Hair2Heaven
Natural Nurturing For Your Crowning Glory
Basics
In Developing A
HAIR REGIMEN
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Compiled By
Ann Samadhi
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Preface and Disclaimer
This regimen is built on a one basic premise: all textures of hair can grow to a desired length regardless of genetics. The common hair mythology holds that highly textured hair (kinky, coily, nappy, etc.) is incapable of growing “long” or has a terminal length. This is not my belief. Furthermore, many do not believe that length can be achieved on highly textured hair without the use of chemical services. I have witnessed the debunking of this myth as well.
Patience will be a virtue on your journey. While I do believe that some topical applications and supplements can give a slight boost to your growth rate, their effect is limited. Your hair will grow and the ideas in this regimen will help you preserve that growth.
The ideas in this regimen are culled from my personal research on the internet and my experience caring for my own hair and that of countless other individuals. This regimen is provided for informational purposes only and is by no means intended to represent or replace the diagnoses and suggestions one might obtain from a licensed professional.
All that said…..Best of luck and happy hair growing.
HAIR REGIMEN
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Schedule-in-Brief
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Daily (Or Every Other Day)
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*Conditioner
*Apply Leave-In
*Seal in Moisture
Weekly
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*Deep Condition
*Oil Scalp
Bi-Weekly
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*Clarify
*Shampoo
*Deep Condition
Monthly
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*Protein Treatment
*Trim ends if needed
Products-in-Brief
Conditioners for CoWashes
*Vo5 Strawberries and Cream
V05 Blueberries and Cream
Suave Coconut
Suave Milk and Honey
(Basically any rich conditioner will do fine)
Leave-In Conditioners
Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp
Jamaican Mango and Lime Cactus Leave-In
Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner
Giovanni Direct Leave-In
(There are plenty of good ones out there!)
Moisturizing Spritzes
Hair2Heaven Homemade Blend J
Daily Doctor in spritz bottle diluted with half water
S-Curl (Yep, believe it or not)
Oyin Handmade Greg Juice
Asha’s Naturals Silk Rose
Moisture Sealing Oils
Hair2Heaven Homemade Blend J
Coconut Oil
Olive Oil
Jamaican Mango and
Kemi Oyl
Castor Oil
(Any good Quality Oil)
Shampoos
Aubrey Organics Line of Shampoos
New Era Moisturizing Shampoo (Love this one!)
Aveda Sap Moss
Clarifiers
Clarifying Shampoo
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Baking Soda Rinse
Beer Rinse
Deep Conditioners
Any LeKair Cholesterol
Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayo
Homemade Blend
Protein Treatments
New Era Hair Reconstructor
Aphogee Repair Treatment
Nexxus Emergencee
Infusium 23 (a leave-in protein treatment which can be used more often as needed)
You only need ONE in each category so don’t feel overwhelmed by the list. Also, feel free to go outside the list based on what feels right to your hair. You’re the expert. J
Techniques-in-Brief
Conditioner Washing
You’ll be surprised how clean you can get your hair and scalp using co-washes.
Wet hair. Apply liberal amount of conditioner. Massage into scalp and hair. Rinse. Shake off excess water. Apply leave in or moisture spritz. Seal in moisture with oil from list.
Deep Conditioning
Mix about 3 heaping TBS of cholesterol conditioner with a tablespoon olive oil (or coconut oil) and about a teaspoon of honey. Mix thoroughly and apply to wet hair. Cover with plastic cap. Sit under dryer for 15-20 minutes. Or do not use heat and wear for longer. Rinse thoroughly and apply leave-in or moisture spritz. Seal in moisture with oil focusing on your ends.
Shampooing
Shampooing can really strip the moisture and natural oils from your hair so I limit how often I do it. You should test shampooing twice a month or weekly at MOST. If you want you can shampoo right before your deep conditioning treatments. You might also try diluting your shampoo with water or conditioner. Conditioner washes are great for people who workout. You can get your scalp and hair clean without stripping it and you’ll also be adding moisture.
Clarifying
Remove any buildup with either a clarifying shampoo or one of the homemade remedies: 1 part apple cider vinegar (ACV) or baking soda to 4 parts water. Massage into hair and scalp and repeat as necessary. I usually do this before deep conditioning. I like to add it onto the clean palate provided by clarifying.
