Healthy Hair, Healthy Lifestyle: Get Your Nutrients in a "Fruitful" Way

So you have probably read all my "healthy hair, healthy lifestyle" posts and thought," Ewww green veggies, beans and nuts?!"

 Okay I get it. Not everyone gets a thrill out of eating their greens and leafs.

So allow me to brighten things up and with the arrival of spring, lets talk about a more "fruitful" and yummy way to pack in the nutrients you need!

Strawberries: remove toxins from your body. The leaves are even good for herbal teas to treat certain sicknesses. In United States, strawberries are rated as one of the best foods for skin care and weight loss. Studies have shown that regular intake of strawberries can improve your skin and hair conditions. They clear up acne and oiliness, make skin younger and smoother, whiten teeth, reduce under-eye puffiness, leave hair glossy and beautifully conditioned, and so much more! If you want glossy and silky hair, you can make a strawberry hair conditioner!

Oranges: Vitamin C!! This is a great antioxidant promoting tissue and cell repair and growth. Not only are they juicy and yummy but they give you a great amount of vitamin C! Oranges help promote hair growth. Mixing orange juice with coconut oil proves to be a very great hair growth aid!

Cantaloupe: This yummy and juicy fruit contains 19% of the great cell building Vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for the eyes and skin, and for normal growth. Dare to eat the seeds? They are full of protein which is a necessity! Whats more, cantaloupe contains antioxidants.

Watermelon: Cancer preventing antioxidants, more vitamin C and you get Vitamin A as well! Vitamin A is also great for eyesight. What does that have to do with hair? OMW if you can't see, how can your style your hair silly?? The seeds produce even more nutrients for hair growth. *gulp*

Fruity Yogurt: Vitamin K! (K for Kendra, jk lol)This lesser known vitamin helps to maintain healthy bones, teeth, gums, hair and muscles. You can get a good dose of vitamin K with a cup of yogurt in the a.m. A personal favorite of mine! If you put it in your hair in a mixture, you help prevent dry and itchy scalp.

Bananas: As we know it, they are the best source for potassium which is important in nutrient transfer through cell membranes and is essential in hormone secretion. There are many hair care supplements and hair re-growth shampoos contain potassium. Potassium helps to prevent and treat balding. A potassium deficiency can de-sensitize cells and prevent re-growth of hair that is lost!

Grapes: The fruit of the vine has amazing oil in its seeds. Grape seed oil is great for hair growth! Researchers have discovered that Grape Seed Extract can help defeat the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which stops the hair follicle growth cycle. Grape Seed Extract can help stimulate healthy hair growth.

Blueberries: These cute little balls of deliciousness contain a large amount of antioxidants! Blueberries are considered a super fruit because they are jammed packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Blueberries stimulate hair growth with proanthocyanidins, a plant chemical. This chemical interacts with hair follicles to accelerate growth. Beyond helping your hair, they help with maintaining eyesight, trimming belly fat, boosting your immune system, improving memory, lowering cholesterol levels, preventing cancer, urinary tract infections and constipation

Kiwi: This fuzzy little guy is one of the most nutrient dense of ALL fruits followed by papaya, mango and orange. Kiwi has the highest level of vitamin C (240% of your daily value) and it contains magnesium which is good for cardiovascular health. Kiwi's also contain 75% more potassium than bananas!They are a good source of vitamin E and fiber. Kiwi's black seeds can be crushed to produce kiwi fruit oil, which is very rich in Alfa-Linoleic Acid (an important Omega-3 essential fatty acid). Basically, this is an underestimated fruit that is chocked full of nutrients and vitamins!

Mango: Not only is mango a bright and vibrant color, not only is mango delicious but it is also called the "king of fruits"! Mango is rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A. It also has traces of Vitamin E, Vitamin B and Vitamin K. Mango helps prevent hair loss! The enzymes of the Mango, such as magneferin, katechol oxidase and lactase, clean the bowel of the “filth” within and are an ideal antidote for all toxic effects inside the body. They provide also sufficient resistance to fight any germs and afflictions. This is important for hair growth! Mango butter is often used for hair, skin and lip balm.

So get a GOOD dose of fruit and know that you are doing well by your beautiful locs!



