More people are seeking natural methods to make their Hair softer and less unruly, without using manmade or petroleum-derived chemicals that can impact the earth. There may be many options for choosing natural products, but if your hair is thick, crinkly, and unruly, natural Beeswax may be the best way to tame it.

Beeswax is sourced from specific types of honey bees that use it in the building of their hives.

The wax made by the bees is commonly used by the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Even one popular brand of beauty products utilizes beeswax as the main ingredient for making their makeup and skincare products. It can even be used to make candles, which burn at a lower temperature, and are much safer than paraffin candles. Beeswax is even used in human food production, and as a flavouring.

Beeswax is so versatile it possesses many natural properties that also make it perfect for using on the hair. Since it’s edible, it has a low toxicity and has been approved for food use in most countries. You can be assured that it’s a safe ingredient to use on your hair.

How is Beeswax Made?

Not all bees produce beeswax. Beeswax is officially called “cera alba” and is a naturally waxy substance made by Apis bees. These bees have eight wax-producing glands on their bodies. These glands are located on their abdomens. Only the worker bees are responsible for the production of beeswax. They use their glands to produce the wax which is formed into scales.

The bees place the wax at the hive after making it. At this point, it’s a clear and colourless substance. The hive workers then take over and use it to form cells that will be used for honey storage. This is also where the larval and pupal stages of bees will live. The wax then becomes progressively yellower as the hive workers masticate it.

The wax is used to make into honeycomb cells. This is where the honey is stored by the honeybees that produce it.

Beekeepers will then need to extract the honey to use for the food industry. They need to cut off the wax caps from each of the honeycomb cells first. This can be done manually by knife, or by a machine. This industry utilizes every part of bees’ produce: honey, honeycomb, and wax.

The most common colour for beeswax is yellow, but it can be affected by impurities which turn it brownish. It can also be affected by what types of flowers were gathered by the bees.

Honey production is extremely productive, as the wax can be re-used to make our products. The wax fragments are gathered together and then sent for rendering.

The rendering process removes any impurities. The wax can be clarified further by hot water. Some manufacturers may add in mineral oil or vegetable oil to make it malleable. It’s important to read labels before purchasing.

The wax is then sent to manufacturers to be used in all types of industries, including haircare products.

Why is Beeswax Good for Your Hair?

Beeswax contains esters, fatty acids, and long-chain alcohols that are beneficial for human beauty care. It technically qualifies as an organic ingredient, and vegetarian-friendly, which is important for some people. It also contains vitamin A, which has long been used for healthcare and beauty care products.

Beeswax can aid in softening your hair and providing some natural curative properties.

When the beeswax is applied to your hair, it can provide moisturizing and softening properties. People from certain cultures may have thick, crinkly black hair that is difficult to manage. Using beeswax can be one aspect of the hair straightening process.

Beeswax can also benefit the scalp, as that’s the root of all hair-related diseases. Beeswax can help sooth eczema or psoriasis on the scalp, as well as dandruff. These conditions can leave the scalp feeling dry and itchy, while beeswax can soothe these conditions.

Beeswax can also be used as a style aid, to help make braids, or hold the hair back, without flyway strands coming out during the day.

Beeswax is also a natural way to take care of your hair, without putting on artificial chemicals, silicones, or petrochemicals that many scientists are now questioning if they are safe or not.

The wax can provide longterm moisturizing properties, and help to keep moisture in the skin.

Even when beeswax has undergone a rendering process to remove the impurities, it’s still considered an organic product that is safe to use.

How Does Beeswax Work?

Besides its softening properties, the beeswax can benefit your hair right down to the hair follicles. This is because its esters, fatty acids, long-chain alcohols, and vitamin A compounds that all work together to provide anti-inflammatory properties that can lead to hair and scalp disease.

Beeswax is also antiallergenic, so most people can safely use it on scalp and hair. It won’t irritate the scalp like many of those on-shelf brands of hair conditioners that contain artificial scents, dyes, and silicones that can cause allergic skin reactions or sneezing.

Beeswax is also anti-germicidal, so it can help heal minor cuts, abrasions or scrapes of the skin, including on the scalp. It can help to prevent the growth of bacteria or fungi, and speed up healing. It can also provide a barrier of protection from environmental pollution.

Beeswax can also help to encourage hair growth, no matter what caused it—aging, hormonal imbalances, styling damage, or cancer treatments.

Beeswax can simply be rubbed into the hair or scalp to experience its benefits, depending on how you wish to use it.

Beeswax may work better than using hair gels, mousses or hairspray. It can help you with the styling of your hair.

What is the Best Beeswax Method of Application to Your Hair?

