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Hello dear readers. With the onset of the cold season, hair and skin require more and more competent care. Today we will start with hair care, consider shea butter for hair. After all, there are a lot of questions, and I want to know the answers to them. Shea butter, or shea butter, perhaps you know it by this name, is used for the body, hair, face, arms and legs. Based on it, homemade creams and balms are prepared. The oil really has a wide spectrum of action. I myself love it very much and use it with pleasure in body care, this is especially true in winter, when the skin needs nourishment and hydration the most. Are you familiar with shea butter? Let's look at it in more detail.

Shea butter is extracted from the pulp of the fruits of the shea tree, or shea butter. These plants are distributed almost throughout the African continent. Despite its traditionality for this region, shea fruits are highly valued even in Africa, not to mention the areas where they are imported.

The fact is that such trees begin to bear fruit only at the age of 23-25. Especially valuable is not the fruit pulp, but a small bone, from which the oil is obtained. The fruits of this tree are similar to small avocados, with the same hard core. The process of extracting oil from the stone is long and complex, which further increases the value of the finished product.

Characteristic features and properties of shea butter in hair care

Externally, this product does not look like traditional vegetable oils. In fact, it is fat, saturated with an incredible amount of nutrients. When stored in a cool place, its consistency is solid.

When placed in warmer rooms, the oil will gradually become soft, and if it is heated to 27 ° C, it will begin to melt rather quickly.

The color varies from white to yellowish and depends on the method of its production, the exact composition and the region where the raw material grows.

The smell is pleasant and unobtrusive, nutty. Light coconut notes are possible.

Shea butter is approximately 80% triglycerides. The rest is oleic, stearic, linoleic and palmitic acid, vitamin E, carotene and squalene. Arachidonic, myristic and linolenic acids, as well as other valuable substances, are presented in small quantities.

The consistency and texture of this oil is ideal for retaining the beneficial properties provided by its ingredients. It should be stored at room temperature or in a cooler place, in tightly closed containers. Avoid exposure to sunlight. Shelf life - 2 years from the date of production.

Shea butter is especially valued for its protective, softening and regenerating properties. All this is true of the body, but this product is simply indispensable for measures to improve the condition of the hair.

It will simultaneously provide hydration, nutrition and protection from harmful environmental influences, strengthen hair roots, improve hair structure, soothe and soften the scalp and provide valuable nutrients.

For medicinal purposes, shea butter is used for various skin diseases, from dandruff to eczema and lichen. It will be very useful for weakened hair, with a structure disturbed after repeated dyeing or thermal perm.

It will also help if the hair begins to thin out, has lost its shine and volume. In general, shea butter for hair is the most valuable and indispensable tool that will allow you to forget about many problems.

Shea butter for hair - how to use, application

The regular inclusion of shea butter in hair care will get rid of many problems and get hair that you can be proud of. Knowing this, many manufacturers include it in shampoos, balms, masks and other hair care products.

But it is best to purchase natural oil and enrich cosmetics with it yourself or prepare mixtures for masks based on it. You can use this product alone or in combination with other ingredients.

Before using this valuable product, it must be prepared. Shea butter needs to be melted a little in a warm place or in a water bath. This will ensure that it is quickly absorbed into the scalp and hair structure. If you plan to mix this product with other ingredients or add it to a ready-made balm, cream or mask, then it is very important to mix the mass thoroughly. To make it completely uniform.

After applying the oil to the scalp and hair, it is best to cover them with polyethylene and wrap them in a towel. The exposure time depends on the type of cosmetic product. Balms and creams enriched with shea butter will have an amazing effect, but it is best to use hair masks. They are applied for a longer time, during which all active elements can have a full effect.

Useful hair masks with shea butter

This product can be used in its pure form, without any additives. The consistency of shea butter is ideal for use as a hair mask, and its composition is unusually rich. Do not forget that the oil must be warmed up before applying to the hair.

Oil should be applied to dry hair, not focusing only on the scalp, but on the entire length of the hair. If the tips are split, dry or lifeless, then the product should be applied especially intensively on them.

After that, you need to massage your head a little and cover the area of ​​​​oil application with polyethylene, and on top with a towel. The minimum exposure time of the mask is from 40 minutes to an hour. You can leave it for a longer period, there will be no harm from this. You can find advice to apply the product in the evening and leave it on the hair all night.

Shea butter goes well with other vegetable oils and is used to solve so many hair and scalp problems.

