This Regime Will Help For Female Hair Loss

 Questions  No Responses »
 

Help!  I’m a female in my late forties and I’m suffering from major hair thinning.  It’s getting so bad that there are patches where my scalp is visible.  What can I do?

It sounds as if you are suffering from androgenetic alopecia or androgenic alopecia which is the medical term for male pattern baldness.  In females, male pattern baldness or MPB causes major thinning of the hair and diffuse hare loss which is hair loss all over the head.  Initially, you might not even notice any hair loss on your head but you might see more hair on your brush or your hair might start clogging up the drain after a shower.  It sounds as if you are now at the stage where you have lost so much hair that parts of your scalp is visible.

The bad news is that hair loss can not be cured – except for a hair transplant.  The good news is that there are a number of things your should do that together have a very good chance of working.  Before I share these with you, please remember that nothing you can do will cure your hair loss.  Once you find an effective regime to stop your hair loss and regrow your hair, you will have to keep it up indefinitely.  If you stopped your regime it will take lees than 6 months to reverse any positive effect you’ve achieved and your hair loss will start again.

With that said, let’s get on to what you can do to effectiveley stop hair loss and regrow your hair…

The biggest culprit in causing MPB in both males and females is the hormone DHT.  DHT attacks the hair follicles causing them to shrink and die.  When this happens the hair follicle will lose its hair stand and fail to produce a new one leading to hair loss and baldness.

Any effective regime will approach hair loss from three angles:

  1. You need to try to block the production of DHT and effectively remove any existing DHT from your scalp.  This will get your hair follicles to start growing hair again.
  2. You need to “feed your follicles” by daily taking a good supplement that is specially formulated to help stop hair loss and regrow healthy hair.
  3. You should start using a topical solution of 2% Minoxidil that you rub into your scalp twice a day to stimulate hair growth.

You might now have more questions than answers…you might be thinking, this is all good but you still have lots of unanswered questions.

Why don’t you sign up for our newsletter “Hair Loss Talk” where we will answer all your hair loss related questions in great detail.

What Is Sulfate Free Shampoo?

 Hair & Scalp Treatments, Shampoo  No Responses »
 

What Is Sulfate Free Shampoo?

Best Sulfate Free Shampoo List

Take your shampoo bottle around and read its ingredients carefully. Out of the many ingredients on the bottle, a few will be quite prominently located at the top of the list and they are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS, Sodium Laureth Sulphate or SLES, Ammonium Lareth Sulphate or ALS and Myreth Sulphate or MS. Almost every shampoo on the market will have these ingredients and they are commonly used in the detergent industry and the shampoo industry. In recent years, the hype about these ingredients has been quite negative. In fact, health conscious consumers actively promote the use of shampoos that are completely free of all kinds of sulfates.

What Are Sulfates And Why Are They Commonly Used In Shampoos?

All of these sulfates are cleaning agents, foaming or sudsing agents. That means they were added to shampoos to increase the bubbles that were formed when the shampoos were mixed with water. Traditionally, most people do associate a good shampoo with lots of lather and this is provided by sulfates but the lather is just the show. The actual cleansing of hair is done by other compounds also with the hand agitation that is carried out while shampooing.  SLS is more commonly used than SLES as it’s cheaper to produce and very commonly available but both compounds are responsible for the lather that is produced. However, all sulfates are surface reactive agents. That means they react with the surface they are in contact with. The compound reacts with the skin and hair and irritates it. For example, getting shampoo in your eyes burns because of these sulfates. The compounds also commonly react with hair causing the hair follicle to become rough and weak resulting in hair loss. So in one way, your frequent shampooing with a sulfate containing shampoo could be causing rough hair and hair loss.

Apart from the skin and hair roughness that is produced, almost all sulfates cause severe short-term and long-term health problems like:

  • Carcinogenic – Although this has not been proven, the Journal of American Toxicology has stated that SLS makes dangerous nitrosamines which may irritate skin and turn it cancerous.
  • Skin absorption – Continued use of sulfate based shampoos could also result in significant levels of skin absorption of the material. Clinical studies have showed that the heart, liver, lungs and kidneys could be adversely affected by this accumulated compound
  • Immune suppression – There is a very good chance that these sulfate compounds cause immune suppression in the skin resulting a range of skin conditions
  • Diarrhoea – SLES is also a common compound of toothpastes and the US FDA has advised about the dangers of swallowing too much toothpaste for this reason. There is a very good chance that swallowing too much of the shampoo may cause gastrointestinal upsets.

