Healthy Strands

Review: Jamaican & Mango Lime's Coiling Pudding & Shampoo

2012-07-03T02:29:00.001-04:00

Jamaican Lime & Mango "Coiling Pudding" Review

I wanted to give a review on this product that I purchased on a whelm after seeing it in a beauty supply store. I was looking for some new natural hair products to try when I cam across Jamaican Mango & Lime’s “Coiling Creme Pudding”. When I saw the name and the fact that it included mango and lime I knew it had to be good. I immediately wanted to try a coil out with the product. The container states that it is a “styling cream that will help you create that bouncy, curly, head full of style.” I can honestly say that it held up to its word. The pudding seemed to make the hair “slick” and it made obtaining the coil out style with a fine toothcomb effortless. Not to mention, this pudding smells divine. It had a tropical scent to it that’s hard to resist. The pudding not only made my hair silky but added moisture to my hair. This product contains nourishing ingredients such as glycerin, honey, Alma oil, argon oil, and marigold, aloe, papaya, kiwi, sweet almond, mango, and lime extracts. I really have nothing bad to say about this coiling cream pudding.

On the other hand, after I saw this product I was compelled to try Jamaican Mango & Lime’s “Naturalizing Detangling Shampoo”. This product was somewhat of a disappointment. Now because the product had such a “natural and good vibe”, if that even makes sense lol, I didn’t even look at the ingredients on the back of this shampoo. First things first, this shampoo does include Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate. This ingredient is the number one no no for natural heads. However, I have used shampoos such as Organic Root stimulator’s “Creamy Aloe Shampoo”. This shampoo also contains Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate but its other ingredients are so moisturizing that you hardly notice. I will say with the Jamaican & Lime shampoo that I most definitely noticed. After washing with the shampoo my hair feels stripped and brittle. If it wasn’t for my pre-poo treatments I know that it would have felt much worse. I would not recommend this shampoo at all. It has the same fragrance of the “Coiling Creme Pudding”, but do not be fooled

Please enjoy the pictures I’ve included as proof of my coil out results. Stay natural & beautiful!

DIY: Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Conditioning Mix

2012-06-30T01:24:00.000-04:00

Creamy Shea Butter Conditioning Mix

When you need a little extra conditioning to your hair or simply want to incorporate some very beneficial natural ingredients into your hair regime, I would greatly suggest experimenting with your own deep conditioning treatments. The following treatment includes two of my favorite natural ingredients, Shea Butter and Coconut Oil. I combined these ingredients plus a few additional with my conditioner of choice. Any conditioner can be substituted, so I would recommend using what’s best on your hair. Also, I did not include any measurements in this recipe. It can vary depending on how much hair you have or have much of each ingredient you find works best for you. Just eyeball it and add or subtract where you see fit. You really can do no damage by adding too much of anything.

Again, this recipe is great when you want to give your strands some much-needed love. Add your favorite natural ingredients and essential oils to make your own personalized deep conditioning treatment. Here’s my recipe

Shea Butter

Coconut Oil

Cholesterol

Aubrey Organics Jojoba & Aloe Desert Herb Conditioner

Rosemary essential oil

Shea Butter & Solidified Coconut Oil

Directions: Add your desired amount of shea butter and coconut oil into a small microwavable container. Microwave until fully melted. Next add your conditioner, the cholesterol, and essential oil if desired. Mix until well blended. Use a mixer if needed. Put the mixture in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This will make the mixture creamier. Give the mixture one final mix with a spoon then apply to your hair. I would recommend leaving it on for at least 30 minutes and covering with a plastic cap. Good Luck. Stay Natural & Beautiful!

DIY: Rosemary and Mint Hair Growth Oil

2012-02-03T04:18:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

6 oz Grape Seed Oil

2 oz Castor Oil

10 drops Rosemary Oil

10 drops Peppermint Oil

1 tbsp Sublime Sulfur

Mix well. Shake after mixing and before each use. This growth oil is great for increasing your growth rate. While the rosemary and mint invigorate the scalp and add a pleasant fragrance. Enjoy! And happy growing!

