As changing seasons can be tough on your strands– now is the perfect time to go for a hair mask. A hair mask is quite similar to a face mask. It works as a thick conditioner to give your hair nutrition to grow healthier and more robust.
To ensure you get the most out of this fantastic hair treat, we'll tell you how to use hair masks and how often you should use them.
What is a Hair Mask?
A hair mask is a highly concentrated, nourishing treatment made especially for mending and reviving your hair. It is an upgrade over conditioner as it comes packed with oils or butter like shea, coconut, or argan to hydrate strands and restore any cuticle damage.
Typically, hair masks have the potential to permeate into your hair and make a difference after just one application. This is because it is frequently left on for a little longer than your conditioner. Wondering what would happen if you applied it frequently? These nutrient-rich solutions will gradually change the appearance of your hair altogether!
How to Use a Hair Mask?
Hair masks frequently replace conditioner in hair care regimens, which makes your whole hair care routine more manageable. Here is a step-by-step mini guide on how to apply hair masks:
- Rinse your hair with shampoo
- Gently apply and massage your hair mask
- Leave it on for at least five minutes (you can brush your teeth or shave your legs during the waiting time)
- Rinse off with a mild sulphate-free shampoo
- Let your hair air dry to enjoy shining hair
Hair Mask Benefits
A hair mask adds a layer of protection to your hair and stops it from losing more nutrients. It keeps moisture in and keeps hair from getting frizzy. A few other hair mask benefits are as follows:
1. Adds Volume
It helps keep your hair moist and, over time, gives it more volume.
2. Strengthens Hair
It has the potential to make your hair stronger, add moisture to dry hair and get rid of frizz.
3. Nourishes Hair
It nourishes your with essential nutrients – from the ends to the roots and protects it from breakage and split ends.
4. Repairs Damage
A hair mask makes the hair stronger and helps the scalp feel better. It can get deeper into your hair and protect it from breaking, heal damaged hair, give it a natural shine, and make it more flexible.
Best Hair Masks for Hair Fall
Here are some of the best homemade hair masks to prevent hair fall; continue reading as we tell you how to use hair masks:
1. Curry Leaves Hair Mask
Neem, which is high in Vitamin E, is a simple remedy to help calm the scalp while nourishing it and keeping the roots hydrated and healthy.
Ingredients
- 12-15 curry leaves
- Five tablespoons of coconut oil
Directions
- Blend the neem leaves with water to form a smooth paste
- Mix the paste with the coconut oil and thoroughly strain it
- Apply this mask to your hair and leave it on for at least 30 minutes before rinsing with warm water
2. Honey Milk Hair Mask
The lactic acid in milk will nourish and clean your hair, and honey will help keep your hair's shine and the moisture you've lost.
Ingredients
- A few spoonfuls of warm milk
- A few drops of honey
Directions
- Mix all ingredients until you have a smooth paste, then apply it to your hair
- After covering it for 30 minutes, gently wash it off
3. Amla Hair Mask
Vitamin C, abundant in amla and shikakai, boosts the collagen in your scalp and aids in promoting hair development.
Ingredients
- Two teaspoons of amla powder
- Two teaspoons of shikakai
- A few teaspoons of water
Directions
- In a bowl, combine all the ingredients to make a smooth mixture that is not very watery.
- After applying the paste to your scalp and hair, give it 45 minutes to dry
- Rinse with a mild shampoo
You can apply this once a week.
4. Jojoba Oil Hair Mask
In addition to promoting hair growth, jojoba works well as an ingredient in this dry hair treatment.
Ingredients
- One Egg Yolk
- One teaspoon of Jojoba Oil
- One teaspoon of Honey
- A few drops of Lemon juice
Directions
- Combine all the ingredients to make a paste.
- Apply the mask to your scalp and hair, and wait for 45 minutes.
- Rinse it off with a mild shampoo.
5. Green Tea Hair Mask
Antioxidants in green tea protect against free radicals while feeding the scalp to stop hair loss effectively.
