What does your SO (significant other) think about your healthy hair goals?

Are they supportive? Confused? Frustrated?

Have they helped fund your at home beauty supply store, started using some of your products, or in the case of my SO, left the house on "hair day"?

Do share!

Many women experience post-pregnancy hair loss. This article will outline the cause of this condition and some possible solutions.

Causes of Postpartum Shedding

During pregnancy, the levels of progesterone and estrogen are very high. The increase in estrogen often stimulates hair growth and reduces the amount of hair shed during pregnancy.

After birth, these hormone levels will drop to their normal state and many women will experience Telogen Effluvium, which is excessive postpartum shedding. This condition is temporary and will usually last one to four months after pregnancy.

When should you see a doctor?

If the condition lasts longer than 6-12 months, check with your doctor. In addition, if you are also experiencing brittle nails, fatigue, prolonged colds and weight gain, consult with your doctor as you may have a hypothyroid condition.

Postpartum Shedding Hair Care Regimen

Here are a few tips to help you retain as much hair as possible.

• Make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables which contain vital nutrients to protect and nourish the hair follicles.
• Wash and condition your hair with a garlic shampoo and conditioner, which will help prevent shedding. A good line of garlic based products is called Nutrine. Or, apply garlic and olive oil to the scalp and let sit overnight or for 1 hour prior to shampooing. If you are not using a garlic shampoo, look for products that contain Biotin and Silica.
• After washing, gently detangle with a wide tooth comb and apply a moisturizer or oil. Avoid brushing or using combs with small teeth as they will place unnecessary stress on the hair.
• Using your comb or fingers, gather and smooth hair into a bun or ponytail with a roller on the ends. Alternatively, use your fingers to plait hair in braids or twists and let airdry.

The main goal here is to opt for very easy, low manipulation hair styles that will reduce the need to comb, tug and pull on the hair. In addition, limiting direct heat and airdrying more often will allow the hair to retain thickness and strength. Just remember that the shedding is temporary and your hair will return to normal within a few months.

How does your hair react to protein based products?

Do they make your hair feel strong and healthy or dry and brittle?

If your hair hates protein, do you still try to incorporate it into your hair care regimen? If so, how?

Product: Simply Healthy Hair Grapeseed Oil Hydrating Shine Cream
Price: around $ 8 for 6.5 fl oz.
Company: Beauty Genesis International

Promises:

This advanced time-release formula simultaneously delivers deep moisturizing, conditioning and shine agents for longer lasting hydration and softness. Ultra rich, supple and lightweight for quick absorption. Helps strengthen to prevent shedding, split ends and breakage.

Instructions:

On wet or dry hair: Simply apply a small amount into your hand and evenly distribute throughout hair; and/or apply directly to the scalp to help relieve dry scalp.

Ingredients:

Deionized Water , Mineral Oil , Glycerine , Petrolatum , Cetearyl Alcohol , Dicetyl Phosphate , Ceteth-10 Phosphate , Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape , Cetearyl Alcohol , Ceteareth-20 , Dimethicone , Biotin , Propylene Glycol , Diazolidinyl Urea , Methylparaben , Propylparaben , DMDM Hydantoin , Fragrance , Stearyl Alcohol , Fragrance , Panthenol , Tetrasodium EDTA

Consistency/Scent:

The moisturizer is white, thin consistency and has a clean scent.

Results:

I used this product as a finishing cream and daily moisturizer.

Positive:

This moisturizer is super light and smells great. It adds a nice sheen to the hair. It penetrates well and does not leave the hair super heavy or coated.

Negative:

The ingredients, i.e. mineral oil, petroleum, parabens, etc., are not great. It can also be slightly watery.

Overall: I, personally, like super emollient moisturizers like Keracare Crème headdress so this moisturizer is slightly watery to me. I’m on the fence about this one.

Next Review – Hydratherma Naturals

For a lot of mothers and fathers, washing and styling their kid's hair can be quite an ordeal. Detangling alone can be tedious and time-consuming. Here are a few tips to help reduce the amount of tangles in your child's hair.

1) Apply oil or conditioner to the hair before washing. This will help keep their hair soft and manageable during the washing cycle. Apply to dry hair and comb the hair to distribute the oil and work out any pre-existing knots or tangles.

2) Next, divide the hair into four sections. Wash and rinse one individual section at a time.

3) Focus on washing the roots, not the hair and massaging the product into the scalp in circular motions. Squeeze the product down the length of the hair.

4). Rinse and immediately apply a creme rinse or detangler and twist back up. Move on to the next section. Continue on until all sections are washed and conditioned. Let the conditioner penetrate for a few minutes.

5). Unravel a section and rinse. Spritz with a leave-in and apply a light natural oil or moisturizer. Natural oils and pomades like shea butter or avocado oil work very well on kid's hair. Grab the hair by the roots and start detangling from the ends to the roots. Continue on, rinsing and detangling section by section. Then, braid, twist, roller set, Bantu knot, air dry or style as usual.

The point is to wash, condition and style the hair in sections so the hair does not become one big tangled mess. By keeping large sections separate, you are better able to retain control of the hair. Also, it allows the products you use to penetrate the hair and make it easier to style. It may seem like extra work, but once you get the hang of it, working in sections can really reduce the time and energy spent detangling your child's hair.

Looking to add some strength to your hair? Does your hair feel a bit limp or lackluster?

The first thing most people do is run to the store and buy a whole line of "strengthening products". But with textured hair, these products can dry out our hair and increase breakage and shedding.

When it comes to strengthening shampoo, always follow with a moisturizing conditioner to smooth the hair shaft and add moisture to the hair.

When it comes to strengthening conditioners, always remember that less is more. Start off by applying a quarter size amount and see how your hair reacts to the product. A quarter size amount that is well-distributed might be all you need.

Or, take the product to your stylist and let he or she apply it to your hair. Your stylist may be better able to concentrate the product on the areas that need it the most.