Difference b/w Ivory & Yellow Shea Butter

2011-12-06T17:48:00.001-05:00

Shea Butter

Natural Shea Butter is collected by extracting it from the nut of the Shea tree. It has many uses in cosmetics as it is very moisturizing. You may have noticed Shea butter being sold in a bright yellow or soft ivory color and wondered; what’s the difference? There is a slight misconception concerning the two butters. In fact, yellow and ivory butter are not both from the Shea tree and are similar but different.

The butter which is a bright yellow color is actually called African butter, and grows from a completely different tree in a different climate. African butter comes from a tree from dense forest that requires moist and shaded conditions, while Shea butter comes from a tree in the open savannah and is drought tolerant. This alone goes to show there are differences between the butters.

Although the butters are different they do contain similar properties. Confusion erupted between the two butters when one began to be marketed as “yellow Shea butter” in America and Europe. Some companies will even dye Shea butter to look like the African butter, because of consumer demand.

Yellow African Butter

Depending on whom you are asking the ivory or the yellow butter is the best. Some may prefer the ivory Shea butter because it is creamier and has a light smell. The African butter has a strong earthly smell that some may not like, but it’s easy to get used to. Both have great moisturizing properties for your hair and skin.

So if you happened to purchase a yellow tub of “African shea butter”, you really have African butter. But it’s ok, because it’s just as beneficial. Both can help you on the road to healthy strands.

Quick Fact: Coco Butter can be substituted for Shea butter as well. They are basically the same thing.

DIY Creamy Shea Butter Mix Recipe

2011-11-19T20:40:00.001-05:00

Creamy Shea Butter Mix

So I was searching the web for a shea butter mix recipe to assist me in making my first one. I found a pretty straight forward one and added my own little twist. So here is my simple, light and creamy shea butter mix recipe for my hair. Hope you enjoy.

5 oz Shea Butter

3 oz Extra virgin Coconut oil ~ great moisturizer for thirsty hair. Contains polyphenols (antioxidants) that ward off damaging free radicals.

2 tbsp Sweet almond oil ~ smoothes hair cuticle, works as a good sealant of moisture. It's rich in vitamins A, B1, B6 and E, magnesium, and iron; all which aid in hair growth.

2 tbsp Aloe vera juice ~ great moisturizer for hair and can work as a conditioner on its own. Enzymes found in aloe vera juice stimulate hair growth

1 tsp Tea tree oil ~ stimulate the scalp and increase circulation.

Watch my youtube video below for more information about shea butter and natural hair:

Note: after making this recipe i have discovered that the bright yellow butter I used is actually African butter. Click here to learn the difference between shea butter and african butter.

DIY: Make Your Own Hair Growth Oil

2011-10-20T00:10:00.000-04:00

Sulfur is a naturally occurring element found in nature and the human body. Many rave about the effects that the use of the substance can have on hair. Many have testified of its ability to reduce the shedding of and to increase the growth rate of hair. It can be consumed orally, in pill form, as MSM or Methylsulfonylmethane. Alternatively, it can be applied topically to the scalp in an oil mixture using sublimed sulfur powder. Despite the benefits, caution should be taken when using it. Do your research and consult your doctor to determine just how much you should take daily if you op to use the pill form. Most importantly, be sure that you are not allergic.

Sublimed sulfur; also called Flowers of Sulfur or Brimstone

Now I will show you just how you can inexpensively make your own hair growth oil. There are quite a few retailers selling the product already made, but it can easily be made at home with little cost. When applied to the scalp regularly, you should see increased hair growth and thickness. Please follow the recipe strictly. Increasing the amount of sulfur added to the oil mix can have the reverse effects on your hair. As I said before, please do your research. Thanks for staying tuned thus far.

Hair Growth Oil with Sublimed Sulfur Powder

Ingredients:

8 oz. of a carrier oil; like sweet almond, jojoba, castor, or coconut oil

1 TSP (teaspoon) sublime sulfur, also known as flowers of sulfur

Optional: 1-2 drops of an essential oil for fragrance; like tea tree, peppermint, or alma oil

Directions:

In an 8oz applicator bottle, pour in your carrier oil. Carefully add just 1 TSP of sublime sulfur to the oil. Then add a few drops of an essential oil if you prefer. Shake well. You can heat the bottle in the microwave for about 30 seconds to help the sulfur dissolve, but this is not required. Shake the bottle well before each application, because some sulfur will settle at the bottom.