The following masks with its use have already become traditional:

• dandruff mask
• to eliminate dry hair
• nourishing mask
• against hair loss
• to enhance growth

Shea butter mask for dandruff

The use of shea butter in the fight against dandruff is based on its anti-inflammatory and softening properties. Melt a few tablespoons of oil and add 3-4 drops of tea tree, lavender or rosemary essential oil to it.

It is applied for 1-3 hours, once or twice a week. After several applications, the result will be noticeable, and after a month it will be possible to completely forget about the problem. By adding a tablespoon of olive oil to this mixture, you can solve the problem of dry hair. They will become elastic and shiny.

Nourishing Shea Butter Mask

In order to prepare a nourishing mask, you need to mix 40 gr. shea butter with two tablespoons of linseed oil and one burdock, add a tablespoon of liquid vitamin E. The composition should be evenly distributed over the entire length of the hair.

Before or after application, it will be useful to massage the scalp for a better supply of valuable substances to the hair roots. The recommended holding time is 3-4 hours. By excluding linseed oil from the composition and adding vitamin A, you can get an excellent tool for accelerating hair growth.

Using Shea Butter for Hair Loss

To get an effective hair loss remedy, mix 2 tablespoons of shea butter with one tablespoon of castor oil and 2-3 drops of rosemary essential oil. Mix the mixture thoroughly and apply according to the usual scheme for a period of 2 to 4 hours.

It is washed off quite easily with regular shampoo, and the effect is noticeable after a few applications. Using this tool once or twice a week, after one and a half to two months you can see a stable result - a luxurious thick hair that captivates with its beauty and volume.

Combination of Shea Butter with Coconut Oil and Cocoa Butter

Liquid vegetable oils are rich in vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids, while solid oils additionally contain monobasic carboxylic acids. This makes them especially valuable in hair care. They are perfectly absorbed by the skin and hair, easy to apply and rinse off, suitable even for sensitive skin and help in the fight against many diseases.

The most common solid oils or butters in hair care are shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut butter. In addition, they can be successfully combined with each other, combining the benefits of different products.

coconut oil

It has a pronounced antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effect. It nourishes and softens hair, accelerates its growth, eliminates the problems of split ends, excessively dry and lifeless curls. I have been using for a long time. This is a real find for dry and brittle hair.

By mixing shea butter with coconut oil in equal proportions, you can get a wonderful tool that will give your hair beauty, shine and volume. You need to slightly heat the components of such a mask so that they mix better and apply to the hair along the entire length, from roots to ends for several hours. For all its nutritional value, it is washed off fairly quickly with regular shampoo.

Cacao butter

Regulates the activity of the sebaceous glands, so it is suitable for owners of oily and combination hair types. Shea butter as part of the mask will help balance its action. You need to use both ingredients in equal proportions or select their amount depending on the type of hair.

For dry and normal shea butter, it should be much more, and for fatty and combined, less than cocoa butter. By itself, cocoa butter adds shine to the hair, nourishes it and strengthens the roots. It contains tannins, amino acids, caffeine, vitamins A, D, E and antioxidants. This ingredient will give the masks a unique, delicate and pleasant aroma.

Shea butter (shea butter) for hair ends - how to apply

Split ends always look untidy, can spoil the impression of any hairstyle. This is a common problem, and it occurs both in owners of dry hair and oily. Shea butter will help solve this problem.

After warming it up to a creamy consistency, you need to apply the product to problematic, lifeless areas of the hair, in particular to their tips. After that, the hair needs to be fixed and walked with such a local mask for quite a long time, at least one to two hours.

Regularly carried out, this event will help solve the problem of split ends and make hair soft, silky and shiny along the entire length.

You can combine shea butter with olive or castor oil in equal proportions. In this case, it is better to warm the mixture slightly in a water bath before application.

A combination of oil with egg yolk and almond essential oil gives a good effect.

Is shea butter good for dry hair?

With all the useful properties of this unique product, it should not be used thoughtlessly. Owners of oily scalp, oily or combination hair, you can use it only as part of masks and not on an ongoing basis. Other ingredients of the mask should smooth out the effect of the oil with their drying effect.

But with dry, brittle, split ends, shea butter is a real find. It will help to solve many problems inherent in such hair, give it a healthy shine, structure and softness. This oil will perfectly restore damaged, lifeless, repeatedly colored hair.

Its regenerating and nourishing properties will allow you to enjoy your new curls, shining, soft and vibrant, in no time.

How to wash shea butter from hair?

When using any oil for hair care, problems may arise at the stage of rinsing it. To avoid them, when using shea butter, you need to follow some rules.

