Shikakai: Nutrients for Healthy Hair
Suffering From Hair Loss?
Hair loss comes in a variety of shapes and forms, from thinning hair to shedding to dull, lifeless color, hair loss can be a stressful thing. And, what's worse is that stress can then further exacerbate the problem. While men more noticeably suffer from hair loss, both men and women experience some form of hair loss throughout their lifetime. While there are numerous procedures and medicines to help with hair loss, most are expensive, painful, and filled with harsh unnatural chemicals that could potentially do more harm than good.
Healthy Hair Growth
One of the most important aspects of trying to grow hair is a healthy scalp environment. An unhealthy scalp is usually inflamed, overridden with dandruff, and prone to shedding. For natural hair growth, we can turn to nature to provide answers like Shikakai that can directly address these problems and provide a holistic solution to hair loss.
What Is Shikakai?
It's an ancient plant from central India that has been used for centuries as a cleaning agent. Shikakai, which translates to "fruit for the hair," has a naturally low pH meaning it won't strip your hair or scalp of its natural oils that are essential to a healthy scalp environment. Shikakai has been used as a holistic and natural approach to hair loss and damaged follicles for centuries and is an excellent alternative to harsh, stripping hair cleansers.
How Does Shikakai Work?
Shikakai contains essential vitamins and antioxidants that help nourish and strengthen your scalp. Antioxidants prevent brittle, dull hair, and split ends by nourishing hair follicles from root to end. The plant has antifungal and antiseptic properties that help fight off dandruff and bacteria that can inhibit the growth of new hair. With its powerful cleansing features, Shikakai can even help deter lice with regular use. Because it's a natural cleanser, Shikakai can also help with clogged pores, which can be a large part of hair loss. Using a sulfate-free and natural shampoo can also help those with sensitive skin suffering from psoriasis or eczema since it won't further inflame skin surrounding the scalp as many scented sulfate hair care products do.
How Is Shikakai Traditionally Prepared?
Shikakai produces fruit pods that can be dried and ground up with the leaves and bark to create a powder. Traditionally, the powder is mixed with water to form a paste that can be used as a low lather hair cleansing shampoo that is effective yet gentle. Because it's so mild, Shikakai powder is used for all hair types, lengths, and styles.
Dandruff? Shikakai Can Help With That Too
Dandruff is caused by a multitude of reasons including dry skin, oily and irritated scalp, not cleansing enough, and sensitivity to products with harsh chemicals. While dandruff doesn't directly lead to hair loss, itching and scratching can weaken hair follicles and lead to hair thinning. Unlike other solutions, Shikakai can help remove unwanted oils without completely drying out the scalp and surrounding skin. Shakakai's naturally balanced pH also assists in alleviating dandruff and the itchiness associated with it. Shikakai reduces dandruff while simultaneously working to minimize itching and strengthen individual hair follicles.
The Additional Benefits Of Shikakai
Aside from hair loss, Shikakai can provide an answer to graying, dull hair that almost everyone will experience. While Shikakai can't reverse the natural graying process like an artificial dye, it can help slow down the process and improve hair vibrancy and luster. Shikakai can even add bounce and shine back to longer locks in addition to acting as a detangler. Shikakai powder is so nourishing that a conditioner is not always needed because the plant provides all the necessary nutrients to keep the hair hydrated and happy.
How We Use Shikakai at Ko
With all of these incredible natural benefits, it's no wonder Shikakai is called fruit for the hair! At Ko, we've done the hard work of taking Shikakai powder for hair and mixing it into our Revitalizing Shampoo and Stimulating Scalp Tonic, so you don't have to. See what this ancient plant can do for your hair today!