What is a Hair Mask

A spa inspired hair treatment that will wrap you in lush moisture. A mask for hair, just like the ones we use for our face and body, is used to deeply nourish your scalp and your hair from root to tip. You could buy pre-made in a jar but I say save the money and mash up your mask from things you already have in your kitchen. Masks can easily be made fresh at home on demand with whole foods that you already have in your kitchen. Incorporating a hair mask can add luster, shine, and strength to your hair. It also helps in preventing hair frizz, breakage, and splitting. Hair masks do not replace your conditioning practice in your hair care routine, they augment it.

Who should use hair masks

Everyone with hair. Anyone can really benefit but the ones who really should are people who have frizz and breakage challenges as well as those who suffer from dry conditions. Also if you have long hair masking the ends can be beneficial. People who have chemically altered their hair through dyes or perms or relaxers could also benefit. Chemically processing your hair causes damage to the shaft and even the scalp so you’ll want to replenish your hair systems nutrients. A hair mask can help for all of these situations.

When to use a mask and how often

We recommend only masking your hair once a week at most. If you have damage that you need to repair, we recommend a solid hair care routine that nourishes the entire system and give it time. Hair masks can be very restorative and hydrating but if they are used to often or left on for to long they can be deleterious to your hair health. We recommend leaving your hair mask on for 5 minutes to no more than 20 minutes.

What you need to get started

Hair towels
Shower cap
Wide toothed comb or hair pic
Freshly blended hair mask *see below for our pics and recommendations

How to apply the Hair Mask treatment

Time needed: 1 hour and 15 minutes

A hair mask applied once a week can help repair damaged hair and scalp as well as strengthen the hair shaft, encourage new growth, and give your hair a natural shine.

Start with moist hair
When your hair is moist, it is easier for it to absorb nutrients. Wetting your hair softens the protective cuticle that wraps around your hair fibers.
With a comb or pic section your hair
Creating smaller divisions of your hair to work the mask into makes it easier to get a full even coverage.
Apply the mask to your hair
With your fingers, dip into the bowl with your freshly blended mask and scoop some out. Smear that onto your hair and or scalp. *If you are doing a ling hair treatment than focus only on the tips first. **If you are doing a scalp treatment then focus the mask on the scalp first.
Wrap it up
Once you have applied the mask, it’s time to let it work its magic so wrap it up. If you are doing a steam treatment, follow the steps here. *This is where you want to grab that shower cap to cover your hair and scalp.
Set the timer for 20 minutes Max
You need to give it at least 5 minutes but no more than 20 minutes to work.
Rinse out
Make sure you rinse out all of the plant matter from your hair. You may wish to use a wide toothed comb or a hair pick to make sure you get any residue out. You can shampoo if you want or simply use a ACV rinse, but why? You really don’t need to as long as you rinse well and flush out the plant matter.
Style and Go
That’s it! Style and go. We recommend you gently towel dry and air dry your hair.

Fresh Hair Mask

All of our recommendations are Planet friendly and Vegan friendly. You can read our article on Feeding Your Hair to get the particulars of the what and why to add various ingredients to your mask but here is our short list to get you started:

Wetting Agents – two purposes, 1) to add nutrients and 2) to help blend a smooth mask
- Plant Milk – You can easily make your own by blending the nuts, seeds, or shreds with water. Simple!
  - Coconut Milk
  - Hemp Milk
  - Flax Milk
- Other Wetting agents:
  - ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar)
  - Lemon Juice
  - Très Spa Hair Hydro
Base – this is the other plant matter used to provide hydrating nourishment to your hair.
- Fruits
  - Avocado
  - Banana
  - Strawberry
- Other Plants
  - Pumpkin
  - Aloe Vera
  - Oatmeal – this can help thicken your hair mask if it is too runny. It is also very soothing for damaged scalp.
Extra – Consider using one of these to really spice up your hair mask.
- Spices and Herbs:
  - Cinnamon
  - Rosemary
  - Peppermint
  - Très Spa Hair Hydro

When I am making fresh masks, I never measure. I am only obsessed with measuring when I am formulating Très Spa Products. When I am making fresh masks for my personal use, I let go and let the mood and inspiration carry me. As a general guidance I would offer this advise, start with the base and add liquid to the desired consistency. Anytime you are making a really wet (thin) mask, use oatmeal to thicken it. Always use your food processor or blender to mix your hair mask. You want a smooth rich blend that will be easy to rinse out. Mix up enough to generously cover your hair and /or scalp.

Some suggested blends to help inspire you:

Scalp Repair – Hemp or Flax milk, Oatmeal, Avocado, and Peppermint *add aloe if you have some. This one is lovely for those who suffer from dry scalp conditions or Psoriasis or Eczema of the scalp.
Stimulating Hair Grower – Hemp milk, Pumpkin, Cinnamon
Clarifying – Strawberry, Lemon juice, Peppermint
Frizz Tamer – Banana, Coconut milk, ACV, Aloe

Where is the oil?

OK by now you should have noticed that I did not add any kind of oil to any of my ingredient lists for your hair mask. Are you wondering why? Well I’ll tell you even if you weren’t. Chances are you are already using some form of oil in your regular hair care routine. Hair Masks are special. Adding too much oil can cause build up issues for just about every hair system. It should only be used if all other botanical treatment blends do not work or for supper delicately brittle hair and when you have highly porous hair cuticles. Each and every one of your hair follicles has a sebaceous glad with it. The sebaceous gland produces sebum to help lubricate the hair follicle and provide nourishment for strong healthy hair. We need to support our hair systems natural ability and not clog up the pores with excess oil that is more difficult to wash away.

We are not your Doctor

The Très Spa website may contain articles on science, or medical topics; however, no warranty is made that any of the articles are accurate.There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on science or medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. The overwhelming majority of such articles are written, in part or in whole, by nonprofessionals. Even if a statement made about science or medicine is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms.

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