Shea Butter for Hair

Shea butter is extracted from the shea butter nuts, which grow on the Shea-Karite tree. The Shea-Karite tree grows only in the tropics of Africa. The nut has a high content of fatty acids. The traditional way of extracting shea butter from the nuts involved cracking, grilling and pounding it. The pounded nut is then boiled in clean water for hours until the shea butter rises to the surface, from where it is scooped and left to cool. However, with the advent of modern technology in cosmetology, it is extracted with the aid of a machine, untouched by the human hand. Shea butter is popularly used for hair care and is a widely used in professional hair care products. Before going over the advantages of using of shea butter for hair, let's find out in which form it is best used for the hair.

The quality of the nuts, method of extraction and storage play a major role in determining its quality or grade. Raw or refined shea butter in its original form is slightly yellowish in color and is extracted with the help of water (the traditional way). Refined extraction reduces the yellowish tinge from the butter, ensuring all natural stimulant properties are intact. The last method is when the butter is highly processed using chemical solvents. Processed shea butter is least recommended for therapeutic as well as cosmetic use.

Why use shea butter for hair care?
As it is full of minerals, vitamins, moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, shea butter's benefits for hair are many. Its anti-inflammatory properties heal damaged scalp and help clear any infections. It works well against dandruff too. It can do wonders for hair that has been damaged by excessive coloring and blow-drying. It also helps to de-stress hair that has been affected for too long by pollution. Damaged and brittle hair can be conditioned and revitalized by its moisturizing properties. It soothes and softens dry hair. As shea butter is light and non-greasy, it can also be applied as a leave-in for hair. This will help to shield hair by locking or concealing the moisture in. Besides being great for dry hair, it helps to nourish normal hair and it's non-greasy, easy spread property helps to control excess moisture in oily hair. Using shea butter for hair growth is not unknown, due to its rejuvenating minerals and vitamins.

How to you use shea butter for hair?
Shea butter is the mainstay for many cosmetic products, either as one of the ingredients or as the main one. People, good in making essential oils can make whipped shea butter, a natural moisturizer to suit individual hair and scalp requirement, using a dose of shea butter and some natural oils. For those who want to use shea butter without too many combinations, make sure you get the raw or unrefined one. For a dry scalp, massage a coin sized amount of shea butter on scalp and in damp hair, after shampooing it. It is recommended to do it on a clean scalp. Wrap hair with a warm towel for 15 minutes. Remove towel, hand comb first, and then style as desired. This treatment will revitalize hair. For normal to greasy hair, take one part melted shea butter and mix it with a quarter part of extra virgin olive oil and stir thoroughly. Pour the content into a jar, and massage in scalp and hair, at least six hours before shampooing hair. One can add 5ml of shea butter into a 50ml shampoo bottle, to get its moisturizing goodness every time you shampoo hair.

Shea butter is expensive in its true, original form, so don't get misguided into purchasing one that is not the real thing. While buying shea butter products, make sure you pick them up from a reputed brand. It is advisable to buy shea butter in small quantities; this way one won't have to worry about it getting stale or rancid. Use shea butter for hair regularly, and watch that crown sparkle and shine.