Hair Growth Genie

How To Grow Your Hair Long & Beautiful: For All Hair Types

2012-07-31T03:49:00.001-07:00

Are you struggling with dry, brittle, damaged hair that seems not to grow no matter what you do? Then this book is for you. It’s filled with everything you need to not only grow long, strong and beautiful hair no matter what the texture, but also to maintain the growth. Whether you’ve got pin straight, curly, wavy or kinky hair - this book has every secret to get you to your goal hair length.

Includes:

Secret methods used to grow your hair 1-2 inches in just 7 days (normal growth is 0.5 inches per month) we’ll show you how to get this in just one week!
Exact hair care routines to follow - includes Weekly and Daily
The list of products that are causing your hair to be lifeless and dull and could possibly be poisoning you
Hair Care products to avoid and tons of recipes you can make yourself at home
Secret recipes for hair growth, dry hair, dandruff, grey hair, to get more shine in your hair, to thicken hair, brighten blonde hair, enrich brunette hair and more

This is just some of the wonderful information you’ll find in this book. Thousands of women have grown their hair using the information in this book. Now you can too.

Buy it now on Amazon Kindle and download immediately here:

How To Grow Your Hair Long & Beautiful: Take your hair from blah to beautiful

Andrea (Andreas Choice) Without Makeup

2012-05-02T04:10:00.001-07:00

Andrea from AndreasChoice is one of the most prolific and beautiful beauty gurus on Youtube. What she looks like without makeup and whether she has had a nose job are two of the most common searched items on this site so I decided to add the images and you can have a look for yourself.
Hair Growth Genie

Before

After

What do you think?

Hair Myths

2011-10-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

Click here lo learn how to grow African American hair faster.

Now that you know what’s in those products you are using - lets take a look at marketing myths used to sell more hair and skin products.

Natural Products - Are They Really Natural ?

In cosmetic, food and product terminology, the term "natural" is used when the manufacturer does not use more than 70% organic ingredients and methods and thus would not get a government certification to certify the products as organic.

Thus the only word that matters is “Organic” and not “Natural” The manufacturers know this. They have to comply with a ton of standards in order to simply get their products on the shelves. They however also know that it is a lot more expensive to make organic products as organic farming is a small percentage compared to the majority.

Organic means that products or food are made avoiding any synthetic chemicals and the farm is free of synthetic chemicals used in irrigation. The levels to determine the labeling of natural or organic products is as follows. Look at the labels to give you an idea of just how many ingredients are indeed organic.

Labels as follows:

“100% Organic” -products made with entirely certified organic materials and methods
“Organic” - products made with 95% organic materials and methods
“Made with organic ingredients” - products made with 70% organic materials and methods
“Natural” - used by manufacturers who have failed to meet the standards to be certified as “organic”

The only exception to “Natural” products are if the product has a Natural Products Association (NPA) certification that certifies that the product uses 95% truly natural ingredients excluding water (e.g. Plant and mineral based) with no toxins harmful to humans .

The NPA warns consumers to look out for the following top ten marketing foolery on products:

Made with organic essential oils
Contains organic ingredients
Made with nontoxic ingredients
100 percent natural
Essentially nontoxic
Earth-friendly
Environmentally safer
Hypoallergenic/Dermatologist Tested/Allergy Tested/Non-Irritating
Vegan
Cruelty-Free

They also warn that the US Food & Drug Administration only certifies food products as organic. This means that plant based products or ingredients are not certified by the FDA at all so may include harmful by products or have been farmed with chemical fertilizers, toxic pesticides and other harsh chemicals.

The wonderful thing about home made recipes for hair care is that alot of them are food based, so if you want to go all the way , then buy 100% organic honey, avocados, dairy etc to use in your hair care recipes.

Super Secrets For Fast Hair Growth

2011-09-02T08:36:00.000-07:00

Amongst the various tips and tricks to maintaining healthy hair leading to growth - we all need that little extra secret that makes people go “Wow your hair has grown so quickly”! And here it is, the top secrets to super charge your hair growth.

Choose one or all and stick to it for at last one month. It’s important to use one at a time so you can measure which one gives you faster growth. The hair treatments are all done as part of your bi-weekly wash routine but for emergency regrowth, e.g. after a bad hair cut or hair disaster - they can be done daily for the first week followed by twice a week thereafter. Secrets after the jump.

Secret #1 - Vaginal Cream!

Many people that frequent hair forums have probably come across this at some point or another - however if you are new to growing your hair - then get ready for the long hair secret to faster growth that has worked on 90% on those that have tried it.

The secret is using Miconazole Nitrate - also known as Monistat or Daktarin in some countries - it is a vaginal anti-fungal cream!

In most well reported and documented cases, the hair on your head can indeed grow faster after using over the counter fungal cream. The key ingredient in these fungal creams used to treat vaginal yeast infections such as thrush or athletes foots, is Miconazole Nitrate (MN). An interesting side effect of MN is a boost in hair growth.

When I first read about this on a hair forum, I was intrigued by the sheer number of women who were raving about receiving growth of more than an inch within 1-2 weeks after massaging MN active creams into their scalps. After some research, I found that the ingredients used in these creams were also present in creams used to treat infant oral thrush.

The only side effect experienced by one in twenty women was mild to severe headaches. This was more prevalent in women who used undiluted 4% MN creams as opposed to women who diluted the cream with water. Most women who used a 2% solution did not report side effects.

Hair on average grows only half an inch per month on a healthy head of hair. For women to achieve 1-2 inches of growth is decidedly above average.

Curious to test this interesting theory, I purchased two boxes of Daktarin Vaginal Cream at my local pharmacy. Granted, I felt slight discomfort when asking for two boxes, while the lady at the counters face evidently questioned why I needed two boxes when one should suffice. I was ready to justify my purchase, but unfortunately did not need to.

I started on January 9th with plans to use the cream 1-3 times a week for one month. Ladies on the hair forums alternated between using it once a week to every night. Results between the groups were negligible, so I took the mean, one to three times a week.

I measured my head from the mid-front of my hairline, to the longest point of my hair at the back. I measured several times using a normal tape measure, to ensure that my measurements would be accurate. My hair measured at 20”.

You apply a small amount of the Monistat/Daktarin cream onto fingertips, tip your head over and massaged it into your scalp. Repeat until entire scalp is massaged.

For the first week, there was no noticeable growth. In the second week, my hair somehow felt longer and thicker. I put this down to the placebo effect. Strangely though, I was struggling to see through my fringe. My fringe was slightly past eyebrow level; suddenly it was brushing against the bridge of my nose.

As the weeks until the 9th February dragged on, I continued my normal hair routines, but applied the MN religiously one to three times a week dependent on my mood. I also mixed it with Castor Oil in the middle of my trial period as someone had reported easier application.

Barely 3 weeks into my trial, 7 days shy of 9 February, I decided to cheat and measure my hair. At this point it was no longer my imagination, my hair was longer.

Upon measuring the same distance, from my hairline to the longest point of my hair at the back, my hair now measured 21”. I re-measured several times again to ensure an accurate result.

In 3 weeks my hair had grown an inch. I also normally massage my head with oils, including castor oil, so the growth could not be attributed to this alone.

Based on results of others and more importantly my own trial, I can say that, YES, a vaginal fungal cream can make your hair grow faster.

