Hair care in India is very important, the beautiful and long shiny locks are the representative feature par excellence of the "canonical" Indian beauty, and like every popular personal care practice it has its origin in the use of common, inexpensive products: market spices, rich in various properties including disinfectant, anti-parasitic and restorative ones.
This is how in many homes throughout the country but especially in southern India, generations and generations of women have sat on the mats in their bedrooms, after dinner when it was time to put the little ones to bed, and with patience and dedication have applied to their hair a mixture of spices previously left to rest in water and flowers for almost an hour.
Such as fenugreek (Methi), Karpoor powder (similar to ginger but more fragrant), acacia concinna (Shikakai), false daisy (Maka) and cumin (jeerige). There are dozens of recipes for this famous wrap, you can add cinnamon for lighter highlights, spiked ginger lily to help fine hair, common acacia for a boost of softness and dandruff problems, Brahmi (bacopa monnieri) for an intense color or soap nut (Aritha) against greasy hair.
The spices should be distributed with a wide-toothed wooden comb and then massaged onto the scalp with a movement that draws from Ayurveda and tends to stimulate the blood vessels of the scalp to reorder the energies throughout the body. It is a moment of profound calm, where you gather the moments experienced during the day and prepare for the night.
While massaging the hair of those sitting in front, fairy tales and stories are told to entertain and be entertained during the time necessary for the spices to penetrate the pores of the hair.
The most traditional tales are those taken from the Panchatantra. The great book in Sanskrit that collects seventy tales in prose and verse that teach man a harsh moral, centered on respect for life and animals. It tells of anthropomorphic divinities, stories of rural life, trees as old as the world and the search for happiness.
Verse after verse the compress dries and the hair is gathered in a tight twist, wrapped around itself and secured on the head. At that point the warm voice of the narration and the enveloping scents of the spices fade away, leaving room for sleep.
Some ethnic groups such as the Tamils follow a precise calendar for hair care with spices, often regulated by the possibility of access to running water. Other ethnic groups, such as the Santals, cut their hair only twice in their lifetime, coinciding with religious festivals, and use spices as a tonic at least once a week.
There are many hair products on the market that use the properties of spices and are based on the principles of Ayurveda, perhaps less glamorous but more practical. The importance of hair is a trait that permeates all of Indian culture, it goes beyond aesthetic expression and has a very strong religious value, which is why the idea of nourishing and caressing other people's hair has a great evocative image, it is a common gesture with a spiritual reference.
An important role in the connection between hair care and Indian tradition is played by religion, in fact, for many Hindu deities hair is sacred and represents strength. This is the case of the deity Shakti who feeds her sacred energy with the movement generated by the waving of her long black hair, or like Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga who manifest their power with thick, wild and strong hair.
Krishna had curly hair, a symbol of his controlled, civil, but not submissive personality. Instead Shiva has tangled dreadlocks, never tamed and/or cut, a sign of his wild, untamed and independent nature, and following his example even the Sadhus and Yogis let their hair grow untamed as a symbol of purity. It is worth trying to immerse yourself in this slice of the world, starting from self-care and delving deeper into the pages of a book.
After Brazilian, Japanese, Luxter or tannin straightening, the large family of permanent straightening is expanding to welcome Indian straightening. Composed of vegetable proteins and nourishing oils, it is suitable for almost everyone. This trendy protocol promises reconstructed, hydrated, straight, supple and shiny hair. How to do it? For what type of hair? What results and at what price? We take stock.
What is Indian straightening?
The particularity of Indian (or nano-Indian) straightening is that it combines straightening and care . Its aim is to straighten the lengths and rebuild the hair fiber in depth with plant-based ingredients. Yes, its secret is in its composition! Unlike other techniques, Indian straightening does not use any chemicals.
Its main ingredient is amla oil. Amla is a fruit very famous in India for its fortifying, purifying and stimulating benefits. Depending on the formula, it is also enriched with macadamia oil, castor oil and murumuru butter. Instead of damaging the hair like some straightening treatments containing formaldehyde or other chemical derivatives, this protocol gives it new life.
For what type of hair?
What we like about Indian straightening is that it is suitable for all hair types. From light hair to afro hair, no one is left out. It is particularly recommended for dark hair because its shiny effect is even more visible on these colors. However, this type of straightening is not suitable for very fine hair . The risk is to weigh it down and lose all appearance of volume. Before taking the plunge, it is best to seek advice from a professional.
What is the difference with Brazilian straightening?