Healthy Hair, Healthy Lifestyle: Nuts

Brazil nuts are one of nature's best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so it is important to keep nuts in your diet!

Keep in mind that some nuts and seeds (flax, walnuts) are excellent sources of essential fatty acids, and some (sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts) are good sources of vitamin E. So they are all around a fantastic, and yummy, choice!

Here are some options:

• almonds
• cashews
• hazelnuts (filberts)
• mixed nuts
• peanuts
• peanut butter
• pecans
• pistachios
• pumpkin seeds
• sesame seeds
• sunflower seeds
• walnuts

There are endless ways to incorporate nuts into your diet!

• Eat a handful of raw almonds with an apple as a snack.
• Pick up trail mix that contains peanuts, almonds and cashews.
• Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich as an afternoon snack
• In the am make toast with peanut butter. I personally enjoy peanut butter on a cinnamon raisin bagel!
• Toss some sunflower seeds over a salad to add some crunch!

Celebrating a healthy and happy lifestyle <3

Healthy Hair, Healthy Lifestyle: Beans

Woah beans?! YES BEANS! Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be a very important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, zinc, and biotin. While rare, biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.

 

Blatner, who is a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, recommends three or more cups of lentils or beans each week.

 

In addition, they are inexpensive!! There are many options when it comes to what kind of beans to eat. Here is a small list to name a few:

• black beans
• black-eyed peas
• garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
• kidney beans
• lentils
• lima beans (mature)
• navy beans
• pinto beans
• soy beans
• split peas
• tofu (bean curd made from soybeans)
• white beans

 

If possible, opt for beans in the bag rather than beans in the can. If you must do canned beans, due to convenience, try to purchase organic.

3 Easy ways to make sure you have the correct intake:

 

1. Cook black beans, chicken, mango salsa and lime in a slow cooker. Eat with tortillas and you have a delicious and healthy meal. This is a personal favorite of mine

2. Cook black eyed peas with bacon in a slow cooker. Use as a side dish for a meal!
3. Purchase tofu and add it to a simple broth, such as miso or an Asian broth with ginger

Celebrating yummy and tasty food <3

Healthy Hair, Healthy Lifestyle: Dark Green Vegetables

Your dark greens are excellent sources of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. Sebum is the oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body's natural hair conditioner. Too much sebum makes oily hair and not enough makes dry hair. So it is important that you take in the right amount of Vitamin A.

 

So keep in mind,

 

No sebum = dry and brittle hair.
Too much sebum = oily hair.
Vitamin A intake = balanced sebum amounts.

 

That’s not all! Dark green vegetables also provide iron and calcium. Many women, including myself, tend to be anemic or suffer from low iron. Here is a sure way to attack that problem! Eat your greens!

 

What are some options?

 

• broccoli
• collard greens
• dark green leafy lettuce
• kale
• mesclun
• mustard greens
• romaine lettuce
• spinach
• turnip greens
• watercress

 

Get creative with how you eat your greens. Toss a dark leaf salad with granny smith apples, blueberries, walnuts, strawberries and red vine vinaigrette -one of my personal favorites.

 

Another option is to steam broccoli with butter, garlic salt and pepper as a side dish with your lunch or dinner.

 

When you go out to eat, opt for a salad or veggies over fries!

Celebrating healthy hair with a healthy lifestyle <3

Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Hair: Protein

"Without adequate protein or with low-quality protein, one can experience weak brittle hair, while a profound protein deficiency can result in loss of hair color," Giancoli tells WebMD.

It is a proven fact that in inadequate amounts of protein can lead to hair loss and shedding. Keep in mind that protein is needed by every cell in the body, including the cells needed in normal hair growth. Without adequate protein intake, the body cannot efficiently make new hair to replace the hair that has shed!

Meats (Lean cuts of): 

• beef
• ham
• lamb
• pork
• veal 

Game meats:

• bison
• rabbit
• venison
• game hen

Lean ground meats:

•  beef
• pork
• lamb 

Lean luncheon meats = your normal turkey, ham, roast beef, etc.

Organ meats:

• liver
• giblets 
• chicken
• duck
• goose
• turkey
• ground chicken and turkey 

Eggs

Fish = Shellfish, Canned fish AND Finfish

  

The possibilities are endless! Just make sure you load up on protein!

 Especially if your hair is protein sensitive like mine!!