Secret #2 - Emu Oil Hair Growth

The following recipe has proven to speed up hair growth. Personally it’s a bit thick for me, but many women have found that it works.

Ingredients

3 Tablespoons Emu Oil

5 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

5 Tablespoons Castor Oil

5 Tablespoons Raw Honey

Mix all ingredients together in a blender for 2 minutes on medium high speed, or better yet, use one of those hand held blenders. After you've mixed everything together, place in a clean glass container with an airtight lid. I use a small mason jar. Keep refrigerated!

Grease your scalp with this mixture for 7 days straight. At the end of 7 days you can wash your hair. VERY IMPORTANT ~ you MUST massage your scalp once per day for at least 3-5 minutes. This will help the oils penetrate the scalp. If you skip this important step in the treatment process, you might not see the best results.

Secret #3 - Grow Hair Like A Weed Oil!

This recipe is probably one of the best oil mixtures to speed up hair growth. Due to the thickness of the mixture, the regime is not easy to incorporate into daily life, however if you need to re-grow after a hair emergency then this will give you a head start. Your hair will double in growth rate.

Ingredients for one weeks worth

1/4-Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/4-Cup Pure Coconut Oil

1/4 Cup Almond Oil

1/4 Cup Avocado Oil

1/4 Cup Amla Indian Hair Oil (optional)

1 Teaspoon of melted Honey

Mix all ingredients together and pour into a jar or bottle. Massage the mixture into your hair 3-4 times a week. Continue to follow your hair regime as normal, using this as your pre-oiling. The only difference is that you have to leave these oils on your head and only wash on your washdays. Use an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse to clarify the hair.

The oils can be bought at an Organic store, Whole Foods, Dischem or BJs depending o your area. Any health store will stock the oils in its purest forms.

This mixture is probably one of the best options in conjunction with the Monistat/Daktarin to really speed up hair growth. It also super conditions your hair, makes it shiny, fortified, reconstructed, moisturized, softened and de-frizzed.

You can also add Rosemary essential oil (about 20 drops) and MSM powder.

The Truth About Hair Relaxer and Straightening Products

2011-09-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

The Truth About Hair Relaxers and Chemical Straightening

Any chemical process is damaging on your hair, however if you choose to go this route, then ensure that it is done on healthy hair. Relaxing over damaged, previously processed or bleached hair will cause your hair to break off or even disintegrate.

It is thus advisable that you first focus on treating your hair for as long as you can to get it into optimal health before relaxing.

Do not relax your hair more than once a month. Try to stretch out your relaxer to as long as possible as you focus on your hair regime and new growth. Always choose a mild relaxer.

The FDA in the United States lists Hair Dyes and Hair Strengtheners as the two top consumer complaints received in any given year! DIY Chemical processing products are available over any counter for anyone to use. It is however a powerful process which changes the basic chemical makeup of the hair strand.

Before performing any chemical process whether it’s at home or in a salon, it is important to have all the information required to make informed decisions. The following information is scary - so be warned, natural doesn’t sound that bad after reading this. More after the jump.

The History of Hair Strengtheners

Relaxers as we know it was accidentally discovered by Garrett Augustus Morgan, the son of former slaves. Hr also invented the traffic signal and gas mask! In 1910 while working in a sewing machine repair store attempting to invent a new lubricating liquid for the machine needle, legend has it that Morgan wiped his hands on a wool cloth, returned the next day, found the woolly texture of the cloth had smoothed out, and set out to find how the liquid chemical had changed the texture as it had. He experimented on an Airedale dog, known for their curly textured hair, and the effect was successfully duplicated.

Morgan then tried his lubricating liquid invention on himself, called it a “hair refining cream”, and thus patented the first chemical hair straightener. He founded a personal grooming products company which included hair dying ointments, curved-tooth pressing combs, shampoo, hair pressing gloss, and the one that started it all: the “G.A. Morgan's Hair Refiner Cream” (advertised to “Positively Straighten Hair in 15 Minutes”).

The truth behind Lye vs. No-Lye

Sodium Hydroxide is the strongest type of principal chemical used in some chemical relaxers because it provides the most long lasting and dramatic effects. However, this same sodium hydroxide is found in drain cleaners, which well demonstrate the strength of this, chemical. It is what is used in products that are referred to as “lye” relaxers. The strength varies from a pH factor of 10 to 14. With higher pH, the faster the straightening solution will take hold, but the more potential the damage.

Guanidine Hydroxide is the other common option of relaxer chemical used today. This is what is referred to as “no-lye” relaxers. This label can be misleading to some consumers. It does not imply that there aren't any strong chemicals used or that the chemicals used are somehow less potentially damaging. Some have mistakenly thought that with “no-lye” relaxers there are less steps and all the worry of chemical hair straightening is removed. Although this type of chemical hair relaxer can be less damaging than its counterpart, the hair and scalp should be in top condition before attempting treatment, and this type also requires special care when applied.

All relaxers require conditioning treatments before and after application. The decision to straighten the hair chemically requires much forethought and really a commitment to healthy hair care treatments over a long entire period of time.

The Do's / The Don'ts Before Relaxing

How can chemicals “relax”, or straighten hair? Well first of all, as assumed, the chemical would need to be potent enough to do so. Both lye and “no lye” relaxers are very strong chemicals that work in the same manner by changing the basic structure of the hair shaft. The chemical penetrates the cortex and loosens the natural curl pattern. This inner layer of the hair shaft is not only what gives curly hair its shape but provides strength and elasticity. Once this process is performed it is irreversible.

This process which produces the desired effect of “straighter” hair at the same time leaves hair weak and extremely susceptible to breaking and further damage. One must keep in mind that relaxers do not help the hair, but actually strip it. So by applying chemicals to the hair, even if it is to achieve a desired effect, is never really to the benefit of your hair health.

Due to this, it is first strongly recommended that it be applied only under the direction of a hair care professional with a record of success with healthy hair care and chemical straightening, and that you follow conditioning treatments before and after the process.

Possessing a healthy scalp beforehand decreases the possibility of problems occurring. Relaxers should never be applied to already damaged hair, or on someone who has had scalp damage. Age should also be considered. Although your young children may want to have the hairstyles they see on adults or other young people, parents should seriously consider applying such strong chemicals to young hair and the potential damage that could last a lifetime if misused; most times it is not necessary to apply any chemical product to young hair.

“Over processing”, the excessive use of relaxers on the hair or applying the chemical to already processed or relaxed hair, is the most typical misuse of these chemicals. Once the initial relaxer is applied to “virgin hair” (or a “virgin relaxer” is performed), “touch-ups” (or chemical applied thereafter) should only be applied to new growth between 6-8 week periods (or more). This however, depends on the rate of hair growth and condition of the hair as advised by your hair care professional. (Some say that even six weeks is too soon to reapply relaxer to new growth). And it is standard to wait at least 2-4 weeks before applying hair color chemical (or dye) to recently relaxed hair, if applied at all.

I've Decided to Straighten My Hair: Now What?

So after careful consideration you've decided to chemically straighten your hair. A “strand test” should always be performed during your consultation at the salon or on your own. Remember not all hair types (even if they are naturally tightly curled) are the same. Everyone's hair is different.

Tips when Relaxing Hair

Protective petroleum “base cream” should always be applied to help protect the scalp so that no chemical product comes in contact with your scalp. It should also be applied around the hairline and behind the ears.

