Content
Mint for hair is of great benefit for weakened, damaged and excessively oily hair. The properties of the medicinal plant have a strengthening and cleansing effect, and home cosmetology offers dozens of recipes based on peppermint.
Can you rinse your hair with mint?
Conventional shampoos and conditioners do not always help cope with hair problems. Sometimes you need to give your curls some extra help.
Mint contains a huge amount of vitamins, antioxidants, organic acids and minerals. It is possible and very useful to use decoctions and water infusions based on the plant. With regular rinsing of your hair with mint, your curls are literally transformed in a couple of weeks.
What are the benefits of mint for hair?
Peppermint has a complex effect on weakened curls. We can list several main properties of the medicinal plant:
- Peppermint effectively cleanses hair and scalp, and also helps regulate the oiliness of the epidermis and eliminate dandruff.
- Mint soothes skin irritations and eliminates itching. Therefore, using plant-based products is useful if the scalp is very dry and constantly itchy.
- Peppermint strengthens hair follicles. With regular use of decoctions and masks, hair roots become healthier and stronger, and curl growth accelerates.
- Substances in mint stimulate subcutaneous blood circulation. Thanks to this, the hair follicles receive more nutrients, and the curls show rapid growth - the hairstyle becomes fuller and more voluminous.
For what hair can mint be used?
Peppermint is a completely universal cosmetic product. It mainly has a cleansing and strengthening effect, but in combination with other components it is suitable for all hair types. You can use mint for thin and dry strands, for oily curls and quickly dirty scalp, for hair loss or too slow growth.
In what form can mint be used?
Peppermint is used for hair in three main types:
- rinsing - fresh mint leaves are brewed with boiling water for a short time, and then the strands are washed with the infusion after the usual hygiene procedures;
- masks - fresh mint leaves for hair are crushed and mixed with other ingredients, and then applied to the curls and scalp for 30-60 minutes;
- decoctions - fresh or dry peppermint is boiled over a fire, then cooled and used for washing hair along with shampoo.
Mint masks have the greatest cosmetological effectiveness. Peppermint in this case acts on the epidermis and strands for a long time and therefore brings the most noticeable results, especially in combination with other ingredients.
Useful mint recipes for hair
Folk recipes offer several ways to process and prepare peppermint for cosmetic use. You can use not only mint in its pure form for hair care, but also other components that enhance its beneficial effect.
Decoctions
A classic peppermint decoction is prepared very simply. The recipe looks like this:
- dry or fresh mint is crushed in the amount of 2 large spoons;
- the raw materials are poured with 250 ml of water and put on fire;
- Boil the mint for 20 minutes, then cool and filter.
You can rinse your strands with a warm decoction, and also mix mint in equal proportions with a decoction of nettle, linden, oak leaves or chamomile. Reviews of hair rinses with mint confirm that such combinations are especially useful, since all of the listed decoctions strengthen and restore hair.
Infusions for rinsing
Another way to prepare peppermint is to make a water infusion from fresh or dried leaves. To do this you need:
- chop mint leaves in the amount of 2 large spoons;
- pour 500 ml of fresh boiling water over the raw materials;
- Cover the container with a lid and leave the mint for 2 hours, then dilute with water or another herbal decoction and rinse your hair.
Peppermint hair rinse also works well with nettle, linden and chamomile extracts. The product should be used after washing your hair with shampoo and rinsing on clean hair.
Masks
To prepare masks, you usually take fresh mint leaves - healthy, fleshy, without damage or stains. To prepare the cosmetic mixture, mint leaves are crushed, the raw materials can be placed in a blender or the mint can be finely chopped with a knife to release the juice abundantly.
Mix mint with many beneficial ingredients. Among them are liquid honey and heavy cream, kefir and yogurt, egg yolk, and sometimes mint pulp is diluted with decoctions of medicinal herbs.
Cosmetic oils are especially popular in making masks with peppermint. Peppermint has a good effect in combination with olive oil, jojoba, coconut, and wheat germ oils; burdock, grape and almond oils have a beneficial effect.
How to use mint for hair
Home cosmetology offers recipes based on peppermint for all hair types. For any problems with the health of your curls, you can find a way to moisturize, soften, cleanse or strengthen the hair and epidermis of the head.
For dry
To moisturize and add volume to dry hair, the following mask is recommended for use:
- fresh mint leaves are crushed in the volume of half a glass;
- pour 30 ml of slightly warmed olive oil;
- add 50 g of liquid honey and 30 ml of heavy cream;
- mix the components thoroughly until smooth;
- distribute the mixture over the hair and wrap it with cling film.
It is recommended to wrap your head in a warm towel and keep the mask on for half an hour. Then the product is washed off with warm water using a light natural shampoo and wait until the hair dries.
If you use mint for dry hair at least twice a week, the beneficial effect will appear quickly; mint in combination with oil, cream and honey will give your hair volume and shine.
For fatty people
For oily hair and scalp, mint is especially beneficial due to its strong cleansing properties. First of all, for oily curls, it is recommended to regularly rinse your hair after washing with mint infusion - your head will not get dirty so quickly, and the production of subcutaneous sebum will be normalized.
You can also use the following treatment mask for oily hair:
- fresh mint leaves are crushed in the amount of 100 g;
- add 30 ml of almond oil to the mint pulp;
- Stir the ingredients and apply to the curls, especially carefully treating the skin at the roots.
