Natural remedies for hair growth

Your hair is said to be your crowning glory, and it’s normal to want to improve your hair if it’s not to your satisfaction. If you’re trying to regrow hair that you’ve lost or would simply like to improve the hair that you have, try some of these natural remedies. Their proven benefits can help to stimulate growth and enhance the hair that you have.

1. Massage
Massaging the scalp can help to restore hair growth and can be used in conjunction with hair oils and masks. This stimulates the scalp and can improve hair thickness. Taking the time to massage your scalp each day can also help you relieve stress and tension. It’s thought that stretching forces during the massage encourage hair growth and thickness in the dermal papilla cells.

2. Aloe vera
Aloe vera has long been used for treating hair loss. It also soothes the scalp and conditions hair. It can reduce dandruff and unblock hair follicles that may be blocked by excess oil. You can apply pure aloe vera gel to your scalp and hair a few times per week. You can also use shampoo and conditioner that contain aloe vera.

3. Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains fatty acids that penetrate inside the hair shaft and reduce protein loss from hair. Coconut oil can be used either before or after you wash your hair depending on your hair type. If your hair tends to be oily, you can do a leave-in treatment overnight or for a few hours before you wash it. Massage coconut oil into your scalp and all of your hair. If your hair is dry, you can also use it as a leave-in treatment. There needs to be more research on coconut oil as a promoter of hair growth, but it’s been shown to improve the health and luster of hair and has been used for centuries.

4. Viviscal
Viviscal is a natural hair-growth supplement that promotes hair growth in people with thinning hair. It contains a marine complex known as AminoMar C. This is made of minerals, vitamins, and shark and mollusk powder. These ingredients help to regenerate new cells and strengthen existing cells. You have to take the pills twice a day for at least six months in order to see results. Viviscal also makes a shampoo and conditioner.

5. Fish oil
Consuming omega fatty acids can help to improve your hair from the inside, since they are filled with nutrients and proteins. Taking an omega supplement along with antioxidants helps to improve hair density and diameter. It also reduces hair loss. Omega fatty acids help your cells to work correctly and can boost immunity, leading to better overall health. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended dosage.

6. Ginseng
Taking ginseng supplements can promote hair growth by stimulating hair follicles. Ginsenosides are the active components of ginseng and are thought to be responsible for its positive effect on hair. Always take as directed and be sure to check for any possible side effects.

7. Onion juice
If you can handle the smell of onion juice, you may find that the benefits are worth it. Onion juice has been shown to successfully treat patchy alopecia areata by promoting hair growth. Onion juice is also thought to improve circulation. Animal studies show improved keratin growth factor and blood flow to the cuticles. You can blend a few onions and squeeze out the juice. Apply the juice to your scalp and hair and leave in for at least 15 minutes. Then shampoo normally.

8. Rosemary oil
Rosemary is one of the first essential oils people choose to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss. Rosemary oil stimulates new hair growth and can be used to treat androgenetic alopecia. Mix a few drops of rosemary oil into a carrier oil and massage it into your hair and scalp before rinsing. Do this a few times per week. Add a few drops of rosemary oil into your shampoo and conditioner on a daily basis. Do not use essential oils directly on the skin. Always mix them in a carrier oil or shampoo.

9. Geranium oil
You can use geranium oil to promote hair growth and boost circulation. Mix a few drops into a carrier oil and use it to make a hair mask. You can also add a few drops to your shampoo and conditioner. Geranium oil can help to strengthen, hydrate, and restore your hair.

10. Lemon
You can use fresh lemon juice or lemon oil since they are said to enhance hair quality and growth. Lemon oil can help you to maintain a healthy scalp and encourage hair growth. Apply fresh lemon juice to your scalp and hair 15 minutes before you shampoo. You can use lemon essential oil diluted in a carrier oil as a hair mask.