After the relaxer chemical has been applied, and let set for the appropriate amount of time, the chemical needs to be completely removed with warm water, and then a neutralizing formula is applied. This step is essential to lower the pH – If not lowered the hair will break.

Apply a conditioner to restore some of the natural oils and proteins removed by the chemical.

Relaxers should be applied to hair that is completely dry.

Relaxers should be applied to unrelaxed hair only. Applying relaxer chemical to already relaxed hair will only cause breakage.

Do not exceed the processing time. It is crucial that this time period not be elapsed, as this will result in over-processing.

Scalp burning is not “normal”, and when applied correctly the scalp should not burn. If you scalp burns, stop immediately.

If newly chemically straightened hair is not given special treatment it can become brittle, dry, damaged and break. Relaxed hair will tend to be drier and break easily. Regular deep conditioning is a must.

Limit the use of hot styling tools (such as blow dryers, hot combs, and curling irons). Try not to use heat on your hair at all between visits if possible.

Follow up a relaxer with a protein and moisture treatment.

Although there may be risks, and certainly much information to consider, in the hands of a professional, many have enjoyed for years good hair health while chemically straightening their hair. When done correctly this method does successfully straighten, soften the texture of the hair, and provides stunning results.

Celebrities Without Makeup

2011-08-30T12:06:00.000-07:00

Do you wake up in the morning feeling nothing like P. Diddy. Pale? Bloated? Puffy eyes? Well rest assured ladies, so do the world's most beautiful women. Celebrities who we adore are human just like us. Have a look at all the celebrities we could find without any makeup on. More photos after the jump.

Giselle Bundchen

Kim Kardashian

Pamela Anderson

Kristen Stewart

Penelope Cruz

Christina Aguilera

Katherine Heigl

Jessica Simpson

Eva Longoria

Jessica Alba

Jennifer Lopez

Demi Moore

Kate Moss

Cameraon Diaz

Halle Berry

Beyonce

Alicia Silverstone

Drew Barrymore

Jessica Biel

Adriana Lima

Jennifer Garner

Kim Kardashian

Brooke Shields

Miley Cyrus

Angelina Jolie

Vanessa Hudgens

Jennifer Lopez - Voted the most beautiful woman in the world. Yep that's here right there on the left.

Celebrity Real Hair - All the celebrities we could find without their weaves

2011-08-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

Check out these celebrities real hair or without make-up. Don't feel so bad, your hair is going to look amazing and grow like a weed using our tips! More photos of celebrities real hair after the jump!

Images from theglamourslife.com

Hair Growth Power Nutrients + Vitamins

2011-08-26T09:12:00.001-07:00

Our modern diets unfortunately do not provide all the nutrients

Necessary not just for optimal, health but also for hair growth. Taking supplements in the form of vitamins is thus an essential part to achieve hair growth.

Based on scientific studies, there are a number of nutritional factors that can provide nutrients for beautiful and shiny hair and to sustain new hair growth. To really nourish and sustain healthy

Hair growth, we must provide an internal

Treatment, which contains high levels of the following active ingredients:

Sulphurated amino acids.

The two most critical sulphurated amino acids for new hair growth are L-methionine and L-cysteine which are essential building blocks for the formation of keratin (the basic structure of hair) and to promote hair growth.

B Vitamins

The B vitamins contribute to healthy skin and hair. B6 plays an important role in the absorption of the sulphurated aminoacids. Along with the B vitamins, vitamin E is an essential antioxidant associated both

Directly and indirectly in new hair growth.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids

The supercritical (CO2) millet seed (Panicum miliaceum) oil extract contains valuable linoleic acid, the triterpenoid miliacin as well as other phytosterols and squalene are important for sustaining hair growth. Clinical studies have proven it supports hair growth, has anabolic activity which supports the formation of lustrous and healthy hair.

Sunflower seed oil also contains valuable essential fatty acids of the omega 6 group that are necessary for the health of the hair. Sunflower seed oil can retain moisture in the skin and hair. It may also provide a protective barrier.

Silica

A lack of silica can lead to skin, nail and hair disorders as well as growth problems. A well-balanced hair formula should contain a good level of silica from horsetail. Additional silica can also prove to be extremely beneficial for the quality of hair and new hair growth. It can be used alongside other hair growth supplements.

Good Hair growth vitamins:

Vitamin A (as retinyl palmitate) 4000 IU

Vitamin E (natural mixed tocopherols) 45 IU

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 4 mg

Vitamin B6

Folic Acid 400 mcg (typically found in prenatal vitamins)

Biotin 1000 mcg,

Zinc (gluconate) 10 mg

L-Cysteine 100 mg,

L-Methionine 100 mg

Millet Seed Oil >6 mg of miliacin.

Beyonce's Real Hair?

2011-08-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what Beyonce's real looks like? Well here it is.

From fab...to...

(Here you can see she wears a lace weave).

Styling Your Hair

2011-08-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

With heat

When you are trying to grow your hair, it is advisable to use heat as sparingly as possible. If you have to heat style your hair, then rather air dry first.

The best way to air dry hair if you plan to style it with heat, is to comb your hair around your head, this is called wrapping, and then putting a stocking or cling wrap over your hair. Allow to air dry to as dry as possible before using heat.

Some people’s hair unfortunately cannot straighten from low or no heat settings, so if you must use heat, wait until your hair is as naturally dried as possible to minimize the amount of heat used on the hair.

Using curling or hot irons is never recommended. However if you must use a styling iron, do so only once a week and only on dry hair with a heat protection serum. Do not use styling irons if you have hair oil or silicone on your hair. You are literally frying your hair. The silicone will mask the damage until your next wash.

The best time to style your hair with heat, is after a moisturizing treatment when your hair is amply protected.

Without heat for curly or wavy hair

No heat is always the best option if you can get away with it. Some options to style your hair with no heat are the following:

· Plopping - for curly or wavy textures

· Apply a leave in conditioner, hair serum or light hair oil such as Coconut, Jojoba, Olive oil or Almond oil to your hair. You can also mix in a drop of pure honey for additional softness and shine.

· Comb through with a wide toothcomb or preferably your fingers.

· Spread an old t-shirt or micro-fiber towel onto a flat surface (such as the toilet with seat down).

· Bend over at the waist and position your hair in the middle of the cloth.

· Pile your hair to the top of your hair.

· With your head touching the cloth, drape the back section of cloth over your head.

· Twist the sides until they form "sausage rolls" and clip or tie them at the base of your neck.

· After 15-30 minutes remove the cloth. If your hair is frizzy after plopping lightly graze the hair with gel.

· Then remove the T shirt and shake your head gently

· Your hair will now have beautiful waves or curls depending on the texture of your hair

· After this - do not touch your hair at all. Any hair manipulation will cause your hair to frizz

Bunning or braiding - for any hair texture

Bunning is an easy style where you tie your hair up into a low or high ponytail, and then twist your hair around the base of the ponytail and clip it in place until it looks like a bun.

You may also braid your hair and tie only the end with a hair band.

Never use elastic bands with metal connectors or rubber bands on your hair. Always use soft material bands or soft grip clips. The less pressure on your hair the better.

When Bunning, don’t tie the hair too tightly to minimize pressure on the hair.

