Beauty, Natural hair care
Natural hair care – How to care for your scalp & hair naturally
Apr
We asked Nicky James-Baird, Co-Owner of Holistic Hair, to share her insights on natural hair care.
As a premium hair care brand, the story of Holistic Hair starts with one man’s passion for natural hair care. Holistic Hair’s founder a Hair Stylist & Trichologist created Holistic Hair in 2006 from a love of aromatherapy and the essential oils derived from our precious plants. Later on, in Oct 2015, new Co-Owners Nicky James-Baird and Jodene Fendall acquired the brand and have continued to promote the ‘Holistic’ approach, value-driven ethos and sustainable operating style of the company. Both Nicky & Jodene hold Diplomas of Higher Associate Trichologist (with Honors) to ensure that the brand and range are continued to be backed by Trichology experts and science-based chemistry from natural and plant sources.
Holistic Hair believe in the symbiotic relationship of inner health and well-being to outer beauty.
The Holistic Hair philosophy starts with your scalp. Your scalp is part of your skin, the largest organ of the body. It comprises five layers and is considered some of the thickest skin of the body. With 100,000 hair follicles and a network of blood vessels and nerves, it needs to be treated with care and is the home of your hair.
Normal, Oily, Dry, Sensitive, Psoriasis, Eczema, Flaking, Dandruff or Hair Loss? Regardless of your scalp’s specific condition the hair care you choose can either aggravate or alleviate it. So, it’s best to take the time to assess your scalp and hair separately and choose the right natural products.
Cleansing the Scalp
Because of the abundance of sebaceous (oil) glands that reside in the follicles, it’s important to regularly cleanse your scalp, so let’s start with shampoos for each scalp type.
If oil builds up, you can end up with clogged hair follicles, or even dandruff. Dandruff is triggered by a fungus that feeds off of the oils and causes skin cells to replenish more quickly and then flake or clump and stick to the scalp known as plaque, scale or seborrheic dermatitis.
The Holistic Hair Sensitive Shampoo with Lavender, Chamomile and Apple Cider Vinegar is the right choice for Sensitivity, Oiliness, Dandruff or Hair Loss.
If you suffer from a dry scalp (lack of natural oil) the Hydrating Shampoo will assist to restore moisture and hydration with its Avocado, Geranium and Palmarosa oils.
Normal scalps, families looking to switch to natural and who want to choose one shampoo that suits everyone, or pregnant women should choose the Pure Shampoo. This honey-scented shampoo combines Manuka honey, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E. We also recommend this shampoo for Eczema or Psoriasis.
An important tip is to apply or direct the shampoo into the scalp and roots of the hair; as this is the place where the oils, dirt and dead skin cells reside.
Conditioning the Hair
Now we have discussed the scalp, let’s move on to your hair which needs to be assessed & treated completely separately.
Several factors need to be considered. Your hair texture & type, is it fine, medium or thick? Do you have straight, wavy, curly or dry, damaged hair?
Where scalp’s need to be cleansed with shampoo, hair needs to be conditioned to remain soft, smooth and shiny. Also, the hair texture, type and condition determine the ingredients that would benefit.
If your hair is fine, thinning or normal then Pure Conditioner or Sensitive Conditioner are good choices. If you have dry, damaged, chemically-treated, curly, frizzy, thick, coarse or grey hair then go for the Hydrating Conditioner.
An important tip is to apply the conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends of the hair – and not the scalp or roots. You can watch the YouTube Video for more:
Extra Care Natural Hair Treatment Products
Beyond cleansing and conditioning, Holistic Hair offer extra natural hair care products aimed at treating a variety of conditions.
Herbal Finishing Rinse Concentrate can be used after every shampoo and condition. Diluted according to the instructions, it is drenched through the scalp and hair and left on (not washed out). This rinse ensures the scalp pH is at the normal 5.5 and it protects from bacterial and fungal conditions that trigger irritation and dandruff. Oily scalps particularly benefit from this additional extra care. Beneficial essential oils like Lavender calm the scalp and Chamomile adds shine to the hair.
Scalp Treatment Oil is a multi-functional treatment oil. Use it as a spot treatment on dry or irritated areas of the scalp or massage into the entire scalp prior to sleep and then wash out the next morning. This oil will help to soften any unwanted build-up of skin cells (commonly referred to as dandruff, scale or plaque) and is then easily washed out with the shampoo. It is both nourishing and smells heavenly.
Essential Scalp Spray is a support spray for normal hair health. Key ingredients encourage circulation to the follicles to assist the normal growth cycle of the hair and to minimise hair fall. This natural spray also helps to regulate overactive sebaceous oils and controls dandruff. It possesses powerful antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress helping to keep your scalp and hair healthy and strong. It’s a leave-in daily use spray.
Finally, we always remind people that the hair follicles are a potential pathway for chemicals to enter the body and are also fed by a network of blood capillaries. Because of this, it is important to choose your hair products carefully to mitigate toxic chemicals entering the body. Our carefully selected ingredients and 3-step safety and efficacy protocol is part of the reason people choose Holistic Hair products.
We hope this helps you to understand our natural hair care and choose a Holistic Hair regime.