Indian straightening and Brazilian straightening differ in many ways. Although they are both restorative treatments, they do not have the same active ingredient. One is composed of keratin and cocoa while the other uses amla oil. And above all, Brazilian straightening can contain formaldehyde while amla plex straightening is 100% natural. Their common point is that they do not irreversibly modify the internal structure of the hair but simply relax it. Once the effect is over, we therefore find our natural hair in both cases.
How to do Indian straightening at home?
The first thing you need to do an Indian straightening is time. In fact, the procedure can last up to five hours. If you want to do it yourself, you need to get ready-made kits and follow these steps:
Wash hair with a clarifying shampoo to open the scales and promote penetration of the treatment.
Leave on for a few moments before rinsing.
Dry hair briefly.
Apply the product strand by strand, without touching the scalp.
Cover the whole thing with cellophane and leave to stand for about 40 minutes.
Rinse hair and dry.
Straighten all the strands with a classic hair straightener (not a steam model), set to 230 degrees.
What is the difference between tannin and Indian smoothing?
Tannin is a natural substance found in plants that can be used to straighten hair. Indian straightening is a chemical treatment that breaks down the bonds that hold your hair’s natural curls in place. Tannin is a less damaging option for those looking to straighten their hair, but it doesn’t last as long as Indian straightening . Indian straightening can last anywhere from 4 to 6 months, while tannin typically only lasts 3 to 5 months.
Hair follicle repair
Indian straightening is an effective treatment for repairing damaged hair follicles and hair fibers, while gently treating the scalp. Thanks to its formula based on amla oil, a plant known for its nourishing and strengthening properties, Indian straightening works deep down to improve the quality of the scalp.
Formulations containing this oil help to strengthen the elasticity and resilience of the scalp, thus improving its vitality. This treatment is particularly beneficial for people who have undergone chemical treatments or exposure to heat, as amla oil envelops each strand of hair in a protective film to prevent further damage. If Indian straightening is done correctly, it can offer lasting results for months, without the need for frequent treatments.
Faster and safer than keratin treatments
Since Indian hair straightening mainly uses amla oil in its formula, the hair can be rinsed the same day of the treatment. On the other hand, for keratin treatment, it is necessary to let the formula crystallize within 72 hours after the treatment, which is the main difference between these two procedures. This crystallization period is essential for the keratin to penetrate deep into the hair and ensure a long-lasting result. Also, it is important to note that keratin straightening uses chemicals that can be more aggressive on the hair, while Indian straightening uses natural ingredients to nourish and strengthen the hair.
What to expect after an Indian straightening?
Indian straightening is suitable for those who want to treat curly hair and those who have straight hair. This straightening treatment aims to detangle the curls and add a shiny appearance. In addition, it greatly improves the quality of the scalp and the results are immediate. Similarly, Indian straightening halves the drying time and can last up to 12 weeks, depending on the type of hair and daily care.
After Indian straightening, curly or wild hair will be much more flexible. There will be fewer knots and easy-care hair. The hair remains soft, silky and will not require the use of straightening products or flat irons. The results last from 6 to 8 months. Compliance with the maintenance conditions and proper application of the straightening treatment help to achieve a lasting result. In addition, using a sulfate-free shampoo is a key factor for perfect straightening that lasts.
Indian straightening and coloring
Indian straightening can be combined with coloring for optimal results. Applying Indian straightening right after coloring helps to nourish the hair with nutrients and amino acids, and seals in the pigment to optimize the shade. However, if you have already had an Indian straightening treatment and want to color your hair, it is recommended to wait about 2 weeks.
This will allow the treatment to stabilize and avoid any risk of damage. It is also important to choose coloring products that are gentle on the hair, so as not to alter the results of the Indian straightening treatment.
How to maintain it and how much does it cost?
There are a few things to do if you want to enjoy the benefits of Indian straightening for as long as possible. During the first week, you should avoid humidity and therefore not wash your hair. You should also forget about accessories, such as elastics and barrettes, which could leave marks.
After this period, you can resume your usual hair routine (shampoo, conditioner and mask) provided you use organic products, without sulfate, paraben and silicone. Then, no more need for straighteners or blow-drying! A simple blow -dry will be enough to style your mane. If all the maintenance conditions are respected, nano-Indian straightening lasts between six and eight months.
The price of this technique can vary depending on the salon and the type of hair. Be sure to find out about the formulations of the products used, especially in case of pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Always eager to learn new haircare tips - thanks, mate.
Cheers