Aloe Vera Gel for Natural Hair
So, I have officially jumped on the Aloe Vera bandwagon! I have found this element of nature to be excellent for my kinks and curls, now remember, I have natural hair! Relaxed ladies, I can’t say what will work best for your tresses, however, I urge you to read on – I’ve heard that it helps relaxed hair just the same!
Aloe Vera Gel Benefits for Hair:
- Detangles
- Moisturizes
- Activates Fresh Growth
- Heals and Soothes Damaged Scalp from Scratches, Burns, Dandruff, etc.
- Reduces Dandruff, Itchy, Scaly Scalp and Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Balances pH Level of Hair
- Tames Oily Hair
- Defines Curl
- May Serve as a Holding Gel
- Prevents Excessive Hair Loss
- Enhances Cellular Rejuvenation
- Contains Natural Building Enzyme for Proteins
- Anti-Inflammatory
After reading all of those pros, we see that Aloe Vera Gel isn’t just excellent for the skin or its internal effects on the body, but it’s great for the hair as well! I say it’s worth a try! I use Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Gel, by Lily of the Desert. While using it for such a short time, it has proved to moisturize my hair instantly! I haven’t had a chance to experiment with its growth properties on my hair yet, as I have been using it on the hair as a moisturizer not on the scalp (I’m trying castor oil for growth on my scalp thanks to the bhp Castor Oil Challenge). I have heard of ladies mixing aloe vera with glycerin and rosewater for moisture. I have also heard of the coconut milk, aloe vera, and wheat germ oil combination for a growth shampoo. I currently use mine straight out of the bottle, though I’m not opposed to adding other ingredients to it to make a thrifty concoction. I moisturize my hair with the Aloe Vera Gel, applying it directly onto the hair, then I seal with coconut oil. I strongly suggest sealing the AV gel with an oil in order to lock in the moisture.
Though I love Aloe Vera Gel, I would recommend that anyone who is willing to try it, use it with caution, as everyone’s hair does not react the same way to all products, natural or not. If you decide to try the Aloe Vera Gel, I strongly suggest that you use the all natural Aloe Vera Gel with no alcohols and/or little to no preservatives. A health food store is the best place to find such, although through a careful search at WalMart (and maybe even your neighborhood pharmacy), you will probably be able to locate it as well. I will keep you posted on my future successes. Until next time, Happy Healthy Hair Growing!!! 
Hair Loss at Temples and How To Revive It!
Hair Loss at Temples and How To Revive It!
Hey everyone, now I know “I am not my hair” (we all know how India sang it, lol), but I sure don’t want to lose it! Some of us have issues with areas of thinning hair – I am no exception to that! I have had thinner hair in my temple area for as long as I can remember having hair. In my case, it’s hereditary (says the family dermatologist), however, I am sure that my lack of knowledge concerning the treatment and management of my hair over the years has contributed to this minor setback. Many of us who have experienced hair loss in the temple area have reached this point due to a number of activities. Thus the following list comes into play:
“Hair-Don’ts“:
- Brushing the area too often
- Pulling the hair back too often
- Placing too much heat on the area of concern
- Placing tension on the temple with tight braids, ponytails, extensions, etc
- Using very harsh/strong chemicals for too long and/or improperly – relaxers, color, etc.
- Utilizing the wrong/heavy/hard products – spritz, gels, holding spray, petrolatum, etc
After thinking of the lengthy list of “Hair Dont’s” and after being tired of creating that infamous “swoop” in order to cover up my “losses”(of hair) when wearing buns or ponies …I was left contemplating what to do to give that pesky temple area some life! First off I had to have a plan and stick to it!!! You must try some of these:
“Hair-Do’s”:
- Cayenne pepper and olive oil treatment mix the cayenne w/EVOO (let mixture sit for at least a week) and massage it into the area, then shampoo out
- Oil massages (use your favorite oil, i like coconut or castor the best) 2x a day for at least 5 min a time increasing the time as u get into the groove of things
- Cut down on the sulfate containing shampoos – these strip the hair of natural oils sometimes making it more brittle and susceptible to breakage especially if the hair is not replenished with moisture & oiled properly
- No longer do anything that is found on the above mentioned list (”Hair-Don’ts”) – it’s a BIG no-no!
- Be consistent
Alright everyone, try things in cycles of at least 4 weeks or so, then you will have the ability to notice what works for your hair and what does not. Hopefully some of these tips will flow into your hair care regimen leading your thinning hair to blossom to its full potential. For most of us this will not happen overnight (or in a week). Don’t forget – Patience is a virtue, but it also means you have to wait! Concentrate on doing the right things with your hair now, it will definitely pay off later! Happy hair growing!!!
Can Prenatal Vitamins Really Make Your Hair Grow Quicker?
Can Prenatal Vitamins Really Make Your Hair Grow Quicker?
Most women who have been pregnant have noticed that their hair grows quicker, thicker, and healthier when they are with child. Many have credited this growth with the vitamin supplements in prenatal vitamins. This is an old wives tale. It is actually the increase in estrogen that allows a woman’s hair to grow faster during pregnancy.
For nine months your hair will be locked into the growth phase allowing the hair to continue to grow when it may not have before. After birth when the hormones have returned to normal these women will think they are going bald, as their hair begins to shed and this new growth is sent back to normal paces.