After all, when cooled, such an oil solidifies and becomes quite thick. Therefore, following the recommendations for warming the area of ​​application of oil with polyethylene and a towel will not be superfluous. When washing off, you need to use not too hot, but not barely warm water and the usual shampoo. It may need to be applied twice.

The use of oil masks requires knowledge of how to wash the oil from the hair. Often it is enough to wash your hair with shampoo using it twice. And also rinse your hair with a solution of water and apple cider vinegar (per 1 liter 1 tablespoon). If it suits you, then you can use . Rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar makes it shiny and manageable.

Shea butter is recommended for use on dry or normal hair. Owners of oily or combined ones may just have problems removing product residues. So, this may indicate that such care simply does not suit the structure or type of hair. In this case, the oil should be used as part of mixed masks. You can also try to solve the problem by using another shampoo that has a more active and pronounced effect.

In hot-hot Africa, in its central part, the Shea tree grows, strong, sprawling and majestic. Its fruits, which look like small plums, have long been used to make a wonderful oil, suitable for both food and personal care.

It can replace a moisturizer, an emollient, and a nourishing mask. But the most popular use of shea butter for hair.

Meet Shea Butter!

Shea butter is a rich source of moisture, vitamins and natural fats for your skin and hair. Miracle oil is the basis for many cosmetic products, or is used as one of the ingredients.

To improve the condition of the hair, it can be used both independently and as part of masks, or enriching purchased cosmetics. The main components of the oil are oleic, stearic and linoleic acids.

Shea butter, or karite, exists in two types - refined and unrefined.

Unrefined oil has not been subjected to heat treatments and additional purifications, which means that it has retained all the useful substances and trace elements that nature has given. Refined oil is completely odorless, which is a must in the food and medical industries.

What are the benefits of shea butter for hair?

For the beauty of hair, shea butter is a real find. It alone will be enough to cope with a number of problems:

Soothes irritated scalp

It will help relieve itching of the scalp, remove the feeling of tightness, has an anti-inflammatory effect. The oil is quickly absorbed into the skin and does not clog pores, which is important.

Improves the condition of split ends

The tool remarkably moisturizes and nourishes the hair along the entire length, which is especially important for curls that are subjected to frequent dyeing or thermal exposure. With it, split ends look more lively and neat.

Contains natural SPF

Shea butter has the ability to protect your hair from the UV rays of the sun. Of course, this will have a beneficial effect on dyed or chemically permed hair.

Softens and smoothes strands

Karite is great for coarse and brittle hair. Being a natural conditioner, the oil envelops each hair, making the strands obedient, soft and easy to comb.

Therapeutic effect

Surprisingly, shea butter has been successfully used for scalp problems such as psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.

thermal protection

If you like to create creative hairstyles with hot tools or can not imagine your life without a hair dryer, be sure to protect your hair from exposure to high temperatures. Shea butter is perfect for this purpose.

Homemade masks with shea butter for hair beauty

If you're tired of fighting split ends, putting up with damaged strands, and suffering from dry scalp, try the following easy-to-make shea butter hair masks.

Moisturizing mask for dry and damaged hair

Take two tablespoons of unrefined shea butter, a tablespoon of olive oil and some of your favorite hair balm.

Melt the shea butter over low heat or in the microwave, then add the rest of the ingredients. Apply the composition to the entire length of the strands and scalp, massage and leave overnight.

Revitalizing mask for colored and permed hair

To prepare an intense “medicine” for your hair, you will need a tablespoon each of shea butter and coconut oil, a teaspoon of amla oil and aloe vera juice, and half a teaspoon of almond oil.

As always, melt the shea butter in the microwave, add the other ingredients, and use a wooden spatula to stir the mixture. You end up with a thick, natural conditioner that can be used both at night and as an express mask before washing your hair.

Anti-dandruff hair mask

As mentioned earlier, shea butter has an excellent anti-inflammatory effect, relieves irritation and itching. In combination with essential oils, it is completely capable of getting rid of the hated "white blizzard".

So, melt a couple of tablespoons of oil and add 3-4 drops of lavender ether (you can also take tea tree, rosemary, pine). Massaging movements apply the composition on the scalp and hair roots, avoiding the length and, especially, dry ends.

Wrap your head with polyethylene and a terry towel so that the composition works better, and after an hour, rinse your hair with a cleansing shampoo. Use this recipe regularly, 2-3 times a week, and you will not only get rid of dandruff, but also normalize sebum production.

Leave-in treatment for split ends

Do not forget that one important plus is the possibility of using shea butter for hair in its pure form. Just take a little, warm it between your palms and apply to damp hair from the middle of the strands.