Celebrating a healthier lifestyle <3

Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Hair: Salmon

Salmon is one of the best things that you can include in your diet. It is conveniently loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron. This fulfills many of your nutritional needs in one piece of fish!

"Essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health,"says Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD, a dietitian in Los Angeles and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "

A deficiency can result in a dry scalp and thus hair, giving it a dull look."

In addition, salmon gives shine to the hair and improves the overall texture.

I think its about time to include salmon in your diet!!

5 Ways to eat this tasty food:

1. Grilled salmon

2. Smoked salmon

3. Salmon and cream cheese on a bagel

4. Barbequed salmon

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. Raw salmon (sushi that is)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Celebrating happy, healthy and long hair <3

Hair Diet Summary

Well June is over and I made it the entire month without silicones or sulfates. My hair feels fabulous!

During the month of June, I used:

Dudu-Osum Herbal Shampoo

Giovanni SAS, 50:50, and TTT

Kimmaytube Leave In Conditioner (with Giovanni Direct leave in)

Shea Moisture Shea Butter Leave in

I also did a henna treatment during the month of June.

The verdict:

The combinations of these products left my hair feeling soft and moisturized. I experienced less itching with my scalp and my shedding also decreased (strange??). My hair was also more manageable and easier to style. I am very satisfied and would recommend the use of natural/organic products to anyone.

I looked at my product stash last night and debated about repurchasing many of the items on the shelf. I am thinking that I would love to only use the products listed above or the ones that fall into the natural/organic category. This will require a complete re-haul of my stash. My non-natural/organic products far outweigh the amount of natural/organic products that I already own.

ugh....I need some coupons

How I Retain Moisture

I found that when I made moisture my primary goal (not length, style, etc) it made a dramatic difference. I pre-pooed to retain moisture and prevent drying shampoo, the shampoo I used was selected because of minimal stripping properties, my conditioner’s choice was targeted towards the ones that seemed to be the most moisturizing, and now my styling products that are chosen for their moisturizing properties.

I aim to implement moisture at each step of my regimen:

Pre-poo: The first step in my regimen and like so many things in life the first step is the most important step. So don’t slack at this step.

Shampoo: A stripping shampoo can make your pre-poo step almost irrelevant. First I aim at really cleaning my scalp by applying shampoo directly to my scalp. While I am massaging the shampoo on my scalp suds form and I use those to cleanse the rest of my length.

Conditioner: I used to think that any conditioner could be used as a deep conditioner until I read somewhere (that I can’t find right now) that there is molecular difference in rinse out conditioners and deep conditioners. I am still on the fence with this one but that’s a topic for another day. The goal for moisture at the conditioning step is to deep condition with a moisturizing conditioner. The way in which you do (shower cap, heat, no heat, etc) really had not shown that big of a difference to me.

Styling: You don’t want the last step of your routine to ruin all of your hard work. Selecting a styling product that contributes to all of moisturizing that you have done at each step will benefit a whole lot more than an alcohol filled drying product. I style on damp hair and seal as I go.

Special treatment, such as protein, that are done to strengthen the hair should be followed with a moisturizing treatment. Proper strength and moisturize will decrease or prevent breakage. Too much of anything can be harmful so proper balance is key.

I retain moisture by adding moisture in each step. I haven’t had a problem with dryness for almost a year.

As always, this is what I found that works for me – experiment and find what works for your hair.

Protein Treatment

I did my first protein treatment since my youth and I want to wait a few days to post the results. The verdict is in and I LOVE IT! I refuse to buy anything else so I made my own treatment.

1/3 Cup Lustrasilk Shea Butter Cholesterol

1 Large Egg

2 tablespoons Olive Oil

Apply to entire head (dry hair) and let sit for 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water. Deep condition and style as usual.

I never did a protein treatment before because I ate a pretty high protein diet and I didn't want to overload. For the past few months my diet has been extremely poor and I could tell my hair was missing something. You know that voice in your head? It told me to try a protein treatment. I did and my hair feels so much stronger. As of this moment I have not decided if this is going to be a regular in my regimen. I will do it as needed.

