Blow dryers, flat irons, color treatments – looking great can be hard on hair. The things you do to make your hair presentable can leave strands dull, dry, and brittle.
Hair masks can help restore nutrients, moisture, and proteins to lifeless, dry hair. You can relieve tired tresses by making up your own, at-home treatments using coconut or olive oil, eggs, or honey.
Here are seven nutritious hair masks for damaged hair:
1. Olive Oil and Avocado Hair Mask
Olive oil is chock-full of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids play an important role in hair growth, shine, and strength. They’re also full of antioxidants, which help fight off hair-aging free radicals.1
Avocado provides amino acids and proteins which help stimulate the hair production process. It also moisturizes dry hair and soothes a dry scalp. This mask is a no-brainer for dry, damaged hair.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado, mashed
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Add 2 tablespoons of honey for extra hydration.
Instructions:
Blend ingredients and apply in small sections to clean, damp hair. Cover hair with a shower cap for 30 to 60 minutes. Shampoo out and condition as usual.
2. Egg, Mayonnaise, Olive Oil, and Honey Hair Mask
Mayo isn’t just for sandwiches. Lipids in mayonnaise help hair absorb moisture and fatty acids, nourishing hair follicles. Olive oil and honey provide antioxidant and moisturizing benefits. And egg protein helps strengthen hair.2
This is a great mask for curly hair. It provides moisture to keep frizz at bay, without weighing hair down.
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:
Combine ingredients and blend. Apply in small sections to clean, damp hair. Cover hair with a shower cap for 30 to 60 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual.
3. Coconut Oil and Honey Hair Mask
This mask is especially good for those with fine to medium hair. Coconut oil helps protect the natural proteins in hair. This is especially beneficial to those who lack protein in their hair follicles.3 Vitamin E in the coconut oil provides antioxidant benefits. And lauric acid helps the emollient properties of honey penetrate deep into the hair shaft.4
Ingredients:
- 2 to 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:
Blend ingredients and apply in small sections to clean, damp hair. Cover hair with a shower cap for 30 to 60 minutes. Shampoo out, and condition.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon, and Honey Mask
If you have oily hair – this one’s for you. Lemon juice absorbs excess oil. The apple cider vinegar balances pH – restoring proper acidity to the scalp. The apple cider vinegar also cleanses without stripping away too much oil. Honey seals in moisture, for lustrous strands.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- Juice from one whole lemon
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:
Blend ingredients and apply in small sections to clean, damp hair. Cover hair with a shower cap and let sit for 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual.
5. Almond Milk and Coconut Oil Mask
Almonds are a great source of protein – an essential element of hair structure. Almonds also contain a lot of vitamin E. This antioxidant helps reduce inflammation and may promote hair growth.5
Ingredients:
- 4 egg whites
- 5 tablespoons almond milk
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions:
Whisk or blend ingredients, then work into clean, damp hair. Cover hair with a shower cap for 45 minutes. Shampoo out, and follow with conditioner.
6. Egg Yolk Hair Mask
Eggs are a rich source of proteins and amino acids – the building blocks of strong, healthy hair. Egg yolks also provide deep moisture to the hair and scalp. They’re also one of the few natural food sources which contain vitamin D. This vitamin may help prevent hair fall.6
Ingredients:
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil
- Water (to dilute)
Instructions:
Blend ingredients, then massage into clean, damp hair. Cover hair with a shower cap for 30 to 60 minutes. Shampoo out and condition.
7. Banana Honey Mask
Prone to fragile, brittle hair? Your mane will love this mask. Bananas help improve hair condition, preventing the risk of breakage. Vitamin C fights off free radicals that contribute to hair aging. And biotin encourages healthy hair.7-9
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or almond oil
Instructions:
Blend ingredients, apply in small sections to clean, damp hair, and cover with a shower cap. Let sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Shampoo out and condition as usual.
Mask Your Hair to Beautiful, Healthy Hair
If you’re looking to moisturize dry hair, revive dull strands, or soothe your scalp, give one of these masks a try. You won’t even have to leave your kitchen. So get mixing!
Want more about hair health? Keep reading:
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2929555/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24305429
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12715094
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387693/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819075/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5007917/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11344694
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2929555/
9. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S8755966886800217