It is easy to neglect hair care when it is covered for large chunks of the day, and one of the biggest problems I’ve personally faced is 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:
shampoo with dr bronner’s lavender castile soap – it doesn’t dry out my hair/scalp like other liquid soaps by dr bronner. and it smells divine!
use a natural conditioner – I’m still on the hunt for the perfect, inexpensive conditioner but faith in nature leaves my ends feeling healthy and silky
massage scalp weekly with a tablespoon of warm sesame oil and 3 drops of rosemary essential oil – leave the oils to penetrate scalp for a few hours or overnight
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
massaging scalp is great for blood circulation
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 clean.
Ashiya Mendheria is a holistic health-conscious, soul-searching Muslim woman, in a constant pursuit to seek God, explore self-love and live a spiritual and tayyib lifestyle. She is studying Nutritional Therapy at the College of Naturopathic Medicine.