Posts Tagged ‘Grow’

How to Grow Black Hair: African American Hair Care Tips

Sunday, November 8th, 2009

This article is a must read if you want to grow longer hair, or even stop hair loss. No matter how many products or treatments you have tried, hair growth can be achieved despite years of stunted hair growth, shedding, and hair trauma. Trust me, I am speaking from personal experience. About three years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of my medications and chemotherapy was hair loss and balding. Devastated by having patches of hair on my head, during recovery, I did what most people do—I bought wigs. At first, the wigs seemed like a perfect solution. But, they were really a cover up. Moreover, my niece would scream when she saw me because she couldn’t recognize me with my “new wig.” So, I begin using hair loss products in hopes to regrow my hair. Unfortunately, this was another unsuccessful venture. Rogaine. DHT Blockers. Minoxidil. All of these products failed to perform what they promised. Further, I spend hundreds of dollars on Minoxidil every month, only to have no hair growth and a sore scalp. Frustrated, I decided that there had to be a method or some natural product available that would grow my hair, stop my shedding, and stop my balding. Believe it or not, I found one. However, there are some things you need to know about hair loss before I tell you what worked for me.

What Causes Hair Loss?

Hair loss, shedding, and balding occurs for several reasons. They may occur because of heredity, diet, lifestyle choices, or prescribed medications. Even your hair care products and styling techniques may be facilitating your hair loss or stunting your hair growth. If you are like me, a combination of these factors may be retarding your hair growth. If your diet is laden with fats, alcohol, sugars, and junk foods, you are actually inhibiting your hair’s ability to grow. If you buy most, if not all, of your hair care products from traditional stores, you are most likely buying a hair-damaging useless product. Most hair care products, including most of those that claim to be “all-natural,” contain synthetic emulsifiers and harsh detergents, such as Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Phosphates, and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Unfortunately, these products are loaded with toxins and chemicals that actually dry and strip your hair of vital nutrients it needs to grow.

How to Grow Your Hair, Stop Balding, and Stop Hair Loss?

You have to attack hair loss on the inside and the outside. A great hair growth regimen has three necessary components: a healthy eating plan, substantial water intake, and a high quality hair growth and hair care product.

Step One: A Healthy Hair Eating Plan

Your hair is all protein. Thus, you need a protein rich diet, chocked fill of B Vitamins and other hair-strengthening nutrients. Increase your intake of fish. It is full of healthy proteins and essential fatty acids and natural oils your hair needs. In addition, drink a protein supplement or shake everyday. If you follow this plan, not only will your hair grow, but you will also lose weight. That is, of course, if you lay off the junk food. Remember, I warned you too much junk food above.

Step Two: Drink Water

Eight to ten glasses of water is an absolute requirement. Drinking water flushes your body of toxins, chemicals, and impurities that stifle your hair growth and disrupt your hormone and enzyme imbalances. Water also transports the important nutrients your body needs throughout your body. Hate drinking water? Add lemon and Splenda to have a healthy, tasty alternative.

Step Three: Buy a High Quality Hair Growth Product

I suggest you go all-natural. Unnatural hair care products are a no-no for someone who wants long-lasting, healthy hair growth. Find a hair growth product that contains powerful essential oils, natural herbs, and vitamin rich nutrients your hair needs to survive. Look for products with ingredients such as: Aloe Vera, Citrus Fruits, Jojoba, Rosemary, and Sage. Make sure you stray away from all natural products that use natural extracts. Extracts are not as powerful as essentials oils. They are a cheap substitute for the real thing. Although there are several natural hair care products on the market, not all hair growth products are created equal. Make sure you read the fine print. Most “natural” products still contain phosphates, sodium lauryl sulfate, petroleum, mineral oil, and other lab created humectants that ultimately damage your hair. My advice—if you can’t read the ingredients, don’t buy the product. When I was searching for a natural hair growth product, I found one really great buy, Beauty 4 Ashes Super Hair Growth System. Finding this company took me awhile; but Beauty 4 Ashes pretty much gives you everything you need to make your hair grow. Foremost, I checked the ingredient listings and the products contained no artificial ingredients. The system also included hair growth vitamins, a great hair healthy eating plan, and even scalp stimulating hair growth exercise routine. At first, the system may seem a bit pricey, but, boy was I impressed with the results. In 9 months, I went from patches of hair to hair just above my shoulders. Now, I am no product junkie; but I have to tell you that this product is worth the money. It does not cost an arm and leg and it is worth every penny you pay. You can find it easily at www.discoverb4a.com. Also, check for it on Ebay. You may actually find a deal.