***Apply daily or every other day sparingly, as a little goes a long way. You do not want oil dripping down your neck and forehead. Sublimed sulfur can be purchased on amazon or at your local pharmacy. Hope you found this information helpful. Please let me know what you think. Also, for the visual learners, feel free to watch my video below as I take you step by step through this recipe.

How to Properly Detangle Hair

2011-08-18T23:45:00.001-04:00

Don't let detangling your hair stress you out!

Detangling your hair should be gentle and smooth. You do not want to tug or pull at your hair. Doing this can rip and tear your hair, creating breakage and splits ends. It is important to know how to detangle your hair with minimum breakage and ease. Please keep reading to learn how.

Detangling, especially on wet hair should be done gently. Hair is more “stretchy” while wet, and more likely to break. If you have very curly hair, you must be very careful to gently untangle in order to prevent breakage.

To get the best results, purchase a detangling or wide tooth comb from a beauty supply store. These combs are meant to glide through hair with minimum tugging and should make the process faster.

Start from the ends of your hair and then work up the length of your hair, gently loosening any tangles. Starting at the ends, as opposed to starting at your roots, prevents tugging and pulling.

If needed, you can use a leave in conditioner or a similar product to help ease detangling. I hope that you find this information helpful!

Knowing your Hair Type

2011-08-15T22:48:00.000-04:00

Knowing your hair type can be useful when learning how to care for it. It will help you when learning what is best for your hair type. When speaking in reference to hair types on blogs and forums you can utilize a universal hair typology that everyone will understand.

This hair typology system was created by Andre Walker, author of Andre Talks Hair! Her system was created to distinguish between the various curl types or patterns.

The first step to determining your hair type is to determine your hair number. The numbers, ranging 1-4 refer to the amount of curl or wave in the hair. Type 1 is straight, where type 4 is tightly coiled or kinky. In between there is 2 which refers to slightly wavy, then 3 which begins the curly hair pattern.

After discovering your number, you then must determine your sub classification of type a, b, or c. These letters are used to determine the thickness and tightness of the hair strand. Type A hair is fine and wiry. Type B curls are a little more defined and have an S shape. Finally, type C hair is coarser with a smaller curl pattern.

When giving your hair type, for example, you may say I have type 3C hair. This means that your hair is curly and coarse. Alternatively, type 4b would be tightly coiled fine hair.

Stimulate Hair Growth with Scalp Massage

2011-08-08T23:50:00.004-04:00

Stimulate hair growth with scalp massage

Massages are known for being relaxing and for increasing blood circulation. They are not just for your body and limbs, but can also be very beneficial for your scalp. The increase of blood flow that can be caused by a scalp massage also increases the amount of nutrients brought to each hair follicle, stimulating hair growth. The more nutrients brought to hair follicles, the faster hair will begin to grow.

You can get a good massage by gently rubbing in circular motions throughout the scalp. A scalp massage can be done with or without oil. If you use oil try tea tree, coconut, olive, or jojoba oil. To increase the effects of the massage, heat the oil for about 30 seconds in the microwave before applying to the scalp.

Effects of MSM on hair

2011-08-06T15:04:00.001-04:00

Methylsulfonylmethane or MSM is a naturally occurring form of sulfur in foods. It is believed to promote hair growth, increase hair shaft thickness, and prevent shedding. MSM has been proven to aid in tissue and cell repair, and hair and nails are in fact made up of dead skin cells. The idea is that the more cells you produce you should also have more hair and nail growth.

MSM can be found in foods such as steamed vegetables, eggs, beef, poultry, diary products, and fish. It can be consumed in pill form or applied directly to the hair with an oil and sublimed sulfur powder mixture. Click here to learn how to create your own oil and sublimed sulfur mix.

The effects that MSM can have on your hair growth and health vary from person to person. High dosages of MSM, (2500 mg plus), may cause headaches according to some members of the Black Hair Planet. Some BHP members report softening of hair texture, increased hair growth, and reduced shedding. There are no other known adverse effects of taking a MSM supplement. Try supplementing MSM into your diet and see if you could benefit from it.

