Do you want your hair to be healthy and grow to its full potential?
Have you tried product after product with no results? Well boo, maybe it’s time
to look at your hair care regimen. This blog contains 4 basic steps to get you
on track to a healthy hair regimen without wasting your precious time &
money.
Taking into consideration that you are moderately healthy
with minimal internal disturbances (i.e internal illness, alopecia etc.) your hair woes could
be due to a lack of a consistent hair regimen.
First things first, let me drop a little research knowledge.
According to author and black hair extraordinaire Audrey Davis-Sivasothy, (The
Science of Black hair, 2012,p60-64), there are three categories of maintenance, Recessive,
Basic, and Health Hair Care. Below is a paraphrasing of what each category means in laymen’s
terms.
- Recessive maintenance- Someone who falls into this category has greater damage than progress. The hair does not retain length and may become thinner overtime due to external damage. Causes of external damage could be over processing (bleaching, overlapping relaxer application) excessive manipulation (brushing, combing) and usage of extreme direct heat on weak hair.
- Basic maintenance- Someone who falls into this category, is somewhat conscious of their hair routine but fail to properly keep up with a consistence regimen. Your damage and progress are equal resulting in hair remaining at the same length (not by choice). Not a lot of damage but not a lot of length retention.
- Healthy Hair- This is our ultimate goal no matter your ethnicity or hair type. Someone who falls into category is able reach the maximum progress through a consistent healthy hair regimen to which damage is minimal.
Okay B, we get it, but what’s the secret.
Well dear, the secret is simple: consistency & patience. To start off set a
day of the week to which you have time to through follow the steps below and stick to
it!
Grab a pen, your calendar and let’s get to regimen building.
:
Step 1: Cleansing Weekly (1x a week for shampoo users- unless you are a swimmer.. strongly suggest a sulfate-free shampoo for beginner builders)
Alternative: Conditioner “Co-Wash”, Apple Cider Vinegar, Clay Wash
For me: A shampoo is a must, to remove any debris, product build-up etc and to keep my scalp happy. Alternatively, there are folks who either opt for no-poo OR co-washing, but keep in mind
regardless of your cleansing method some type of clarifying will be needed at least once
a month. Keep your washing method consistent.
Step 2: ****Deep Conditioning Weekly ****(VERY IMPORTANT)
Alternative: pre-shampoo “Pre-Poo
Treatment, hot oil treatment, co-washing
For me: Typically I deep condition after every wash, with a cream based
product designed for deep conditioning. I do slip up from time to time, but what I
have started doing is using a deep conditioner that doubles as a leave in (killing
two birds with one stone). For the maximum results sit under a hooded dryer for
15 minutes.
Step 3: Apply the appropriate Leave-in and/or an Oil
For me: Since I like to keep it simple…wash, deep condition and style in
1.5 hours or less, I combine steps 3 & 4. I am currently using Shea
Moisture Restorative Conditioner which works as a leave in, then I seal with an
Oil (either Olive Oil, Coconut oil, my throwback Africa’s Best OR Jinsa Essential
Honey & Shea oil)
Step 4: Re-Moisturize everyone 2-3 days (maintain a between wash day routine)
For me: I always make sure to sleep on a satin pillow case or wear my satin bonnet. I re-moisturize by spritzing water all over to dampen my hair and seal with an oil.
A blee, a blee, that's all folks!! Of course you will need to tweak the process to fit your
lifestyle, hair and budget. But keep in mind a consistent cleansing and deep conditioning
routine is the best way to maintain and see results (and PATIENCE of course).
There is no miracle product…stay tuned and over the next weeks I will discuss how I go
about my regimen in detail and some of my product selection techniques.
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