Ingredients
- Five tablespoons of Green Tea
- One Egg Yolk
Directions
- Combine all the ingredients and apply the creamy-textured mixture to your hair.
- Leave it on for at least 20 minutes before rinsing it off with shampoo and lukewarm water.
Anti-Dandruff Hair Mask
Here are some of the best anti-dandruff hair masks to fight all your dandruff-related problems and how to use hair masks:
1. Hibiscus and Fenugreek Hair Mask
Since ancient times, people have used hibiscus leaves to cure scalp problems like dandruff. Along with that, the paste made from fenugreek seeds can not only help hair grow, but it can also get rid of dandruff.
Ingredients:
- Half a cup of yoghurt
- 10-12 hibiscus leave
- A tablespoon of soaked fenugreek seeds
Directions:
- Blend all the ingredients to make a smooth paste
- Massage this mask on your hair, working your way from the roots to the tips
- Allow it to sit for 30 minutes, and use a mild shampoo to rinse it off
You can apply this two to three times a week.
2. Egg and Yoghurt Hair Mask
A blend of yoghurt and eggs can give your scalp the necessary nourishment and eliminate all dandruff-related problems.
Ingredients:
- One cup of yoghurt
- One tablespoon of lemon juice
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
- One whole egg (for normal hair), two egg whites (for oily hair), and two egg yolks (for dry hair)
Directions:
- Whisk together all the ingredients in a bowl to create a smooth mixture
- Apply this hair mask to your hair, working your way from the roots to the tips
- Wait for 20 minutes and rinse it off using a mild shampoo
You can apply this once a week.
3. Lemon Yoghurt Hair Mask
Lemon is an excellent natural way to eliminate dandruff because of its antimicrobial properties. Additionally, yoghurt serves as a nourishing natural conditioner. You can also add rice water to this mix because it kills Malassezia, the yeast that causes dandruff.
Ingredients:
- Two tablespoons of yoghurt
- One tablespoon of lemon juice
- Two tablespoons of rice water (optional)
Directions:
- Combine all the ingredients to make a smooth, consistent paste
- Apply it carefully to the scalp, and leave it on for 30 minutes
- Rinse it off using a sulphate-free shampoo
You can apply this once or twice a week.
4. Coconut Oil Hair Mask
Coconut oil has been shown to aid with dandruff removal and minimise hair damage.
Ingredients:
- Three to four tablespoons of coconut oil (depending on your hair length)
Directions
- Warm up the coconut oil just a bit and apply it to your scalp
- Once your entire scalp has been massaged, put the remaining oil all over your hair
- Wait for 30 minutes and rinse with a gentle shampoo
You can apply this once or twice a week.
5. Onion Hair Mask
The antifungal properties of onions can aid in eliminating the fungus that causes dandruff.
Ingredients
- One big onion
Directions
- Make a smooth paste by blending a large onion with some water
- Apply it to your hair, working from the tips down and starting at the roots
- Wait an hour and wash off with a mild shampoo
You can apply this once a week.
Diy Hair Mask for Frizzy Hair
Here are five easiest DIY hair masks for frizzy hair that you can easily make at home. Continue reading to know how to use these hair masks:
1. Aloe Vera Hair Mask
Aloe vera is well recognised for moisturising dry and damaged hair. Additionally, carrier oils are essential oils in a diluted form that are gentle to your scalp.
Ingredients
- One-fourth cup of aloe vera
- One-fourth cup of carrier oil
Directions
- Combine both ingredients to form a smooth paste.
- Apply the mask to your scalp and hair, wait for 30 minutes and wash off with a mild shampoo
You can use this mask twice a week.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil's fatty acids and vitamins nourish your scalp and enter the hair cuticle to rejuvenate it. Shea butter benefits a flaky and inflamed scalp since it treats potential scalp damage and reduces dryness.
Ingredients
- One-third cup of coconut oil
- One-third cup of shea butter
Directions
- In a heat-safe bowl, mix the shea butter and coconut oil.
