known Arab saying that ‘A woman's beauty lies within her hair'. Nahid Hamza Danawi, hair specialist and beautician, who specializes in natural hair treatments has plenty of tips on how you can keep your crown of glory beautiful, healthy, and vibrant. Nahid warned against regular use of hair dryers for girls under the age of 15. She said that blow drying the hair can cause a dry, flaky, and itchy scalp in young girls. And if mothers really feel the need to blow dry their little girls' hair, Nahid advises them to reduce the temperature of the hair dryer and to keep a good distance between the hair dryer and the hair. Nahid has a secret, natural remedy that can keep the hair soft and easy to manage without the need to blow dry. She said, “After you or your daughter step out of the shower, simply towel dry the hair. Then place a little bit of vitamin E oil directly on the hair and spread with your fingers. Vitamin E protects the hair from damage caused by external factors and it naturally moistens the hair and keeps it soft and silky, which is a healthier alternative to hair drying.” Nahid also shared a recipe for making a natural hair mask which can be easily made at home to treat dry, brittle hair. “Mix 4 tablespoons of a good quality regular hair conditioner with 2 tablespoons flax seed oil, a quarter of a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, the contents of one vitamin E capsule, and one tablespoon of castor oil. This treatment is especially useful for dyed and damaged hair,” she said. Apply the hair mask once or twice a week as part of your hair care regimen. She added that some sunlight exposure is beneficial because it stimulates vitamin D production, which is essential to hair health. However, excess sunlight exposure dries out the hair and causes split ends. According to Nahid, the traditional henna is a good natural dye, hair remedy and an excellent conditioner. The reddish henna is good for oily hair and gives a shine to hair, but it is not recommended for dry hair. Nahid cautions against using the black henna, which she says is harmful for hair. Factors that are linked to hair loss include harsh weather conditions, heredity, stress, perms, hair straightening treatments, hair dyes, using the wrong shampoo, and poor nutrition. Nahid advices women to select the right shampoo and to search for products that do not contain sodium lauryl sulfate. This compound irritates the scalp, causes hair loss and makes the hair dry, tangled, and frizzy. __