The Bottom Line: No Definitive Proof

We can’t really say whether these sulfate compounds are bad or good for you. But what we can say is that there are a range of sulfate free shampoo products that are actually good for you. All sulfate free shampoos are free of any dangerous compounds and they can be safely used in children as well as adults with no long term side effects. These sulfate free shampoos will not make that much lather but they will make your hair shinier and healthier due to the higher content of glycerin and they do not cause product build-up or health problems.

If you had a choice, what would you choose? Sulfate containing or sulfate free shampoo products?

We’ve put together a sulfate free shampoo list of the top 5 sulfate free shampoo products on the market today. Do take a look.

Want Completely Natural Shampoo? Tio Nacho Shampoo Is The Right One For You

 Hair & Scalp Treatments, Shampoo  No Responses »
 

Want Completely Natural Shampoo? Tio Nacho Shampoo Is The Right One For You

Have you wondered what makes the tio nacho shampoo and conditioners so good? It is royal jelly! Yes, that’s right; it seems that this range of shampoos has been specifically made by mixing a secretion from the respiratory system of honey bees.

What Is Royal Jelly?

Royal jelly is specifically formulated by worker bees as a nutritional supplement for the larvae. As we all know, each hive only has a single queen bee that is responsible for producing eggs and subsequent larvae. The entire survival of the hive depends on the queen bee and she is justly treated as royalty. When the eggs hatch, larvae are produced. All larvae are supplied the valuable food but only for three days. After that, ordinary larvae are shifted over to a more sedate diet to accustom them to a life of servitude as workers bees or as sentry bees. However, in case the queen bee is sick, or dying or already dead; worker bees start feeding selected larvae royal jelly 24-7. The larvae are actually floated on a pool of the valuable secretion and left to eat their way to royalty. Researchers were quick to note that since growing larvae require proteins and minerals, the jelly must have been especially rich in these nutrients. A quick analysis showed that they were correct. Apart from unusually large amounts of proteins and minerals, the white gel also contained huge amounts of vitamins, trace minerals, antibacterial compounds and royalactin.

Royalactin Is Used In Tio Nacho Shampoo? How’s That Going To Work On My Skin And Hair?

Royalactin present in the jelly has been found to benefit skin and hair. A few naturopaths recommend using the natural organic product directly on skin and hair while others recommend using the extract as a food supplement in the form of supplements. However, it’s only fair to note that royal jelly is very perishable. Manufacturers can only make about 500gms of the jelly in about 5-6 months which ranges to about 100gms per month. As soon as the jelly is collected, it has to be preserved or frozen to ensure that vital ingredients are retained. We suggest you check the shampoo that you are purchasing to ensure that it used natural freeze-dried extract of the white gel in at least five to ten percent concentration to ensure the best effects. Most of tio nacho shampoos, conditioners and soaps are made with lyophilized royalactin extract which is actually the best way to preserve it. The company also makes a range of body creams that contain the essential ingredients along with other valuable completely natural ingredients like aloe vera, rosemary, calendula etc.  Apart from the shampoos and conditioners, the company also seems to make a unique hair fall tio nacho shampoo that encourages hair growth. The tinted tio nacho shampoo also protects color treated hair and ensures that they don’t bleach out in the sun. Almost all of their products are priced very economically even though they contain completely natural ingredients. Average prices are in the $10-$20 range which makes their great value for money.

Please note that if you have a history of allergies or if you are allergic to any type of bee product or tio nacho shampoo, soap or conditioner; you cannot use bee-based products as they may precipitate an allergic reaction.

Garlic Shampoo: For Long Lustrous Hair?

 Shampoo  No Responses »
 

Garlic Shampoo: For Long Lustrous Hair?

