In the world of hair care, we try hard to find products with ingredients that promise to give us healthy, shiny hair. Of course you heard about shea butter? An ingredient commonly found in bath and body products. Its high moisturizing properties can make dry skin soft and supple. But what if shea butter gives the same result to the hair? It’s time to introduce Shea Butter into your hair care routine and allow it to take care of your dry, coarse, and tough hair. Here’s how to use shea butter and give your hair all the care.
What is shea butter?
Shea butter is an extract of the shea nut that comes from the karite tree that is commonly found in West Africa. It is an incredible ingredient not only for our skin but also works wonders for our hair. Due to its highly moisturizing properties, this nourishing ingredient is often known as “Mother Nature’s Conditioner” and its benefits include:
Soothing scalp sensitivity
The rich and creamy texture of Shea Butter is a boon to flaky and sensitive scalps. When applied to the scalp, shea butter reduces dryness thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. An ancient method for treating scalp damage, shea butter tends to absorb into your scalp easily and does not clog your scalp.
Tip: Section your hair and apply a small amount and massage gently to soothe the scalp.
Protects from heat damage
If you use hair styling tools, you should know how important it is to protect your hair from heat damage. Shea butter acts as a natural heat protectant, acting as a barrier around your strands, protecting them from any heat damage. Its easily absorbed texture ensures that your hair will not be greasy and gives your hair a healthy shine.
Tip: Just take a little on your hand and apply it along your hair before using the hair tools.
Shea butter to soften hair
Shea butter is an essential ingredient in locking in the moisture that you’ve lost over a period of time. Shea butter acts as a natural conditioner and can deeply moisturize your hair leaving it silky smooth.
Tip: Look for hair care products like shampoo, hair mask and conditioner with shea butter.
Protects hair from UV rays
Shea butter contains a sufficient amount of the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) that can protect your hair from damage by the sun. Excessive exposure to the sun can cause discoloration, especially if your hair is dyed.
Tip: Don’t be shy to put some on if you’re going out. Wash it later if the hair is oily.
Different ways to use shea butter
Before going out in the sun, melt a small amount of shea butter and apply a light layer to your hair.
Tip: Add melted shea butter in a spray bottle and spray it on your hair to distribute it evenly.
Section your hair into two parts and melt the shea butter in a double boiler. Once it cools down, apply it to your scalp and massage it in with your fingertips. This will help to get rid of any irritation or itching of the scalp.
Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Hair Mask
You need:
1 tablespoon of shea butter
2 tablespoons of coconut oil
1 teaspoon of argan oil
Essential oils (lavender, rosemary, or peppermint)
How to prepare: Take a small cup and mix 1 tablespoon of shea butter and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and melt it in the microwave and let the mixture cool. Once cool, add 1 teaspoon of argan oil and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Try choosing an essential oil that is good for your hair, such as lavender, rosemary, or peppermint. Using a hand mixer, beat the mixture for 3-5 minutes. Make sure to get the perfect creamy texture that can be easily applied to your hair. Once the mixture is ready, apply it to your clean hair and comb through to distribute it evenly. Leave it on for 30 minutes. Then rinse your hair with shampoo and conditioner. Apply this mask once a week.
Note from “Madam Net”: Before applying this recipe or this treatment, consult a specialist doctor
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