Beeswax is sold in stores and shops in flat containers with screw cap lids. It may have other ingredients. Search for the ones that contain only natural ingredients, such as vegetable oil. Mineral oil will not be as high-quality and doesn’t qualify as organic. The beeswax may be made into lotions or salves.

The main thing to remember before applying beeswax to your hair is to use it sparingly. Use little at first, as it’s easier to apply more than take it away. You don’t want your hair to look greasy or weighed down.

Wash and dry your hair as normal in the morning. Then use the beeswax for your styling purposes.

To begin, apply some of your beeswax salve or lotion to your hands. Use it like a lotion and rub it in. Then apply it to your hair.

Keep on adding more until you get the effect you want. You want enough to keep those flyaway strands in place.

How Can Beeswax Be Removed from Your Hair?

If you’re using minute amounts of beeswax for a hairstyling aid, a simple shampoo and conditioner should be enough to remove it. You can then apply more the next day.

You should be aware that beeswax can also build up over time on your hair. Don’t keep on applying it day after day without washing your hair.

If you have used beeswax on micro braids or dreads, then decided you want to undo them, you’ll need a much lengthier process. The wax can leave a buildup over time.

The best advice for cleaning or removal of anything is “like removes like”. You can use warmed olive oil to help loosen and remove the top layer of wax from your micro braids or dreads.

Wet the sections of your hair that have beeswax in them with warm water. Then pour olive oil liberally on. You may wish to place a towel on your floor or do this in the shower. Let the olive oil soak through for several minutes.

Grab a towel and try to soak up the excess olive oil.

The next step involves washes your hair, as the olive oil is going to make it greasy. Dish soap is the best way to cut the grease. Choose one that has no scent or dyes in it, and is environmentally safe. Dish soap is safe to use on your hair, as it’s something that is safe for your hands and skin when you use it to wash your dishes. But it can be drying, so don’t use it too often.

Use the dish soap to lather up your hair, then rinse it out. If you need to do a second shampoo, use regular shampoo next, then your conditioner.

If you have braids or dreads that you are trying to unravel, this is the best time use your comb to separate them.

By now you should be able to dry and style your hair.

You don’t want to repeat this process often. If you found you overdid it on the beeswax application, use less next time.

You can also use baking soda and water, or apple cider vinegar rinse to get some of that excess oiliness out.

What Other Benefits Does Beeswax Have for Hair?

Besides the obvious uses for hair and scalp, beeswax has other uses in haircare. You can use it to hold up your twists and buns. One of the main problems of these hairstyles is that hair can slowly escape. The flyaway hair can look unsightly over time. The beeswax will help these types of hairstyles to stay put, even through a long working day or special event.

Beeswax is also useful for helping braids look good. Hair grows to different lengths, and can stick out and look unsightly in braids. The beeswax can make it look as though all your hair is the same length.

You can even keep your braids in overnight if you use beeswax. But don’t overdo the wax, as it can be more difficult to wash out than regular hairspray or styling products.

Both men and women can use beeswax for hairstyling. If you don’t want to use store-brand gels, lotions, foams, or sprays that contain fragrance, beeswax may be your best option.

Are There Any Precautions When Using Beeswax on Hair?

Beeswax is a natural product. It should be safe for most people to use on their hair and scalp, but it’s best to be aware that there will always be that one person who reacts.

• Discontinue use if you get a rash or a burning or itching sensation.
• Often the worst thing to happen is that you apply too much, and then have difficulties in removing the beeswax from your hair.
• Only apply a small amount to the palms of your hands first, before application to your hair.
• Beeswax can be a bit greasy, so be careful with touching certain types of fabrics or surfaces after application. The wax can leave behind a noticeable residue on certain types of surfaces It may be frustrating trying to get it out of silk or lighter-coloured fabrics.
• Use your beeswax for the purpose intended. If it’s hair salve, don’t use it to make food. Don’t use beeswax candles on your hair.
• Read the container or jar ingredients carefully before purchasing, as they can contain ingredients you may not wish to use on your body. There may also be concerns that during manufacturing, mineral oil or vegetable oil was added, which can decrease the effectiveness of using the beeswax.

Closing Thoughts on Styling Hair with Beeswax

Treating hair with beeswax has many natural moisturizing and softening properties. It can help to heal skin conditions and encourage hair growth. It doesn’t clog hair follicles or skin pores so there is no risk of breakouts.

Everyone can use a bit of beeswax to style their hair or to provide extra moisture to dry, crinkly hair. Best of all, it’s 100% safe to use on hair and skin so you don’t have to worry about exposing yourself to toxic products.

Beeswax will help you to look your best by smoothing and taming unruly hair.

The post How Beeswax Can Soften and Smooth Unruly Hair appeared first on Good Health Academy.