HAIR STRENGTHENERS - Ceramides & Horsetail

Horsetail is good for people with weak hair, prone to split ends or hair fall. Try a horsetail tea rinse after washing your hair. If you have dry hair, follow up by applying ceramides oil on your strands. Give your hair a double boost by taking horsetail internally. You can get the herb from some health food stores.

CERAMIDES

Ceramides oil is the glue that binds to proteins through sharing electrons. The Ceramides oils found in polyunsaturated fats glue down the hair cuticle thus preventing the scales from being entangled with neighboring scales and breaking off. The oil form a protective film on each strand of hair, thus preventing moisture lost. Examples of oils with ceramides are grape seed oil, walnut oil, wheat germ oil, evening primrose oil, borage oil, carrot tissue oil, sunflower oil and   safflower oil. Sunflower and safflower oils come in two varieties: one is high in monounsaturated fats and the other is high in polyunsaturated fats.  Use the polyunsaturated variety if you want the benefits of Ceramides oils.

Apply a light coating of the oil on the tips and dry parts of your hair. This allows the oil to penetrate the core of your hair yet do not completely block out water from entering to moisturize the cortex.

Research

Research indicates chemically treated hair, e.g. bleaching or straightening, benefits most from using ceramides. This type of hair is damaged and weakened due to chemical treatment. Chemicals strip hair of its natural protective oil and weaken protein structure both internally and externally. Ceramides penetrate into the cortex to support and strengthen hair internally whereas protein patches up broken cuticles of the hair externally. To a certain extent, hydrolyzed protein can penetrate your hair strands as well. The advantage of ceramides is the oil can be left on the hair whereas protein is left on the hair for a short time and then it is washed off. The result of using these hair strengtheners is your hair become more resistant to breakage.

For maximum benefit, your hair need a combination of lipids (fats) namely ceramides, 18 methyl eicosanoic acid or 18 MEA and Cholesterol. Research on skin suggests that there must be a balance of all three fats in order for a ceramides-containing product to be effective in healing the skin. Therefore, do not rely on only one type of lipid to lubricate and strengthen your hair or skin.

HORSETAIL (Equisetum arvense)

Horsetail is high in silica and minerals that are necessary for the growth and repair of skin, hair, bones, cartilage, teeth and connective tissue. It has many forms of silica, such as silicin, which IS soluble in water.

Use this herb if you have weak hair, prone to split ends or hair fall. It increases hair strength and luster as well as   control hair loss.

This herb is suitable for oily hair as it is drying and astringent. 

Make a tea with dried horsetail as an after-wash rinse.

HORSETAIL TEA RINSE

• Simmer 2 tablespoon dried horsetail in 1 liter of water or steep it in water overnight. You can add in slippery elm if you like to add more slip for your hair. Horsetail works synergistically with stinging nettle for hair lost, dandruff and irritated scalp. Nettle also provides conditioning for your hair.

• Strain out residues and use tea as an after-wash rinse.