Protective Styling
With the rare exception, hair is always growing from the scalp. The key to achieving the desired length and/or thickness lies in cultivating a healthy scalp AND healthy ends. Neglected ends become dry and brittle which leads to inevitable damage in the form of splits and breaking. Damaged ends can not be permanently repaired and must be cut off. Hair grows at an average rate of ½ inch to 1 inch per month. If you do not preserve your ends and must cut off a ½ inch to an inch every 1-2 months…..well, you can see where that leaves you in terms of your hair goals.
Protective Styles, when used correctly, can help you reach your goals more quickly and more healthily. A protective style is any style that protects the hair (esp. the ends) from daily wear and tear, i.e. the manipulation of combing, brushing, wind, heat, etc. For those with medium to long hair this can be achieved via bunning the hair after it has been moisturized and sealed. Braids, twists, cornbraids WHEN INSTALLED CORRECTLY can provide protective styling for those with shorter hair with or without extensions. Even wigs and weaves can be instituted as means to protect your hair. No protective style gives you a free pass or break from keeping your strands moisturized.
Special Considerations
Thickening Hair
CASTOR OIL has been said to help with thinning areas. I’d add essential oils like rosemary, peppermint, sage, ginger, and clove to the castor oil in order to really get the circulation going in that area.
MASSAGING the affected areas has also been touted. The castor oil blend from above can be massaged in.
Be careful of how tightly you tie your scarf for sleeping. The same is true for those who wrap their heads. Scarves and wraps particularly those of a more abrasive fabric can rub against the hairline and nape and create friction that can damage the hairline.
HEADBANDS and SCARVES used for creating puffs or pushing the hair back can also lead to thinning, especially around the hairline. Do not overuse this style and make sure that you are not tying your puff too tightly. Tip: If you look like you’ve had a facelift OR your eyes suddenly suggest you have Asian ancestors…the headband or scarf is TOO TIGHT. Yeah, it looks cute, but it’s damaging. Try putting a pencil or pen in as a space holder until you learn to do this style more loosely.
A more RADICAL APPROACH is to try one of the remedies that has been causing a lot of buzz in online hair communities: MTG or Mane Tale Groom by a company called Shapley’s. From everything I’ve read, it was originally created for humans and then it was discovered that it helped the mane and tails of horses. The company is now reformulating it to cut down on the rather sulfurish or baconny scent. The odor can be cut down with essential oils or adding to something else. I experimented with a small sample and found that Silk Elements Root Penetrating Oil killed the odor considerable. Some people SWEAR by MTG for thickening up their thin strands. They apply it at night. Put on a plastic cap, a scarf, hat WHATEVER in order to keep the oil from ending up on their pillowcases.
Many people have created their own versions of MTG using the correct form of sulfur in their mix. If you don’t want to go through the work of ordering and researching on your own, one odorless alternative can be had via caisha1@yahoo.com . I have yet to try this product, but others have reported getting the same results without the odor issues.
Miconazole Nitrate found in Monistat and Neosporin AF has also been said to help with thinning. I’ve also read about the use of Glovers Mane and A&D Ointment. I can’t personally vouch for these, but I have read and seen pictures that suggest positive results can be had from any product that stimulates circulation, cleanses the scalp and follicles, and nourishes the roots.
I like WILD GROWTH hair oil as a scalp treatment for growth and thickening. You can add the mentioned essential oils to it to alter the smell which some find strong.
For supplements, I suggest a good multivitamin. If you want to try a hair vitamin, Walmart sells a good one called simply, “Hair” at around $4.00. If you want to spend more, try Nioxin Recharging Complex for between $17.00 – 20.00. Hairbiotics and Phyto also sell hair vitamins that have been highly acclaimed. Both of these are pricey with Phyto being the most expensive last I checked. There is a whole world of supplements out there but I’d rather not get into that information. It’s exhaustive and each individual should consult with a physician beforehand. If you do decide to supplement, be sure to up your water intake. Many vitamins can lead to serious breakouts if not flushed through the system properly. Trust me on this one, I learned the hard way. J
Online Resources
http://www.longhaircareforum.com
http://www.qhemetbiologics.com
http://www.growafrohairlong.com
Lots of info about products and techniques!!