While you are sleeping

Bunning or braiding can also be used as protective styles when you are sleeping. It’s important to protect your hair as much as you can as tossing and turning causes friction which results in breakage, frizz and damage.

If you are comfortable with sleeping with something on your head, then wearing a satin scarf or hair net will also help.

If you, like myself can’t bear to have anything on your head while you are sleeping and prefer to sleep with it loose, then invest in a satin pillowcase. This is one of the biggest luxuries a woman can indulge in. Not only does it keep your hair smooth while you sleep, it also protects the skin on your face. With no friction as you sleep, your skin is smooth without those morning wrinkles and lines that come from squashing your face while you sleep.

To preserve curly hair, make a very high ponytail and tie with a material covered hair scrunchie.

Refreshing natural dried hair

When you wake up, no matter how protected your hair, you might have to refresh the style.

The simplest way to do this is to wet your hands with water an a little conditioner or oil and smooth it over your hair shaft. Follow this up with either conditioner or light hair oil. This will instantly refresh the style and you are good to go without using heat.

If you have used heat and need to refresh the style, do not use the blow dryer again; rather wrap your hair with cling wrap as before. The best way to get the flat iron effect without the flat iron is to apply a good hair serum any one will do, and then brush your hair around your head as before. Apply the cling wrap or a stocking. Sit under a dryer for 15 minutes on medium heat. Then gently comb your hair out. Your hair will be extremely soft and have the straightened look without all the damage of a flat iron.

While you are exercising/sweating

It is important to tie hair up either in a high ponytail or hair bun whilst exercising. Wear a sweatband if you can stand it to absorb the moisture from your head. It is important to refresh the hair after exercising by combing it through with a wide toothcomb if your hair is straight or wavy, or with wet hand and a little conditioner if your hair is curly.

Don’t touch your hair immediately after, allow the sweat to dry before manipulating hair so that it does not spread down the shaft of your hair.

While you are in the sun

Always wear a protective hat if you are outside in the sun. This is not only important for your skin but for your hair as well. It protects the hair from drying out.

If you are going swimming and do not want to wear a swimming cap, then ensure that you slather your hair with a rich leave in conditioner and apply more after swimming.

It’s important to follow a wash routine following swimming. If you have a choice, choose to swim in a salt pool versus a chlorinated pool.

With heat

When you are trying to grow your hair, it is advisable to use heat as sparingly as possible. If you have to heat style your hair, then rather air dry first.

The best time to style your hair with heat, is after a moisturizing treatment when your hair is amply protected.

Without heat for curly or wavy hair

No heat is always the best option if you can get away with it. Some options to style your hair with no heat are the following:

· Plopping - for curly or wavy textures

· Comb through with a wide toothcomb or preferably your fingers.

· Spread an old t-shirt or micro-fiber towel onto a flat surface (such as the toilet with seat down).

· Bend over at the waist and position your hair in the middle of the cloth.

· Pile your hair to the top of your hair.

· With your head touching the cloth, drape the back section of cloth over your head.

· Twist the sides until they form "sausage rolls" and clip or tie them at the base of your neck.

· After 15-30 minutes remove the cloth. If your hair is frizzy after plopping lightly graze the hair with gel.

· Then remove the T shirt and shake your head gently

· Your hair will now have beautiful waves or curls depending on the texture of your hair

· After this - do not touch your hair at all. Any hair manipulation will cause your hair to frizz

Bunning or braiding - for any hair texture

Bunning is an easy style where you tie your hair up into a low or high ponytail, and then twist your hair around the base of the ponytail and clip it in place until it looks like a bun.

You may also braid your hair and tie only the end with a hair band.

Never use elastic bands with metal connectors or rubber bands on your hair. Always use soft material bands or soft grip clips. The less pressure on your hair the better.

When Bunning, don’t tie the hair too tightly to minimize pressure on the hair.

While you are sleeping

If you are comfortable with sleeping with something on your head, then wearing a satin scarf or hair net will also help.

To preserve curly hair, make a very high ponytail and tie with a material covered hair scrunchie.

Refreshing natural dried hair

When you wake up, no matter how protected your hair, you might have to refresh the style.

While you are exercising/sweating

Don’t touch your hair immediately after, allow the sweat to dry before manipulating hair so that it does not spread down the shaft of your hair.

While you are in the sun

Always wear a protective hat if you are outside in the sun. This is not only important for your skin but for your hair as well. It protects the hair from drying out.

If you are going swimming and do not want to wear a swimming cap, then ensure that you slather your hair with a rich leave in conditioner and apply more after swimming.

It’s important to follow a wash routine following swimming. If you have a choice, choose to swim in a salt pool versus a chlorinated pool.

Hair Diagnosis

2011-08-23T09:13:00.001-07:00

The routine in this book works on all hair types - however you may experience problems with your hair that does not seem to go away no matter what you do and it seems to get worse.

Below is a quick diagnosis of the symptoms and solutions to try. It’s important to follow through a process of elimination.

Problem: Hair is suddenly tangling easily; looks dull and frazzled, ends are crunchy and dry, hair feel straw like

Pre-Diagnosis: Your hair could have product build up. To test these do the following:

Your hair needs to be clarified (cleansing on steroids if you will!) first to remove all product residues on your hair. You will need a Clarifying shampoo such as Pantene Clarifying, Suave, Neutrogena or VO5 Kiwi Lime Shampoo. They unfortunately contain Sulfates, but will work to quickly remove buildup. Wash your hair twice with the clarifying shampoo. This is the only time you should ever wash your hair twice. Do not condition your hair after this. Leave your hair to air dry on it’s own.

Alternatively you can follow up a normal non-Sulfate shampoo wash, also twice, with Apple Vinegar rinse using a 1/2-cup of Apple Cider Vinegar to a jug of water. Again leaving your hair to dry on it’s own.

Your hair will feel extremely “tight” and squeaky, however this is temporary to allow you to diagnose the problem.

Next step is to feel your hair.

Diagnosis #1: Too Much Protein

If your hair feels crunchy, bunching up, dry or brittle - chances are that you have too much protein in your hair and need a moisturizing treatment.

Solution: Apply a deep moisturizing conditioner or treatment of your choice into your hair. Wrap with a shower cap or towel and sit under a hooded dryer for 15 minutes or heated towels for 30-60 minutes. You may leave it on longer if you choose

Diagnosis #2: Too Little Protein

If your hair feels thin, transparent, and wiry and the ends seem see through, with rough feel to the strands, then you need protein in your hair.

Solution: You need to apply a deep protein treatment to your hair of your choice, followed by a moisturizing treatment to add moisture back into the hair as protein hardens the hair.

Diagnosis #3: Need Moisture

If your hair feels fine but is lacking body then you need moisture

Solution: Apply a moisture treatment as above.

If your hair is a combination of the above, then try one thing at a time, but always include the moisture treatment. The Emergency Treatment in this book is a great moisture treatment to use on hair that needs a boost.

Hair Regimes

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Remember your hair is always growing and the tips will speed it up you have to however retain the hair to see it. To do this you have to follow a hair regime.

Regardless of whether your hair is oily or dry, following a regime will slowly get rid of the conditions that cause your hair to be excessively oily or dry and normalize it to a healthy state.

You might read the list of oils and conditioners and wonder how it will help an oily scalp. Oil is overly produced when the scalp is dry from the harsh shampoos used. Once your regime is in swing, your scalp will return to a healthy state and will not need to over produce oil.