Garlic might be great for health and garlic shampoo might be great for hair and the bulb is super-tasty in food, but we all know the after-effects of pungent bulb. The sheer pong will not only drive away any potential vampire attacks but it will permanently banish you from your loved one’s bedroom! So are the health benefits and the hair benefits of the bulb worth its pong?

Let’s find out!

Health Benefits Of Garlic Extract In Shampoo

Garlic is well-known for its wonderful health benefits. The bulb belongs to the onion family and has been used for centuries to treat digestive problems and to flavor foods. The bulb has a range of proven antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties that can be very useful. Although there are several wonderful compounds in the plant, three very important compounds are responsible for the hair and skin conditioning that is seen. They are-

  • Allicin present in garlic is very effective as a topical and blood anticoagulant, topical antiseptic, antifungal, and a hair care conditioner.
  • Diallyl sulphide is also responsible for hair conditioning and as an antiseptic.
  • Sticky compounds in the bulb and its wrappings are also very effectively used in garlic shampoo to coat the hair shaft and prevent split ends.

More than 10 studies have also proven that garlic or garlic extracts can be used as antiseptics to clean up large wound infections. That means topical applications of crushed garlic or garlic extract could help in scalp infections, skin infections and even in oral infections. Due to these strong properties, a good garlic shampoo will be able to control an itchy scalp, mild to moderate dandruff, hairloss due to dandruff and scalp infections.

Pong: Control It With Deodorized Garlic Based Shampoo

Unfortunately, along with the health benefits, comes a very strong odor. Garlic contains large amounts of allyl methyl sulfide and diallyl disulphide. This product is found in garlic and when the body digests it, it is metabolized into gas. The blood carries to the lungs where it is expelled in the form of a pungent vapor which lets every one know that you had garlic. The smell is also emitted through skin pores resulting in an inevitable smell that is hard to dislodge. Apart from the gas, garlic also contains allicin which is responsible for most of the health benefits but also contributes to the smell. However, commercial manufacturers have now managed to come up with deodorized versions of garlic based shampoo and conditioners which contain all the natural compounds minus the odor.

How To Use Garlic Based Shampoos?

Most manufacturers have specific instructions on how to use the of garlic shampoo. However, to get the best effects, most manufacturers state that the shampoo has to be massaged on to the scalp and left in place for 2-3 minutes. After use, the shampoo is rinsed out and conditioner can be used to condition hair.  It is possible that a few users will feel a mild warning sensation due to the allicin content of the shampoo. This is normal but an abnormal painful sensation may mean that you are allergic to garlic. Make sure that you do a patch test before using the product.

Fragrance Free Shampoo: Buy A Shampoo Or Make Your Own?

 Hair & Scalp Treatments, Shampoo  No Responses »
 

Fragrance Free Shampoo: Buy A Shampoo Or Make Your Own?

Fragrance free shampoos are very difficult to find. Most manufacturers associate or brand the scent of their product with the company name. As a result, large companies do not make scentless products. In fact, smell and emotion are so intensely connected that most people associate good memories with a certain smell. Doesn’t a vanilla fragrance automatically bring to mind memories of chocolates? For this same reason, most shampoo manufacturers choose unique fragrances for their shampoos and skin care products. It serves to seal a memory in the customers mind and it increases brand loyalty and sales. In recent years, however, trends have changed. Consumers have become health conscious and educated about the products they are using in their day to day lives. As a result, fragrance free shampoos and soaps are slowly gaining in popularity.

Why Aroma Free?

Most artificial or synthetic fragrances are made up of a huge mixture of chemicals.  The EPA has stated that in the last decade itself, most manufacturers have increased their use of artificial fragrances in their products to increase sales. And that’s not a good thing. Most fragrances are made by combining more than 50 chemicals to make a distinctive aroma. As a result, over a lifetime, our body accumulates over 3000 different chemicals and smells which can be quite toxic. A few facts that should scare you over into using fragrance free shampoos and products are as follows-