- Place the bowl on top of the second bowl of nearly-boiling water and slowly allow the heat to melt them together.
- Apply the mixture through your hair while it is still warm, avoiding the roots and leave it in for an hour.
- To remove the extra oil, shampoo it off as usual.
You can apply this once or twice a week.
3. Mayonnaise Hair Mask
A mayonnaise hair mask is just what you need if your hair is damaged, commonly after bleaching it or using flat irons and other heat equipment regularly.
Ingredients
- Half a cup of unflavoured Mayonnaise
- Two tablespoons of Yoghurt
- One teaspoon of Honey
- Two tablespoons of Carrier Oil
Directions
- Start with clean, shampooed hair, and while your hair is still wet, apply the mask from the middle of your hair to the ends, avoiding the roots.
- After letting the mask sit for up to an hour, rinse it off with a sulphate-free shampoo.
You can apply this once a week.
4. Banana Hair Mask
Bananas make your hair easier to manage, fight dandruff, and hydrate your scalp.
Ingredients
- One peeled Banana
- One tablespoon of Honey
- One to two tablespoons of Coconut Oil
Directions
- Blend all of the ingredients until they are smooth.
- Apply the mixture throughout your damp hair and allow it to sit for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Rinse it off in the shower with a mild shampoo.
You can apply this once or twice a week.
5. Avocado Hair Mask
Avocado is rich in fatty acids that seal in moisture at the hair cuticle, and honey serves as a humectant (a component that moistures the hair strand).
Ingredients
- One Avocado
- Two tablespoons of Coconut Milk
- One tablespoon of Honey
- One tablespoon of Carrier Oil
Directions
- Put all the ingredients in a mixer to make a smooth mixture.
- Apply the mixture to your hair from the roots to the ends, and leave it on for at least30 minutes.
- Rinse it off with a sulphate-free shampoo.
You can apply this once or twice a week.
Summing Up on How to Use Hair Mask
It is a good idea to use hair masks to treat hair issues or maintain the health of your hair because they assist in activating hair follicles, replenishing and hydrating your hair from the roots, and minimising hair loss. This step-by-step guide on how to use hair masks and their benefits will help you get the best results.
The hair mask recipes mentioned are easy and quick to prepare. Although, exercise caution while applying ingredients that could trigger allergic reactions. Doing a patch test before using any mask is always recommended.
FAQs
How Often Should You Use a Hair Mask?
People with dehydrated and damaged hair might want to use a moisturising hair mask two to three times a week, while people with oily hair might want to use it only once a week.
How Long Should You Leave a Hair Mask on Your Hair?
Leave the hair mask on for a minimum of five minutes after applying. You'll give the nutrients more chance to seep into your hair the longer you keep it. If you use the mask for longer than the duration listed on the packaging, ensure that it doesn't include any chemicals that can harm your hair.
Can You Leave a Hair Mask on Too Long?
Wearing a mask all night prevents hair from breathing by forming a shield over the cuticle. Additionally, some masks include a lot of protein, using too much of which might cause breakage.
Why Should You Use a Hair Mask?
Since hair masks contain many nutrients, they can make a big difference in how shiny and strong your hair looks. Hair masks help stop frizz and heal dryness while also preventing additional damage.
References
Reza Yaghoobi, July 2017; Evidence for Clinical Use of Honey in Wound Healing as an Anti-bacterial, Anti-inflammatory Anti-oxidant and Anti-viral Agent: A Review - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941901/
Safe Hair Care Spares Hair - https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/safe_hair_care_spares_hair_johns_hopkins_dermatologists_report
M. Sarowar Hossain, April 2011; Antidiarrheal, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Musa sapientum Seed - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3558179/
Irene Gouvinhas, November 2017; Critical Review on the Significance of Olive Phytochemicals in Plant Physiology and Human Health - https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/22/11/1986
Hair cosmetics: An overview - https://www.ijtrichology.com/article.asp?issn=0974-7753;year=2015;volume=7;issue=1;spage=2;epage=15;aulast=Gavazzoni