Recap: January '10 Protective Style

During most of January (5th-30th) I wore two strand twists. It was great not having to worry constantly about styling but it was a struggle to fight through the boredom. I am used to changing my hair every week. When I finally took the twists out, I had a TON of shedding. This was expected since I did not comb or detangle my hair for nearly one month. I knew they were shed hairs because they we long and I could see the white bulbs on top. I didn't look at all of them but I did examine a good number of them just to make sure I was suffering from a ton a breakage. I feel like I retained a lot of length from wearing the twists all month but I didn't think to do before and after pics so I have no way of checking that assumption.

I learned that tea tree and aloe vera are GREAT for the itches. The first two weeks of January I used a water/conditioner mix for moisturizing and my scalp was itching like crazy. The last two weeks I used the aloe vera spray with some tea tree oil and my scalp felt sooooo much better. I also learned that my hair LOVES getting moisturized and sealed nightly. The shaft of my hair feels stronger but yet softer than it did in December. When my scalp felt a little too dry I used some coconut oil and that absorbed right in with no problem.

My routine with the two strand twists was fairly simple. Moisturize & seal nightly, co-wash (while twisted) in the middle of the month, and oiling the scalp when needed. I continued to wear my twists up because most of my length retention would have been lost if I would have allowed my twist to brush against my clothing or constant exposure to the dry winter hair.

Combating Dry Hair

"Dry hair is hair that does not have enough moisture and oil to maintain its normal sheen and texture."

-Medline Plus

It seems like the biggest and most frustrating problem with hair problem is dryness. I base this assumption off of the fact that I get asked about this topic a lot.

External factors that contribute to dry hair:

• Shampooing too often
• Using a harsh shampoos
• Environmental elements

Internal factors that can contribute to dry hair:

• Nutrient deficiency
• Illness

Some suggested ways to combat dry hair include:

• Shampoo your hair with care-don’t go overboard
• Use a conditioner (deep, leave in, or a rinse out)
• Trim frayed/split/knotted ends
• Use a no heat styling methods
• Protect your hair from the elements (weather)
• Do hot Oil Treatments

Alternative methods:

• Aromatherapy - add a combination of six drops of lavender, bay and sandalwood essential oils with six ounces of warm sesame or soy oils then apply the oil to the hair, wrap in towel for 15 minutes, then rinse
• Food Therapy - Eat lots of food high in omega -3 fatty acids, such as fish. Add flaxseed oil to your diet; approximately two tablespoons a day added to popcorn or potatoes can replenish lost hair and skin oils.
• Mayo - comb the mayonnaise through your damp hair, then wrap your head in a towel, let it penetrate for at least 20 minutes and then shampoo.

I personally prefer to combat dry hair by:

-Moisturizing and Sealing regularly

-Using a conditoner/water mix spritz on my hair

-Wearing hats when the air is dry

-Deep Conditioning Weekly

Treating dry hair was not an overnight process. It took a few weeks of me treating my hair with love. It has been well worth. I showed my hair love and my hair is loving me in return. Patience is a virtue

Home Remedies For Dry Hair

Dry Hair

Dry Hair Remedies

Coconut Oil

This past week I have been applying coconut oil to the length of my hair before I go out into the cold dry winter air. In the evening when I return home my hair is really soft and just feels great. I am so in love with coconut oil and after reading about it's capabilities I understand why.

Some key points:

"Historically, coconut oil has been used as a hair dressing in the developing countries in

the tropical regions of the globe where the coconut is cultivated extensively. Prolonged

use of coconut oil has been known to lead to healthy looking long hair, suggesting that

it may prevent damage to the cuticle in grooming procedures involving abrasion."

"It is well known that wet combing is accompanied by the breaking of the surface cuticle cell because of its brittleness"

"...the performance of coconut oil in reducing protein loss was better than that of mineral

and sunflower oils. Coconut oil performed better as a pre-wash rather than a post-wash

conditioner"

"damaged as well as undamaged hair benefits from application of coconut oil as a pre-wash conditioner, whereas in the case of sunflower oil and mineral oil, there was no effect. The effects of coconut oil were also positive in a salon test. In both normal and bleached hair, treatment effects in reducing protein loss were significant, whereas the same findings were absent in the case of mineral oil and sunflower oil."