But do not overdo it, otherwise the hair will look dirty! Such care will not only moisturize the hair and prevent the appearance of sections, but also protect the curls from environmental influences.

Other Ways to Use Shea Butter

A characteristic feature of almost all natural oils is their versatility and versatility. The hero of our article today is no exception:

How to choose a quality oil?

Shea butter can be used in many different ways, but you should always choose only the best product. The quality of the fruit, the method of extraction of the oil, the method of storage - all this plays an important role in determining the grade of the oil. In order to get this wonderful remedy, the fruits of the Shi-karite tree are harvested, dried and crushed.

After the nuts have been crushed, they are boiled for quite a long time. The oil slowly rises to the surface of the water, where it is scooped out and allowed to cool.

Pure shea butter should be a delicate creamy-beige color, thick and dense, with a characteristic subtle smell of nuts. A quality product at room temperature resembles ordinary butter, but immediately melts at the touch of a hand.

Buying oil is not difficult - you can find it in stores specializing in organic cosmetics, some grocery stores, and also buy online on the Internet at a budget price. This, by the way, is very convenient - the selected product will be delivered directly to your home or delivered to the post office. All you have to do is go and pick it up!

So, when buying shea butter, make sure you are dealing with a reputable brand. It is advisable to purchase it in a small amount, so you do not have to worry about the product spoiling or going rancid. Use this valuable gift of the hot African lands regularly and watch your hair transform day by day, gaining softness, strength and natural shine!

There are many hair masks in stores and pharmacies. The only question is how much money you have to leave for really useful, effective cosmetics. Meanwhile, you can prepare natural masks yourself, for example, with shea butter. They will cost a penny, but are guaranteed to help eliminate a number of problems.

Benefits of shea butter for hair

The product is made from the nuts of the amazing shea tree and is a solid fat similar to a melted buttery substrate. It has a dense texture, but after application to the skin, the product melts before our eyes. The product has a nutty smell, sometimes with a slight hint of coconut. In cosmetology, an organic unrefined product is used - only it contains natural, useful substances (triglycerides, squalene, vitamins A, E, oleic, stearic acids).

Beneficial features:

1. Protects from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, wind.
2. Returns shine and silkiness to the hair.
3. Minimizes the harmful effects of hair dryers and other appliances.
4. Glues split ends, prevents further deterioration of the structure. The hair starts to look neater.
5. Soothes irritated skin: relieves itching, eliminates the feeling of tightness.
6. Oil is an excellent hair growth activator.
7. Envelops each hair, making them obedient, soft.
8. Effective for some skin diseases: eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis.

Hair masks with oils

Shea butter for hair is effective both in its pure form and as part of masks. Ideal as a base for using essential oils. To facilitate application, the product must be heated so that it fits better on the strands. Read more about recipes for making masks with oils and other ingredients to get the desired result.

Anti-fall

At home, it is easy to prepare an effective remedy for alopecia. For this you need:

1. Mix melted shea butter (3 tablespoons), castor oil (2 tablespoons). Add a couple of drops of rosemary. Apply the resulting mass to the root zone, distribute along the entire length. Cover with a towel and rinse after 3 hours.
2. Prepare a mixture of shea, burdock and cedar oils (2 tablespoons of each ingredient). Keep on the head for about half an hour.

For hair restoration

Do you want to restore shine to strands, improve their structure? Can't solve the problem of brittleness, dryness, dullness, because you often use an iron and a hair dryer? Prepare the following mask:

• melt the shea butter (about 30 g);
• pour vitamin A (5 ml), sandalwood (3 drops), tocopherol (5 ml) into it;
• stir, apply on the head;
• it is advisable to leave the mass overnight.

How to use shea butter for hair

1. Shea must always be melted before using. After that, either apply on the head in its pure form, or mixed with other components.
2. Since the product is also useful for skin care, you first need to distribute it to the roots, then to the tips.
3. In order to avoid complications, it is advisable to make sure that there is no allergic reaction - apply a few drops on the wrist and observe. If after a while redness, itching appear, you should refrain from using the product.
4. After applying the mixture, the head must be insulated to create a greenhouse effect. Use a heated terry towel (warm scarf) over a plastic bag for this purpose.
5. Shea butter hair mask is well washed off with shampoo: you must first apply to the head, try to lather without water. Wash away. At the last rinse, you can use essential oils - dilute a few drops in water and rinse with it.
6. If there are no contraindications, shea can be used without restrictions. Apply to slightly damp strands.