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar rinse

2011-07-10T19:51:00.001-04:00

Apple Cider vinegar or ACV is very beneficial to natural hair. It is a pH balancer which is good for restoring the optimum growth promoting pH levels for your scalp. ACV also removes residue and closes the cuticle of a strand, creating shine. It kills bacteria and it prevents dandruff. Because ACV closes the hair cuticle it promotes moisture retention. This is great for curly heads that often have dry hair. ACV conditions the hair, defines curls, and promotes a clean and healthy scalp.

ACV can best be used on hair as a rinse. Shampoo hair and then apply an ACV rinse. You can rinse the rinse completely out or leave a little in. There is a vinegar smell when used, but it will fade as your hair dries. Because vinegar is acidic do not apply the rinse more than once weekly.

In order to create an apple cider vinegar rinse, mix 1/3 cup of ACV with 1 quart of water. I would recommend putting the mixture into a spray bottle and spray directly on hair thoroughly.

Prevent Dry, Damaged, and Split ends

2011-07-05T22:54:00.003-04:00

Split ends

Dry and damaged ends can be a deal breaker for growing your hair to a desired length. Protecting your ends is very important. The stronger they are, the longer they will last and the longer your hair will grow. Makes since? Many people constantly see new growth coming in but notice the length of their hair stays about the same. This is simply a sign that your hair is breaking off, and no one wants that. Here are some helpful tips on how to prevent dry, damaged, and split ends.

First, moisturize. Moisturize by washing the hair and deep conditioning on a regular basis depending on your hair type. You can also moisturize by applying a leave in conditioner to ends. Seal moisture in with an essential oil like olive, coconut, or jojoba oil. It’s sometimes hard for oils to get to the ends of hair. This is especially true for those with very curly hair. Prevent this problem by moisturizing and “sealing” your ends on a weekly basis.

Avoid treatments and chemicals that damage hair. Excessive use of hot tools can fry ends, causing them to split and break. Use hot tools sparingly. Hair dye is also very drying, and leads to frayed ends. If you must color your hair, then you definitely need to make sure that your hair gets the moisture it needs.

The ends of your hair can also become damaged due to the way you manipulate it. Be gentle when combing and brushing your hair. The best way to detangle hair is by starting at the ends and working towards the roots. Tugging or pulling at hair can cause it to break or create a split. Visit my article on how to detangle hair here.

One way to tell if you have split ends is to look at your fall out. If you see strands with no root, that means the strand broke off and did not shed normally. You can also look at individual stands in your head and see the “split” in a strand.

Split and damaged ends cannot be reversed. The only remedy is to cut them so they will not continue up the length of the strand, causing more breakage. Prevent damage to your ends and you should enjoy healthy and long strands.

Best Natural Moisturizers for Hair

2011-06-14T23:52:00.001-04:00

1. Water. Getting the necessary 8 glasses a day is not only beneficial for your body, but also for your hair. This is the ultimate moisturizer. Water nourishes your hair from the inside out. Be sure to include the recommended glasses of water in your diet for quenched strands.

Coconut oil is great for hair!

2. Coconut Oil is a moisturizer and hair softener. It is preferred worldwide as hair oil. It is a great moisturizer, having a high moisture containing capacity. The oil also contains elements which are antifungal and antibacterial. This prevents dandruff. The oil is full of nutrients that aid in the prevention of hair loss. Hair loss caused by a deficiency of hair growing nutrients can be corrected with the regular use of coconut oil. Coconut oil prevents hair breakage by strengthening the hair shaft.

3. Shea butter is the fat from the fruit of the kernel of the Shea tree nut. The Shea tree is very popular in central and western Africa. The moisturizing properties of Shea butter make it an excellent lubricant for drying hair and scalp. Shea butter can make hair softer, smoother, and more manageable. It hydrates strands and the scalp without clogging pores, unlike mineral and petroleum oils. Its moisturizing properties also prevent breakage, promoting hair growth. Shea butter is a thick, yellowish butter that liquefies when gently heated for easy use.

