Natural Hair Care: Fall/Winter Regimen

It’s that time of year again and here in Florida the weather is so unpredictable but usually around this time of year it gets outrageous! At 630a it’s 45 degrees and then by the end of the day it’s a cool 71. The dry air can cause your coils to become dry and brittle, therefore it is essential to protect and prevent damage to your hair during these seasons with heavier products. Butters like Shea, Mango, Cocoa or Shealoe are great. Oils can range from light such as coconut to heavy such as castor oil, so consider switching them up or try some combinations during the cooler weather.

Cold weather can cause dry, itchy skin and scalp from a lack of moisture which can lead to dry, limp hair. So stay hydrated (inside and out), stash your summer products, and be sure to deep condition and to do protein treatments as needed. Cover your curls with hats or scarfs and wear them in protective styles as much as possible, also try to find shampoo that’s specific to your hair type and rich in ceramides but try to avoid washing your curls too often this can also lead to dry brittle hair.

While doing my research for this post I found that the heating systems used indoors during the cold months are also damaging to our curls. The systems can cause our curls to lose moisture and make them dull; some have found that using a humidifier can work well in overcoming this issue because it introduces moisture into the atmosphere. You can also try leaving a pot of steaming water on the stove for the same effect. Split ends become more noticeable during the fall and winter months, and the best way to treat them is limiting how much you handle your hair, use of heating devices and harsh chemicals. Heat can damage the structure of your hair and causes the loss of ceramides which is essential to bounding hair cells, reducing split ends and repairing hair fibers. Try to avoid excessive heat even in the shower and when washing your curls use warm/cool water.

Here is a sample of my Fall/Winter Regimen--

·         Wash as needed with shampoo (once or twice a month)

·         Stretch

·         No combs or brushes—FINGERS ONLY!

·         Twists 95%

·         Oil every day

·         Moisturize every 3 days

·         Protective styling

·         Satin bonnet, scarf, pillowcase EVERY NIGHT no exceptions!!

Detailed regimen- -

1.       Apply oil to my hair (finger detangle during this process), then  Lustrasilk or Queen Helene’s conditioner without a plastic cap for 1 to 2 hours

2.       Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, allow water to fully saturate hair

3.       Divide hair into sections (2 to 4)

4.       Shampoo hair one section at a time, rinsing thoroughly

5.       Apply a conditioner that has great “slip”, which is Hello Hydration usually for me, to both sides

6.       Allow the water to run over my entire head to help with the distribution of the conditioner. Rinse thoroughly AGAIN!

7.       Wrap hair in a cotton t-shirt, apply coconut oil and twist

Natural Hair Care: “Going Natural”

Transitioning without the Big Chop

Deciding to wear YOUR natural hair is among one of the biggest decisions in your life. It’s likely that anyone you inform of your decision will have an opinion be it positive or negative.  Therefore it is VERY important to remember to stay strong, understand that there is A LOT of information out here about natural hair but it’s most important to do your own research. Natural hair blogs such as this are strictly informational, no two heads are alike (even if you share the same hair type) so do your own research on products, MOISTURIZE and PROTECT!

Transitioning without the big chop is a process that allows you to retain some length. Most naturals would say that the most difficult part of the process is styling and maintaining the two textures of hair. For many this is the reason for the big chop, avoiding the transitioning process completely. I’ll share with you some of the tips I learned during my transition, some may work for you and some wont but having the basic information helps. These few tips will become a staple in caring for your curls.

1. Limit the use of shampoo. Co-washing is the process of cleansing the hair without the use of shampoo which is loaded with harsh chemicals that aren’t ideal for natural hair. If you must use a shampoo choose a sulfate free brand.
2. Deep condition regularly, at least 2x a week. This can be done with heat for 15-30 mins or without for an hour or longer. This process allows for added moisture which is VERY important in the maintenance of natural hair.
3. Detangling with conditioner, starting with ends of the hair. Never attempt this process on dry hair rather you are transitioning or fully natural. Using a good conditioner with slip is ideal to help ease the detangling process for those like me (tender headed). Some naturals like me have graduated to finger detangling, eliminating the use of combs and the amount of hair shed.
4. Protective Styling. This is perhaps one of the most important tips to maintaining healthy natural hair, after moisturizing. Some common styles are comb coils, flat twist, two strand twist, twist outs, braids/braid outs, crinkle/ straw sets and the list goes on….
5. Minimize how much you have to handle your hair and trim your ends.  Your hair is more fragile than usual during this process. Personally, I have what I like to call “restless hand syndrome” where I’m constantly twirling my hair on my fingers or pulling out those single knots, which lead to breakage.  Also, invest in a satin bonnet or pillowcase and in some cases you’ll need both.
6. Last but definitely not least. Avoid flat ironing or pressing the new growth or your fully natural hair. This can completely and permanently alter your curl pattern. Possibly delaying the process of transitioning my now making it three textures of hair, your relaxed hair, new growth and the straightened hair. This can also make your curls prone to breakage and severe damage.

Good luck and Happy Transitioning!!!

