The dried bark of an evergreen tree, known in botany as Ceylon Cinnamon, produces a pleasant sweetish aroma that stimulates the human sense of smell. Thanks to this, cinnamon is used in cooking and perfumes. But the spice has a powerful healing potential, so it is also used in official and traditional medicine.
The benefits of cinnamon for hair
In cosmetology, cinnamon serves as a component of therapeutic masks and other compounds for healing the skin and hair. The properties of spices for the second purpose are less known, but the benefits of cinnamon for hair are undeniable. It includes the following effects:
- Intensive nutrition of the hair bulb;
- "Sealing" keratin scales and smoothing the rough hair structure;
- Giving locks of radiance, the return of natural turgor;
- Restoration and hydration of dry and lifeless hair;
- Stimulation of blood flow to the scalp.
Spice also has a warming and local irritating effect, which improves blood circulation and increases the metabolic rate in the scalp. Due to this, the regeneration of damaged hair is much faster.
Application features
Exotic spice can dramatically improve the condition and appearance of the hair, but only with the correct use of masks based on it. Features of using cinnamon for treatment and cosmetic hair care include several points, namely:
- If the hair structure is particularly damaged, the use of cinnamon masks can aggravate the situation. To begin with, the ingredient should be introduced into the composition of the masks in microdoses, and when the hair condition improves, use more impressive portions;
- Both cinnamon sticks and powder are suitable for making masks. However, in the first case, you will have to grind the dried bark of cinnamon tree yourself. If you buy spice in bags, pay attention to the fact that in its composition there are no additional inclusions and components;
- Masks do on based on cinnamon powder or cinnamon essential oil. The first option is considered more effective;
- The best “extraneous” ingredients mixed into masks based on oil or cinnamon powder are honey, egg yolk, kefir, vegetable oils, banana or other fruits or vegetables (apple, pear, pumpkin pulp, etc.);
- A mask with cinnamon is usually prepared immediately before use and is not stored in the refrigerator. The product should be fresh;
- Do not mix the spice mask in a metal dish: this can lead to an undesirable chemical reaction;
- Some people have individual intolerance to cinnamon. In order not to provoke an allergic reaction, apply a small amount of water-soaked spices on the skin at the bend of the elbow, rinse off after 15 minutes and observe the treated area for 6 to 8 hours.If redness and itching are not observed, feel free to use the spice to prepare the mask;
- Cinnamon mixtures have a rather aggressive composition, so they applied to unwashed hair. Before the procedure, you should only slightly moisten them. To prevent the ends of the hair from being very dry, apply any vegetable oil on them before the mask. The mixture itself is distributed over the scalp and curls with a brush;
- The average aging time of the mask with cinnamon is 25-30 minutes. If this causes a strong intolerable burning or itching sensation or other uncomfortable symptom, immediately rinse the composition from the hair. For therapeutic effect 8 to 10 sessions are enough;
- When washing your hair after a mask, it is useful to rinse your hair with herbal infusions. The best options are a decoction of nettle, burdock roots, chamomile infusion, linden decoction, etc.
Cinnamon masks are used not only to restore and strengthen hair, but also to get rid of the unwanted shade obtained by coloring and lightening curls.
Cinnamon Hair Mask Recipes
There are a huge number of folk and cosmetic recipes for improving hair quality, in which cinnamon powder or cinnamon essential oil is a key component of the composition. Their goal is to achieve various effects, namely:
- Lightening and smoothing hair tone;
- Strengthening hair follicles, reducing the amount of hair falling out;
- Decreased sebum production;
- Giving curls shine and natural elasticity;
- Growth stimulation;
- Moisturizing and nutrition.
Before applying a mask with cinnamon, read the instructions, allowing to make the procedure as effective as possible:
- Moisten your hair slightly to reveal keratin scales: this will penetrate the hair structure faster;
- The mask is applied to the comb-separated strands. Use a brush or cotton swab for this;
- After applying the composition, comb the strands so that the mass lies evenly;
- You can collect hair in a bun, it is convenient and will allow you to wrap it with a film. Then put a hat on your head or wrap it with a towel;
- After 30 to 40 minutes rinse off the mask. Do not keep the mixture longer than indicated in the recipe, otherwise it may cause an allergic reaction to develop on the scalp;
- When washing off the composition, use decoctions of herbs and be sure to apply a nourishing balm after washing.
We offer some of the most effective recipes for hair masks with cinnamon, designed for different therapeutic purposes.
Mask for lightening hair
To achieve a lighter shade of hair, which is 1 to 2 tones different from your natural color, you can not only in an expensive salon. It is not necessary to expose the hair to the effects of artificial chemicals, you can also use natural remedies.
To brighten curls at home, a mask with cinnamon and honey is widely used. It’s easy to cook. Take natural honey and mix it with cinnamon powder in a one to one ratio.
The amount of products used is determined individually depending on the length of your hair, but the finished mask should not be too liquid, otherwise it will flow down. To start heat honey in a water bath and then pour spice into it. Mix the ingredients until a homogeneous mixture is formed, cool it a little and apply on the hair along the entire length. The mask must be kept warm to speed up the chemical reaction. After about 40 to 50 minutes, wash your hair without shampoo.