4. Olive oil can be used to condition hair, prevent dandruff, and create shine. Like other fatty acids it can be used to penetrate the hair cuticle and help treat drying hair. This is great used as a hot oil treatment to nourish damaged or thirsty hair. Simply apply to your hair, completely saturating every strand from root to tip. Apply a conditioning cap and sit under a warm dryer for 15 minutes. Alternatively you can wrap the hair with a warm towel for 15 minutes. Finally, rinse out the oil with warm water and style as usual. Olive oil also posses’ antioxidants which promote overall scalp help.

Aloe Vera Gel fresh from the plant, can be applied directly to hair.

5. Aloe Vera gel comes from the inside of the aloe Vera plant. You can use the gel directly from the plant or purchase it at a store. This moisturizer can also prevent hair loss and dandruff, and it can be used as a treatment for hair loss, because it stimulates new hair production. The benefits this gel has on natural hair are endless. It detangles, moisturizes, heals and soothes the scalp, balances pH, defines curls, and much more.

6. Castor Oil, extracted from castor bean seeds, gives the same benefits as many of the aforementioned natural ingredients. It promotes hair growth, moisturizes hair and scalp, and thickens the hair. Adding castor oil to ends can also prevent the development of split ends.

Myths about Natural black hair

2011-05-17T23:23:00.002-04:00

Natural hair at its best

Natural, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is marked by easy simplicity and freedom from artificiality, affectation, or constraint, moreover, living in or as a state of nature untouched by the influences of civilization and society. Why then has natural black hair been deemed as unsatisfactory? Is it because it is different, not silky or “bone straight” like other hair types? Or is simply because many do not know how to manage kinky curly hair? There are myths about natural black hair that make it undesirable to many. I am here to disprove these myths today and give natural kinky, curly hair a new light.

1. Natural kinky, curly hair will not grow, or grows very slowly.

Many believe that black women in general cannot grow their hair long. This is incorrect. With the proper hair regime for your hair type you can obtain long hair growth. Click here to learn how to grow kinky, curly hair long The hair growth rate of individuals varies, but on average is about half an inch per month. This rate can easily be increased with growth aids or a well balanced diet.

2. Hair grease is good for your hair

Many black women have grown up in a household where greasing the scalp was a weekly ritual. It was believed that our scalps needed to be greased in order to grow healthy hair. This is also a myth. In fact, many of the ingredients found in hair grease are bad for natural, kinky curly hair. Ingredients like petroleum and mineral oil actually clog hair follicles, slowing down hair growth. These products just sit on top of the hair shaft preventing the absorption of moisture. However, choosing a scalp oil or conditioner that contains nourishing and penetrating ingredients like essential oils can be beneficial.

3. Natural kinky, curly hair is unmanageable

This is another myth due to ignorance. Without the proper knowledge on how to handle natural kinky, curly hair, it can seem unmanageable. Detangle hair starting from the ends and going towards the scalp. This will loosen tangles with less breakage and painful tugging. Blowing the hair out or drying the hair in braids or twists will also loosen the curls creating easier manageability. Kinky curly hair can also be easily managed with wide tooth combs and simply your fingers.

4. Natural kinky, curly hair is strong

Kinky curly hair has the appearance of being tough and strong. However, natural hair is very fragile. It is very fine and wiry like. Much care has to be given to natural hair in order to prevent breakage. This can easily be solved with keeping your hair moisturized, protecting it from damaging hot tools, and handling it gently. Prevent hair breakage caused by friction when you sleep by using satin bonnets and pillowcases.

5. Relaxers make hair grow

Hair relaxers are simply a hair chemical treatment that breaks the protein bonds in a strand, causing the hair to loose its curl pattern. Taking the hair from its natural state is in no way beneficial. Relaxers only allow you to better see the length of hair, while natural kinky curly hair shrinks giving it the appearance that it doesn’t grow. Relaxed hair actually needs extra gentle and nourishing care. It is possible to achieve long hair growth with relaxers; however, when you compare natural hair to relaxed hair it is evident which looks more healthy and full of body.

Behind the strands!