Hello friends!

I continue the theme of hair care with various oils.

And in this post, I want to tell you about one of my favorites, shea nut butter.

Shea butter for hair, however, as well as for the skin is universal, and helps in the treatment and prevention of so many problems.

Let's find out more...

From this article you will learn:

Shea butter for hair - the secrets of effective use

Shea butter boasts a very ancient history.

During the time of Queen Cleopatra, this valuable product in earthenware vessels was delivered by caravans to the Roman Empire, where it was used for cosmetic purposes.

The legend also says that the unearthly beauty of Queen Nefertiti was the result of the daily use of this natural product.

It is also known from ancient records that African tribes used it to treat rheumatism, nasal congestion, and leprosy.

Europe got acquainted with this tool in the middle of the nineteenth century.

African communities also use this product as a heating oil, lubricant, heat insulator, soap ingredient.

Shea butter is used to protect the skin and paws of pets from salt and sand.

Botanical information about the plant

The shea tree belongs to the Sapotaceae family, the botanist Karl Gartner gave the plant the name Vitalleria marvelous.

The tree grows on the territory of such African countries as Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Uganda, Sudan, Senegal.

It can reach 9-12 m in height, upon reaching the age of 20, the trees begin to actively bear fruit, and this function lasts up to 200 years.

For example, a coffee tree reaches maturity in the 8th year of life and retains its fruiting function for up to 30 years.

The shea tree flowers from February to March and fruits from June to September. The fruits are light green in color, up to 8 cm in diameter, have the shape of an elongated cucumber, when ripe, turn brown and crack.

The plant grows only in the wild.

Attempts to cultivate the shea tree have not been successful. That is why during the fruiting period, a large number of Africans go to these trees, as if on a pilgrimage.

Approximately 85% of the female population earns their income by picking and processing shea fruit.

In addition, this tree is considered sacred, before harvesting it is sacrificed in the form of livestock.

What is shea butter?

Shea butter is a product extracted from the grains of the African butter tree.

It is a solid vegetable fat with a nutty odor, the color of the substance varies from white to cream. At room temperature, the substance is paste-like, making it comfortable to work with.

Shea butter has gained the greatest popularity in the field of cosmetology, but it is also used for food purposes.

Many women are interested in how to use shea butter at home.

It is very useful to use shea butter for hair.

Composition of shea nut butter

The basis of the chemical composition of this vegetable fat is triglycerides.

It contains the following fatty acids:

• linoleic - up to 1%;
• linolenic - 3-8%
• palmitic - 3-7%
• stearic - 30-50%
• oleic 45-50%

The amount of unsaponifiable substances can reach 17%. On average, shea butter contains 8-9% unsaponifiable components.

Important! Saponifiable substances have a moisturizing function, while unsaponifiable substances are important nutrients, vitamins, microelements and have a healing function.

The unsaponifiable fraction of shea butter contains:

• phenolic substances;
• butyrospermol;
• parkole;
• lupeol;
• α-amirin
• sigmasterin
• β-sitosterol;
• α-spinasterol;
• campesterol;
• terpene alcohols

Getting Shea Butter

Shea butter is obtained by pressing the fruits of the Butyrospermum tree, or by extraction methods using organic solvents.

For cosmetic purposes, the product after receipt can be cleaned and dosed.

In the countries of growth, shea butter is obtained both by industrial and manual methods.

The product, obtained by hand, is available mainly only to tourists, and large industrial companies supply shea butter to the world market.

The local population uses the long-honed traditional technology for obtaining raw materials from the fruits of the shea tree.

• A valuable product is found in the pits of the fruit. After separation from the pulp, the bones are washed and dried. Then the kernels are crushed in special mortars and roasted over an open fire.
• Then the raw material is ground with a small amount of water until smooth. The porridge is heated and the oil fraction is collected.
• Then the semi-finished product is subjected to heat treatment again to remove water impurities.
• The resulting oil is poured into storage containers.
• Although this technology is laborious, it allows you to get away from the processing of raw materials with chemical reagents.

In industry, manual shea butter production is used only in the production of expensive branded cosmetics, since imitation of the manual processing method is too energy-consuming.

In most cases, shea butter is obtained by extraction with hexane. Advanced cleaning technologies allow you to get an absolutely pure product without impurities. The cost of such a substance is several times lower.

Shea butter can be distinguished by its melting point. There are two types of product conditionally. Liquid fractionated matter and solid fat.