Geraldine Prickett is a Freelance Author, Editorial Columnist, and Educator with over 20 years of experience researching natural and organic health care and remedies. She grew up in San Francisco, CA and currently resides in Los Angeles. Geraldine frequently speaks at international and national conferences and events on natural hair care, natural skin care, and holistic self-improvement. Geraldine has won several outstanding research author awards.

Tips on African American Hair Care: Grow your Hair

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Monitor your hair styling products

Many African Americans resort to applying excessive amounts of heat, such as high kilowatt blow dryers, pressing combs, and flat irons to their hair. Likewise, a significant number of African Americans apply chemicals to their already dry hair, such as texturizers, relaxers, and hair coloring. Nevertheless, these same individuals apply additional chemicals to their hair when they use most over the counter, drugstore, or beauty supply hair care products. These products are usually filled with parabens (cancer-causing agents), sulfates (natural oil stripping detergents), silicones (dangerous chemicals), and alcohols or glycols (hair drying and damaging chemicals). Continued use of these products, although your hair may “feel” soft momentarily or be easier to comb, will only create fried, damaged, and porous hair. Further, you plan your or child’s health at risk when you use these products, not just your hairdo. Solution? Switch to using an all natural shampoo and hair styling products. Both Carol’s Daughter and Beauty 4 Ashes Christian Health & Beauty provide high-quality, all natural ethnic hair care products that are only filled with goodness for your hair type. In fact, in a double blind, three month, placebo-controlled study where 100 African Americans and 50 Biracial individuals participated, those who used Beauty 4 Ashes Christian Health & Beauty’s GodHead shampoo and conditioner and Puritea hair lotion, compared to the control group who used a synthetic based shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer, experienced increased hair growth and health. 64 of the 75 in the Beauty 4 Ashes Godhead and Puritea group stated their hair was shinier, less split ends, more manageable, less tangled, and stronger. 57 of the 75 enrolled in the Beauty 4 Ashes group also reported hair growth of 2 inches or over. Only 15 of the 75 enrolled in the synthetic group reported increased moisture, shine, and health in their hair. However, 45 of the 75 in the synthetic based group reported scalp itching, dryness, and less manageability in their hair after use of the synthetic shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer. Such evidence suggests that African American benefits from natural hair care product use instead of cheaper, synthetic based ones. You can find Beauty 4 Ashes products at wwwdiscoverb4acom.

Several reviews rank the products excellent for ethnic hair. But don’t stop here, there is more.

Monitor your hair styling methods

Put down the flat iron. If you must use it, try to only use it immediate after washing your hair. This will give your tresses relief from daily heat.

Allow your hair and scalp to receive oxygen. Do not leave your hair covered on end with a “do-rag.” Just as plants need oxygen to grow; your scalp needs air to thrive.

Stop using brushes. Ethnic hair has a tighter curl pattern and, although strong, can easily snap especially if stress is applied from a brush or comb to a dry head of hair. Instead of brushing your hair, buy a small tooth comb with smooth ridges.

Limit the use of glued in extensions, tight braids, tight cornrows, and hard, gel hairstyles. These only place an excessive amount of stress on the hair. If you do get braids or cornrows, alternate between wearing the hair out and braiding it on a weekly basis

Avoid coloring if possible. Coloring only damages the hair by coating it with hydroxides and alcohols. That alone should say enough.

So there is the scoop. If you can afford it, use Carol’s Daughter or Beauty 4 Ashes on your hair. Yes, they are more pricey, but your hair will thank you.

Kim is a natural lover of hair and for all of her life has enjoyed making others happy through the magic of her hands. She plats, braids, twist, and twirls the hair into amazing creations. She has won numerous awards for her designs and now spends her time on lecturing on how to grow healthy hair.