My Hair Regimen Over Years

My Most Growth Obtained…

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

This was when I noticed my hair thrived (see pic above)…. BUT this time around (my Dec Update) my ends seemed a lot thinner while my roots were thicker. I know the way the braids were taken out had a lot to do with it and other reasons. I discovered that the most growth and dramatic change my hair has seen was the May- Aug 09 time frame. At that time I was wearing the synthetic pony hair. After going back thru my blog I was able to create a list of the products and methods I used during that time. I included lil inserts from my blog for different posts I did for that time frame. Hopefully this will help me get back on track.

1. ORS for Co Washing & Deep Conditioning
2. Megatek ( I used this like every 2-3 days) I applied it to the scalp and a lil to the length of the hair
3. Infusium 23
4. HE LTR
5. Oyin Frank Juice
6. Scurl
7. Coconut Oil (Used to Seal and moisturize scalp)
8. Peppermint oil ( Scalp Only)
9. Spectrum Organic Mayo ( Applied 2 dry Hair and Saran wrapped for 30-45 min)
10. Aussie Moist for Co Washing
11. Saran Wrap
12. Shampooed with Aritha Soap
13. Used a little of conditioner as a moisturizer or leave in.
14. I Co washed a lot during this time!

• Last night I washed my braids with Shikaki Soap and let some Mizani Hydrafuse sit in my braids with a shower cap for 10 minutes and my hair did not only feel moisturized while it was wet but when it DRIED! This is definitely a staple for moisture!
• I am going to try and concentrate on using my aphogee 2 min reconstructor at least one a week after a regular wash.
• (Products I used for 1 wash cycle)
• New Products I am loving: Mizani Hydrafuse, Oyin Juices and Berries, Pentratt protein treatmentNew Technique I am using: I never used to moisturize and seal in sections. I would spray Scurl all over my head and then seal it. Now that I moisturize and seal in sections I am giving special attention to a section of hair.
• Well last night I took some mayo and applied it to my braids in sections and saran wrapped it for 30 minutes.

The Results: Aww man my hair and micros are soft and feel stronger.

• Okay last night instead doing the tea rinse I decided to just Co-Wash like planned. I used ORS con. After that I sprayed some Infusium 23, applied some HE LTR and let my hair dry till about 95% and sprayed some Oyin Frank Juice and sealed with coconut oil. This morning my hair feels so good and hydrated.
• Argh, last night I washed my braids using my “new” jar of organic mayo and it came out great but I know I used too much because this morning my braids were a lil greasy. I applied it to dry hair and saran wrapped it for 30 minutes and washed it out. I then shampooed with my arithasoap bar (Indian) and deep con with ORS Con.

• In conclusion since I fussing, I will say that the K.I.S.S regimen while in braids is:
• Find you a light moisturizer (I prefer S-curl or Oyin Berries and Juices)
• Find you a growth aid *optional* (I prefer Megatek)
• Find you a sealer (I prefer coconut oil)
• Find you a great protein conditioner and moisture conditioner
• Find you a great deep conditioner
• Invest in a silk head scarf

• Lately I have been eye-balling my ORS Replenishing Con and temptation finally took over. I untwisted one of my strands applied Oyin Frank Juice, ORS Replen Con and sealed with Coconut Oil.

The Results: Very, very soft moisturized hair!Cons: I would not recommend doing this daily but closer to your wash days.

11 Nov 2010 – Wash Routine

 I am on a mission to get my ends thicker again L I slipped real hard when I 1stdiscovered lace fronts and didn’t bother to take care of my hair underneath and I fell off my regimen. I am tired of hardly making APL. It needs to stop right here. 

 Last Night:

 I washed my hair in cornrows. Here are the products I used and the steps I took:

1. Shampooed hair 1 time with Castile Soap
2. Conditioned with Long Term Conditioner
3. Deep conditioned with Nu Grow Deep Conditioner for 10-15 mins in the shower with a shower cap
4. Rinsed, wipe hair gently with a towel
5. Sprayed my infusim 23 and Scurl mix on scalp and hair
6. Applied LTR Split End, Neutrogena Silk Leave In and Coconut oil to my ends
7. Put my silk cap on my head and went to sleep with damn hair

 Results: In the morning my hair was still a little damp but it felt like butter! My hair was shedding. I know why though….because I was not doing anything to it before I got this last relaxer. Well I think.

It’s been a while since I have posted anything about MY hair. It’s been all about the lacefronts. After this slight set back I decided to start back to focusing on the health of my hair. I was also experimenting on how my hair would react if I didn’t do much to it. Results: It grew, but my hair started breaking bad. So on a desperate mission to restore health to my strands; I started using some of the old products I used when I first started my journey. Ladies let me tell you, never change your product regimen completely if what you were using actually worked! Remember that is what grew your hair or assisted in the health of your hair. So why would one stop using it?  The answer is “Hair Bandwagons!” Sometimes it’s good to jump on them and sometimes its not. So with that being said always have you a set of staple products that you can turn to in time of need…..in case that bandwagon break down.