To strengthen and nourish the roots
Often, the hair becomes depleted and groomed due to the fact that the roots do not get enough nutrition.
Strengthen hair follicles and bulbs with a special stimulating mask based on cinnamon powder and black pepper. This is a warming composition, the application of which helps to increase blood circulation in the scalp.
Two tablespoons of cinnamon are mixed with a teaspoon of pepper powder and diluted with warm water to a mushy consistency.
The mask is applied only to the roots: to reduce burning sensation, you can add a spoonful of olive oil to the composition. Keep the product on your hair for no longer than 15 minutes, otherwise you risk getting a scalp burn. Rinse off the mask with cool water and apply conditioner to the strands. Repeat the procedure once every two weeks.
From falling out
Mix the following ingredients in the indicated proportions:
- Burdock oil - 3 tablespoons;
- Raw yolk;
- Honey (2 tbsp. L.);
- Cinnamon - one teaspoon.
Honey mixed with other products should be liquid and slightly warmed up in a water bath. When applying the mask to the hair, massage the scalp with your fingers for 3 to 5 minutes. Then put a shower cap on your head and wind a warm, thick towel over it. After 30 minutes, wash your hair with foamed shampoo and grease the ends with nutritious oil. The procedure is carried out for 1 - 1.5 months every 7 to 9 days.
To accelerate growth
Many girls can not decide whether to grow their curly curls or lose their long hair in an instant, waving scissors. If you want to wear extravagant hairstyles and change them as often as possible, it will not hurt to help your hair, stimulating their faster growth by intensive nutrition. One of the effective ways is a cinnamon mask that activates hair growth. The second component of the miraculous composition is a ripe banana pulp.
Pound one ripe fruit with a fork and pour 2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder into the mass. Do not throw the peel, it is still useful. Apply the mask to wet hair and, after wrapping your head in foil, wait half an hour. Then wash your hair with warm water without shampoo and rinse your hair with a decoction of banana peel. About ten masks repeated every 5 to 7 days are enough for hair to grow faster.
For oily and normal hair
Hair hanging with “icicles” is a sign of sloppiness and is perceived in society as a bad form. But what if the head becomes dirty one day after washing, and no measures help get rid of this unpleasant phenomenon? To reduce the production of sebum - sebum, a product of the endocrine glands - which is “to blame” for the fact that the hair quickly becomes oily, special masks are used.
There are many similar recipes, but we offer mask based on cinnamon and lemon. To prepare it, mix 10 g of cinnamon powder with lemon juice. Apply the resulting mixture to the scalp and distribute to the middle of the hair. Handling the tips is optional. After 20 to 25 minutes, rinse your hair with cool water. A refreshing mask is used 1 to 2 times a week before shampooing.
For volume
To give curls splendor and volumetric structure, prepare a mask using the following components:
- Olive oil (a quarter cup);
- Lime or buckwheat honey (2 tbsp. L.);
- Fresh peeled cucumber;
- Cinnamon - 1 dessert spoon;
- Raw egg yolk.
Grate the cucumber on a fine grater and mix with the rest of the ingredients, adding cinnamon last. Rub the mass into the root zone of the hair and hold it for half an hour. Then wash off the mask with warm water, adding a little shampoo. After that do not blow dry your hair, but pat it dry with a towel and wait until it dries naturally. You will notice how voluminous they have become after the first procedure.
For dry and brittle hair
The dried bark of Chinese cinnamon gives a good effect for moisturizing and nourishing dry hair, if combined with milk. Preparing such a nourishing mask is easy. Take a tablespoon of cinnamon powder and pour it with warm, fat milk in such a proportion that the mixed powder turns into a liquid slurry. The consistency should be such that when applied to the hair, the mass does not drain.
Massaging movements rub the product into the scalp and distribute along the length of the strands. Put a plastic hat on your hair and wind a warm scarf or towel on top.After 30 minutes, rinse off the cinnamon mask and be sure to moisturize the tips with a nourishing balm. Repeat the procedure every 5 to 7 days for a month.
Are there any contraindications to the use of cinnamon in cosmetology?
Cinnamon is a natural product, therefore there are few contraindications to its use for cosmetic purposes. But still, its use can cause a number of side effects. The chemical composition of the substance contains coumarin ester hydroxyacids, which, when applied externally in large quantities, can provoke the appearance of a headache.
The strong spicy aroma of the spice sometimes causes increased activation of the olfactory zone, the development of spasms of the vessels of the brain and, as a result, headaches. Do not make masks based on cinnamon in the presence of hypertension of the second and third degree.
Cinnamon has an anticoagulant effect, so its do not recommend applying to the scalp in the presence of open injuries, cuts and scratchesotherwise there is a risk of bleeding. If a person is diagnosed with hemophilia (chronic bleeding due to reduced blood coagulation), the use of cinnamon is a potential threat.
Since when applied, the substance may give a burning sensation. not used for dermatological diseases of the scalp, including psoriasis, neurodermatitis, eczema, etc. Also, the use of cinnamon is impossible with the use of a number of pharmaceuticals (you should consult with the doctor who prescribed the treatment).
