Did you know that your hair tells a story about your inner health? According to Ayurveda, the ancient science of holistic healing, your hair type is influenced directly by your unique body constitution—or Dosha.
Once you understand your hair type according to Ayurveda, you can create a personalised care routine that focuses on your unique needs and enhances your hair’s natural beauty.
Are you curious about how to decode your Ayurvedic hair type? Let’s get into the details!
Why Your Hair Type Matters in Ayurveda
Ayurveda nurturing lives for over 5,000 years, believes balance is the key to well-being. Everyone has a unique combination of three Doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—that influence everything from personality to hair type.
When your Doshas are in harmony, your hair thrives. But when they’re out of balance, issues like dryness, dandruff, and hair fall. By identifying your Ayurvedic hair type, you can tailor your hair care routine, diet, and lifestyle to address these imbalances naturally and effectively.
The Three Ayurvedic Hair Types
Your Dosha influences not just your hair’s texture but also how it reacts to environmental and lifestyle factors. Here’s more on how to identify your type:
1. Vata Hair Type (Air and Space)
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What it looks like: It is dry, thin, and prone to frizz and breakage. Splint ends and a flakey scalp are common.
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What causes it: Dehydration, stress, irregular sleep, or poor diet can throw your Vata Dosha out of balance.
Care Tips
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Nourish your scalp with hydrating oils like coconut or sesame oil. Try out our Nourish Slow Infused Hair Oil for the best results!
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Eat grounding foods like ghee, nuts, and sweet potatoes hydrate your body and hair.
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Say no to over-styling with heat tools and chemicals, and practice calming activities like yoga.
2. Pitta Hair Type (Fire and Water)
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What it looks like: Fine, soft, and wavy, but often prone to hair fall, premature greying, and sensitive scalp conditions like dandruff or inflammation.
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What causes it: Overexposure to sunlight, heat, spicy foods, or stress can disturb Pitta Dosha.
Care Tips
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Soothe your scalp with cooling oils infused with amla or bhringraj.
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Incorporate cooling fruits and greens, e.g., cucumbers, leafy vegetables, or melons, into your diet. Avoid fried or spicy foods.
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Protect your hair from harsh sunlight.
3. Kapha Hair Type (Earth and Water)
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What it looks like: Dense curls, thick and shiny, but prone to buildup, oily scalp, and greasy strands.
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What causes it: Sedentary habits, a heavy diet, and a lack of cleaning can aggravate Kapha Dosha.
Care Tips
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Stick to lighter oils like jojoba or neem for scalp massage.
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Keep your diet light and warm—think lentils, fresh veggies, and spices like ginger.
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Wash regularly with herbal shampoos containing neem, shikakai, or tea tree to prevent buildup. Our Purify Hair Cleanser is perfect for this task.
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Regular physical activity, such as brisk walks in the early morning or evening, is essential for maintaining Kapha’s energy.
Determine Your Hair Type According to Ayurveda
It is quite straightforward to find out your hair type according to Ayurveda. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have it figured out in no time:
1. Observe Your Hair
Have a closer look at your hair’s natural texture, thickness, and how it behaves. Is it dry and brittle, prone to frizz, or does it feel soft but lack volume? Perhaps it is shiny but oily? These observations will help you determine the Dosha influencing your hair.
2. Assess Your Scalp
Your scalp health is as vital as your hair, so check for dryness, itchiness, oiliness, or sensitivity. A flakey scalp may indicate a Vata imbalance, while excessive oil could point to Kapha dominance. Noticing patterns over time can provide valuable clues.
3. Reflect on Your Lifestyle
Your daily habits and the environment you’re in play a significant role in your hair health. As mentioned, Ayurveda connects hair issues to various factors, including but not limited to a bad diet, insufficient hydration, irregular sleep, and stress. Also, are you relying on heat tools and chemical treatments? These patterns may reveal imbalances in your overall constitution or Prakriti.
4. Match Your Dosha
Compare your hair and scalp observations to the characteristics of Vatta, Pitta, or Kapha types. For example, dryness and frizziness are associated with Vata, while oily scalp issues often align with Kapha. Some people may have mixed traits like vata-pitta or kapha-pitta hair, which requires more effort to balance both qualities.
5. Consult an Ayurvedic Practitioner
Consider consulting an Ayurvedic expert for a deeper understanding of your hair. They can analyse your Dosha balance, suggest personalised remedies, and guide you toward holistic Ayurveda hair care practices that work well for your unique constitution.
Ayurveda Hair Care Made Simple
Assuming you’ve identified your hair type, Ayurveda offers an abundance of remedies to help restore balance:
For Vata Hair
Hydrate with aloe vera or hibiscus masks to retain moisture and add natural shine. These ingredients offer the nourishment your hair needs, preventing brittleness and dryness. Pair this with regular oil massages using coconut or sesame oil to promote hydration and improve scalp health.
For Pitta Hair
Cool down with masks containing powdered amla and bhringraj. These herbs combat premature greying and soothe inflammation. Their cooling properties also reduce excessive hair loss by strengthening the roots. For best results, use a mild herbal shampoo that balances scalp sensitivity.
For Kapha Hair
Use cleansing masks with fenugreek, lemon juice, and neem to remove excess oil and buildup while keeping the scalp fresh. These natural ingredients also fight dandruff and enhance hair texture. Pair this with regular washing using lightweight shampoos infused with brahmi and shikakai for a balanced, non-greasy finish.
Bring Ayurveda to Your Hair Care Routine with MeVana
Understanding your hair type according to Ayurveda and aligning your routine with your Dosha is the first step toward unlocking your hair’s full potential. And regarding holistic hair care, MeVana takes Ayurveda to new heights. Our products use authentic Ayurvedic formulations and handpicked herbs to match your unique hair type and needs.
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MeVana Slow Infused Hair Oil: A deeply hydrating oil designed to rebalance your scalp and strengthen roots.
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MeVana Herb Laden Hair Cleanser: A customised Ayurvedic formula that gently cleanses and rejuvenates.
- MeVana Moisturising Hair Conditioner: Restores natural shine and protects hair from damage.
What sets MeVana apart? We don’t believe in ‘one-size-fits-all’ Ayurvedic hair treatment solutions. Instead, we craft individual products based on your unique constitution, helping your hair return to its healthiest, most vibrant state: the Origin State.