The average person’s hair will grow a half an inch per month. If you have a short growth stage then you will never be able to achieve the long locks that others are able to grow. While vitamins, minerals, and a healthy diet with plenty of water can increase the rate of growth during the growth phase, there is little chance that the actual phase can be elongated.
Whether you will have long hair or not is a genetic factor that you have very little control over. If you have a long growth phase than you will be able to achieve these long locks. Some are able to stay in the growth phase for as long as six years. Others with short grow phases will only last two years and only are able to grow hair to their shoulders.
You may be wondering how you can grow hair long if you are not in that lucky gene pool with long growth phases. Well you can achiever longer lengths through the use of MSM vitamins. MSM is natural organic sulfonyl sulfur. This is a compound that can be found in raw fruits and green vegetables. This is a product that is not found in prenatal vitamins and can be added to your diet to grow longer lengths of hair.
You will have to ensure that you have the healthiest hair to have longer lengths of hair. You have to prevent breakages to ensure your hair will reach greater lengths. If your hair is breaking as fast as it grows then it will never reach longer lengths. Hair breakage most often occurs thanks to a lack of moisture and rough brushing and styling techniques. Hair brushes should never be pulled through the hair in rough bursts. Hair that is brushed while wet should be brushed with a careful hand; and hair should only be washed every few days to keep in the natural oils.
Diet and hydration will also play a huge role in the health and overall length of the hair. Keeping your body in line will reflect on your hair. A healthy body means healthy hair. But, ladies, unfortunately, the length of your hair will not be determined by the usage of a prenatal vitamin, though vitamins can make hair stronger and healthier over time
Growing Healthy and Long Black Hair
Growing Healthy and Long Black Hair
In this article we explore how to get black hair to grow long and healthy. We will also outline how to prevent damage and minimize breakage. Black hair is typically difficult to grow long because it is dry and is more prone to breakage and/or less capable of retention. Washing: It is important when you wash your hair to use a shampoo that is ph-balanced. You should only wash and rinse your hair one time. The more cyles that you wash your hair, the drier you will cause it to be. Dry hair is more likely to break. It is also helpful to massage the scalp to promote your hair to be thicker as it grows. It is recommeded to utilize an oil such as olive oil or carrot oil to massage. This will make your hair strands stronger and less likely to break.
Conditioning: When you think of conditioning you think about moisturizing your hair and replenishing vital oils, but this is just one kind of conditioner that your hair needs. You also need a protein conditioner. You will want to begin with a protein conditioner first, following the directions on the bottle. Follow up with your regular moisturizing conditioner and rinse. Both conditioners should be massaged deep into the scalp. The motions stimulate the follicles and wake them up to become more active. Protein Treatment: Here are few tips on applying a protein treatment. Use an applicator brush to apply the treatment from root to tips. Be sure to cover the entire length of the hair. After applying the treatment you will need to cover your hair with a plastic cap and heat under a hooded dryer for no more than 15 minutes. Be sure not to use a hand dryer. Also be sure not to exceed 15 minutes, as this will cause breakage as well.
Moisturizing Treatment: You will apply the moisturizing treatment in the same manner as the protein treatment. You will also need to cover with a plastic cap and sit under a hooded dryer for another 15 minutes. This is what will actually replace moisture lost in the first treatment. Relaxers: Relaxers can cause a lot of damage to your hair. This is where many people go wrong. You should evaluate your hair to see if it really needs to be straightened. If it does only use a mild relaxer and do not over straighten your hair till it is super straight. It may be possible to get the look you want by using a flat iron after washing and conditioning it. If you do relax your hair only do it every 8-10 weeks. Stretching your relaxers ensures maximum time for your hair to recover from chemical damage.
Relaxers are best applied by others as they have a better view of what they are doing. You will want to apply a large amount to scalp protectant to your head. You can simply use petroleum jelly for this. Be sure and cover the ends to protect hair that has already been treated. Also you will need to follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. Closely pay attention to the time and avoid over processing your hair. You will need to rinse the hair with warm water and be sure to wash with a neuturalizing shampoo at least three times to get rid of all traces of the relaxers. Once all of the relaxer has been removed reapply the neutralizing shampoo one more time leaving it in for at least ten minutes, then rinse. Once you have finished the relaxing treatment it is important to do a protein treatment as well as a moisturizing treatment to repair the damage to your mane. Daily maintenance is important to you the health of your locks. Your hair may remain dry even after you apply oils to your hair. This is because oil based hair products simply seal out or seal in moisture they do not supply your hair with the moisture it needs. You will want to apply a water based moisturizer and then seal in the moisture with the oil based products.
It is very important to make sure your hair has been properly moisturized before using hot tools like curling irons on your hair. Avoid putting hairspray on it when curling it. It will dry your hair out and leave it prone to damages. Once you have curled all the ends then you can apply a light mist of hairspray. Leave the curls untouched for at least five minutes after curling. Braids and weaves use chemicals to make them work. These chemicals and hair styles can cause damage to your hair. These types of hair styles will cause a lot of damage to your hair and should be avoided. The use of wigs can also dry out your hair and damage it. These can be worn occasionally but should not be worn everyday. On the days that you wear wigs, be sure to keep it moisturized underneath.
Steer clear of weaves! Not only because of the chemicals used to intertwine the hair but also the glue used to hold them in place can damage hair. It is very important to stay away from this treatment when trying to obtain healthy hair. Once you have put your hair on the path to healthiness you should avoid breakage and you are on your way to growing healthy and long hair.