Weekly Regime

The following regime should be followed as closely as possible to achieve optimal results. It can be used on any hair type of any length.

1. Pre-oil your dry unwashed hair by massaging any mixture of hair oils (see recipes or use pure coconut oil) into the scalp, lengths and ends of your hair. The easiest way to do this is to part your into four sections. Rub the oil between your palms to heat it. Massage into the hair until your hair is saturated with oil.

2. Cover with a wrap, shower cap or hot towels for 30 minutes. If you are using hot towel, you will need to reheat the towel under hot water once it cools down. You may also sit under a dryer or heat cap for 15 minutes.

3. Wash your hair with a gentle sulfate free shampoo if you are using shampoo or a light cheap conditioner if you are using conditioner only wash (read more about this later).

Afterwards, apply a Moisturizing Conditioner/Treatment (see recipes for home made options)

Comb through with a wide toothcomb or your fingers and rinse thoroughly

Gently dab excess water out of your hair with paper towel or a micro fiber towel. Do not use a terry cloth towel on your hair as it causes frizz.

Apply a leave in conditioner or light serum o light oil such as Jojoba on your ends. You may also use a drop of honey mixed into your leave in if you plan to air dry.

Style your hair.

Daily Regime

The daily regime should be followed every single day whether it’s washday or not.

1. Take specific vitamins for hair growth daily

2. Cover hair with a satin bonnet, satin scarf or sleep on a silk/satin pillowcase

3. Drink 8 glasses of water

4. Try to do some form of exercise for a minimum of 15 minutes or tilt your head for 5 minutes

5. Massage your head without oil for 5 minutes daily (Read the section o Head Massage for more details)

6. Apply a serum, jojoba or coconut oil to the ends daily

Washing Your Hair

Washing your every day can strip the hair of natural oils and also cause further damage by over exposure to harsh sulfates, sodium chloride (salt) and other chemicals present in most store bought shampoos. The optimal wash period should be no more than twice a week depending on your schedule.

E.g. Monday and Thursdays would be your washdays.

Shampoo once only. There are different methods of washing hair - however washing only once with sulfate free shampoo or conditioner wash (without shampoo) is the best options.

Shampoos containing the ingredient "Sulfate" should be avoided as they strip the hair. Examples include "Ammonium Laureth Sulfate", "Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate","Tea Laureth Sulphate", "Tea Lauryl Sulfate" or "Sodium Lauryl Sulfate". The only sulfates that are considered gentle are:

· Sodium Myreth Sulphate

· Polyoxethylene Fatty Alcohols

· PEG 80

· Sorbitan Laurate

· Decyl Polyglucose

· Cocamidopropyl Betaine

· Sodium Myreth Sulfate

Clarifying shampoos like Pantenes should not be used more than once a month. These will contain sulfates used to remove product build.

If you are doing a conditioner only wash, then you might want to do a once a month clean with shampoo, but rather opt for a sulfate free version.

Ensure that you don’t pile hair on top of your hair when washing. Leave it to hang down to prevent matting or tangling. Put shampoo on your fingertips and wash your scalp. There is no need to scrub the hair - as the lengths and ends will be washed from the run down of water and suds from your scalp.

Washing hair is important to get rid of dirt and grime that may block hair follicles, thus not allowing the hair follicles enough oxygen for optimal growth.

If you are doing a conditioner wash and your hair does not “feel” clean - then ensure that you use a lot of conditioner and allow it to sit on your head for at least 5 minutes while you massage your scalp and hair with your fingertips.

Before You Wash

One day before or an hour before is the best time to infuse your hair with additional moisture it needs for optimal growth. This period can be used to apply hot oil treatments, which will be washed out from the shampoo.

Ideal hot oil treatments need not be expensive purchases. There are recipes in the book for inexpensive oil treatments that you can use. Coconut oil is the best oil to be used for the mid lengths and ends of hair as it have the highest absorption rate (i.e. it penetrates the hair better than any other oils). Most other oils only coat the hair shaft. Olive oil can also be used but if you can go for Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Rosemary Essential Oil can also be added (a few drops) which stimulates the scalp. Indian hair oils such as Amla, Bhinjri etc can also be used.

It should always be heated for approximately 10 seconds in a microwave or over a bowl of boiling water.

Oil should be massaged into the lengths, ends and scalp for a minimum of 5 minutes. The hair should then be covered with a damp hot towel or plastic cap for 30 minutes. You can also sit under a hood hair dryer or manual dryer for 15 minutes if you don't have enough time.

Shampooing

Once your pre-washing oiling is completed, you would then need to wash the oils out with Shampoo or Conditioner.

Other “Shampoo” Methods

Traditionally we wash our hair with shampoo, rinse and then condition. However much research and trials have been carried out by various women as a result there are other Shampoo methods. The best thing to do to find the right one for you is to alternative by trying different ones. If you do decide to try a different “shampoo” method - it will only be worth it to try it for at least 4 weeks to allow your hair to get used to the method and settle.

Alternative Shampoo Method:

CO - Conditioner or condition-only washing method - this method is recommended for those with thick, curly, dry or frizz prone hair. Any conditioner is used the same as a shampoo on the hair and scalp. With this method however you have to spend more time really massaging the conditioner gently into the hair and scalp for longer than you normally would with shampoo. Many report softer, frizz free hair. If you have fine hair, then this method is not recommended.

CWC - You first Condition the hair with Conditioner, followed by a wash with a sulfate free shampoo, followed by a conditioner.

WCWC - Various hair salons use this method and they swear by the conditioning properties. It is simply a Wash; Condition with a Protein based conditioner, Wash, and then Condition with moisture rich conditioner.

WO - Water only washing method. This method is used by a lot of women who do not want to use shampoo or conditioner on their hair. Hair is washed with water only and rinsed thoroughly, followed by hair oils for moisture sealing.

This method relies on the oils and hairs natural oils to moisturize the hair.

Shampoo Bars - A Shampoo Bar is a soap bar made with a mixture of oil and lye. It contains a lot less harsh chemicals than shampoo. The pH level however interferes with the natural acidity of the skin and therefore an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse is always done after using a shampoo bar.

Herbs - Many people use a mixture of Indian herbs such as Neem, Shikakai, Brahmi and normal Catnip as a shampoo on their hair. The herbs are infused into water, filtered and used as a shampoo rinse.

Protein Treatments

Hair conditioning has to maintain a balance between protein and moisture in order to grow. Most chemical processes such as perms, bleaching, relaxers, colors, bleaching etc strip protein from the hair. It is thus essential to have a protein treatment following any chemical treatment.

Protein treatments are to be followed by a moisturizing treatment to maintain the balance and condition of the hair. For severely damaged hair they can be done once a week initially - and then every second week once your hair health has improved.

Once your hair becomes healthy, this can be cut to once a month.

Protein treatments can either be leave in or rinse out. They should always be applied to towel dried clean hair with no conditioner.

Treatments should be combed through and left on the hair for 30-60 minutes before rinsing (or left in if using a leave in treatment).

A moisturizing conditioner should always follow protein treatments. It should state “Moisturizing” on the bottle; else use one of the home made moisturizing treatments.

With a leave in Protein treatment it would be left in the hair after conditioning.