2011-01-15T01:54:00.001-05:00

Straightened on 12/03/10

My last relaxer was in September 2008. Th next few years that followed consisted of me flat ironing my hair every week, and I never truly embraced my natural hair. When I realized that straightening my hair so much was having the same effects as when my hair was relaxed, I had to take action. I longed to have long, healthy, thick, beautiful hair. I was no longer going to let anything stand in the way of that. Late July 2010 I decided I was not going to straighten my hair until the New Year, but instead I ended up having an epiphany so to speak. I learned that keeping heat from my hair for six months really wasn’t sensible. For instance, when January came, if I started back straightening my hair the same as before, the breakage would start all over. I realized I needed to change my hair care habits totally, and not just for a set time frame if I wanted to reach my goal of long hair. During this time, I began researching supplements and also diets that would promote hair growth. I ended up taking Biotin and Fish Oil supplements daily and making protein shakes about once a week. I actually ended up straightening my hair before the New Year, but maybe only about four times total. From August 2010 to January 2011, my hair grew about three to five inches all over. I was able to cut off my damaged ends around November and wear a decent size afro (I got lots of compliments). I have now realized that as long as I minimize heat, and wear my hair in natural styles my hair will grow longer faster. It sounds like a no brainer right? Still, I feel there are so many other women and young girls out there like myself who need to hear this too.

My Blowout on 01/08/2011

This blog will be my story and testament on my journey to long hair. I’m starting this blog to document my journey and my success, because I refuse to not be successful. I felt that if I had others on this journey with me, it would be nearly impossible for me to fail. Today is January 15, 2011. The last time I straightened my hair was December 3^rd until last weekend. Do you believe I was able to straighten my hair, and it was a decent, wearable length? My hair was so thick, shiny, and healthy; all the more motivation to continue on my current hair care path. I love thinking that in another five months my hair will be double what it is now! I took a picture of my hair after I blew it out, although I look a little rough in the picture I will still post it so you can get an idea of the growth. I’ll be posting my hair care tips as well as monthly updates of my hair growth. Please join me on my journey. Advice and encouragement are very welcome. And remember, kinky curly hair CAN grow long and fast!!!

3 Steps to growing African American hair longer

2010-12-05T15:40:00.004-05:00

Growing hair long, and keeping it healthy can be a task. For women with very coarse and kinky 4a/4b hair it can be ten times harder. Here are three effective tips and guidelines to grow your hair longer and healthier. The steps are to prevent hair breakage, get your hair the needed nutrients, and to properly care for your hair. If you follow these tips you will get great results over time. Remember that growing hair takes time, and this article is not about any overnight fixes. Anything worth having is worth waiting for and that includes long hair. All it takes is patience you’ll accomplish your goal in no time. If you follow these easy steps you will have constant growth and will avoid any setbacks. Well, let’s get started!

1. Prevent hair breakage. This step is crucial. The key to growing your hair long is keeping the hair that has already grown strong and healthy. The longer you keep your strands healthy the longer they will last.

Split Ends

Some things to look out for are chemical treatments such as relaxers or permanent hair color. These chemicals have an adverse effect on the natural chemistry of your hair. Relaxers and hair color can cause your hair to be dry and brittle. This will make it easier for your hair to break, and we don’t want that. Our hair strands naturally appear scaly under a microscope. This is the protein called Keratin in three different layers. Some dyes can get within these layers, and it will cause the hair to dry out and break.

If your hair is relaxed you must be more gentle with your hair. The chemicals in relaxers weaken the protein bonds that cause hair to appear curly. This effect weakens hair. It is recommended that you apply a protein treatment to your hair every four weeks to add the needed protein back to your hair. These treatments are often done just before a relaxer touch up to add extra protection to the hair from the harsh chemicals. If you relax your hair, it is also recommended that you get touch ups no more than every eight weeks. This will greatly reduce overlapping, which can also lead to breakage. Overlapping is when a relaxer is reapplied to hair that has already been relaxed. This leads to hair that is over-processed.

If you both relax and color your hair, you must be sure to eliminate any other types of hair damage. Some people are able to grow their hair just fine with both, but I can assure you, with virgin hair, your hair will be so much more! Remember, just because your hair looks healthy, doesn’t mean it is healthy.