  • More than 95% of the artificial fragrances that are used are based on petroleum byproducts and we breathe them day-in and day-out. The fragrance industry uses more than 5,000 different ingredients of which only 1,300 ingredients are tested as safe. Moreover, it is not necessary for the manufacturer to list the exact fragrances that they are using in a product.
  • Researchers have also noted that artificial fragrances can cause a range of medical conditions in patients. Skin allergies, asthma attacks, chronic skin conditions, scalp conditions, localized skin allergies and even cancer have been attributed to the artificial fragrances used in industry. In fact, these multiple maladies have been given a unique name called as Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) syndrome where patients demonstrate a range of allergies and reactions like hair loss, itchy skin, headaches, watering eyes, and even mental sluggishness.
  • Most of these chemicals accumulate in your body are may be actively secreted in breast milk. For example, endocrine-disrupting substances called phthalates, polycyclics, parabens, and synthetic musk are the most dangerous but they are the most commonly used compounds too.

Even though awareness about the compounds and their dangers has increased, it has not led to a decrease in their use. For example, in 2002, the EWG tested more than 72 personal care products and found that almost 60% of them contained phthalates.

Be Proactive: Choose Your Fragrance Free Shampoo, Conditioner And Facial Products

As a consumer, you have to be aware of the products you are purchasing. To protect yourself, your family and the environment; it’s a very good idea to switch over to fragrance free shampoo, conditioner and facial products. Top companies which produce naturally unscented products include Aveeno which has wonderful fragrance free shampoo ranges even for babies, Free&Clear which makes several fragrance free shampoo and conditioner packs and Magick Botanicals for soap, shampoo and conditioners.

Gluten Free Shampoo: A Necessity For Gluten Intolerance

 Hair & Scalp Treatments, Shampoo  No Responses »
 

Gluten Free Shampoo: A Necessity For Gluten Intolerance

The very first question people ask is, “If gluten-intolerance is a digestive condition, what is the need for a gluten free shampoo? It’s not that we’re going to be drinking the shampoo, right?”  Wrong, researchers have noted that patients with gluten intolerance usually have a skin-related gluten allergy as well. The actual amount of skin intolerance will vary considerably, but if you have skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema, hair loss and itchy skin along with gluten-intolerance, it could be that you are skin-sensitive to gluten and your gluten-containing shampoo or conditioner is causing the condition. Gluten free shampoos and products are also very helpful in patients who have established wheat allergies.

What Is Gluten?

Gluten is a natural protein that is commonly found in grains like wheat and barley etc. It is responsible for providing dough the elasticity and chewy texture that is required for bread making. It is actually composed of a mixture of gliadin and glutelin proteins mixed with the starch derived from the endosperm of different-grass grains. Almost all grass grains have gluten inside them and most processed foods do contain optional amount of gluten as a protein additive. However, more than 0.5%-1% of the population is allergic to gluten in the US and this number is slowly increasing. Gluten intolerance manifests as a failure to digest gliadin along with an abnormal immune reaction to the protein. Consumers who have been diagnosed with celiac disease or wheat allergies have to cut out all forms of gluten from their diet.

Gluten In Shampoos And Conditioners: Why You Need To Avoid Them!

Gluten is usually used in food products to add protein to the product. However, it is so cheap and plentifully available that is commonly used as a filler to increase bulk and thickness of liquids like shampoos and conditioners. Patients with established wheat allergies may develop an allergic reaction simply by smelling the shampoo resulting in emergency hospitalization. The condition is slightly different in celiac disorder patients. Celiac patients who cannot digest gluten usually have inflamed intestines which have become porous. The gluten molecules may then leak into adjoining blood resulting in the immune system recognizing them as foreign products. These patients now have blood that is filled with attacking cells that will cause allergic reactions on contact to gluten. These patients may also develop slow reactions to gluten in the form of dermatitis or dermatitis herpetiformis, eczema and itchy skin especially in reaction to gluten.

How Do I Know If My Shampoo Is A Gluten Free Shampoo Or Not?

The actual names of the gluten extract may vary with manufacturers referring to them as hydrolyzed malt extract, wheat germ, Vitamin E from wheat germ, wheat germ oil, wheat germ glycerides, oat bran, barley lipids, millet extract, cyclodextrin, fermented grain extract, aveno sativa extract, dextrin, triticum vulgare, dextrin palmitate etc. Shampoos and conditioners are left in close contact with skin which is the largest organ in the body. As a result, there is a very strong possibility of an allergic reaction or a skin reaction with these gluten containing shampoos.