Winter is here and along with it, comes dry and flaky skin. Dry skin can turn out to be quite annoying. If you have been looking for ways to get rid of that flaky dry skin; fret not, we're here to help. A lot of ingredients that are easily available in Indian kitchens can come quite handy in keeping dry skin at bay, especially in winters. Two such ingredients that can possibly do wonders for your skin health are milk and banana. Banana helps in peeling off the dead skin; whereas, milk acts as a clarifying agent. Both the ingredients complement each other quite well and are used in a variety of beauty rituals, including skin care and hair care rituals. Both the ingredients are all-natural, so you can easily use them without worrying about the side-effects. Here is a face mask using these two humble kitchen ingredients that you may bring to your rescue:

Ingredients Required:

1 Banana
1 tablespoon Milk

Method:

To begin with, take a bowl and add one whole mashed banana in it.

Then, add in one tablespoon of milk in the bowl and mix both the ingredients well.

Once you get a thick paste-like mixture, apply it on your face and neck.

Allow the banana-milk mixture to stay for around 15-20 minutes.

Once done, wash it off with warm water.

Note: In order to get amazing results, you can use this face mask twice a week. After washing your face, you can apply a mild moisturiser to make it look more supple and radiant.

Suffering from those frequent acne breakouts? Are pimples and pimple scars driving you crazy? If yes, then fret not, we've got an easy-peasy all-natural home remedy for you. We often try to resort to various measures to get rid of acne marks; however, most of the time our efforts go in drain. People with oily skin type are more vulnerable to pimples. So, in order to keep pimple problems at bay, we give you a two-ingredient face pack, which is not only easy-to-make but may also do wonders for your skin. We are talking about lemon and honey. Both these kitchen ingredients are easily accessible and can be used in one face pack:

Ingredients Required:

Lemon Juice Extract
1 tablespoon honey

Method:

To begin with, take a bowl and add lemon juice extract to it.

Next, add honey to it and mix both the ingredients well.

Apply this mixture on your face and acne prone areas and let it sit for around 15 minutes.

Once this is done, wash it off using warm water.

Note: This lemon and honey mixture will moisturise your skin to a great extent and make it look soft and supple. This face pack is perfect for those who have an oily skin type. Why, you ask? It is because lemon helps clean the skin and eliminates dead skin cells, which further helps in reducing oil secretion; whereas, the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of honey help in reducing the oil secretion.

So, what are you waiting for? Bring together these two humble kitchen ingredients and say bye-bye to pimples and acne scars.

Sugar scrub can be easily made at home. You need to make a perfect combination with sugar and other homemade ingredients. Only the sugar has the perfect granule that helps in making the scrub work really well. It is the time for you to have a perfect deal with regards to your beauty benefits.

The sugar scrub recipe will be the best one. Try this today and feel the warmth of staying happy with the wonderful variety of skin scrub recipes. Let us find out some homemade skin scrubs that will be really great for your skin.

Are you been spending loads to remove dead skin from your skin layer? This might create imbalance when you are willing to manage your monthly expenses. Here are some very effective homemade scrubs which will be really beneficial for removing tan or dead skin layer from your skin.

Even if you consider the natural ingredients instead of cosmetics, side effects will be nil. Let us see some of the home made skin scrub that has been truly beneficial for your skin. Scrubbing is an essential part of the beauty regime and you need to inculcate the same in your routine plan. A glowing face devoid of any dust and dirt particles, with excess oil absorption is all we look for in our beauty mantras. Face scrubbing should be taken at least once a week depending on the skin type you have.

It exfoliates the skin properly and let it breathe. There are various skin treatment products available in the market. The high content of chemicals can even damage the skin and there are chances that it might worsen up your look. You really believe in adapting these remedies at the cost of your skin quality? You better should not, as what hold promises and price straightway is nature. You can’t be mistaken with that, as natural ways are always taken on first index.

There are various natural ways in which proper care of skin can be laid with immediate results.

Lemon-honey face scrub

Lemon is acidic in nature and is a great natural bleaching agent. The properties of lemon are highly effective and when mixed with honey which is responsible for skin smoothing and lightening, the results altogether are impactful. To retain dead skin and get moisturizing benefits, mix 2 tbsp of honey, 1 tbsp of lemon juice, 1 tbsp of olive oil and 1 and 1/2 tbsp of sugar. Apply this on the face and rinse after few minutes.