Avoid damage caused by using too much direct heat. This is what caused a lot of my hair growth problems. I used to flat iron my hair every week. Even though I used heat protectants this is just too much heat. When you continuously apply heat to your hair, it can have the same effect as any other chemical treatment. You can very easily burn your hair straight. If your hair is natural and naturally curly, be careful when you use heat. If you begin to notice parts of your hair are becoming straighter, then that hair is damaged. If you have very kinky hair, you may like this effect at first, but I assure you damage will only lead to breakage. To tell if your hair is heat damaged or close to it, watch out for split ends and hair that is loosing its natural curl pattern. I recommend only straightening the hair once a month if you have tightly coiled kinky hair, like me. Other hair textures can be heat styled more often, but remember that 4a to 4b hair is very fragile, and needs extra TLC to get to great lengths.

Minimize breakage due to daily wear and tear. When sleeping at night, use a satin bonnet or scarf on your hair to prevent friction and breakage against the pillow. Cotton pillowcases can actually dry the hair by absorbing its oils, so I recommend getting a satin pillowcase.

Use protective styles to prevent breakage caused by styling. Some protective styles are braids, sew ins, buns, twist outs, straw sets, bantu knots, corn rolls, and wigs. Do not where braided styles too tightly for this can stress and break hair. Wearing braids is a good way to protect your hair while trying to grow it out when done correctly. The use of protective styles allows your hair to simply grow with little to no manipulation.

Trim ends every four to six weeks. By trimming away any split or frayed ends, you are preventing that damage from spreading up the hair shaft and causing more damage. There is no shampoo or condition that can fix ends that have already split, remember this. Companies who have products that make this claim can only change the appearance of the split ends, but they cannot repair them. Once hair is damaged, it’s damage. That’s why it is so important to be proactive with the health of your hair.

2. Include the needed nutrients for hair growth in your diet. Much like anything else that can grow, your hair needs certain things to supplement its growth. You can make sure your hair is getting all the fuel it needs by eating a well balanced diet and getting the recommended eight hours of sleep every night. . This includes getting the recommended servings of fruit, vegetables, meats and grains. You should also drink the recommended 8 glasses of water everyday. If there are just some foods you do not like or you are worried that you will not be able to eat a well balanced diet, take vitamin supplements. I would recommend a multi vitamin, and also Omega-3-fatty acids (Fish oil) and Biotin.

Omega-3-fatty acids

Omega-3-fatty acids, or fish oil, are a family of unsaturated fatty acids. The three main nutrients in omega-3 are Alpha Linolenic acids (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and Docosahexaenioc acid (DHA). They are good for your heart health, as well as the health of your hair. When you do not have a sufficient amount of omega-3 in your diet, hair will be dull and not to its full potential. Omega-3 works by nourishing your strands from the inside. The fatty acids provide nutrients and proteins for the hair follicles. This causes your hair to grow faster, healthier, and shinier. If you don’t like taking supplements, some good sources of omega-3 are mackerel, rainbow trout, halibut, herring, lake trout, sea bass, oysters, tuna, salmon, swordfish, sardines, and anchovies.

Biotin is a B-complex vitamin, B7. Biotin is essential for cell growth and producing fatty acids. It aids in the production of keratin, which is the protein that makes up your hair and nails. The more keratin your body makes, the more hair and nail growth you will have. Biotin is also good for your skin. It is often sold as a vitamin for your hair, skin, and nails. Many foods contain biotin, but some foods with the most concentration of the vitamin are egg yolks, liver, and many vegetables. To be sure that you are getting the necessary amount of Biotin, take a supplement. This vitamin is water soluble, so any excess will simply be flushed out of your body.

Shea Butter

3. Finally, properly shampoo and condition your hair. Avoid shampoos that contain harsh sulfates. Sulfates dry out hair by stripping the hair of its natural oils. Most shampoos containing sulfate will have ammonia lauryl sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate listed in the ingredients label. Follow your shampoo with a deep conditioning treatment. Some deep conditioning treatments include hot oil, cholesterol, and Shea butter. I will include more indebt information on deep conditioning in another article.

By following these three easy steps, you will experience a very noticeable difference. After I begin using these practices I had three to four inches of hair growth within four months. The key is consistence and patience. I wish you the best of luck on your hair growth journey!