Ayurvedic Strengthening Treatments for Fast Hair Growth

Originally published on April 3, 2018

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Strategic hair care is really important to me. I believe that if you are intentional and consistent with your routine you’ll be able to reach your hair goals - whatever they may be. Of course, I would love to have length, and I would be lying if I said that was not my ultimate goal; but, more than anything my current routine focuses on maintaining a clean scalp and strengthening my hair. 

Why? Because 1, hair won’t grow from a dirty scalp and 2, weak hair will split and shed excessively, meaning you won’t retain your length.

A very important thing to keep in mind - I didn’t start doing strong strengthening treatments right away. I have low porosity, protein sensitive hair. I literally trained my hair for this. Although they aren't "protein" exactly - they have a very similar effect, at least on my hair. I would say they are even stronger than protein. With Ayurvedic powders, I really had to work my way up. This is crucial to get the maximum benefits, and not over strengthen your hair leaving it hard/stiff. 

Honestly, it’s really easy so I won’t bore you any longer. Remember this post? All I did was add two Ayurvedic powders to a bunch of stuff lol and boom, strengthening treatment! Although I do get fancier every now and then, most months my treatments are really simple - see below. 

On a monthly basis, this technique has proven to work the best for me. I am aware that some leave these treatments on for much longer, some even a few hours. But like I have mentioned before my hair is sensitive, and reacts really well to simply 30 minutes. I don't feel the need to overdo it. 

I would also like to add that I only let the treatment sit for at least 4 hours when I am using Henna. Henna requires time to release its dye. All other powders I use (for example cassia, brahmi, amla, etc) I let the mix sit for about 20 or 30 minutes, I mix well again, and then I use it. 

How I worked my way up... 

I started off with Amla powder (I began with ½ teaspoon and increased my way up to 1 tablespoon). Then I got Hibiscus powder and I started using that with the Amla. I also used Hibiscus in a few clay washes and I started playing around with my Tropical Shea Butter deep conditioner recipe. After seeing how great these two worked I got more and more powders! When I felt my hair was ready for a Hennagloss, I only used ½ teaspoon and still, my hair was a little overwhelmed. I mixed it with ¼ teaspoon of Amla because that was the powder my hair was most familiar with. After I rinsed it off my hair felt really strengthened and I noticed I had almost no frizz. Henna also smells bombbb and provided me with way more slip than the other powders. For a few months, I did a treatment once a month. When I joined Curly Proverbz growth challenge early in 2018, I did them twice a month for 3 months. During this time I used less than a tablespoon each time, although I was already using more. I did this because I was doing 2 a month as opposed to 1. 

*Please note that Henna may have coloring effects on dyed hair, or lighter hair. Cassiaoften referred to as "colorless henna" - has none! Please do further research on the herbs you intend to use. I have noticed my hair get darker and shinner from using Henna, but my hair is naturally mixed shades of lighter to darker brown, and the ends of my hair are growing out a black dye.* 

November 2018 update: Currently, I use about 2 tablespoons of up to 4 powders at a time.

• Like I said above, start small and work your way up. For beginners, one to two glosses a month is a good start; assuming you typically did a protein treatment once or twice a month. But of course, pay attention to your hair. If you normally only do a protein treatment once every 4-6 weeks then you can just replace it with a gloss. You can probably get away with starting with a full tablespoon of whatever powder(s) you’re using too, but it’s up to you.
• Never do a strengthening gloss two weeks in a row, always alternate with a moisturizing deep conditioner.
• In terms of how much oil to mix, I advise that you eye it. The goal is to make a runny paste. It really depends on how much powder you’re using, so I can’t give you an exact measurement.
• When mixing your gloss keep in mind the length and thickness of your hair. Use a lot of conditioner, it should not be a half and half mix, you should have a generous amount of your conditioner.
• Ideally, you should leave it in for at least 20 minutes, however, there have been a few times that I'm in a rush and leave it for 10-15. I still feel that it was effective. I always say this about any kind of deep conditioning - it's better to do it for a little than to completely overdo it. 
• After you rinse the treatment out, it’s important that you use a moisturizing leave-in conditioner (as your base product) and then style as usual! After a strengthening treatment, I like to follow up with a protective style, but that’s a personal choice.