You need to keep the mixture for 40 minutes, it is advisable to insulate your head with film and a towel. Then the mint and oil are washed off using natural shampoo. If you use the mask often enough, your hair will become drier, but at the same time maintain a healthy shine and volume.
For thin
Poor environmental conditions, frequent dyeing and other chemical procedures have a bad effect on the curls, the hair becomes thinner, begins to flake and break. The following remedy is good for recovery:
- lightly heat a large spoon of castor oil and the same amount of honey for a couple;
- add 10 g of chopped fresh mint, a large spoon of lemon juice and an egg yolk to the base;
- add 2 large spoons of cognac and a small spoon of onion juice;
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly and apply to hair along the entire length.
The mask must be kept under film and a towel for an hour. After this, the hair is washed with a light natural shampoo, rinsed with warm water or mint infusion and dried without using a hair dryer.
The components of a nourishing mint hair mask help restore the hair structure and make it more voluminous. Mint in the mixture has not only a healing effect, but also a flavoring effect, neutralizing the specific odors of onions and castor oil.
For damaged
If your hair has severe split ends and splits at the ends, mint in combination with cosmetic oils will have a good effect. Necessary:
- crush 2 large spoons of fresh mint leaves;
- mix mint with jojoba and coconut oils, 30 ml of each;
- Lightly heat the homogeneous mixture over steam until warm and apply to curls from the roots and along the entire length.
Wash off the product after an hour, repeat the procedure at least twice a week.
For growth
Many women dream of long and voluminous locks, but not everyone can boast of fast hair growth. Peppermint for hair growth will help speed up the process, for this it is recommended to use the following product:
- 30 g of crushed mint is mixed with 60 ml of liquid honey;
- add a small spoon of olive oil to the ingredients;
- Add a large spoonful of heavy cream and mix the ingredients thoroughly.
The finished mask is applied to the curls, thoroughly rubbing at the roots, and then the hair is collected at the back of the head and covered with a shower cap and a warm towel. After half an hour, the mixture will need to be washed off, using shampoo in a minimal amount.
From falling out
The beneficial properties of peppermint strengthen hair roots and prevent active hair loss. The most effective way to preserve the thickness and volume of hair is the following decoction:
- 2 large spoons of mint are mixed with 2 large spoons of linden flowers;
- pour 200 ml of water into the raw material and place on low heat;
- Boil the ingredients for 15 minutes, then strain and cool until warm.
A decoction of mint and linden should be used to rinse your hair after regular hygiene procedures. This should be done at least three times a week, only then mint against hair loss will bring a noticeable effect.
To strengthen
If your hair falls out too much and entire tufts remain on your comb, you can use a homemade mask of mint and other herbs. They do it like this:
- 2 tablespoons of fresh or dried mint are mixed with the same amount of lemon balm and crushed oak bark;
- pour the ingredients into 500 ml of boiling water and leave for 6 hours;
- the infusion is filtered, and then 300 ml of yogurt is added to it and stirred properly.
The liquid mass is generously distributed over the curls, the strands are insulated with film and a towel for 45 minutes, and then the mixture is washed off with plain water; there is no need to use shampoo.
For food
If your hair has become dull and has lost its attractive appearance, then nettle and mint for hair in combination with kefir will help restore the beauty of your hair. Prepare the medicinal mixture as follows:
- fresh mint and nettle, 2 large spoons each, chopped in a blender or using a knife;
- mix the gruel with a glass of fresh kefir;
- spread over the entire length of the strands for an hour, then cover with a shower cap and towel.
When washing off the mask, you don’t have to use shampoo, but you need to rinse your hair as thoroughly as possible.Medicinal herbs and kefir will deliver vitamins and useful minerals to the hair follicles, resulting in hair regaining strength and shine.
Rules for using mint for hair
Peppermint has a good effect on any hair type, but you need to remember the rules for its use:
- To prepare decoctions, infusions and masks, use only high-quality dry raw materials or fresh, fleshy, healthy mint leaves.
- Before processing, fresh mint leaves should be rinsed with cold water and dried on a paper towel.
- Cosmetic masks should be applied not to dry, but to slightly moistened hair. Distribute the mixture towards the ends, paying special attention to the scalp and hair roots.
- To achieve maximum effect, the head must be insulated after applying therapeutic masks, so that beneficial substances are absorbed into the skin and curls more actively.
- You cannot keep products with peppermint on your hair for more than an hour, otherwise the mint will cause irritation and itching of the scalp.
The frequency of use of mint is determined individually, but in general, for oily curls, peppermint is used twice or thrice a week, and for dry curls, no more than 1-2 times a week.
Restrictions and contraindications
When using mint for hair, you need to remember some contraindications. The medicinal plant should not be used:
- if you are allergic to mint, menthol and other components in the plant;
- during pregnancy, especially in the early stages;
- during periods of exacerbation of any allergy, mint can worsen symptoms;
- with increased skin sensitivity.
Mint should not be used for washing hair for children under 7 years of age; decoctions and infusions can damage children's skin or cause allergies.
Conclusion
Mint for hair is used everywhere in home cosmetology and brings great benefits. There are many proven recipes for different types of curls, and if you follow simple rules when using mint, your hair will quickly gain volume, healthy shine and strength.