 Below or above (lol) are my staples / combination that work every time my hair needs that boost. I am currently using this every other night before bed. I know it’s a lot of moisture, but my hair has been deprived! Lol.  I am also continuing to use Megatek…which is a heavy protein. This growth cycle I am going for a full APL…..

NUETROGENA TRIPLE MOISTURE SILK TOUCH LEAVE IN CREAM

Website: www.drugstore.com

Price: 4 oz. $6.99

Manufacturer’s Description

Treats extra dry, over-processed, or color treated hair. Moisturizes for instant and lasting improvements to hair texture and manageability. This silky leave-in cream melts effortlessly into strands, moisturizing while diminishing flyaways and frizz with lasting humidity protection.  Hair stays naturally soft and touchable all day – no flaking, heaviness, or stickiness.  The advanced formula helps improve hair quality with every use.  Contains UV filters.

Ingredients

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Polyquaternium 37, Cetrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Chloride, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Meadowfoam Seed Oil (limnanthes alba), Olive Fruit Oil (olea europaea), Sweet Almond Oil (prunus amygdalis dulcis), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, PPG 1 Trideceth 6, Phenyltrimethicone, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance

LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP SPLIT END REPAIR

Website: www.drugstore.com

Price: 4 oz. $3.19 ßCHEAP!

Manufacturer’s Description

Grow your hair as long as you want*!With a fusion of red rasberry & satin.  Live in the length of luxury.  This is the beautiful beginning of the ends.  Smooth them with a kiss of protective conditioning that strengthens your hair against split ends and breakage.  I’ll help keep your hair from splittsville with my quenching formula fused with extracts of red raspberry & satin.  I’m a tip treat with a silky finish that feels so good. *less breakage with daily use of shampoo, conditioner, treatment vs. non conditioning shampoo.

 Ingredients

Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Juice, Hydrolyzed Silk, Dimethicone, Glutamic Acid, Fragrance, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Edta, Propylene Glycol, Dmdm Hydantoin, Red 33

 Hydratherma Naturals Daily Moisturizing Growth Lotion

Website: http://www.healthyhairjourney.com/

Price: 4 oz. $12.99

 Manufacturer’s Description

This daily moisturizing lotion is excellent for chemically treated or natural hair. CONTAINS 5 NATURAL BUTTERS AND 8 NATURAL OILS….ALONG WITH GLYCERIN!!!! You can’t beat the moisture in this product!!!!!!! There is nothing like it!  Now  contains more Emu Oil per bottle! This natural daily moisturizing lotion is excellent for chemically treated or natural hair. Use after deep conditioning on wet hair and daily to soften and condition the hair while restoring a nourishing balance of moisture in the hair. Created with an exclusive blend of natural ingredients such as shea butter, olive butter, aloe butter, sweet almond butter, avocado butter, olive oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, peanut oil, macadamia nut oil, safflower oil and glycerin.  This lightweight formula will penetrate each hair strand immediately and prevent breakage. Seals in moisture. Makes hair soft, supple and easy to manage. Contains no mineral oil or petrolatum. A little goes a long way with this lotion, so use sparingly. Smells yummy but please do not ingest. For best results, use with other Hydratherma Naturals brand products.

 Ingredients

Water, Shea butter, Glycerin, Almond butter, Almond oil, Olive oil, Peanut oil, Emulsification wax, Emu oil, Olive Butter, Jojoba oil, Aloe Butter, Avocado butter, Macadamia nut oil, Sunflower oil, Fragrance, Germall Plus (PARABEN FREE PRESERVATIVE), Kuikui oil

Products That I am Loving…

As you know I love coconut oil but over the time I have came to the conclusion that there is NOTHING like Spectrum coconut oil. It moisturizes and makes my hair soooo soft. NTM also does the same thing without the sticky build up feel. It really does melt into your hair and gives that silky feeling. I love it!

JBCO (Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Here are a couple of things I bet you didn’t know about JBCO (Jamaican Black Castor Oil):Black Castor Oil is a powerful healing oil that has withstood the test of time. It is the end result of an ancient method used in preparing and making castor oil. The fatty acids and phytochemicals found in Jamaican Black Castor Oil address many health and beauty conditions. A bottle can serve as a hair and scalp conditioner; a skin moisturizer and healer; a massage oil for aches, pains, fibroids and lumps in the breasts; a powerful laxative and can be used as fist aid for cuts, wounds and burns. It is also excellent for dry, chapped hands and feet.

Black castor oil seals moisture in the hair with a protective coat. It’s also the only oil in nature with ricinoleic acid. It helps to destroys viruses, bacteria, yeast and molds that cause many skin problems. Black Castor Oil also helps to remove uric acid from body, the source of many inflammations.

When you purchase a bottle of JBCO make sure it’s in a dark bottle. Oils tend to lose their freshness and potency when they are exposed to direct light as a result of being in clear bottles.They also risk being contaminated by toxins if placed in regular plastic bottles.

