrefined coconut oil. Unrefined coconut oil is usually white in colour and semi solid at room temperature, as opposed to a yellow coloured oil.
I use this mask once every 7-10 days. I hope you enjoy trying it!
If you decide to give this recipe a go, please share your thoughts, pictures and recipe tweaks. Good luck!
Ingredients:
Method
Step 1.
Cut open the aloe vera leaf and extract the gel like pulp inside.
Step 2.
Add the pulp, coconut oil, your chosen oil (jojoba, apricot or castor oil) to a blender and mix for at least one minute. The mixture will turn into a white foam. If you do not have a blender, use a fork to mash the pulp and a whisk to blend all of the ingredients together.
Step 3.
Transfer to a clean jar.
Step 4.
When you are ready to use it apply generously to the scalp and hair. Discard any unused mixture.
Step 5.
Leave for at least 60 minutes.
Step 6.
If you will press your hair, or use heat to dry it, rinse the mixture out. If you will leave your hair natural, wash out with shampoo and apply your usual hair products.
I always wash this hair mask out, as I apply a highly fragranced oil hair mist afterwards. If you would like the recipe for this also, let me know!
Disclaimer
I'm very passionate about the management of autoimmune conditions in a healthy way.
I speak with medical professionals, read journals, try and test new recipes to share with you and diligently undertake research online. That being said, as you know, each autoimmune disease, as well as any set of symptoms you may be experiencing are unique.
All information provided is in no way intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or healthcare provider to ensure the appropriateness of any information in relation to your own situation.
And finally, please comment and share so we as a community better cope with our conditions by through growth and learning.