Moisture Treatments

Daily wear; Blow-drying, ironing or applying any heat to your hair removes moisture. You would thus need to replace lost moisture with every wash.

Moisturizing treatments or Conditioners should be applied after every wash and after every protein treatment.

Deep conditioning with specific deep moisture treatments should be done weekly on your hair washdays.

For best results it should be left in for 20-60 minutes with heat.

Hair Product Lies

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Now that you know what’s in those products you are using - lets take a look at marketing myths used to sell more hair and skin products.

Natural Products - Are They Really Natural?

Thus the only word that matters are “Organic” and not “Natural” The manufacturers know this. They have to comply with a ton of standards in order to simply get their products on the shelves. They however also know that it is a lot more expensive to make organic products, as organic farming is a small percentage compared to the majority.

Organic means that products or food are made avoiding any synthetic chemicals and the farm is free of synthetic chemicals used in irrigation. The level to determine the labeling of natural or organic products is as follows. Look at the labels to give you an idea of just how many ingredients are indeed organic.

Labels as follows:

“100% Organic” -products made with entirely certified organic materials and methods

“Organic” - products made with 95% organic materials and methods

“Made with organic ingredients” - products made with 70% organic materials and methods

“Natural” - used by manufacturers who have failed to meet the standards to be certified as “organic”

The NPA warns consumers to look out for the following top ten marketing foolery on products:

· Made with organic essential oils

· Contains organic ingredients

· Made with nontoxic ingredients

· 100 percent natural

· Essentially nontoxic

· Earth-friendly

· Environmentally safer

· Hypoallergenic/Dermatologist Tested/Allergy Tested/Non-Irritating

· Vegan

· Cruelty-Free

The wonderful thing about home made recipes for hair care is that a lot of them are food based, so if you want to go all the way, then buy 100% organic honey, avocados, dairy etc to use in your hair care recipes.

PH Levels

PH stands for the power of the hydrogen atom. Skin and hair are said to have a pH of 5.0. A scale from 0 to 14 is used to measure acidity and alkalinity of solutions. PH 7.0 is neutral.

There is no such thing as a "pH balanced" product because a product's pH will drift during shelf life and alter when applied to the hair and skin.

A product's pH is not a danger to the body, but the synthetic chemicals used in cosmetics – often to alter the pH to please the ones who fall for the "pH balanced" story – are.

In a nutshell...

Thus you can see that you should never simply trust the marketing or labels - no matter how natural or organic they say the product is - the best judge is to check the labeling for wording and certifications and read the ingredients list. Armed with the basics as above, you can now try to avoid the carcinogens that could damage your health in the long term. Your best options are to look at products that are as organic as possible, or make them yourself from raw ingredients.

Hair care products to avoid

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Before we get to Hair Growth and Care regimes, it’s important to understand the products you use on your hair, which ones to avoid and which ones are best, as well as dispelling some hair myths. There is no point putting products on your hair, if you don’t understand what it’s doing now, and what it’s doing in the long run.

The Hair care industry is worth billions of dollars each year. There are of course products that are excellent in assisting with the condition of the hair and a lot of research has been put into these products. However there are also many products whose ingredients only mask the underlying damage and do nothing to actually treat the symptoms.

You might look at it and think that if it’s making your hair look good then you don’t care - but understand that products that mask damage and cause more damage, leads to your hair breaking and splitting. So it might look good now, but ultimately you will be losing that lovely length you are trying so hard to retain.

Regardless of the texture of your hair -there are ingredients in products that are either carcinogens (poisons) or cause more damage to your hair than good over the long run.

Did you know that 100 years ago the rate of cancer was 1 out of every 100 people in the USA and in 2010 it is currently 1 in every 3?

There are many contributors to cancer: pollution, air quality, water quality, food quality, noise pollution, technological pollution (think of all the wireless beams in the air) and lack of sufficient nutrients in our mostly modified food.

The reality is that we as consumers don’t receive full disclosure from the manufacturers of beauty products, because quite frankly why would they want to warn us when they don’t have to. Because the beauty industry is not classified as medical - full disclosure is not a legal requirement in most countries in the world. You might see warnings on household detergents but that is the extent of it.

As consumers we should educate ourselves on what we are consuming internally and externally. The little we know can go along way not just to great hair, but great health as well.

So lets go. This list is only a list of the most common ones - there are however thousands out there. If you would like to see a full list then please see the links in the Resources section at the end of the book.

If you see any of these ingredients, then by all means avoid in any beauty products, hair, skin or body:

Hair Spray

Scientists conducted a study in the UK and found that women who use hairspray containing an ingredient called phthalates during the first trimester of pregnancy increased the chances of having a son with a genetic deformity in the urinary tract. They found that taking folic acid supplements decreased the risk, but that does not mean it eliminates it. They also found an increased risk in women who worked in industries where they are exposed to hairspray chemicals such as hair product factories, research laboratories and hair salons.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene Glycol is a common humectants (attracts moisture) in cosmetics. It is also the major ingredient in anti freeze products, brake fluid and hydraulic fluid. Tests found that it is a skin irritant and research warns that you should avoid skin contact and can cause liver abnormalities and kidney failure. Exposure through inhalation causes nausea, vomiting and central nervous system depression.

Mineral Oil/Petrolatum/Petroleum/Coal Tar

Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Petroleum and Coal Tar are all derived from crude oil. These ingredients are used as a metal cutting fluid. Research has found that this liquid suffocates the skin by forming an oil film. So your hair and skin looks shiny, but in reality oxygen and moisture is being blocked out. Holding large amounts of moisture in the hair and skin can also result in long-term immature, unhealthy and sensitive skin that dries out easily. This results in premature aging.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate

This is a common one found in MOST shampoos. There are however a number that do not contain these ingredients. SLS is a skin irritant and used in order to test the healing properties of other ingredients. So they use SLS to cause a skin irritation in order to test a product that will ease the irritation! SLS also dries out the hair due to its detergent effect. SLS is also used more commonly in household detergents, garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and car wash soaps.

Sulfates have been found to cause poisonous nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoo and cleansers by reacting with commonly used ingredients found in many other products. Large amounts of nitrates can enter the body from just one shampoo application.

A derivative called “Sodium Fluoride” is used in certain brands of toothpaste and also as a rat poison! In order to counteract the effects of SLS on hair, laboratories developed conditioners. The conditioners re-close the open cuticle from the harsh sulfates and using ingredients based on silicone, the damage is masked by creating a waterproof seal on the hair. The problem is that this seal also blocks out moisture and hides the damage.

Silicone

Silicone based conditioners and hair products contain ingredients typically ending in the words “cone”, “conol” or “xane”. In no way is damage eliminated, but rather hidden by the cones. How do you treat damage that you can’t see? The damage is still there leading to more damage, which leads to breakage and dryness of your hair, which results in a longer struggle to grow your hair and get it to its optimal healthy state.

Many conditioners do not contain cones and are generally healthier for hair. When you first cut cones out of your conditioners or leave INS, your hair will seem more damaged, this is because the damage is no longer hidden. As you begin to treat your hair and follow a hair care regime, slowly this damage will be healed and you can move on cone free!

Glycerin (synthetic)

Glycerin draws moisture from inside the skin or hair, and holds it on the surface for a better "feel". Because it’s drawing moisture from inside the skin and hair, once the Glycerin is off, the hair and skin are left bone dry. Glycerin is listed as a hazardous collagen.

