Overview
There are plenty of reasons your hair may not have the shine and bounce you want it to. Your hair is vulnerable to the elements, the effects of aging, sun exposure and styling practices, all of which can leave hair dull, brittle and less-than-healthy. Hair masks can help restore your hair to its full health and beauty.
Identification
Hair masks work like super-intensive conditioners, penetrating the hair shaft to plump and hydrate individual strands and coating the outer layer of hair to restore smoothness and shine. Hair masks are generally applied to clean, damp hair for 20 minutes to an hour, then rinsed out with warm or cool water.
Types
Homemade hair masks can serve several different purposes. Most at-home hair masks are designed to condition dry or damaged hair and use oily or fatty ingredients–like olive oil, mayonnaise or avocado–to accomplish their task. Other masks use acidic ingredients–such as lemon, vinegar or watercress–to remove oil or styling product build-up. Protein-based masks, made with ingredients like beer and eggs, boost hair’s shine.
Benefits
Using a once-a-week mask can deliver big benefits for your hair. Applying warmed olive oil to your hair works like an at-home hot oil treatment, boosting your hair’s shine by smoothing cracked and broken cuticles so that hair better reflects light. A mixture of fresh watercress and water strips away product residue that can make hair look dull and limp and helps control oil so that hair doesn’t look or feel greasy.
Expert Insight
Though homemade hair masks can be effective, some of them can also be pretty smelly. Ingredients like vinegar can have a strong odor. If it bothers you, Elle magazine recommends adding a few drops of vanilla to your hair mask to mask the scent. You could also use essential oils, like lavender or peppermint, if you prefer.
Warning
Though homemade hair masks are considered natural, they contain some ingredients that may cause allergic reactions for some people. It’s always a good idea to apply any hair mask to a small test patch to check for reactions or discomfort before using it to cover your entire head. If you experience itching, redness or other scalp discomfort, discontinue use and call your health care provider if the discomfort persists.