“Coconut oil is mostly a triglyceride of lauric acid and is hydrophobic. Application of Coconut oil as a pre-wash conditioner coats the hair and inhibits the penetration of water into the hair. A small part of it is also absorbed in to the hair during the wash when the fiber is swollen. Introduction of this hydrophobic component reduces the swelling propensity of the cuticle, which limits the upward curving of the surface cuticle. This reduces the chipping away of the cuticle cells, which reduces protein loss, as observed in this work.”

I strongly recommend reading the research article in its entirety on your own:

Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage

http://journal.scconline.org/pdf/cc2003/cc054n02/p00175-p00192.pdf

Cold Weather Regimen

So I think I learned a lesson.....

This is the first year that I actually made an attempt to change my regimen with the seasons. I now see that I only need two main regimens; one for warm weather and one for cold weather. The regimen that I started the following for the fall was quickly thrown to the wayside and now it's just a cold weather regimen.

The first day of winter is December 21 but I guess it really doesn't matter because it's cold already. I hate cold weather. Hate it! It's like we went from summer straight to winter.

This is the update to my regimen:

Cleansing

Alternate between shampoos and co-washes. The winter hair is already drying to I don’t want to shampoo too often. Every week might be too much for my hair.

Conditioning

Deep condition every week with LeKair Cholesterol/Rosemary Oil/Olive Oil Mix Moisturizing: After rinsing and while hair is still damp, leave a small amount of condition in the hair and apply coconut oil to the entire length with special focus on the ends.

Special Treatments

Oil Rinse - Twice a month (I love these!!!)

Styling

Styles for the cold weather will consist of braids, cornrows, buns, and twists that are pinned up or styled in updos. Now that I can do roller sets, I will incorporate those as well.

Trims

Since I have been more loving towards my ends they have not given me a problem with splits and fairy knots. I am going to trim when needed. S&D!!!

Moisturizing and Sealing

Moisturizing your hair means to go through the steps appropriate for YOUR hair in order to properly hydrate your hair. Sealing is the process by which you lock in that hydration. There are several ways to moisturize your hair, using natural products is the best way (in my opinion). I say that because it is the best way to avoid many of the damaging chemicals that are in commercial items. The trick is to discover which way your hair likes to be moisturized.

Moisturize first

Water based products (such as a conditioner) aid in moisture retention and the water helps the penetration of the hair shaft. You want to look for products that have water (aqua) as the first ingredient and also one that is not filled with fillers (mineral oil, petroleum, etc).

Seal second

Most natural oils & butters can be used to seal your hair. The ones that seem to be favored most are Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, and Almond Oil. Of course there are many others. Always choose the oil that is best for you and that your hair likes.

How is it done?

After washing, co-washing, rinsing, etc.....seperate your hair into manageable sections. Take each section one at a time and apply a small amount of your moisturizing product. Then take a small amount of the sealing oil of your choice and apply that to your hair in the same manner. All the product should go onto your hair-not the scalp. When all sections are done....style as usual.

Moisturizing and sealing do not always have to be done after cleansing. Some individuals choose do this routine nightly. This is a great way to maintain length because you are protecting your hair from breakage.

¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.• tia¸.•*´¨)

Know your stuff: Oil Sheen ingredients

I remember how I used to coat my tresses in oil sheen back in the day. Attempting to make my hair shine like gold because of course if your hair is shiny, it must be healthy.....not. Too bad I learned this lesson the hard and costly way. Using oil sporadically and lightly may be okay for your hair but overdoing it can lead to dryness and breakage.

Ingredients commonly found in oil sheen:

C13 14 Isoparaffin: mixture of hydrocarbons (mineral oils) derived from petroleum, and is used in cosmetics and personal care products primarily as an emollient, and also considered a thickening agent or gelling ingredient

Citronellol: used in perfumes and insect repellents and as a mite attractant

Hexyl cinnamal: is a common additive in perfume and cosmetic industry as aroma substance.