Salt, lemon and sugar scrub

If you want to brighten up your complexion and exfoliate your skin the best way, nothing beats this remedy. Take 2 tbsp salt, juice of half a lemon, and add sugar. The mixture so formed is highly advantageous to get a proper tone of skin after scrubbing in the natural way.

Avocado and oatmeal scrub for oily skin

A healthy and moisturized skin is easily obtained if you imply this easy homemade remedy. 2 teaspoons of finely ground oatmeal, 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of avocado can be applied over the skin to get a glowing effect. This mixture is blended in a bowl and a thick paste is formed. It is massaged onto the damp face and then rinsed with warm water.

Baking soda blackheads scrub

The purpose of scrubbing is to remove all the blackheads and whiteheads living skin clear and bacteria free. To vanish away blackheads, mix a tbsp of granulated sugar, 1 tbsp of baking soda and 2 tbsp of water. You need to mix it well and apply on the skin followed by massage. It is then washed with warm water.

Banana and sugar scrub

Banana is great for scrubbing as it is packed with various nutrients. In order to exfoliate and nourish your skin, mix 1 ripe peeled banana, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of dark brown sugar. Blend it nicely into a bowl after mashing the banana and form a paste out of it. Massage the paste onto the skin and keep it for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Orange juice and honey face mask

For a healthy glow, blend 3 cups of orange juice with 1/2 a cup of warm honey. Make it to a mixture and apply on the damped skin for 30 minutes and then wash it with lukewarm water.

Brown sugar scrub

You must be using brown sugar in your home kitchen to make sweet dishes. According to many people who have used it, brown sugar is one of the best ingredients for making exfoliate at home. If you have been using the ingredients like salt or oatmeal, this might not be advantageous for all those who have a sensitive skin as this might give rise to skin tear.

Ingredients

Olive oil/ coconut oil – 1 teaspoon
Honey – ½ cup
Brown sugar- ½ cup

You need to take a medium sized bowl and add all ingredients one by one and mix it well. Once the mixture is ready, apply all in a circular motion over your skin for 5 – 10 minutes so that all dead skin from your face is removed. Use Luke warm water to remove the scrub from your face and feel soft and healthy skin.

Oatmeal scrub

If you have been consuming oatmeal on a regular basis to stay fit, getting a handful of it in your kitchen will be quite easy. It has been proven fact that oatmeal can be proved as a wonderful scrubber for all those affected with the dead skin layer.

Ingredients

Summer tan scrubs for face

Regular milk – 2 tablespoon
Oat meal – 1 cup
Egg whites from a single egg
Brown sugar – 1 tablespoon
Sweet almond oil- 1 teaspoon

First of all, you need to grind the oatmeal not fine powder but little small in size. Now, keep the grinded oatmeal in a container and add all the ingredients one after another. Mix it well so that it forms a fine paste. Now apply the paste over your face covering the neck and move your finger tips in a circular motion. After massaging wash the paste with Luke warm water so that the ingredients washes away fast and your face become soft. It is also important to apply a moisturizer just after washing away exfoliates.

Cocoa and cocoa scrub

You will be surprised to learn that the dark brown color coffee and cocoa powder is amazing for skin brightening effect. You need to take the coffee bean and grind it or else go for prepared coffee to make a wonderful facial scrub.

Ingredients

Half grinded coffee or cocoa powder
Few drops of milk
Honey
Olive oil

You need to take all these ingredients in a container and mix it well so that it forms a perfect scrub. Apply it over your face and move your finger in a circular motion. Even after scrubbing, you need to keep the paste for the period of 10 minutes on your face. Then, just wash it away and enjoy beautiful skin.

Papaya facial exfoliating mask

You can now take ripe papaya to make a wonderful facial exfoliate. Apart from being delicious fruit, this can also make your skin look brighter and glowing. This is such a recipe which is not only a scrub but also a wonderful face mask.