• The liquid product is a fraction of shea butter. It is liquid at room temperature, solidifies already at + 10 ° C. It is used as an emollient in cosmetology. This type of oil has a low content of stearic acid, and oleic acid is high.
• The solid is much more common. Up to 35°C it is a paste-like fat. It has a high percentage of stearic acid. The oil is resistant to rancidity and can be used to produce refined oil.

Useful properties of shea butter for hair

Shea butter is used as an active ingredient in many conditioners and as a guarantee of hair restoration.

It is used as an emollient and moisturizer for the scalp.

• Thermal protection

It can be applied as a leave-in hair product. Dry hair absorbs it, acquiring a lively shine and flexibility. Applying too much shea butter to your hair can weigh down your hair and make it greasy.

Frequent use of hair dryers, curling irons, curlers, daily curls with the application of varnishes lead to moisture loss. Shea butter for dry hair will help to normalize the water balance, add shine and bring them back to life.

In addition, it contains many antioxidant compounds that help protect cells from aging.

• UV Protection

Shea butter has strong protective properties against ultraviolet radiation (UVB).

The main cause of skin cancer caused by the sun is UV radiation (290-320 nm).

Ultraviolet interacts directly with cellular DNA, which leads to the formation of cyclobutane and pyramidine dimers.

Hair also suffers from radiation. UVB leads to dehydration of hair tissue and the destruction of pigments. As a result, the hair becomes brittle, dull and looks like a washcloth.

Triterpene alcohols, which are the main component of the unsaponifiable fraction of shea butter, strongly absorb radiation in the region of 250-300 nm, thereby protecting the skin and hair from harmful effects.

• Protection against adverse environmental factors

The use of shea butter for hair helps protect hair from the harmful effects of free radicals in the air and water, harsh weather conditions, salt, and chlorine.

Thanks to phytosterols, the structure of damaged hair is restored. In addition, these substances prevent premature aging of the skin, protect elastin and collagen from destruction, which are responsible for skin turgor.

They are used to lighten and remove age spots.

• Antimicrobial and antifungal properties

Shea butter exhibits antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It is applied to the damaged area daily until complete recovery.

Since ancient times, African tribes have used shea butter as a wound healing agent. Today it can help to cope with chemical burns of the skin after painting, as well as mechanical damage to the skin, regardless of the origin of the wound.

• Fight against dandruff

Shea butter is an effective remedy for dandruff. It nourishes the skin and relieves inflammation, it is quickly absorbed, leaving no greasy marks and does not clog pores.

Vitamins A and E prevent overdrying of hair, have a beneficial effect on split ends. Therefore, shea butter helps with dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.

• Improves hair growth

There is an improvement in blood circulation in the scalp, which accelerates the growth of hairs and.

Can shea butter be used for curly hair

Shea butter is especially good for curly hair. Owners of straight curls may complain of a greasy feeling after washing off. And more porous and dry curls are perfectly nourished by shea butter, deeply moisturized, and you don’t feel greasy weighted hair.

How to use shea butter for hair?

A few words about how to use shea butter.

It can be used as an independent remedy or as an active ingredient in masks, shampoos, conditioners, balms. It can be mixed with essential oils, cosmetic clay.

How to apply pure shea butter on hair?

• For use in its pure form, the oil is heated, applied to the hair and distributed with massage movements along the entire length of the hair, rubbed into the roots.
• The amount of the product depends on the length of the hair.
• After processing, the head is wrapped with cling film and wrapped with a scarf or towel and kept for half an hour.
• The procedure is repeated twice a week, the full treatment course consists of 10-15 sessions.

Is it hard to wash shea butter out of your hair?

The answer to the question of whether shea butter is hard on hair is yes, because it is a mixture of fatty acids. It is washed off with a double application of shampoo. For rinsing, it is recommended to add a few drops of essential oil (rosemary, lavender, tea tree, rosewood) to the water or prepare a decoction of burdock, nettle or chamomile.

Shea Butter Hair Mask Recipes

• Shea butter can be combined with olive oil.

To prepare the mixture, take 30 g of shea butter preheated to 30-35 ° C and 15 g of olive oil.

The mixture is applied to dry clean hair and aged for 40-60 minutes. It is allowed to leave the product overnight, and rinse your hair in the morning.

The hair mask has nutritional properties and stimulates their growth.

• Mask for brittle and dry hair

For hair ends, dryness and brittleness, a composition with castor oil is used. Heat 200 g of shea butter in a water bath and mix with 5 tbsp. spoons of castor oil, hold for another 1-2 minutes on heating and then add 10 drops of ylang-ylang and lemon essential oils to the mixture cooled to an acceptable temperature.

