Planning a wedding is very demanding and it is a known fact that anxiety can have an effect on the condition of your hair as well as your well being in general. It is very important that you are even more vigilant of your hair care, at this point when you want to look your best next to your bride.
However, in unison, men generally don’t have a lot of time or desire to be fiddling with hair but also want to be effective for the minimum of effort. A little case of the best of both worlds.
A good alternative is using natural products. Many men due to religious beliefs, love of nature or sensitive skin prefer to use natural products to enhance and cleanse their hair. For others it is just a simple situation of a dislike of chemicals.
If this is the case there is no reason why your wedding appearance should suffer, as there is a vast range of commodities and informational help available, for the upkeep of your hair through natural and herbal products.
You want to look your best on your wedding day and beyond but your treatment specifics may go further than simple cleansing and conditioning. For men their needs are different, because they do not put their hair through the rigours of styling appliances like women do but while the main aim is to clean and refresh, there are still other problems which are specific and might contribute to ruining your look.
The good news is that there are many herbs which deal specifically with individual hair problems which when combined are safe and provide effective results for problems such as damaged hair, dry ends, frizzing and dandruff.
When looking for herbal hair treatments, your focus would be on three main categories:
Shampoos to cleanse and refresh
Conditioners to smooth the cuticle, moisturise, protect and ease difficult to comb ends
Nutritional supplements to support your existing diet. Remedies for specific problems which may be of personal concern to you
SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONERS
The important fact to note here is that while it contains natural ingredients, unless you make it yourself, natural products are never completely natural due to synthetic additives which would make it a more solid product like extending the shelf life or enhancing the foaming action. Consumers help contribute to this because many believe that a shampoo is not good unless it foams richly , when in fact it doesn't necessarily have to for effective results. Generally men have little interest or inclination to be making their own shampoo but you can still benefit from the natural properties, by looking for certain ingredients in shampoos and conditioners.
Natural herbs can go a long way to alleviating many hair and scalp problems which are an issue to both men and women.
Some properties to look for in shampoos and conditioners are:
Rosemary – Good for health and vitality of all hair types. Combats oily hair, dandruff and is know for a pleasing scent which is very generic for all.
Horsetail – Relieves oily hair symptoms.
Catmint Leaves - Good to relieve an itchy scalp.
Thyme - Dandruff relief.
Chamomile – Alleviates dry scalp symptoms, itchy scalp and dandruff.
Marigold – Good for general hair health
Burdock root – Moisturises the hair naturally.
Mint - Good to use if you have oily hair.
Elderflower – Alleviates symptoms of dry hair.
Sage – Helps prevent the build up of excess oils.
These ingredients and more are very suitable for use in both shampoos and conditioners for natural hair care.
Also consider fruit inspired products. Citrus extracts in shampoos, for instance, like grapefruit, orange and lemon are very gentle and great for cleansing greasy hair without
stripping it of the vital natural oils.
ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS
You may be in a situation where you need to take a particular supplement for a specific problem. While a nutritious and balanced diet is the best way to nourish your hair, sometimes the inevitable happens, you may become ill, have a hair disaster before your wedding or just be suffering from the effects of anxiety and a supplement to strengthen or reduce shedding may be a suitable alternative. It is best to consult with your doctor before embarking on any vitamin regimen and never take more than the prescribed dose even though the ingredients are natural. Everything still needs to be balanced for your maximum benefit.
Some herbs and vitamins to consider are:
Saw palmetto –Particularly suitable for men and helps in alleviating symptoms of the hair disorder alopecia
Vitamin E – Antioxidant benefits. Provides good blood circulation to the scalp
Horsetail – Provides strengthening silica for hair, skin and nails
Vitamin C – Helps alleviate the tendency for breakage and split ends
To reduce the amount of supplements you may be considering taking, remember that specific vitamins can be found in the food you eat. Melons,tomatoes, citrus fruits, dark lefy green vegetables and peppers are all rich in Vitamin C.
Wheat germ is an abundunt source of Vitamin E as are other grains, nuts leafy vegetables and
some oils like wheatgerm oil.
SPAS & SALONS
One of the best places where you can enjoy the benefits of natural products is at a spa. Many spas carry natural lines due to increased demands from their customers who are worried about the use of harmful ingredients and to maintain the image of the spa in general.
Men now account for a significant percentage of spa clientele, with the figure rising as we speak.
More and more men are enjoying the benefits of the services which a spa can provide; most popular treatments for men are general massage, scalp massage, facials, manicure, pedicure, haircut, shave and body waxing. All which can benefit from natural ingredients. These products are often specially formulated for use in a spa, to encourage balance and healing; penetrating deeper than regular products to reduce the effects of toxins, stress and pollution which all have a dulling effect on the hair.
Salons are now a very popular alternative to the barber shop due to the extended services which they provide. Your hair becomes very personal, its health, its maintenance and how it affects your lifestyle.
It is now no longer a case of “I just want a haircut” you can now go much deeper, especially if you have problems which need specialised, trained guidance. Many salons also carry a range of Natural hair products, although their stock may have more synthetic stabilisers than the spa because the image is different, due to the fact that a salon is not portraying the pure, harmonised well being, at one with nature feel of a spa.
While you do not have to necessarily forgo your regular barber, you can consider these services as a treat during this special time, to make the whole experience a little different from the norm and relax as well.
