Holistic Hijabi Hair Care
It is easy to neglect hair care when it is covered for large chunks of the day, but one of the most common complaints among those that cover their hair are hair thinning and a dwindling hairline!
Not all hair care tips work for everyone. This is aimed towards those with straight, South Asian locks who adorn the hijab. So over the past few months, I’ve adopted holistic hair care habits which have worked wonders:
tie your hair with silk scrunchies
comb wet hair with a wooden comb
brush dry hair with a wooden hair brush
sleep on silk pillowcases
massage your scalp every evening - you don't need to apply oil! Just apply a little pressure using your fingertips and make gentle circular motions all over your scalp for a few minutes
massage oil (I like sesame or black seed oil) into your scalp once a week and leave in for 2 hours - it is great for promoting blood circulation. I've found that if I leave oil on my scalp for several hours or overnight, my scalp feels irritated and unhappy
brush your hair every evening; avoid going to sleep with tangled hair, which may exacerbate knots and lead to further breakage with extra pulling
wash your scalp with a shampoo that contains little to no fragrance and additives. I love Rahua - while it is on the pricier side, it doesn’t dry out my hair/scalp and it smells natural and light!
use a conditioner with as few additives and fragrances as possible too – I love conditioners by Rahua and John Masters
apple cider vinegar herbal rinses with fresh rosemary. Rosemary is an amazing natural remedy for hair loss and is an effective anti-inflammatory herb
before putting on the hijab, do not brush hair back into a ponytail – it pulls the hair back, leading to thinness of hair at the forehead. instead, do a middle parting, then comb the front sides of your hair downwards and tie into a ponytail. the hair tie should be wrapped tightly to hold hair in place, but it shouldn’t put any strain on the hair
get ends trimmed every few months or so
sleep with hair in a loose plait
hair loss and dry scalp is caused by blood deficiency, so eat blood-boosting foods: beetroots, leafy greens, organic red meat, ginger, turmeric and garlic
hair mask with one part castor oil and two parts coconut or avocado oil – castor oil boosts blood circulation to the follicles and contains omega-9 essential fatty acids that are responsible for healthy hair. For other castor oil benefits, see here.
keep your hair down/untied when not wearing the hijab. if it gets in your way, pin it back with a hair clip
de-stress. healthy hair and skin can only truly be achieved and maintained when you are mindful and attentive to your emotional, spiritual and mental well-being, even if your diet is super healthy