Avocados might look
like an unassuming vegetable but it trumps most vegetables in terms of
nutrients. Nutritionists are basically
united in saying that it is a complete food. Avocados are rich in
potassium, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, fiber, folate,
Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, copper and protein and have been used in treating a ton
of skin and hair ailments. The skin should have a label saying, the
hair and skin healer, made and produced by nature.
It’s that good… and you
will be hard pressed to find anything in nature that works as well for black
hair. The avocado itself and the avocado oil are really winners with African American
type hair, both natural and processed, this vegetable does not discriminate.
Apart from its nutritious goodness, avocado is anti-fungal and
anti-bacterial. The avocado contains
oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that may help to lower cholesterol, regulate
blood pressure and guard against stroke, heart disease, and high blood
pressure.
Avocados, with their
natural fatty richness are good for skin and hair. It was the Egyptians who
first used this fruit because it prevents hair loss and promotes hair growth.
It is also used to improve the condition of hair by acting as a moisturizer.
This fruit makes hair shiny and gorgeous and skin moisturized and supple.
The avocado is used in
several commercial preparations, especially conditioners or hair masks but you
can make your own avocado hair mask at home and experience your hair going from
brittle and dry to soft and shiny. It’s not magic, its avocado.
Avocado
Hair Mask
Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado (peeled)
1 Tbsp. Yogurt
1 Tbsp. jojoba oil
1 egg
Directions:
In a blender, put all
the ingredients together and blend until smooth. On damp hair, work the
ingredients into your hair paying special attention to your hair ends. Be
generous with the mask when putting it on. Wrap hair with a plastic cap and
leave on hair for an hour or more.
For quicker
conditioning, go under an overhead dryer for fifteen minutes. Shampoo hair
after and then condition. You can add a variation of carrier and essence oils
to the recipe if you so desire. Instead
of using jojoba you can use castor oil, coconut oil or olive oil.
Avocados help to
hydrate dry skin and it is ideal to use for all types of skin. Using this
avocado mask for your face will leave your face, soft, smooth and hydrated. If
you are battling with dark spots or scars this mask should be especially
beneficial to smooth out your skin tone. Especially if used on a regular basis.
Avocado
Facial Mask
Ingredients:
1/2 ripe avocado
3-4 drops of Vitamin E oil
Directions:
In a blender put the
peeled avocado and add the Vitamin E oil, blend until the combination and the mass is smooth. Wash face with warm water alone, this will open up
your pores. Pat face until it slightly damp, gently massage the avocado mixture
into the face. Allow it to dry completely or to sit on face for 20 minutes to
half an hour. Wash off with lukewarm water and do a final rinse with cool
water.
For a variation of this
facial, for ladies or gents who have dark spots or freckles, you can add a
teaspoon of lime or lemon juice to the mixture. For very dry skin, especially
in the colder months of the year, add a tablespoon of honey for a good
hydration.
These two recipes can
be tweaked and refined to suit your needs. Using the avocado alone for hair as
a conditioner or as a pre-shampoo treatment works just as well. Adding your
favorite essential or carrier oils will bump up the nutritive value of your
treatments. Experiment and have fun with
your avocado.