The emulsion is applied to wet hair and aged for 60 minutes. The product can be stored in the refrigerator for some time, but at the same time it loses its properties somewhat.

• Mask for hair volume

To add volume, a balm is prepared based on African tallow oil. 45 g of solid shea butter is ground with a mortar, while mixing in a tablespoon of baobab and coconut oil until a homogeneous substance is obtained.

Add 30-32 drops of lemon essential oil. The mixture is well stirred, transferred to a glass container.

Stored in the refrigerator.

Once a week, the hair is treated with the resulting product, rubbing it well into the roots. Coconut oil with shea butter for prevention is used for at least a month. As a result, the hair will gain volume and lively shine.

• For curly hair

To facilitate combing long curls, shea butter is used in combination with pumpkin seed oil. On freshly washed hair, apply a little pumpkin seed oil, and then shea butter. Then the hair must be carefully combed, evenly distributing the product. After that, the hair is braided and the mixture is left for a while.

To combat dandruff, use a mixture of shea butter, eucalyptus and milk thistle. The ingredients are mixed in equal parts and rubbed into the roots.

• The following composition is used to grow hair and strengthen the roots.

Shea butter, burdock and cedar oils are mixed in a ratio of 2:2:1. The product is distributed throughout the hairline and rubbed well into the skin. The head is insulated and kept for 40 minutes. Then wash off.

• For oily hair prepare a mask with avocado oil.

Shea butter (20 g) is melted in a water bath and 1 tbsp. spoon, 2-3 drops of essential oils of vetiver and geranium. After applying the oil to the hair, wrap the head with cling film and a towel. Wash off after 40-60 minutes.

Avocado and shea butter for hair regulate the secretory function of the scalp, promote gentle cleansing.

• To activate hair growth

To activate hair growth, use a remedy with red pepper. 4 teaspoons of heated shea butter are mixed with 2 egg yolks (removed from the refrigerator in advance and warmed to room temperature), 3 teaspoons of honey (preferably liquid), 1 teaspoon of ground red pepper.

The components are mixed and treated with a mixture of hair. Wash off after 20-25 minutes.

Shea butter can be used as an additive to all masks that are prepared at home. It does not provoke any negative reactions from the body.

The skin absorbs exactly as much as it needs, and the rest is washed off with water.

Hair after shea butter becomes soft and manageable, this is a gift of nature for weakened dull curls.

Where to buy shea butter for hair?

High-quality shea butter can be found in online cream shops and organic cosmetics stores.

I buy all oils only Here, here is such a high-quality shea virgin oil you can buy for only 500 rubles for 200, 0

Contraindications for use

Shea butter contains natural latex. Therefore, it should not be used by people who are allergic to this substance.

Since the effect of the substance on pregnant women and children has not been studied, it is not recommended to use the product for this group of people.

Shea butter is a natural remedy for skin and hair restoration, which has concentrated a whole range of substances necessary for the body.

In terms of its chemical composition, it is truly unique and rightfully won the place of one of the most valuable natural products in the field of cosmetology.

Use shea butter for hair and share your feedback!

Alena Yasneva was with you, bye everyone!

Photo by @silviarita

African tallow, shea, shea butter are the names of the same product. Shea literally translates as "life", which reflects the unique ability of the tool to reanimate dull weak strands.

Composition and effectiveness

Absolutely natural shea butter visually does not look like well-known cosmetic oils at all. Outwardly dense, creamy milky-white mass resembles butter. It has a light nutty smell with a pleasant coconut undertone. 45% fat. In the composition, E, D, F, protein, fatty acids. Together, these substances can solve most hair problems.

• Mitigation. Karite, enveloping each strand, makes hair obedient, elastic. After use, there are no difficulties with combing, since the oily substance acts as a caring balm.
• Therapeutic effect. Due to its properties, it relieves the scalp from dermatological problems: eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis.
• UV Protection. Shea can protect hair from the harmful effects of the sun. Especially colored and subjected to frequent heat treatments.
• Split ends. Shea butter makes untidy, dry ends live and well-groomed.
• Irritation. Shea will remove itching, tightness and inflammation of the skin. It is perfectly absorbed without leaving a greasy "gloss".

The systematic use of shea will relieve dandruff, hair loss, stimulate blood circulation and strengthen the roots. Restoring hair after curls and dyes is another task that the tool will cope with.

Contraindications

Shea butter is not suitable for allergy sufferers and people with sensitive skin. The reason is the individual intolerance to natural latex, which is part of it and can cause side effects. If in doubt about the reaction of your own body, conduct a test before the procedure. To do this, apply shea on the wrist or elbow and observe the reaction.