Elastin

Elastin comes from animal skins and ground up chicken feet. It creates a film that suffocates and over moisturizes the skin. Many soap bars are made from lye and animal fat. The animal fat has the potential to allow bacteria to feed and grow in it. It also results in the corrosion and drying out of skin.

Derivatives are found in most cosmetic crème such as pro collagen, collagen, hyaluronic acid etc, all of which cannot penetrate the skin due to the high molecular weight, so they act as a coat and nothing else.

Other useless ingredients are insoluble oil-based Vitamin A (Retinal Palmitate), Placental Extracts, and Royal Bee Jelly (more on that soon).

Biotin (external)

Biotin is a wonderful supplement to take internally to promote hair growth. A deficiency of this supplement has been associated with greasy scalps, hair loss and balding. It is however very rare in humans. It is a good idea to take it as a supplement, but there is no need to take large doses, as it is unnecessary.

External products that contain Biotin are however quite simply a myth. The molecular structure of Biotin is too large to penetrate the skin or hair and thus is used more for marketing that any benefit.

Lanolin

Lanolin is a common skin sensitizer, which can cause allergic skin rashes. It contains pesticides and dioxins used on sheep and wool.

Lauramide

Lauramide is often used in cosmetic products to thicken and allow the product to lather. It is most often in creams, shampoos and soap liquids. It is also used in dishwashing detergents for its grease cutting abilities. It is extremely drying to hair and can cause skin and scalp irritation such as itching and allergic reactions. Lauramide has been declared a carcinogen.

What is Your Hair Type

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Before we go into diagnosing problems with your hair and following a hair regime, you need to understand what your hair type is and how porous it is. Hair types are there as a visual aid and in conjunction with texture and porosity (your hairs ability to retain moisture or product) assists with which products and regimes work best for you.

Did you know there are 11 hair sub-types of hair? These sub-types fall into 4 main hair types, which are Types 1, 2, 3 and 4. Within these main types, there are sub categories that determine the texture of your hair. It is important to recognize what your hair type is so that you will know which methods/routines would work best for or against you. This doesn’t change the standard hair routine that should be followed, but will affect how you treat your hair and what products you use.

Type 1 - Straight

1a - stick straight

1b - straight but with a slight body wave, just enough to add some volume, doesn't look wavy

1c - straight with body wave and one or two visible S-waves (e.g. nape of neck or temples)

Type 2 - Wavy

2a - loose, stretched out S-waves throughout the hair. Very fine, thin and fairly easy to handle. Is easily straightened or curled.

2b - shorter, more distinct S-waves (similar to waves from braiding damp hair). Medium textures and resistant to styling, has a tendency to frizz.

2c - distinct S-waves and the odd spiral curl forming here and there. Normally thick and course textured and resistant to styling and frizzes easily.

Type 3 - Curly

3a - big, loose spiral curls, usually shiny

3b - bouncy ringlets, medium curl to loose corkscrews

3c - Tight corkscrews, kinky, tightly curled with lots of strands packed together.

Type 4 - Curly / Kinky

4a - tightly coiled S-curls when stretched

4b - tightly coiled hair bending in Z angles, prone to shrinking up to 75% of actual hair length.

Porosity

Porosity is the hairs ability to absorb moisture. So the more porous your hair, the more open your cuticles are which means it’s easier and quicker to get color or product into the hair shaft. The cuticle is the overlapping hair scale on the hair shaft. However it also means that moisture leaves your hair just as quickly. You are thus prone to dry, brittle looking hair. If your hair is not that porous, it means your cuticles lie flatter, your hair retains its moisture for longer, and generally your hair is healthier. Only proper care over a period of time will slowly close the cuticle and make your hair less porous.

Low Porosity = Flat cuticles, difficult to get moisture, product or color into hair

Normal Porosity = Slightly raised cuticle, retains moisture, harder to get product and color into hair

High Porosity = Very raised cuticles, loses moisture quickly, easy to get product and color into hair

High porosity hair is the most prone to damage and dryness. The best thing for high porous hair is Apple Cider Vinegar rinses (recipe further on), which closes the cuticle thus locking in hairs moisture.

To determine whether your hair is low or high porosity - feel it. If it feels dry and crunchy when dry and rubbery when wet it is probably due to high porosity and will benefit from deep treatments and Apple Cider Vinegar rinses as well as acid (pH) balancing conditioners.

Before You Cut Your Hair

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Many people will tell you that you have to trim your hair every 6 weeks to encourage growth. This is a myth. Your hair will grow regardless of whether you cut it or not. The key to growing your hair longer is to maintain the old hair and encourage new growth.

If you have damaged ends, most likely the damage extends quite far up the hair shaft. The truth is that the damage will most likely travel further up and cause your hair condition to look terrible and crunchy. For most this would mean one major chop. If you are comfortable with starting fresh, then of course go for it, your hair growth journey will just be made longer.

However, you can get around this. By doing micro trims which are smaller trims done over a period of time rather than one big chop. Essentially you trim only 1/8” (less than a cm) every few weeks. Your hair will continue to grow - and you would be slowly cutting off the damage. Because you would also be maintaining you hair - you are acting to prevent further damage and keep the current damage under control.

You can both go to a hairdresser and discuss this plan with her so she understands. You might be met with many that will tell you this is not true - but be strong. It’s your hair!

One of the biggest secrets to growing long hair besides maintaining growth - is simply not cutting. You only need micro trims to cut off only the damaged hair and not the healthy hairs. This is a longer method, but worthwhile in the long run.

You can also do it yourself. You have to purchase a high quality small hair scissors with very sharp blades. You would section your hair off into thin parts. Sit under a bright light in front of a close up mirror. If you hair is longer than should length, you can wear a black top, as the split ends show better on a dark background.

Else cut the ends only in the daytime in a brightly lit area for maximum visibility of split ends. Cut only the split ends from each section. Don’t touch the hair that does not have split ends. If you see a white dot on your hair shaft - this is the point where you hair is going to break off and causes tangles - cut slightly above the white dot.

Tie the pieces that are done and put it aside so that you do not cut the same sections.

Once you are done, rub Jojoba oil any other oil or serum that you are comfortable with onto your ends to maintain them and keep them moisturized. The ends are the oldest on your entire head and need a lot of moisture as natural oils from your scalp to not get to the ends easily. Oil your ends daily to keep them moisturized.

Determine Your Hair Growth Goal

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The most common way to measure hair growth goals is by setting measurable targets according to your body. The targets are set by a visual cue that you can use to visually check on your growth and goal.

Hair is measured from the centre of the hair line (where your hair starts above your nose) to the longest point at the back of your head. Hair length and the various hair length goals can be set as follows:

· Bald - having no hair at all on the head

· Shaved - hair that is completely shaved down to the scalp

· Stubble- very short hairs that doesn't cover the skin completely

· Buzz - hair that is extremely short and hardly there

· Cropped- hair that is a little longer than a buzz

· Boy Cut- hair that is longer than a crop, but not yet hits the ears

· Ear length - hair up to one's ears

· Chin level - hair grows down to the chin

· Flip level - hair reaching the neck or shoulders

· Shoulder length - hair reaching the shoulders

· Armpit Length - hair that reaches the armpit

· Bra Strap level - this is where your hair reaches your bra strap, in between armpit and mid back length

· Mid back level - hair that's at about the same point as the widest part of one's ribcage and chest area

· Waist length - hair that falls at the smallest part of one's waist, a little bit above the hip bones

· Tailbone length - hair that is at about the area of one's tailbone

· Classic length - hair that reaches where one's legs meet his or her buttocks

· Thigh length - hair that is at the mid-thigh

· Knee-length - hair that is at the knee

· Calf length - hair that is at the calf

· Floor length - hair that reaches the floor

Setting hair growth goals would be based on the next point. E.g. if your hair is currently Arm Pit Length, the next goal would Bra Strap Length.