Ingredients

Fresh ripe papaya cube – 1/4th cup
Almond oil – 1 tbsp
Brown sugar – 1 tbsp
Honey – 1 tbsp

You need to mash papaya and combine the same with the ingredients mentioned above. Mix it and apply it over your face. You can massage it over your face slowly creating an exfoliate. You can also apply this over your face as a face mask and then remove it after some time.

Almond facial scrub

Almond is a nut available in the market which can be crushed and made a wonderful exfoliate. It might be little expensive but can be proved to be a wonderful scrub for your face. Here you need to mix a teaspoon of ground almond and two teaspoon of milk. Apply it over your face and slowly massage your skin and remove all dead skin layer. This will easily help you get a beautiful skin without any spots, dark layer and dead skin. Wash it away with warm water and feel the difference after some time.

Rosemary lemon sugar scrub

You must be aware of the health benefits of rosemary. It is also possible to get a wonderful scrub with the help of the rosemary extract. You have to take a small container and squeeze a lemon in it. Now add a spoon of sugar and mix well. Also take the rosemary leaves and make a paste in grinder. Combine the same with the sugar scrub that you have formed. Apply it over your face and use your finger tips to slowly rub it against your skin. The sugar granules remove the dead skin layer from your face.

Tomato sugar scrub
Tomato is a wonderful vegetable that is having various beauty and health benefits. It is possible to get variety of products which has tomato as its main ingredients. But getting the scrub at home with tomato along with sugar will be wonderful. You have to take a spoon of sugar and half the tomato pulp. Combine both together and apply all over your face. Use your finger tips for getting away the dead skin layer as the granules present in it will be working in a wonderful way. Keep this for 10 minutes and then wash away.

Coconut milk with sugar
Take two spoons of coconut milk in a container and add a spoon of sugar in it. It is important to use a spoon to combine both the ingredients really well. Now apply it over your face covering all portions. Do leave the eyes and lips. Slowly go ahead with the finger tips movement in circular direction. Wait for 5-10 minutes and then wash away. This will be a wonderful way to remove all unwanted carbons and oils from your skin remove completely. You will feel your skin smooth after removing the scrub.

Hot days, cool nights could only mean one thing - the summer is upon us and, for many, that means it's time to sport the summer glow. But amid the excitement, don't forget the importance of safe tanning.

The desire for the sun-kissed look is an outlook shared by many Americans adults and teens. In a survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), 80 percent of the 7,100 male and female survey respondents said they had concerns about skin cancer, but 72 percent still found tanned people were more attractive. Young teens were found to associate beauty with tanning because it looks "healthy". However, less than half of all teenagers use sunscreen, says the Skin Cancer Foundation, suggesting that teens are more vulnerable to skin cancer because the cells in their body are dividing and changing at a faster rate compared to adults.

Every hour, one American dies of melanoma, and more than 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed every year in over two million people in the United States, says the American Melanoma Foundation (AMF). The lack of awareness of sun safety has put people at risk for overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a risk factor for developing skin cancer. When exposed to high UV levels, melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) is produced by the pituitary gland, which triggers the production of melanin, the natural pigment that gives a person their skin color and protects them from the sun.

In a study conducted at Brown University, researchers found that the production of melanin starts within a couple of hours of exposure to ultraviolet radiation of long wavelengths instead of a couple of days as previously thought by scientists. "As soon as you step out into the sun, your skin knows that it is exposed to UV radiation," said Elena Oancea, senior author of the study and assistant professor of biology in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biotechnology at Brown University, in a press release. Melanin protects the DNA in skin cells against the damage of UVB rays but it doesn't mean people should skimp on the sunscreen.

Overexposure to sunlight can cause physical changes on your skin such as wrinkles, freckles, age spots, and texture changes.

To avoid these effects and to achieve a safe sun-based tan, follow these four tips for a healthy summer glow.

