With so many trends appearing (and disappearing) at a rapid pace thanks to social media, it’s hard to tell what is actually good for your hair and what is simply people trying to get attention and followers with baseless claims. Here we will discuss the hair trends that have merit so that you don’t go wasting your money on something that doesn’t work when you could have had something which actually is beneficial for your hair.
SALICYLIC ACID
Most people are used to hearing about salicylic acid as a skin and acne treatment because, traditionally, that is what it was used for. However, salicylic acid actually has numerous benefits for your hair. For one thing, it can work great as a cleanser for oily hair. Additionally it works well for dandruff and even helps the active ingredients in other hair products which you’re using be better absorbed by the scalp. For this reason, it is many times paired together with other ingredients such as minoxidil for hair loss. Finally, much like it works on the face for acne, salicylic acid works for folliculitis (scalp acne).
AVOCADO
Avocado also has benefits for the hair, although they are not necessarily the benefits which are touted on social media. Avocado is often promoted as “moisturizing” but, in order for a substance to be moisturizing to the hair, it has to be able to enter the hair shaft which Avocado is unlikely to do because it is so thick. Therefore, avocado, when applied topically, may not help in moisturizing the hair but it will help to improve the health of the hair cuticle which will leave your hair shinier. Avocado may also help with dandruff as one study indicated that the natural sugars in avocado were effective in eliminating the yeast associated with causing dandruff. Additionally, avocado contains many nutrients such as biotin, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin E and vitamin D which are known to strengthen the hair and which are also, overall, very healthy.
KOMBUCHA
Kombucha came on to the health and fitness scene many years ago as a carbonated drink which not only contains vitamins and antioxidants, but also has live cultures that are said to improve gut health. Now, however, some experts are making a connection between the improvement in gut health that kombucha provides and improvements in hair and skin conditions. This is because many hair and skin conditions are known to have inflammatory causes and components to them and probiotics effectively reduce inflammation. Additionally, some people are now applying kombucha as a hair rinse due to the topical probiotic health and beauty trend. Therefore, kombucha does work as a way to improve your hair both internally and topically.
GRAPESEED OIL
Grapeseed oil has been touted as a powerful ingredient for improving the health and beauty of hair and, therefore, can be found extensively in hair products. However, is there any merit to these claims? Grapeseed oil has lots of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which have numerous benefits for the hair such as improving hair elasticity, strength, shine and even scalp circulation. Additionally, grapeseed oil is loaded with vitamin E which helps fight against free radicals and environmental pollution which damage the hair. Finally, grapeseed oil contains linoleic acid which is effective in hydrating the hair.
CONCLUSION
Sure, there are a lot of snake-oil sales people on social media these days who are ready to make any outrageous beauty claim in order to earn more money. However, some of the hair treatments ( and other beauty treatments ) really do have benefits and it is important to be able to distinguish what works from what doesn’t. Hopefully, this article has helped you a little in being better able to do just that.