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Healthy Hair Growth: Starts at the scalp

Posted by Alisha Walker · December 08, 2021

All About Hair: Start At The Scalp For Healthy Hair Growth

Did you know that maintaining a healthy scalp is essential for the overall growth and health of your hair? Your scalp is responsible for sending sebum [natural oils] and nutrients along the hair shaft resulting in hair that is properly hydrated and nourished.

How many of you exfoliate your scalp? Did you know that exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells, product buildup, as well as excess sebum? Dead skin cells, buildup and the likes can all cause inflammation [aka; an itchy, flaky scalp], which can later lead to thinning hair, and even hair loss [in fact, inflammation is one of the number one causes of hair loss in women today].

Another culprit for hair loss is products loaded with PETROLEUM. Petroleum "seals" off the scalp, thus trapping dead skin, bacteria, and perspiration under the layer of petroleum, which can also result in inflammation of the scalp; and later hair loss.

What Can You Do?

Pre-Shampoo - A pre-shampoo treatment is necessary as shampoo is water-soluble, therefore it will not remove sebum [sebum is oil-soluble], toxins, and pollutants that are lodged in your hair follicle. Oil dissolves oil, in our case; the oil from your pre-shampoo treatment will dissolve excess sebum, and other oil soluble residue on your scalp. [pre-shampoo 1x weekly]

Tip: Formulate your Pre-Shampoo treatment with herbal infused oils to deliver nutrients deep inside the hair shaft, as this will strengthen the hair and nourish the follicle.

Here's A Great Pre-Shampoo Recipe:

Add 1/2 cup Coconut Oil to a Crock Pot set on low; drop in 1 teaspoon each of the following herbs: Horsetail, Rosemary, Sage, and Burdock Root. Allow herbs to steep in the oil for about 20-30 minutes. Remove the herbs from the oil and let cool. Apply herbal infused coconut oil to unwashed, dry hair and follow your normal pre-shampoo routine.

About This Formulation:

Horsetail: Purported to speed hair growth, clear skin inflammations, and strengthen hair follicles
Rosemary: Rosemary is purported to stop hair loss, add sheen, and impart shine and nutrients
Sage: Sage is great for clearing up skin inflammations Burdock: Imparts shine, strengthens hair at the follicle, and nourishes hair with essential fatty acids

Exfoliate Your Scalp Once Weekly - You can also gently exfoliate your scalp in lieu of pre conditioning treatments.

Here's A Great Scalp Exfoliant Recipe:

Mix 2 Tablespoons of Brown Sugar + 5 tablespoons of Jojoba Oil and 2 drops of Tea Tree Oil in a small bowl. Massage the exfoliant mixture gently onto scalp with the balls of your fingertips [do not scratch] for about 1-2 minutes. Rinse well with cold water, then follow up with an ACV rinse to remove any additional product residue.[exfoliate 1x weekly]

Nourish & Stimulate Growth

Scalp Massages - Massage your scalp at least three times weekly with the balls of your fingertips for about 10 minutes, as it stimulates blood flow to the follicles and promotes hair growth. Using a natural bristle brush, brush your hair to distribute natural oils along the hair shaft. Brushing your hair stimulates the scalp as well.

Enrich Your Scalp Massage Oil With Nourishing Essential Oil

Add 3 drops each of the following essential oils to 1/4 cup of Jojoba Oil: Tea Tree, Rosemary, Lavender. Mix well then add 3 drops of Vitamin E oil. Add to a dark amber bottle, and store in a cool location.

Tip: Store all products formulated with a large amount of essential oils in dark, amber colored bottles. As light has a tendency to damage essential oils. Storing your formulation is bottles is also recommended, as essential oils can degrade plastic containers.

About This Formulation:

Jojoba Oil: Jojoba Oil is non-greasy and most closely resembles the skin's sebum. It's antibacterial properties help to clear and prevent skin inflammation on the scalp. Purported to help aid in speeding up hair growth. Removes the buildup of sebum and other oil-soluble buildup.
Tea Tree Oil: This natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal essential oil is highly effective when it comes to preventing skin inflammation, and keeping bacteria at bay.
Lavender Oil: Stimulates circulation which aids in hair growth, and also helps eliminate drandruff
Rosemary Oil: This essential oil nourishes the scalp, slows down premature hair loss, imparts mega-shine, and also helps eliminate and prevent skin inflammations.
Vitamin E oil heals the scalp, and also helps protect the hair shaft from harsh environmental elements

6 Ways To Blow Dry Natural Hair for Maximum Results

Posted by Alisha Walker · December 08, 2021

If blow drying your tresses is giving you the blues, try employing one [or hopefully all] of these methods for a hassle free styling experience. Improper blow drying techniques can lead to brittle, dry, and lifeless hair! The key to using heat without "heat damage" is using it in moderation, as utilizing proper techniques.

