Though nothing gets rid of split ends besides cutting them off, certain essential oils can prevent them from getting worse and help stop future hair damage. To have healthy, split-end free hair, hair experts suggest using protective shampoos and conditioners and staying away from hot styling tools as often as possible. Ahead, some of the most promising essential oils for treating dry hair, split ends and hair breakage:
1. Lavender Essential Oil
It can be used to improve the overall health of your hair. Regular application of Lavender oil for hair ensures shiny, thick, and healthy-looking strands that can withstand many environmental damages. Its antimicrobial properties will not allow the formation of fungi or any bacteria, thus keeping dandruff away.
How to Use: When added with jojoba oil, lavender oil works great on split ends and can promote hair growth. Mixed with water, or a blend of your choosing, lavender oil can also help to control and maintain frizzy hair without having to use chemical-based hair care products.
2. Basil Essential Oil
Basil is an age-old sacred ingredient of India. Massaging basil oil improves scalp circulation, that stimulates hair follicles and promotes the production of new healthy hair all over again. Not only this, it also provides hydration and softens your tresses.
How to Use: Mix a few drops of Basil essential oil with coconut or avocado oil and massage it into your hair. Other oils such as, Rosemary and Lavender in combination with basil oil can do miracles to the hair.
3. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree oil strengthens your hair and prevents damage from frizz, dandruff, loose ends and split ends. Massaging with tea tree oil will not only moisturize and soothe the dry itchy scalp but at the same time control excess oil production that can block hair follicles, preventing hair growth.
How to Use: Mix it with any carrier oil like coconut, almond oil or olive oil and massage it for 8-10 minutes onto the scalp to increase blood flow. Wash it with your favorite shampoo and conditioner. You can also use tea tree oil for daily cleansing, just mix a few drops of it with your normal amount of shampoo. Leave on for five minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
4. Cedarwood Essential Oil
Cedarwood essential oil is thought to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss by balancing the oil-producing glands in the scalp. When used regularly, this oil will help make your hair stronger, prevent frizz, and even repair split ends.
How to Use: Mix a few drops of cedarwood essential oil with any carrier oil of your choice. Massage it into your scalp, and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it out.
5. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus oil is an excellent essential oil that has soothing properties when it comes to your scalp. This oil enhances hair elasticity, preventing split ends and hair breakage. It also has antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties that keep the scalp clean and prevent fungal infections
How to Use: Mix 2-3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil with any carrier oil of your choice. Massage it into your scalp for 5-7 minutes so that every strand absorbs the oil better, and leave it on for 30-60 minutes before washing it.
How to Prevent Split Ends
When it comes to split ends, prevention is the key. Below, a few tips to keep your hair healthy and prevent split ends from happening. Let’s look at how you can do this.
1. Don’t Brush Wet Hair
Your hair is at its weakest when its wet, as dry hair is protected by the natural oils which coat each hair strand. Clean, wet hair has zero protection, meaning its more prone to split ends and breakage. So when you come out the shower and brush your wet hair, you are causing serious damage.
2. Use Heat Protectant
Apply a heat protectant all over hair prior to hot tool use. It will coat strands with ingredients like polymers that act as a protective barrier between your hair and the hot tool, protecting it from burning, drying out, and becoming dull.
3. Sleep on a Satin/Silk Pillowcase
Protecting your hair at night can also prevent split ends. Rather than sleeping on a cotton pillowcase, sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase. It can help hair retain moisture from products and natural oils and reduce friction that could cause tangles and breakage.
4. Hydrate Your Hair
When you have split ends, your hair needs more hydration than ever. To add moisture to your hair, consider using a weekly hair mask that can infuse your hair with moisture and reduce dryness, and can also reduce the risk of hair damage, resulting in softer, shinier hair.
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