Hydroxycitronellal/Hydroxycitronellol: used in the creation and/or manufacturing of fragrance and flavor concentrates of all types

Isobutane: used as a refrigerant, as a propellant for aerosol cans and foam products

Isodecyl Oleate: made from decyl alcohol and oleic acid. Decyl Oleate is made from straight chained decyl alcohol, while Isodecyl Oleate is made from branched chain decyl alcohol

Linalool: naturally-occurring terpene alcohol chemical found in manyflowers and spice plants with many commercial applications, the majority of which are based on its pleasant scent

Propane: derived from other petroleum products during oil or natural gas processing. It is commonly used as a fuel for engines, oxy-gas torches, barbecues, portable stoves and residential central heating

Simmondsia: nique among plants in that its seeds contain an oil which is a liquid wax

Fragrance (Parfum): self explanatory

It seems that most of the ingredients are used for fragrance. Okay your hair smells great but what else? Keep in mind that this ingredient list is by no means all inclusive. There are some natural oils in a few oil sheens but there is also mineral oil and petroleum in them. The last thing you want to do is block out the much needed moisture that natural hair craves.

Some natural products that can give you the same shiny effect of oil sheen:

Sweet Almond Oil

Honey

Coconut Oil

Olive Oil

I personally prefer sweet almond oil for amazing shine. I'd rather avoid the risk of dryness and breakage.

How well do you really know your hair? Part 1

Do you know the structure of your hair? Basic knowledge of hair will help you choosing how to care for your hair. With basic knowledge you may be able to eliminate a lot of trial and error from your natural hair journey (and save some money).

Human hair in good condition is surprisingly strong - one hair can hold the weight of a chicken’s egg. It is a hard, fibrous substance. We have to be very careful how we treat it because, unlike skin, it is not alive and cannot repair itself. Therefore, we need to correctly maintain its balance of protein and moisture to keep it in good condition.

The percentage of protein in hair is between 83% and 87%. The percentage of moisture is about 3%. The balance is made up of sugar, salt and trace elements. If this essential balance is maintained, the hair will stay healthy and strong. It will be in good manageable condition, soft to the touch and with a natural shine.

The outer structure of the hair shaft consists of a collection of transparent layers of interlocking scales, which are collectively known as the cuticle. Most people have from 7 to 11 of these transparent layers all wrapped around the delicate inner part.

The delicate inner part of the hair shaft consists of a collection of spring like fibers that are coiled around each other and suspended in a glutinous material known as a fatty acid. This is where the moisture and hard and soft proteins are found.

The outer root sheath of the hair follicle encloses the inner root sheath and hair shaft.

The inner root sheath of the hair follicle is located between the outer root sheath and the hair shaft. It is made of three layers: Henle's layer, Huxley's layer, and the cuticle.

Cuticle: the outermost part of the hair shaft.

Cortex: located between the hair cuticle and medulla.

The hair matrix produces the actual hair shaft as well as the inner and outer root sheaths.

Papilla: large structure located at the base of the follicle, made up mainly of connective tissue and a capillary loop, cell division is either rare or non-existent.

References

http://www.tintsofnatureusa.com/about_haircolor.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrix_(hair)

Deep Conditioning

Deep conditioning is very beneficial to anyone and everyone that has hair on their head. I consider myself to be doing deep conditioning treatments on my hair weekly. However, this is a topic and regimen that I never bothered to research and just relied upon my general knowledge to develop a deep condition routine. What I am doing has been working for me but if it could be better then why not give it a shot. Also, none the authors mentioned using a specific type or brand of conditioner to deep conditioner. One even stated that any conditioner can be used as a deep conditioner if left on the hair for at least 20-30 minutes. I examined various sources to compile the most frequently recommended suggestions and why those recommendations are made (I like to know the ‘whys’ about things).

According to the articles I read, deep conditioning should leave your hair feeling soft and moisturized. To achieve this outcome:

• Hair should be saturated with conditioner for 15-30 minutes.

Why? To allow the conditioner to penetrate

• You should cover your hair with a plastic cap, sit under a dryer, or cover your head with a warm towel

Why? The heat allows the hair shaft to swell and the cuticles to open and allow the conditioner inside. The heat helps increase the conditioner’s effectiveness.

• The conditioner should be rinsed out thoroughly and rinsing should end with a final cold water rinse.

Why? The cold water helps the cuticles to close and trap the moisture inside the hair.

Additional info that I found interesting:

The type of deep conditioner used should depend on the condition of the hair. If the hair feels mushy when wet and stretches a lot before breaking then a protein conditioner is required to restore the hair's strength. If however, the hair feels brittle and just snaps when any tension is applied; the hair is in need of a moisturizing conditioner. The aim is to get the hair to a stage where the hair is both strong but has a certain degree of elasticity. Too much protein will make the hair go hard and too much moisture will make the hair mushy. Moisturizing deep conditioners should be used in conjunction with protein deep conditioners in the hair care regimen to maintain a healthy balance.

