Wednesday, January 29, 2014

New Moon hair growth (February)

The moon and  stars to  rule over the night, for His steadfast love endures forever.
Psalms 136:9

What is New Moon hair growth?
It is using the power of the New Moon as it increases towards the Full Moon, to stimulate your hair growth. This is done by trimming your hair during the growing phase of the moon. You can trim as little or as much as you desire. 


What supplies do I need to practice this hair growth method?
A pair of hair cutting scissors. and a hair journal to record how much you cut and how much your hair grows every 40 days. This is all that is needed now how great is that!

I did the trim now what?
Be sure you have trimmed your hair on the correct dates, many people get it mixed up and believe you trim your hair on the Full Moon. But a Full Moon has already matured, you want to trim your hair so your hair can grow as the New Moon grows. Once you have the right date, then trim as you desire and write down how much you trimmed and the length of your hair now. Then every 40 days record your hair growth in you hair journal. 

Do I have to trim during every New Moon each month?
No you do not, you can do it one time if you like. I believe you can get results up to 6 months after your trim. The only way to know for sure is to try it and keep an accurate record of your growth increase.  For accuracy it helps to measure in the same area each time and also keep the hair in the same condition each time you measure. If you did your first trim on stretched hair then remember to stretch your hair when you do your follow up measurements in 40 days.

Hopefully you have a better understanding of what the New Moon hair growth method is and how to practice it. If you are one of those women who are afraid to cut your hair, fear not, your hair will grow back and you will gain even more. Trimming your hair is a part of a good haircare regimen, you should trim every 4 months that is 3 times a year. Now that is not bad is it? Your hair will love you for it and it will look so much healthier.

So what are you waiting for? This method cost you nothing but a trim you would do anyways. Before we had all the fancy potions and pills we had the earth to give us signs, now the average person has lost the ability to use the earth as a guide. People find it weird or think it is some hocus pocus stuff. But it is not and it is not new. So on January 30th we will be in New Moon, and there is still time to take advantage of this rare occurrence of  TWO New Moons within one month! Yes January has TWO New Moons.

My continued growth results from August 
 My results from my new moon trim back on August 17, 2013.
I cut two inches from my bangs on August 17th, as of January 29th, my bangs have grown back 4.25 inches. I gained 4.25 inches of new growth in 5 months. My regular rate of hair growth is 1/4 inch per month. The new moon  method has almost given  me a consistent 1 inch  growth increase over the past 5 months. Four and 1/4 inches in 4 months. The average rate of hair growth per month is 1/2 inch.  I exceeded the the average! Praise God! On January 14th I did another New Moon trim, I cut 1/4 of an inch and that has grown back already. So what are you waiting on? Get your supplies ready and mark your date.



Your best days to cut for growth increase are:
February  1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 and the 12th.
 
Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you can receive future good days to cut your hair for growth increase. How? Just click the box at the top right hand column and subscribe. You can also leave a comment below if you have questions about this article.
 

Sunday, January 26, 2014

DHT and hair loss


Did you know that DHT is the leading cause of hair loss in 90% of hair loss cases for men and women?

What is DHT? 
Dihydrotestosterone is a male sex hormone that is the leading cause of hair loss in men, and also affects women.  Based on a persons genetics as a man or woman ages DHT  can start to overproduce.
DHT builds up within the hair root and chokes the hair root and hair eventually falls out and does not grow back. It first starts with thinning and will stay at that stage for months or years. You should seek a dermatologists help at the first sign of excessive hair shedding which continues beyond one week, and there is no current known illness which could cause your hair loss. The earlier you treat any type of hair loss the better your chances of recovering your hair or drastically slowing down the hair loss.


Natural oils DHT blockers
EVOO
Sunflower oil
Emu oil: lowers DHT, keeps hair in Androgen stage longer.
Pumpkin seed oil
Selenium
Zinc
Palmetto extracts 
Green tea: removes toxins and regrows hair
Apple cider vinegar: Dissolves DHT residue, kills fungus and bacteria, removes build up from the hair and scalp and unclogs hair follicles.

Drinking 4 cups of green tea daily help to block DHT


Treatments used to block DHT must be used continuously and ongoing in order to maintain results.

Cold pressed Castor oil is great for treating excessive shedding and fungus. Use daily.

Fungus of the Hair Follicles: another leading cause of hair loss

Using a good quality sulfur oil on your scalp several times a weeks is very effective in killing fungus activity on the scalp. Fungus activity left untreated can cause baldness and stunted hair growth. You may think your hair grows slow when it could be a fungus stunting your hair growth. Liquid Gold products makes a great sulfur oil, I use this product and it has produced amazing growth results for me. Even if you are not suffering from fungus growth this oil will help you grow your hair to longer lengths. Liquid Gold hair growth sulfur oil by Liquid Gold products. 



Other causes of hair loss:
lack of quality proteins in diet
lack of minerals
lack of scalp oxygen
unbalanced hormones
low fatty acids.
A vitamin D deficiency 
Tight hair extensions 
Thyroid issues


Start a Hair Journal today so you can keep up with your hair.


Knowing your hair
Know your hair and how much you normally shed
per day. People can shed anywhere between 50-150 hairs per day. Know what is normal for you, so when you see abnormal shedding you will know to seek medical attention immediately. Before you see your doctor right down everything you can think of concerning your hair and how you have been feeling overall. Do your own research based on the symptoms you are having. Ask for a scalp biopsy so your diagnosis can be more accurate. As previously stated the older the hair loss the harder it is to recover your hair. Early treatment is key with any type of hair loss. 

Hair weave and hair loss
The worst thing you can do when you hair starts to thin is to put weave or hair extensions over it and not visit a doctor.  Hair extensions will make the issue worst, seek treatment first then figure out a style for your hair. Choose a wig over weave or braids, the wig is less tension on your hair and you can remove it nightly for ventilation to the scalp.