History on JBCO:

The castor oil plant originated in Ethiopia and later spread throughout the rest of Africa. It’s believed that it was the ancient Egyptians that first started to make black castor oil. They roasted the beans then through a tedious hand processed method the ultra pure light brown to dark brown oil is extracted (black castor oil). The seeds and method of making black castor oil eventually reachedJamaica via African slaves whose descendants today still make and use it as their ancestors.

When used on micro braids your scalp will be very moisturized and soft. Make sure you wash your braids regularly when using this product because it can build up.

Ingredient Check: S-Curl No Drip Activator/Moisturizer

S-Curl:

This is a favorite product to many including myself. After posting the article below I wanted to check out some of the ingredients in my favorite moisturizer. (S-Curl)

I went to walgreens.com and cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient

and found the ingredients:

Water , Glycerine , Cetearyl Alcohol , Propylene Glycol , Acetamide MEA , Ceteth-20 , Olealkonium Chloride , Stearalkonium Chloride , Panthenol , Simethicone , Imidazolidinyl Urea , Methylparaben , Propylparaben , Fragrance

Glycerine: Its a humectant so it draws moisture into the hair. If you live in a dry climate such as Arizona it may be bad because it has no moisture from the climate to draw from. Glycerine has been always been questionable as to if it is a god ingredient for hair.

Cetearyl Alcohol: is included in the fatty alcohol group of Lauryl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Myristyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol and Behenyl alcohol.These larger alcohols are typically derived from natural sources, and have 12 or more carbons per molecule (typically 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20). This higher amount of carbon content makes these molecules oilier (also referred to as ‘fatty’). For this reason, they are often used as an emollient in skin and haircare products. They give a smooth, soft feeling to the hair shaft by helping the cuticle to lie flat on the surface of the hair. However, if used in excess, fatty alcohols can combine with the natural sebum found on the scalp and form a sticky substance that makes the hair look greasy.

Propylene Glycol: A cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze. In the skin and hair, propylene glycol works as a humescent, which causes retention of moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. The Material Safety Data Sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage. WOW! It is also used in:

• Tyre sealant
• Rubber cleaner
• De-icer
• Stain removers
• Fabric softener
• Degreaser
• Paint
• Adhesive
• Wallpaper stripper

Acetamide MEA: A water-soluble conditioning agent that is compatible with anionic and nonanionic systems as opposed to quaternary surfactants compatible only with cationics. This agent’s primary purpose is to add shine.

Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?

Acetamide MEA increases the water content of the top layers of the skin by drawing moisture from the surrounding air. It also enhances the appearance and feel of hair, by increasing hair body, suppleness, or sheen, or by improving the texture of hair that has been damaged physically or by chemical treatment. (Source:http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org)

Ceteth-20:

Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?

The Ceteth ingredients help other ingredients to dissolve in asolvent in which they would not normally dissolve. Ceteths also help to form emulsions by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified and they clean the skin and hair by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they these substances can be rinsed away. (Source: http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org)

Panthenol:

Is the alcohol form of pantothenic acid, more familiar as Vitamin B5. In a living cell, panthenol is converted to pantothenic acid, which then becomes an important part of the compound “Coenzyme A”, which is important in cellular metabolism.

In hair, which contains no living cells, it remains as panthenol. Because it could become a vitamin if it were ever to get to a living cell, it is marketed as a “provitamin”, even though its effects as a vitamin are never used.

Uses: Because panthenol binds well to hair follicles, and attracts moisture from the air, it is a moisturizing agent used in shampoos and conditioners. It lubricates the hair without feeling greasy. It smoothes roughened hair surfaces, making them shiny and easier to comb.

Panthenol does not “nourish” hair. It coats it to make it slippery.

Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?

Panthenol acts as a lubricant on the skin surface, which gives the skin a soft and smooth appearance. Panthenol and Pantothenic Acid also enhance the appearance and feel of hair, by increasing hair body, suppleness, or sheen, or by improving the texture of hair that has been damaged physically or by chemical treatment.

Propylparaben:

Parabens are effective preservatives in many types of formulas. They protect cosmetics and personal care products by preventing or retarding the growth of yeast and mold as will as some types of bacteria. They can be found in shampoos, conditioners, water-based styling aids, moisturizers, shaving gels, cleansing gels, personal

CO-Washing with ORS…

kay last night instead doing the tea rinse I decided to just Co-Wash like planned. I used ORS con. After that I sprayed some Infusium 23, applied some HE LTR and let my hair dry till about 95% and sprayed some Oyin Frank Juice and sealed with coconut oil. This morning my hair feels so good and hydrated. Why did I ever stray away from my ORS? This will become my new baby for co washing. Somebody is getting replaced! Could it be HE Coconut milk? I know I will never part my Aussie. LOL. Anyway I am beginning to love my new growth texture.