The product has no other contraindications. It is impossible to overdo it with oil: the skin will absorb only the amount of natural product it needs.

Applications

The oil, which has a dense consistency, melts to a liquid state at a temperature of 27-35 ° C. This feature of the product must be taken into account, since the product needs to be slightly warmed up for wellness procedures. So it will become plastic, and it will be easy to distribute it among the strands.

There are two cosmetic methods of using African shea butter.

1. Self remedy. The oil pieces are heated using a water bath. The substance can reach the required consistency in the hands, melting from the temperature of the human body.
2. Additional ingredient. Shea butter increases the effectiveness of shampoos, masks, balms, essential oils.

Recommended for dry and normal hair with lifeless, brittle ends. In its natural form, it is better not to use shea butter on oily and combined strands, since it will be difficult to wash off the remnants of the product. In such a situation, it should be introduced as a component in the composition of the treatment mixture.

Mask Recipes

Calculate your time before use. The substance is absorbed for quite a long time. Regardless of prescription features, the mask will have to be worn for at least two hours (preferably longer). All recipes are designed for three times a day for 30 days.

Nutritious

1. Take shea butter and honey by a teaspoon.
2. Melt both components with a water bath.
3. Add a couple of tablespoons of banana pulp (pre-mash).
4. Stir in wheat germ oil (a teaspoon is enough).
5. Let's mix.
6. Dilute an excessively thick mixture with egg yolk.
7. Lubricate the washed curls. Let's wait half an hour.
8. Let's wash it off.

Anti-fall

1. We measure out three large spoons of shea butter.
2. Drop a little rosemary oil.
3. Mix the first two ingredients and a couple of large spoons of castor oil.
4. With massaging movements, rub the contents into the roots.
5. Having wrapped our heads, we will provide a three-hour rest.
6. Wash with shampoo.

For split ends

1. Mix almond oil and shea butter (two large spoons each).
2. Add the yolk of one egg to it.
3. Distribute along the entire length.
4. Rub the mask well into split ends.
5. Let's warm our heads.
6. Let's wait about three and a half hours.
7. Get rid of the mask with shampoo.

The recipe is designed for short and medium hair. Owners of long curls need to increase the dosage of oils to three to four tablespoons.

For thin and unruly strands

1. Warm up a couple of tablespoons of shea butter in a water bath or in the microwave.
2. Combine with a large spoonful of olive oil.
3. Stir a capful of balm into the oil mixture.
4. Rub into the scalp, apply, massaging, along the entire length.
5. Let's leave it for the night.
6. Wash off with shampoo in the morning.

Anti-dandruff

1. Melt two or three tablespoons of shea butter.
2. Add burdock oil (large spoon) and up to five drops of tea tree ether.
3. We apply and hold for three hours, wrap it up.
4. Wash off with regular shampoo.

If such a composition is applied every three to four days, the result will appear after a few applications. After a month, the unpleasant problem will disappear altogether.

To enhance growth

1. Combine three tablespoons of shea butter and a spoonful of burdock oil.
2. Let's introduce liquid vitamins A and E (a small spoon each).
3. Lubricate all the hair.
4. Massage diligently.
5. We'll last four hours.
6. We wash in the usual way.

For shine and volume

1. Mix the shea butter and coconut oil equally (two large spoons each).
2. Lightly heat the ingredients and apply along the entire length of the strands.
3. After three hours, wash with regular shampoo.

For density

1. Combine shea with blue clay, honey and lemon juice. We take all the components in a large spoon.
2. Let's add the egg yolk.
3. We will warm the head with the applied composition for three hours.
4. Rinse thoroughly.

As a standalone tool

Apply the product undiluted following the six-step instructions.

1. Apply . In undiluted form, shea butter is applied to clean, dry hair in this order: first - at the ends, then - along the entire length.
2. Massage. With light massage movements, ensure a good blood flow to the skin.
3. Comb through. Use a fine-toothed comb to distribute evenly through hair.
4. Insulate. Hide the smeared hair under a plastic cap, wrap it with a terry towel.
5. You are holding . The time of wearing shea is at least two to three hours. Ideally, you need to keep such a natural mask for a long time, not being afraid to leave it even overnight.
6. Wash away. The substance is washed off only with shampoo. If your hair is oily, be prepared to lather it several times.

Shea butter helps not only hair. It treats baby diaper rash, itchy mosquito bites, chapped lips, flaky elbows and knees.