+ Do not blow dry sopping wet hair! Blow drying hair that is dripping wet will lead to dry, damaged hair. Carefully towel dry hair in sections using a microfiber towel prior to blow drying. When towel drying, be sure to "squeeze" not rub to avoid breakage and unnecessary tangles.

+ Use a heat protectant! I always use a heat protectant when thermal styling, and I swear by Aveda Brilliant Damage Control. Good heat protectants have proteins that bind to your hair shaft that acts as a barrier to prevent heat damage.

+ Watch your heat setting! I normally blow dry on low heat with a high power setting. Kinky hair has a tendency to be a little on the drier side, so blow drying on high heat should really be a no-no.

+ Blow dry hair until 75% dry, then sit under a dryer to dry the remainder of your hair. I prefer this method versus blow drying my hair until it's 100% dry because it makes for much softer hair. Another plus is that you cut down on the amount of direct heat that is applied to your hair. This technique is also beneficial to those have been less than successful at air drying. Blow drying first gives your hair that "smooth" appearance, and drying under a hooded dryer the remainder of the way gives your hair the soft "air dryed" feeling [minus the crunch or kink factors]

+ Hold the blow dryer 5-6 inches away from your hair when blow drying. Again, the key here is to avoid heat damage. Holding the dryer too close to your hair can also lead to issues with your scalp as well [dry, flaking].

DIY: How to get Smooth Whipped Shea Butter When It’s Grainy

Posted by Lashawn · June 15, 2020

A problem some may have run into when making whipped Shea butter is grainy Shea butter. Gritty/ grainy Shea butter is Shea butter that has what feels like, little tiny balls mixed into it. The “grit” melts into the skin within seconds but, can be annoying if you’re trying to make a smooth and creamy mixture. […]

The post DIY: How to get Smooth Whipped Shea Butter When It’s Grainy first appeared on Demetrion Ware.

Top 6 Natural Hair Myths! Is Natural Hair Really That Bad?

Posted by Lashawn · June 14, 2020

So you’ve heard all the news about going natural and you want to see what’s it all about, right? Well, first, lets bust some natural hair myths! We’ll call them natural hair myths. These are the lies or “theories” or even “old wives tales” that have been passed down for generations about black hair and […]

The post Top 6 Natural Hair Myths! Is Natural Hair Really That Bad? first appeared on Demetrion Ware.

Bentonite Clay: Natural Hair Secret Weapon, What is it and How to use it? (Read Time: 3 min)

Posted by Demetrion Ware · February 08, 2020

What Is Bentonite Clay?

Benefits of Using Bentonite Clay on Natural Hair

When it comes to hair, NCBI states that bentonite clay has been used in Iran and other places around the world as a go-to hair cleanser and softener. The effects of bentonite on human hair haven’t been scientifically assessed, but there are records that show bentonite actually aids growth on sheep wool.

Despite this, there is evidence that supports bentonite being beneficial to skin⁠—meaning it can positively affect a scalp. Bentonite has been seen to diminish poison ivy and poison oak rashes (as well as other forms of allergy-related contact dermatitis in North America), which is great news for the dry and irritated scalps that can sometimes accompany natural hair types. It can also create a protective barrier or help heal minor wounds, so you can experience a little relief from itchiness.

How to Use It

When your mask is ready, apply it to your hair in sections. This can be done to clean, damp, or wet hair, but the most important part is that you evenly saturate all of your hair. Keeping a spray bottle handy will allow you to spritz any section that may dry before you finish working the mask through.

Image result for bentonite clay on natural hair before after

Once your hair is fully coated, you can either leave it as is or cover your head with a plastic cap to trap in the heat for extra penetration. A hooded dryer or steamer can also be used. You should wait about 25 minutes before proceeding to the next step.

Rinsing the hair and scalp properly is of utmost importance since you’re trying to cleanse the follicle sebum from your scalp to get to the hair follicle.

Deep Conditioner with Bentonite Clay and Rhassoul Clay

“Rinsing the hair and scalp properly is of utmost importance since you’re trying to cleanse the follicle sebum from your scalp to get to the follicle,” says certified trichologist Liana Robinson of Y.O.U Hair Wellness & Lifestyle Spa. She also advises using a certified food grade bentonite clay, which helps to improve hair’s absorption of nutrients.