Because hair grows on average 1/2 inch per month - your goal would be to increase this growth to 1 inch per month using the techniques in this book. Thus you would measure from your armpit to your bra strap, how many inches growth it would be - thus you would know how many months until your goal could be reached.

An example of setting a hair growth goal would be as follows:

Current hair length: Arm Pit Length (APL)

Goal length: Bra Strap Length (BSL)

Inches to goal: 4 inches

Months to goal: 4 months

Current Month: August

Goal month: December

Thus your goal would be:

I intend to grow my hair from APL to BSL by December 2010. I will do this through following my hair growth regime. Once you have reached your goal you would then set your next goal.

Reaching Your Goal

Reaching your hair growth goal will take a lot of discipline. You will need to stay focused. As with any goal, it is important to visualize the end result.

Some tips to visualizing your hair growth goal:

Cut out some photos of your goal length

Start a hair growth journal where you can write down your goal and paste the photos of your goal (Your free printable journal included see back of the book)

Print out the hair care regime guide at the back of the book

Read the daily affirmation

Daily Affirmation For Hair Growth

It goes without saying that you have to believe in anything that you set out to do. This affirmation should be said daily to motivate you on your hair growth journey. Say it when you are combing your hair at night or after writing in your journal whilst picturing yourself getting compliments on your hair growth when it reaches your goal length.

Take a deep breath and feel your scalp becoming relaxed. Visualize the hairs having an open field in which to grow abundantly. Say:

“I bless my hair with love. I am grateful for my hair continuing to grow long, healthy, abundantly and strong.

Hair Like Silk

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Before we continue on the Hair Growth journey, I would like to share this little story with you.

Each time you are tempted to mistreat your hair, I would like you to remember the phrase “Hair Like Silk” and this is why:

Hair can be likened to a piece of silk. Can you imagine been given a delicate piece of beautiful black silk and being asked to take care of it for three years.

Each day you look at the piece of silk and each day you are reminded how beautiful it is. You love to touch it, twirl the silk in your hands, and feel it on your skin. The beautiful silk gives you immense joy as it’s longevity depends on you, the quality depends on you - and it’s your responsibility to ensure that piece of silk remains as beautiful as it was the day you received it.

Now imagine washing that piece of silk with a harsh detergent. You then put your blow dryer on its highest heat setting in order to dry it. You follow that through with ripping a brush onto the piece of silk. You then flat iron the silk until it’s shiny and smooth. All you’ve done is smooth down the rough edges, which will reappear once you wash it again. You then throw some bleach onto the silk. Hating the color, you dye it back to its original color. You then throw it into the swimming pool without any covering and go through the routine again.

You get my drift don’t you? So remember “Hair Like Silk”.

Hair Damage Reality Check

Deciding to embark on a healthy hair growth journey is great - however you need to keep reminding yourself why you are doing it. Long hair is wonderful and is a by-product of treating your hair like silk. There will always be temptations to bleach your hair or dye it or iron it, just remember that all of these chemically or mechanically damage your hair and will set your hair growth back as you will need to do that much more to get it back to health so it can continue to grow.

. So think carefully, perhaps use this page as a reference every time you are tempted to alter the natural state of your hair. Ultimately your natural state is the best - and you can only see it once you get your hair back to optimal health.

Hair Growth Phases

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Hair growth is divided into three different cycles of growth or phases. They are known as the Anagen. Catagen and Telogen phase.

Anagen is the growth phase. Catagen is the regressing phase. Telogen is the resting phase. Each phase also has an Exogen sub-phase, which is an exiting phase that is when hair tends to shed - when it’s reached the end of its cycle. Shedding is normal, and happens with any human being. We shed on average 100 hairs a day. If your hair is straight you won’t really notice it, however if your hair is curly you’ll notice the hairs when you touch your hair as they have been caught in the curls and come loose as you manipulate your hair. It’s not that you are losing more hair than before -but rather it’s more obvious than if your hair was straightened and it shed throughout the day on its own.

Normally 90% of hair is in the Anagen phase at any given time, while 10-14% are in the Telogen phase and 1-2% n the Catagen phase. This is good news as it means that most of your hair is growing most of the time!

The growth phase for hair on the head lasts 2-7 years. At the end of the Anagen phase, a signal causes the hair to go into the Catagen (regressing) phrase. During this phase, the hair growth stops for 2-3 weeks while a club hair is formed ending just prior to the Telogen (resting) phase kicking in.

During the Telogen (resting) phase, the club hair, which began forming in the Catagen stages, is now fully formed. It is now a dead fully keratinized hair. Hair is normally shed at this phase as well. We can of course minimize the abnormal hair shedding/breakage that is not due to the Telogen phase.

The length of the Anagen (growing) phase is genetically pre-determined. We thus cannot change how long our hair grows for and stays on our head - what we can however change - is how we treat the hair that does come out to make it last as long as the Anagen/Catagen/Telogen phase allows it.

This means that every person is on average capable of keeping up to an average of 3 years growth on our heads which is normally 18-24 inches of hair length.

These are all average statistics. Now imagine if you went above the average by treating your hair above the average?

The Truth About Hair Growth

2011-08-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

Before you embark on your hair growth journey, it is important to understand hair growth. Why do some people seem blessed with fast hair growth and healthy hair - even people with the same type of hair as you and you don’t?

Well here’s the not so secret secret - your hair is growing. Don’t believe me? Have you ever noticed that you dye your hair - a few weeks or months later you see a ton of regrowth - but your actual hair length does not seem to have changed/grown. Or you relax your hair, and you know your hair is growing because you can tell from the regrowth. Your hair has grown - you have just not done enough to maintain the growth. You’ve lost the length you grew due to breakage or shedding. Some people think that their hair shrinks, it does not shrink, and it is breaking off at the ends.

The reality is that even though everyone’s hair grows - it’s about keeping the length that does grow, not just about growing it. Many don’t eat the right foods or receive sufficient nutrients to encourage growth and maintain healthy hair, they don’t use the right products to optimally grow hair and most importantly, they don’t maintain their hair once it does grow.

If you analyzed your hair - you would find those tiny white dots on the ends - that is where hair has broken off. You might find that your ends are dry, crunchy, straggly or thinner than at the root - this is where split ends have split and broken off leaving a thin trail.

You might find that you wake up with a mass of knots; this is where your split ends are creating friction and tangling and damaging the healthy hairs.

When you rip the brush through your wet hair - you are not aware of all the hairs you are ripping apart - resulting in broken off hair, split ends and damage to previously healthy hair.

If you have bleached your hair - whether it’s a full head, highlights or lowlights, you have effectively decreased the volume of each hair that was bleached and made it five times more vulnerable to breakage, splitting and sheer damage.