Natural Hair Care Workshop: Notes

Mrs. Tonya firmly believes that your hair is just an extension of your body and should be taken care of the same way you would the rest of you. “If you can’t do it to the rest of your body don’t do it to your hair,” this will be my motto for transforming my natural hair into a lifestyle for me and my family. The majority of the workshop provided us with information on maintaining natural hair naturally; essential oils, natural cleansers, essential fatty acids and vitamins.

Mrs. Tonya’s Top 5 Essential Oils

Jojoba

Sweet Almond

Sunflower

Apricot

Olive Oil

I’m familiar with 3 of the essential oils being used in natural hair but I haven’t seen much about Sunflower or Apricot. Per my research, sunflower oil has an abundance of minerals, vitamins and fatty acids, it makes the hair soft and shiny, prevents dryness and fizziness making hair easier to manage; it can be applied directly to the scalp or as a conditioner. Apricot oil also helps in making hair soft and shiny; it moisturizes and nourishes the hair root as well as the hair; regular application of organic apricot kernel oil is known to promote hair growth.

Base Oils

Peanut

Safflower

Sesame

Avocado

Borage Seed

Soy Bean

Sweet Almond

Apricot

Jojoba

Shampooing is the removal of dirt and oil residue from the scalp for therefore it’s all that’s really needed when maintaining natural hair because the hair itself will get clean. Some great natural scalp cleansers are Apple Cider Vinegar, Aloe Vera, Olive Oil and Baking Soda; these can be used to the clean the hair and scalp without stripping it of nutrients. ACV has been used for many years as a powerful astringent to aid in controlling dandruff and preventing the scalp from becoming scaly or itchy. Vitamins are also essential in promoting hair growth, a daily multivitamin helps and more specifically B vitamins such as Brewer’s Yeast, Biotin and B12. The yeast is what’s left over after the brewing process and contains a mix of B vitamins that are a good source of the mineral selenium which is effective in slowing down graying hair and minimizing breakage. Brewer’s yeast is an excellent source of Biotin which is a B-complex vitamin that is the building block of hair cells in the body. Hair cells are the most active of cells and need enough biotin to be to keep with the division and regeneration of hair cells. B vitamins also are nutrients that improve blood circulation to the scalp which helps to improve the overall strength of the hair follicle. Essential fatty acids or EFAs are fatty acids that the human body cannot make and therefore must be received by proper food intake. Health experts have found that the right quantities help in improving the sheen and luster of your hair.

Natural Hair Care Workshop

On Saturday, July 30th I attended a natural hair care workshop offered by Mrs. Tonya the owner of TruRoots salon here in Jacksonville, Fl.  I’ve seen them offered in other states for $100-$500 to attend, like the seminars offered by Marquetta Breslin CEO & Founder of BraidsbyBreslin.com.  The workshop Saturday was priced for $50 each; which some would still consider expensive but we received some very good information and it allowed us to meet and mingle with other naturals. I received some information that will be beneficial to the treatment of my boyfriend’s Seborrheic Dermatitis. Mrs. Tonya provided me with some tips on treating the disease naturally by using essential oils such as Rose Hip Seed oil on his scalp and avoiding products that can aggravate or induce the problem like those that contain petroleum or mineral oils.

The workshop started with educating us on our culture and how the love of our hair influenced us; showing the pictures drawn on cave walls of elaborate hairstyles. We also watched a video titled “African Hair and Its Significance: Connecting to Our Spirit” that further drove home why we spend so much time and money on our hair; it’s embedded in us as a people. Many tribes believed our hair was an extension to Christ, a gift from God that should we should cherish and treat with TLC. I learned something that I didn’t know about our history which is that we’ve worn weaves and wigs prior to our recent history but then they used vegetables fibers as extensions. Mrs. Tonya also told us to two natural hair books that she referred to as natural hair bibles, Hairlocking: Everything You Need to Know by Nekhena Evans and “No Lye! The African-American Guide to Natural Hair Care” by Tulani Kinard; she stated that these were the only books available during her time of natural hair, these are books that every natural hair wearer and stylist should have.

We also went over the natural hair products that are on the market now and she said something I never thought about; that these companies where making hair care products for relaxed hair prior to starting a natural hair line and that their products aren’t natural but marketing towards those individuals. Therefore, the only way to ensure that you’re not putting harsh chemicals into your hair is to make your old products w/o adding preservatives and but only making a batch or two to ensure they don’t go bad. Some places to purchase natural products, essential oils or butters are New Directions that specializes in customization, From Nature with Love, Adio Akil who has a product line called Praises and Taalid Waajid now has a line of products that includes a children’s line, named Black Earth Products.

This is just a brief overview of some of the things we discussed and although the workshop was a success and I don’t feel like I wasted money; there were something’s I would have loved to seen included. For example, I would’ve loved to have gotten some hands on experience learning the basics in styling natural hair. I would like to possibly have a natural hair meetup in Jacksonville that would provide that for newly natural and transitioning sistahs and for those sisters that would just like to mingle.

Now here come the questions: How would I get the word out? Who would I invite as guest, speakers, and vendors or for product giveaways?  

Look for the interview with TRU Roots owner Mrs. Tonya coming soon....