1. Exfoliate Your Skin

To achieve the best possible tan outdoors, you must exfoliate before sun exposure. The act of exfoliation removes the dead cells from the uppermost layer of the skin and allows for fresh skin to appear. Removing the dead cells can even your skin tone, remove pore-clogging dirt and oil, and even prevent acne, says Discovery.com. You can scrub or buff away the dead skin cells by doing cost-effective physical scrubs like sugar, oatmeal, and salt with a loofah pad or exfoliating glove. The less build-up of dead skin cells, the more shallow your layer of skin will be, which will make your tan last longer. The removal of dead skin will also allow you to tan more easily because your tan will appear and fade evenly.

2. Wear A Sunscreen

Contrary to the beliefs of many tanning enthusiasts, you can still tan with sunscreen, and it's better that you do. In fact, sun protection factor (SPF) extends the time you can spend in the sun without suffering additional skin damage. Higher SPF numbers therefore provide better protection against ultraviolet B "burning rays" (UVB) rays, though not UVA protection, says the American Cancer Society (ACS). Sunscreens that are labeled "broad-spectrum" can provide protection against both UVB and UVA rays, but a standard system for measuring UVA ray protection has yet to exist.

Naturally fair skin has low amounts of melanin, which can leave the skin vulnerable to the sun's carcinogenic UV and cause lobster-red burns on your skin without an appropriate SPF. For those with darker skin, melanin can provide the equivalent of SPF 13.4 compared to 3.4 in white skin, says the Skin Cancer Foundation. However, those with dark skin can still get sunburnt.

The amount of sunscreen a person should apply is said to be 2 milligrams per square centimeter (mg/cm2) to the exposed skin under the sun, says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For example, if a person is 5 ft. 4 in. (163 cm) and weighs 150 lb. (68 kg) with a 32 in. (82 cm) waist and is wearing a bathing suit covering the groin area, he or she should apply 29 g (approximately 1 oz) evenly to the uncovered body area to get the indicated SPF of his or her sunscreen product, says the FDA.

Remember to apply SPF 15 to 30 minutes before you go in the sun, reapply 15 to 30 minutes after you have been exposed to the sun, and only reapply if you have done any aquatic activity where your sunscreen could have been removed. In an article published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers discussed that the safest skin exposure to the sun results from early reapplication into the sun exposure period. In other words, the earlier you apply your sunscreen once you're exposed, the less damage UV rays will do to your skin.

3. Do NOT Overexpose Your Skin To The Sun

To get a healthy and glowing tan, do not overexpose your skin to UV rays. It is best to tan gradually by dividing your time under the sun evenly to reduce sunburn. Spending a whole day at the beach may give you a tan look for a day but it may very well leave you with sunburns when you leave. The best way to get a healthy summer glow is to tan in small doses. Half an hour to an hour under the sun a day will allow your body to produce adequate melanin to aid you the next time you tan.

It is important to choose wisely what time you decide to go for an outdoor sun-based tan. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says UV strength is greatest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during sunny summer days.

4. Wear Your Shades And A Hat

To achieve an even tan, remember your shades and hat. The skin around your eyes, including your eyes themselves, are delicate to UV rays. Failure to take proper care can result in the development of eye diseases like cataract, age-related macular degeneration, and eye cancers, says ACS. Sunglasses that are labeled "UV absorption up to 400 nm" or "Meets ANSI UV Requirements" mean the glasses block at least 99 percent of UV rays. Ideal glasses include those that are large-framed and wrap-around because they protect your eyes from the light that comes from different angles, says ACS. However, be mindful of falling asleep with your sunglasses, a la Kim Kardashian, who failed to achieve an even sun tan.

A hat with a two- to three-inch brim can protect your ears, eyes, forehead, nose, and scalp all at once while you look stylish getting your tan. If big, wide hats do not suit you, opt for a shade cap, says ACS as these caps have seven inches of fabric that drape down the sides and back and can provide protection for your neck too. Although a baseball cap looks ideal, it only offers protection in the front and the top of the head, leaving the neck and ears vulnerable to sun exposure.

Lastly, remember to give your skin time to repair itself after a day out in the sun and before trekking outdoors again. These four tips will have you sporting healthy-looking and radiant skin.