If you grew up in a traditional African American household,a jar of hair grease was never too far away. Oiling the scalp with thick grease was thought to be a staple of any good hair care regimen. Today, experts advise against oiling the scalp, but many African American women still believe that hair grease is a part of obtaining healthy hair. Unfortunately, oiling the scalp does not promote hair growth and can actually stunt hair growth significantly.
One of the problems with oiling your scalp has to do with the type of oil used. Hair grease (examples include Bergamot, Blue Magic, Ultra Sheen, and TCB) is usually made of petrolatum, mineral oil, and/or lanolin. Those substances create a heavy barrier on your scalp and hair. When you oil your scalp with hair grease, it just sits on top of the skin, clogging your pores and hair follicles. This "grease barrier" also makes it difficult for water and other moisturizers to penetrate your hair and scalp. So, hair grease should definitely be avoided, but grease isn't the only reason to stop oiling your scalp.
Putting any type of oil on your scalp can cause or worsen dandruff. Dandruff is caused by a type of fungus called Malassezia. Doctors don't really know how dandruff starts but they believe it's linked to oily skin and infrequent hair washing. Continuing to put oil on dandruff flakes feeds the fungus and aggravates the condition. To quickly rid yourself of dandruff, use an anti-dandruff shampoo. The Hair Liberty Boutique offers effective options that are gentle on your hair.
If you are someone who applies oil regularly, it's probably because you're trying to moisturize your hair and scalp. It's true, your scalp does need to be moisturized (just like the rest of your skin), but you take care of that when you wash and condition your hair.
Give yourself a scalp massage instead
A healthy scalp is soft, flake-free, and not oily - just like the skin on your face. If you cannot break the habit of oiling your scalp, just shift your efforts from oiling to massaging. Massaging your scalp can slowly stimulate hair growth, especially in areas that have thinned due to tight hairstyles like weaves and braids.
Follow these easy steps:
Step 1: Start by avoiding products that contain large amounts (first five ingredients) of mineral oil, petrolatum, or lanolin.
Step 2: Replace hair grease with pure, natural oils like coconut, olive, avocado, castor, or jojoba oil.
Step 3: Use about 1 tablespoon of oil to lubricate the area of your scalp that you plan to massage. For an extra boost, add 2 drops each of rosemary, lavender, cedarwood, and thyme essential oil.
Step 4: Apply the oil, keeping your fingers planted and moving them in a circular motion. Just like when you get a light back rub or shoulder massage. Don't scratch!
Step 5: To stimulate hair growth, massage for 2-5 minutes daily or as often as possible.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
For those considering going natural...
by Danielle of Long Natural Hair Care
I’m honestly surprised at how often I am asked this question by future-naturals. I love being asked for advice and helping when I can, but this question is so personal it’s really hardly my place to say. In the past I have answered this question with something evasive yet friendly…but now that feels like too much of a cop out. In my first go round as a natural, I did a big chop after a 6 month transition taking me from below bra-strap length up to a little afro. In my second (and final) conversion back to natural, I did a long transition of almost 2 years.
While it’s true, only YOU can determine whether you should transition or do a big chop, there are some important things to consider when making your decision.
How do you usually wear your hair?
If you’re constantly keeping your natural hair braided up under wigs or weaves, or you wear braided extensions for the majority of the time, then you could easily transition this way or do a big chop (depending on your natural hair length) and be fine either way.
If you wear your hair out mostly, straightened or in various other styles without added hair, or without hiding your hair regularly, then you have a big decision to make.
How much energy are you willing to put into your hair?
If you enjoy washing, detangling, deep conditioning, applying treatments, moisturizing, braiding, twisting, and otherwise styling your hair and are patient enough to delicately handle both textures as you grow your relaxed hair ends out, then I’d say go for the transition.
If you are impatient, and hair-lazy, or not confident in your styling skills, then I’d say hide your hair for your transition or do a big chop.
Do you have length issues?
This one is a no brainer. If you are not ready to deal with short hair, go for a long transition. If you’re excited for a new look and short length, BC!
How patient are you?
If you’re anxious to (re)discover your natural texture and type, then by all means BC. If you can wait, and are happy with your relaxed ends weighing down your hair pattern while it grows out, then transition to fully natural.
Other questions to ask yourself before you pick up the scissors are:
Do I know enough about hair care to make a big change? – If the answer is no, then read and research before doing anything drastic.
Do I want to go natural for ME? – If the answer is no, think hard on it, journal your feelings, list the pros and cons for you, and reconsider your motives.
Do I have a backup plan? – Even if you’re 100% gung ho, and you do a big chop, you may be in for a shock. Do you have a backup plan in place? Wigs, scarves, a hair braider you can trust? etc.. Be sure to know what your plan B is before you big chop.
These are just a few of the relevant questions that come to mind when determining whether or not a BC or transition is right for you. Only you can determine what’s right for your lifestyle and your temperament. I know people say “it’s only hair” but this is a big decision and should not be encountered lightly. Best of luck on your journey!
Did you BC or Transition? Are you happy with your decision?
I’m honestly surprised at how often I am asked this question by future-naturals. I love being asked for advice and helping when I can, but this question is so personal it’s really hardly my place to say. In the past I have answered this question with something evasive yet friendly…but now that feels like too much of a cop out. In my first go round as a natural, I did a big chop after a 6 month transition taking me from below bra-strap length up to a little afro. In my second (and final) conversion back to natural, I did a long transition of almost 2 years.
While it’s true, only YOU can determine whether you should transition or do a big chop, there are some important things to consider when making your decision.
How do you usually wear your hair?
If you’re constantly keeping your natural hair braided up under wigs or weaves, or you wear braided extensions for the majority of the time, then you could easily transition this way or do a big chop (depending on your natural hair length) and be fine either way.
If you wear your hair out mostly, straightened or in various other styles without added hair, or without hiding your hair regularly, then you have a big decision to make.
How much energy are you willing to put into your hair?
If you enjoy washing, detangling, deep conditioning, applying treatments, moisturizing, braiding, twisting, and otherwise styling your hair and are patient enough to delicately handle both textures as you grow your relaxed hair ends out, then I’d say go for the transition.
If you are impatient, and hair-lazy, or not confident in your styling skills, then I’d say hide your hair for your transition or do a big chop.
Do you have length issues?
This one is a no brainer. If you are not ready to deal with short hair, go for a long transition. If you’re excited for a new look and short length, BC!
How patient are you?
If you’re anxious to (re)discover your natural texture and type, then by all means BC. If you can wait, and are happy with your relaxed ends weighing down your hair pattern while it grows out, then transition to fully natural.
Other questions to ask yourself before you pick up the scissors are:
Do I know enough about hair care to make a big change? – If the answer is no, then read and research before doing anything drastic.
Do I want to go natural for ME? – If the answer is no, think hard on it, journal your feelings, list the pros and cons for you, and reconsider your motives.
Do I have a backup plan? – Even if you’re 100% gung ho, and you do a big chop, you may be in for a shock. Do you have a backup plan in place? Wigs, scarves, a hair braider you can trust? etc.. Be sure to know what your plan B is before you big chop.
These are just a few of the relevant questions that come to mind when determining whether or not a BC or transition is right for you. Only you can determine what’s right for your lifestyle and your temperament. I know people say “it’s only hair” but this is a big decision and should not be encountered lightly. Best of luck on your journey!
Did you BC or Transition? Are you happy with your decision?
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