There are many reasons for hair loss I have given you the top reasons for hair loss. Prevention is always better than cure. So practice a healthy lifestyle and be proactive with your health.


Friday, January 10, 2014

39 hair saving tips for the newly natural. (UPDATED)


 

There is so much information  being shared, that some women start to  feel lost and do not know what is right or wrong.  Here is a list of 41 tips to help you start your hair journey off right and be successful. So many women have to big chop for a second and third time, do not let that be you.



 Must have products for a healthy hair journey:
Braggs organic apple cider vinegar (acv)
A large pack of conditioning caps
2 water bottles
PH balance strips
Satin bonnet 
old t-shirt or mono fiber towel
Scissors for cutting hair


1. You may read that shampooing Afro hair dries it out but that is not an accurate statement. Using harsh shampoos dry out hair. You should keep your scalp clean and wash your hair at least once a week. It is a myth that hair grows on a dirty scalp. Hair grows best on a clean scalp.

2. Co-washing means washing your hair with conditioner. Do not use co-washing as a substitute for shampooing your hair. Conditioners do not cleanse the hair well enough. Conditioners are not made to clean the hair they are made to be applied AFTER  hair has been shampooed. 

4. Make sure your shampoos and conditioners are PH balanced between 4.5 and 5.5. (Use PH strips)

5. If you maintain a weekly wash schedule there is no need to clarify your hair with deep cleaning shampoos. When you do need to clarify clay washes are the best at clarifying your hair and leaving it soft and conditioned.
Bentonite clay mix

6. If you are transitioning it is best to wash your hair in medium to large twists. This keeps the hair from tangling.

7. You may read that using cheap shampoo and conditioners are the way to go, however V05 and Pantene should be avoided they have been known to have very bad ingredients.

8. The best line for the money and how well it works is Shea Moisture. They have good shampoos and style products. Their curl enhancing smoothie is a really good product for all hair types.

9. Cantu products is less expensive than the above one and it is just as good, but has more ingredients per product. Cantu shea butter leave in repair conditioner is a good buy for all hair types.

10, If you desire to grow Afro hair long do not use tangle teasers or denman brushes or any brush. 

11, Learn the art of finger styling and untangling. 

12, Invest in a seamless comb you will not regret it. A seamless comb will keep your hair from breaking when you use it and you will retain more length.

13. Do not waste your time figuring out your curl type. The number system offers no help to your journey other than to give you a label and cause more confusion. 

14. Know whether your hair is fine, average or thick. That information is more beneficial to your hair journey than curl pattern.

15, If you have fine or medium hair strands then extra, extra care should be taken to keep hair from breaking.

16, Healthy hair will retain moisture for more than one day.

17. Follow a regimen which teaches you how to hydrate your hair.

18, Hydrated hair is soft and flexible and holds a style better.

So you want your styles to look better? 
Work on hydrating your hair.

19. If your hair is consistently popping and breaking when you manipulate it, you probably need a protein treatment.

20. Do not buy a protein treatment which does not have hydrolyzed keratin protein listed in the first 3 ingredients. 

21. Protein treatments add strength to your hair and keep it from breaking, so you retain more length.

22. After a protein treatment you want to condition your hair really good by using a moisturizing conditioner.

23. Oiling your hair daily with coconut oil, avocado oil or EVOO will keep you from getting single strand knots.

24. When you purchase natural oils for your hair be sure it says extra virgin, cold pressed or unrefined. Do not purchase oils from the beauty supply store. Buy your oils from your local health food store or order online.

25. Deep conditioning for hours is not necessary, you hair will only absorb but so much product. Most of the conditioners your buy you rinse them down the sink when you rinse them out. Ten to 20 minutes is all you need or per the product instructions.

26. Invest in a good leave in conditioner. The leave in conditioner is your most important product.

27. Always use a leave in conditioner because Afro curly hair needs continuous conditioning.



28. When you flat iron your hair use a silicone based heat protectant, also deep condition several times the weeks before you decide to flat iron your hair. This will help to eliminate heat damage.

29. Do not use a sulfate shampoo, sulfates cause dryness and baldness.

30. If you are having trouble retaining moisture do an ACV rinse.

31. NEVER EVER cleanse your hair with baking soda. It is to abrasive for your hair fibers, like sand paper. No matter how many times you see it suggested, overlook the baking soda tip.

32. You do not have to straighten your hair in order to check the length. Press your hair if that is your desire, but it is not a requirement for you to see how much your hair has grown.  

33. When your hair is wet, it is very vulnerable, do not brush your hair while it is wet. 

34. Remove all your tangles before submerging your hair in water. 


35. Turn an ordinary deep conditioner into a super conditioner by adding a tablespoon of local honey to it.

36. Honey does lighten the hair when used consistently so if this is not your goal limit your use of it to once a month.

37.  Apple cider vinegar lowers the PH of your products better than aloe vera does.

38. Tea rinses provide the same benefits as protein treatments. Never do them both in one session. Choose one or the other.

39. If your hair is breaking you should go straight to a good protein treatment such as Aphogee 2 step or Shea Moisture smooth & repair hair & scalp weekly therapy.


  40. Making conditioner out of avocados, eggs, mayo, etc should not be used as a protein treatment. You get more benefits from eating these foods than wasting these wonderful foods on your hair. The molecular structure of the food is not small enough to penetrate nor stick to the hair strands. So these kitchen treatments do nothing for your hair but make it soft and leave you vulnerable to fungus growth on your scalp.

41. Your scalp has muscles, so do not neglect scalp massages if you want to stimulate more hair growth. Hair does not grow well on a tight tense scalp and neck. Massage at least 10 minutes a day for full benefits.