This Gelatin Protein Hair Mask has been a hair saver for me over the last couple of months. The back story is …..my hair was slowly dying due to excess chlorine! I swim usually 3 times a week in an indoor pool and have been for more than half the year, so it took me awhile to work out why all of a sudden my hair was looking like straw and falling out rapidly. At first I thought I was shampooing too much so I shampooed only on the days I went swimming. That made no difference at all – in fact it got worse! Then I realised that the difference between my swimming routine in summer compared to winter was that I would swim more often at the beach where my hair got a good dose of saltwater so I started treating my hair with magnesium oil and washing in “no poo” for awhile. This still didn’t help! I was feeling desperate and began imagining my latest short haircut that I would have to embark on in the attempt to rescue my precious locks. Thankfully I found one more possible solution that I could try.
I finally realised that my hair was absorbing more chlorine in the winter than in the summer for a couple of reasons.
- In summer my hair was often already wet when I’d jump in the pool. Hair is like a sponge and will absorb liquid rapidly so having my hair already wet with either saltwater or from the shower meant less chlorine would be absorbed.
- I had forgotten to apply a layer of coconut oil to my hair before donning my swimming cap.
But at this point my hair was even beyond the layer of coconut oil – it needed a major treatment overhaul. In the past I have used my coconut milk and lemon juice hair treatment which is great for taming out of control curls and frizz but I felt my hair needed a treatment with some grunt and muscle in it. So that’s the back story.
The Gelatin Protein Hair Mask was the perfect answer. In one treatment the buildup of chlorine had gone and my hair was once again soft and manageable. I used the treatment at home and left it on for 30 minutes under a cap before washing and conditioning afterwards – it was so easy. But my concern that my beautiful tresses would be short lived and the straw would return after my next swim was now the issue at hand. Solution – wear the mask on my hair under my swimming cap. Voila! No more chlorine damage.
I had another reason I wanted to try the Gelatin Protein Hair Mask. For the past 8 months or so my hair has stopped growing in length. It’s a harsh reality that from our mid 20’s our collagen production decreases by about 1% each year. By the time we are in our mid 50’s our own sources of collagen are zip! Hence the deepening of wrinkles, brittle fingernails and hair loss. So chopping my golden locks seemed like the only option to get a fuller and thicker hair style. Thanks to the Gelatin Protein Hair Mask I’m now optimistic that it may be the answer to the length problem as well. Since the introduction of the mask my hair is definitely softer and more manageable and definitely seems thicker.
I’m not in such a rush to do the drastic hair chop as I was a couple of weeks ago and the hair mask has definitely been the answer to protecting it from the chlorine. So for the next few weeks I’ll be waiting eagerly to see whether these locks start growing again. Stay tuned for the update!
Gelatin Protects, Nourishes and Strengthens Hair
Manufactured hair treatments contain silicone that coats the strands of hair giving a soft and shiny appearance. However silicone builds up in the hair and over time blocks moisture and causes the hair to become dry and brittle.
Gelatin which is cooked collagen comes from the bones, cartilage and hides of beef or pigs. It is the same as the collagen that our own bodies produce. Gelatin contains the protein Keratin which is also the protein that provides growth and strength to our hair, skin and nails. Keratin binds easily to our hair strands and especially to damaged hair, making it strong and shiny and helps to reduce breakage.
This Gelatin Protein Hair Mask is so easy to make and can be subbed with lots of options.
Gelatin Protein Hair Mask
Easy to make with great results for dry, damaged or hard to manage hair.
- 1/2 cup cool distilled water
- 1/2 cup warm to hot water
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp raw organic honey
- 1 tbl <a href="http://geni.us/24Ei" target="_blank">gelatin</a>
- 1 glass jug
- Measure 1/2 cup cool water into a glass jug
- Add 1 tbs gelatin powder
- Stir to combine
- Add 1/2 cup of warm to hot water
- Stir to dissolve
- Add the honey and apple cider vinegar and stir
- Allow to cool
- Apply to dry hair from roots to tips
- Make sure your hair is saturated in the gelatin mix.
- For intense treatment: Place shower cap or plastic wrap over hair and wait for 30 minutes before washing and conditioning hair.
This hair mask makes enough to cover just below the shoulder hair length and would probably be enough for slightly longer hair. If your hair is short then 1/2 a cup of the mixture should be plenty.
If your hair is particularly thick you may want to make a double batch.
This mask lasts well as it will just set like a jelly/jello.
I keep mine in a glass jar and whatever is left over can be gently heated and used again.
Optional Ingredients:
Coconut milk – replace 1/2 cup cool water with 1/2 cup coconut milk (canned variety works best).
Coconut oil – Add in 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil in last step with honey and apple cider vinegar.
Essential Oils – There’s a variety of oils you could use all for different purposes.
Extra Shine – Rosemary Oil
Extra Moisture – Chamomile Oil
Oily – Try Tea Tree Oil
How about you? Have you used Gelatin in a hair mask before? Will you try this one?
Cheers
Kerry