So after reviewing this information I have decided to make a few changes to my regimen. I will now include heat and the final cold water rinse to my regimen.

Resources:

Why Is Deep Conditioning Important

-Alma Campbell

How To Deep Condition Your Hair

-Lisa Richardson

Tutorial On How To Deep Condition Your Natural Hair

-Alma Campbell

Coconut Oil

I used coconut oil for the first ever this past weekend and I must say I LOVED IT! My hair felt so soft, moisturized, and look the way it felt. I picked up the coconut oil from Whole Foods for only $6.99 and I can tell that it is going to go a long way.

I cleansed my scalp with Dudu Osom liquid black soap, deep conditioned LeKair Cholesterol for one hour, and then applied the coconut oil while my hair was still damp. Let it air dry and then styled in a bun for the week. I am trying really hard to protect my ends to see how much growth I can achieve.

The next day after air drying over night.

The bun I plan to wear until the end of the week. I have two braids in the front, inspired by a picture of a model I saw one one the many websites I visit. The pic makes it look frizzy...but it came out really nice and the compliments are stacking up.

Healthy Hair is Good Hair

The entire year of 2009 I have been focusing on the health of my hair. Today I used coconut for the first time and I loved it. That got me thinking about how much more of an effort I have been putting into the overall health of my hair instead of styles and length. Looking at before and after pics really encouraged me. In 2005 my hair looked dull and brittle-not to mention, look at those ends! In 2009 I am still not where I want to be but my hair feels softer, looks healthier, and my ends have more intact ones vs splits.

I didn't realize how much time had passed since I first started taking pics of my hair for a FOTKI album. I have been through a lot of trial and error since that time. The internet and discovery of all those hair care sites has been dangerous. Be careful of who you take your advice from. I tried some "treatments" that left me feeling like my scalp and hair were going to slide right off and plop on the floor. The best advice I can give is to listen to your hair and give it what it asks for and not what someone tells you to do. Especially if that person has never seen or touched your hair. Remember what works for one may not work for another. Don't be afraid to keep your routines simple, trying suggestion after suggestion will only slow down your learning process about what your needs and likes. I hope my super simple information helps someone out there. I know my blog is not filled with tons of treatments, regimens, and products but that is because I don't believe in putting so many different elements into a hair care routine. Simple is working for me. The proof is in the pudding!

Less Can Be More

For years I have been reading up on different hair recipes and products that are suppose to this and that for hair. Rarely did I gets the results that were indicated. For a while now I have been pretty lazy with taking care of my hair, meaning I would, co-wash only, or shampoo/condition only, and only use one product for moisture. What's crazy is I've noticed my hair has been a lot better (shine, growth, moist, etc) since I have become slack. I think I found my niche!

I use the shea butter/olive mixture when I style. I co-wash when I don't feel like doing a real wash. Then when my scalp starts itching(my wash indicator, LOL), I shampoo/condition and then it's back to the shea butter/olive when I style. I have been doing this since the beginning of February (it's when I started Grad school) and I am in love with the outcome. When I wear my hair out I do moisturize at night with my regular conditioner.

Forget all these "special" regimes and "treatments" I have finally found what works for me. :)

Current products:
100% African Shea butter
GreatValue Olive Oil (Wal-Mart brand)
Suave Ocean Mist or Coconut Conditioner
Suave Clarifying Shampoo

I will admit that I broke from the simple routine and started to deep condition with 1/2 jar of LUSTRASILK Placenta & Jojoba Oil cholesterol/Rosemary Oil (8 drops)/Olive Oil (tablespoon). Usually I do not see or feel a difference with deep conditions but this time I did. So here's my theory....I spent almost two months putting very little product on my hair and it was able to just be its healthy self. Therefore, the deep condition concoction was able to actually do what it's supposed to on my hair-it didn't have to fight against the "work" of other treatments/products/compounds. I think I will keep this up.

---------
"The impossible is God's chance to work a miracle"
-Maurette Brown Clark

*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.• tia¸.•*´¨)