Will Gluten Free Shampoo Products Help?

Definitely, cutting out all forms of gluten will definitely improve your skin condition, hair condition and its texture. We suggest you get in touch with organic companies for your gluten free shampoo and skin products. These companies will also produce fragrance and chemical free products which are ideal for your skin and hair.

What is Selenium Sulphide Shampoo?

 Hair & Scalp Treatments, Shampoo  No Responses »
 

What is Selenium Sulphide Shampoo?

After watching the hit movie “Evolution,” everyone knows what a good selenium sulfide shampoo brand can do: to hair and to nitrogen-based aliens! But jokes aside, most people who have dandruff or itchy scalps know that a selenium sulfide shampoo can make a world of difference. It reduces itching, decreases the flakiness of dandruff and it also controls the growth of the Malassezia fungus which is responsible for the overgrowth of skin cells. The shampoo has a range of useful effects and several companies produce medicated and non-medicated concentrations that can be purchased over the counter for a range of prices.

Common Formulations of Selenium Sulfide Shampoo

Most common dandruff shampoos will contain about 1% selenium sulphide. This results in a shampoo that is strong enough to control dandruff and the malassezia fungus. Apart from the 1% formulations, doctors also prescribe 2% and 2.5% formulations that are effective in controlling fungal infections of the scalp like pityriasis versicolor. Higher strength formulations are also available for specific skin and scalp infections but these formulations will require a medical prescription. Doctors may also prescribe the shampoo for tinea capitis infections, facial or back acne and for other body infections.

Action of Selenium Sulphide

Researchers believe that fungi like malassezia and pityrosporum-ovale are responsible for irritating skin cells. In response to the irritation, the skin cells start growing faster and thicker to push the irritating organism away. At the same time, the sebaceous glands or the natural oil glands of skin work extra causing the scalp to become sticky, oily and filled with extra skin cells. This causes the dry, flaky excess skin which will not fall off due to scalp oil. The flakes may also get infected with bacterial infections resulting in the intense itching that is seen in dandruff. Selenium sulphide works to actually kill any fungal organism and yeasts that are present in the scalp. Once the fungus is dead, it then stops or retards the growth of the skin cells in the scalp effectively controlling the flaky appearance.

How To Use A Selenium Sulfide Shampoo

The bottles will carry detailed instructions on how to use the shampoo but we suggest that you first start with twice a week applications. Use the shampoo on wet hair and lather up. You might not be able to get much foam but the product is still effective. Let the lather rest on wet hair for 2 minutes and then rinse if off. If you still have itching, repeat the process again. Most dermatologists recommend using selenium sulfide shampoos twice a week for three weeks. After that a maintenance schedule of once a week is enough to control the dandruff and infection.

Precautions With Selenium Sulfide Shampoo

Please note that these shampoos are medicated shampoos and they have to be used as such. Allergic reactions are possible and we suggest you start with a small patch test. If you have colored hair, please do not use selenium-based shampoos as there is a very good chance of discoloring your hair or bleaching it. There have also been few cases of hair loss but there is no research to confirm that selenium causes hair loss. Use the shampoo only according to instructions as indiscriminate use may cause rebound skin oiliness or hair dryness.

Searching For The Best Natural Shampoo Recipe for 2012?

 Hair & Scalp Treatments, Shampoo  No Responses »
 

Searching For The Best Natural Shampoo Recipe for 2012?

Shampoo is basically a detergent in liquid form.  Manufacturers add fragrance and conditioning ingredients to the liquid detergent to make it softer on hair strands. But no matter what ingredients are used, shampoo will still remain a detergent which might dry out your hair and expose your skin to a range of chemicals. More and more consumers are shifting over to hair care products that are completely organic and natural. As a result, natural shampoo recipe based products are very popular. Large companies like Aveeno, Body Shop and Magick Botanicals produce their shampoos to very strict proprietary natural recipes which are completely chemical free.

