Hair hydration is crucial if you want to have healthy hair and shiny hair. There is no other way around it. What is a hair hydration method? What is the best way to add moisture to your hair? How to retain moisture and hydration? We hope to answer all of your questions regarding the topic.
What Are Hair Hydration Treatments?
Any hair hydration treatment has a simple purpose, to improve the ability of your hair to absorb and retain moisture. This will keep your healthy hair moisturized, improve manageability, prevent dry hair, and give your hair an overall good look.
If you use products for hair hydration, look for ones that contain ingredients that can deeply penetrate the hair shaft and provide much-needed moisture.
Some Popular Hair Hydration Treatments
There are a couple of hair treatments and methods to improve hydration in your damaged hair. Here are some you should consider.
Hair Steaming
It might be the last thing on your mind to think about steaming your hair. But if you want to achieve a shiny hair look, steaming is the way to go.
Why steaming? It is a process where moist heat helps open up the hair follicles and allows better penetration and absorption of moisture.
It is a simple method that will not take a lot of time. You can use a handheld or a hooded steamer for this. Now, the challenge here is not to overdo it. All you need is 15 to 20 minutes in a steamer to get the best results.
You can try the greenhouse effect if you do not have a steamer. What is it? Simple method where you sleep with a shower cap over your hair or wear it for some time to encourage a steamy and warm environment.
Hair Hydration Masks
Using hydration masks is the most popular hair treatment in the past several years. Among the many hair treatments, hydration masks provide quite a lot of options. You can always buy a hydration mask or make it your own.
In any case, you must look for ingredients that help with your hair condition. For example, for greasy hair, an egg mask will do wonders.
These hair masks can help with damaged hair, dry hair, hair growth, frizzy hair, and a lot more. We will talk about some DIY hair masks later on.
The LOC Method
This method is a three-step method for maximum hydration. LOC stands for liquid, oil, and cream. Apply the three products on natural hair in that order and it will provide better moisture.
The first step is using water to moisture your hair, or any other liquid-based hair product. The second step is applying oil to lock in moisture. There are many oils on the market you can use, including coconut and olive oil.
Because oils and water do not mix, you need the third step, which is cream. Creams act as sealants. You can even style your hair after the treatment as it becomes easy.
The LCO Method
This method is similar to the LOC method. The only difference is the order of application. You start with liquid, then cream, and in the end oil as a sealant.
The Maximum Hydration Method
Known as the max hydration method, it is designed for natural hair that has become excessively dry and brittle. The goal is to bring moisture to your natural curls and hair shaft.
For this method, you might need more time and effort. But in the end, you will get rid of dry hair and frizzy hair. After the method, it will leave your hair with so much moisture even without using products. The five steps to maximum hydration include cleansing and clarifying your hair, co-wash and detangling using a sulfate-free conditioner, applying a clay rinse with bentonite clay, applying a leave-in conditioner, and then applying a botanical gel on damp hair to make curls pop.
How To Make Sure Your Hair Gets Enough Hydration
Besides using a hair hydration treatment, there are other ways you can ensure your hair gets a lot of moisture and hydration. For example, drinking enough water is also important to keep your hair and skin hydrated. Besides, you may also take IV therapy, which is a quick and effective way of hydrating your body from the inside out. Here are three things you must absolutely do to ensure your healthy hair gets moisture.
Wash Your Hair Less
You might think you should wash your hair every day. Wrong. Washing your hair less will be less drying to your hair and scalp. Summer, for example, is a great time to skip the shampoo. Your hair needs its natural oil, called sebum. And with washing, you are stripping your hair of it.
Choose The Right Shampoo
We touched on this before, but using a sulfate-free shampoo and deep conditioner is a must. Also, look for a shampoo with nourishing ingredients including oils, vitamins, proteins, and antioxidants. With a good shampoo, you ensure you hydrate your dry hair.
Stop Using Heat
We talked before about steaming, but that is one thing. The problematic thing is using heat styling products often. Stop doing that. Even with a heat protectant spray, your hair will suffer a lot of damage from using heat styling tools and products. Give your hair a break.
Top 5 DYI Hair Masks to Try
We talked before that some of the best hair treatments for hydration include DIY hair masks. These hair masks can work sometimes even better than salon-quality masks. While some of the salon masks are designed for specific issues, like bleached hair, these DIY masks target hydration specifically.
Coconut Oil, Mayonnaise, And Yogurt
This hydration treatment mask is perfect for damaged hair after coloring. You need 2 tablespoons of full-fat yogurt, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, and half a cup of mayonnaise.
Start by washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo to unclog the hair cuticle. Then, mix the ingredients and apply the hair mask to damp hair. Use your fingers from mid-length to the ends to massage the hair and let the mask sit for 50 to 60 minutes. Rinse with shampoo and finish off with your regular conditioner.
Avocado, Olive Oil, And Manuka Honey
We talked before that DIY masks are great because they use beneficial ingredients we already have in our kitchen. Well, if you want shiny and hydrated hair, this mask with olive oil, manuka honey, and avocado is amazing.
Mix two tablespoons of olive oil, two tablespoons of manuka honey, juice of half a lemon, and one and a half avocado in a blender. Coat the hair evenly with the mixture, and then cover with a shower cap. Let it sit for 45 minutes and then wash with shampoo and conditioner.
Greek Yogurt, Egg, Coconut Oil, And Castor Oil
If you need a hydration mask for hair breakage repair, this is it. Mix 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon of each castor oil and coconut oil, and one egg until you get a smooth solution. Stir until even and apply it to your head.
Let the mask stay and work its magic for one hour. Rinse thoroughly. You can use this mask as a deep conditioner weekly.
Coconut Oil, Avocado, Egg, And Honey
For thinning hair, this mask will help you restore its beauty. For this treatment, you need half an avocado, 1 egg, half a teaspoon of honey, either manuka honey or a regular one, and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
Mix all the ingredients and then massage the solution into your hair and scalp. Leave it to stay for 30 minutes, and then rinse and shampoo as needed.
Argan Oil, Avocado, Coconut Oil, And Honey
You can notice the ingredients mostly repeat themselves, with a few new ones. For this hair mask, we need Argan oil, 1 avocado, a teaspoon of coconut oil, and a tablespoon of honey.
Combine the ingredients until well blended, and then work through the hair. Leave it to stay for 30 minutes before rinsing. It is amazing for hydration, and your hair will thank you for it.