Natural Shampoo Recipe: Whole Ingredients

It’s not really necessary to formulate a complete shampoo to clean your hair. Ever since time immemorial, women have used natural soapy compounds to lather and clean their hair and scalp. These are still available today and you can use them to clean your hair. For example:

  • Areetha and shikakai are naturally occurring berries that are commonly powdered and used to clean hair in India. The berries are naturally soapy and produce luxuriant lather which is quite effective in cleaning hair as well as scalp of dirt and dust. The berries also have a very conditioning effect on hair making the strands soft and silky.
  • Pulverized yucca root is also very effective as a shampoo. Just puree or pulverize the root and store it in the refrigerator till required. The plant contains a natural saponin which creates lather when mixed with water.
  • Soaproot is another local plant which has very high saponin content in the root. The root is powdered and mixed with lather to create a soap to wash hair and body in Native American culture.
  • Soapbark tree or the Quillaja saponaria are also popular in South America as a soap alternative to wash hair with.

Varieties Of Homemade Shampoos

Of course, if you have the time, patience and energy, you can make your own completely natural organic shampoo. There are a range of DIY websites online which will teach you how to utilize liquid castile soap and conditioning oils to make your own homemade shampoo.

One of the simplest natural shampoo recipes I found required the maker to mix strong herbal or green tea with 8 ounces of liquid castile soap and the shampoo was ready.

Another recipe required the user to heat grated soap, olive oil, lavender essential oil and water together to make a completely natural shampoo.

Apart from DIY sites, which are not really accurate on measurements, we suggest you try organic websites, green earth websites and herbalist websites to find the best natural shampoo recipes for your requirements. We cannot really recommend any one particular natural shampoo recipe as hair categories and conditions differ from person to person. But we particularly liked the MODERN HERBAL website for its detailed instructions and references on how to make a personalized natural shampoo recipe. If you don’t have the time and inclination but still want a completely natural personalized shampoo; we suggest you get in touch with the artisans on handicraft websites who will be more than happy to make a shampoo for you according to your needs and will mail it to you regularly.

How To Choose The Best Shampoo For Damaged Hair 2012

 Hair & Scalp Treatments, Shampoo  No Responses »
 

There are thousands of shampoos on the market at present and nearly every one boasts of being the best shampoo for damaged hair. It’s really difficult to pick one as the wrong product can damage your hair even further. Most people try as many shampoos as possible in a trial-and-error process which sometimes works to find the best shampoo for damaged hair. However, there are a few essential ingredients that are necessary for damaged hair and which should be included in your shampoo.

Must-Have Shampoo Ingredients For Damaged Hair

Dimethicone – This is a valuable moisturizing ingredient that is commonly found in nearly every shampoo product. It acts like a leave in conditioner coating the hair strand and making it softer and shinier. A few shampoos might use other varieties of silicone which work in the same way to condition hair. A few products also use cyclomethicone which works in the same way to coat hair and make it shiny and soft.  However, dimethicone and all silicone-containing conditioners are just temporary fix for the problem of dry and damaged hair.

Shea butter – Almost every skin care product now contains shea butter. However, apart from skin, shea butter also seems to work on hair in the same way. The buttery oil is absorbed by the hair follicle leaving little or no residue. It also contains a product called as cinnamon acid which acts as a natural sunscreen preventing hair from splitting and bleaching in the sunlight.

Glycerin – This might be the most common ingredient that you will find in nearly every variety of shampoo. It works to condition hair by actively binding to the hair shaft and the follicle. If you are using a glycerin-containing shampoo, you will notice that your hair appears fuller but softer after a rinse. Glycerin-containing shampoos are also the best way to protect your hair if you frequently heat treat your hair. It will coat the hair strand and prevent heat damage in the long run.

Honey – Honey is a natural humectant and it works to draw water into the hair strand. Unlike dimethicone which is temporary, honey works permanently to pull water into the center of the hair strand called the medulla. Coating your hair with honey and egg also causes the same effect. It can make straight hair appear soft and conditioned while curly hair appears bouncy and shiny.

Cetyl alcohol and oleyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol – These are common ingredients that are found in almost every kind of hair damage shampoo. These compounds are especially useful for dry hair as they stick to the hair strand leaving a free tail. The coated hair strand automatically becomes softer and smoother. The free tail that is formed prevents two hair follicles from rubbing against each other reducing friction and hair dryness. If these alcohols are not used, then the shampoo should contain polyquaternium which works in the same way to condition hair.

Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride – This is a very popular conditioning chemical that is added to shampoos but it seems to work very well on dry and damaged hair as well.  The chemical coats hair follicles and prevent the hair follicle from splitting or breaking easily.

Octyl Salicylate/PABA – You will find this ingredient only in sunscreen shampoos that are particularly designed for colored hair. However, if you have dry and damaged hair, make sure that your shampoo contains this ingredient as well. It can actively block out ultraviolet sun rays protecting color treated hair and preventing sun damage.

Before you buy the shampoo, we suggest that you evaluate the ingredients and then choose the best shampoo for damaged hair for yourself. We also suggest that you combined the shampoo with an improved protein-rich diet and additional exercise. Use a good conditioner to protect your hair and make sure that you care for it properly. Damaged hair is not permanent and you can treat it. It just requires care and attention.

What You Always Wanted To Know About Awapuhi Shampoo

 Hair & Scalp Treatments, Shampoo  No Responses »
 

Well, who knew that you could actually use a plant called “the shampoo ginger” to clean your hair? Apparently, the Hawaiian women knew but they kept it a well guarded secret till Paul Mitchell went and made a shampoo with it. In recent years, the plant and its extract has become highly popular with celebrities and stylists from all over the world due to its great hair styling and conditioning properties. If you want to know more about awapuhi shampoo, this is the article for you.

The Shampoo Ginger Used To Make Awapuhi Shampoo

The shampoo ginger, or ‘awapuhi kuahiwi’ was originally native to India. Over time, it spread all over Southeast Asia and the plant was commonly used in cooking as well as a medicinal herb. Locals used to grind the leaves and the flowers down to make a paste which was considered great for sprains and aches. Usually, the plant preferred to grown along large bracts of water and it was commonly found around springs and waterfalls. The plant itself resembles common ginger with a large underground stem which produces several upright stems. The stems grown upward and have long slender leaves. The plant ranges anywhere from five feet to six feet in size and the plant flowers for several weeks all through the year in the form of large conical rods. These rods turn bright red and contain tiny flowers on the inside.  This red cone is the actual storehouse of the shampoo ginger, or ‘awapuhi kuahiwi’ extract. Squeezing the pod produces a thick slimy and foamy liquid that is used by local women as a soap substitute and to make awapuhi shampoo. The liquid smells wonderfully gingery but it does have the sting of cooking ginger. Cosmetic companies all over the world were quick to notice its wonderful properties but Paul Mitchell set up a farm in Hawaii to cultivate the plant and distill the valuable extract.

Does The Awapuhi Shampoo Actually Work?

Apparently the local Polynesian women swore by its conditioning properties. Research is still on to isolate the active compound that is responsible for the hair conditioning properties. Most researchers stated that ginger oil present in the liquid could be the active conditioning agent.  However, large cosmetic companies like Paul Mitchell have complete hair care ranges that are based on the plant. The Mitchell Company has also set up its own personal farm to grow awapuhi plants for a direct source of the plant extract. This hard work has resulted in the Paul Mitchells awapuhi shampoo range being awarded as one of the best shampoos used for natural hair. Generic brands are also around on the market which guarantee awapuhi content but we suggest that you read the ingredient list before purchase. Make sure that the product contains at least 10% of awapuhi extract or active ingredients. As the plant is mostly cultivated in Hawaii, the shampoo you choose should also use extract that is sourced from Hawaii. Reviews of the Mitchell product have been great but most consumers have stated that the awapuhi shampoo and conditioner set are priced on the higher side.

Click here to buy 2 bottles of Paul Mitchell’s Awapuhi Shampoo for the best price.

 Older Entries

About Us | Contact Us | Privacy | Disclaimer


WayBeyondHair.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
© 2012 Everything Hair Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha