Let's Talk Hair: Caring For Your O'Natural

There are many ways you can care for your hair during your journey to O'Natural. You can go with a traditional regimen using some of your favorite products, you can opt for all natural products, and you can even take the Ayurvedic route. No matter which regimen you choose, the things you must remember are:

• Proper Detangling Techniques: (Detangle prior to wetting). This is essential in reducing the amount of hair lost, and more importantly increasing the amount of length retained. Detangling prior to wetting the hair is easier on the hair shaft [as hair is in it's most fragile state when wet], which means no more splits, knots and breakage from detangling. Always detangle with a seamless wide-tooth comb. If you're on a budget, you can pick up the Jilbere shower comb which is a favorite of mine. They retail for under $2 at Sally's
• Pre Shampoo Conditioning Treatment: Sulfates in shampoos, and synthetic ingredients found in many hair care products can really take a toll on highly textured hair, leaving it brittle, dry, and lifeless. Pre-conditioning involves conditioning the hair prior to shampooing it. What this does is re-hydrate thirsty hair, helping it to retain more moisture after shampooing, and throughout the styling process.
• Shampoo hair in sections: It may take an additional 5-10 min, but you will definitely appreciate the benefits. Shampooing hair in sections ensures you get your scalp clean, and keeps your hair neat which prevents knots, matting and excessive tangles. Keep the stress low on the hair follicles: (avoid tight buns, ponytails, and tight braids)
Deep conditioning regularly: Hair that is highly textured needs regular conditioning intervals to help replenish lost moisture and nutrients to keep it healthy and promote hair growth. Deep conditioning the hair weekly prevents breakage from dryness, corrects issues with elasticity, nourishes the hair follicles and promotes hair growth. Keeping highly textured hair moisturized is key for maintaining, thick, healthy hair. - You can choose to deep condition with heat (using one of those inexpensive soft bonnet dryers), or by using your own body heat generated from your scalp (just cover your head with a plastic cap).
Keep your hair moisturized: Replenishing moisture levels throughout the week makes for happy, healthy, soft, touchable, manageable hair throughout the entire week. Often, when hair is stiff, brittle, or excessively dry before weeks end, it is due to the lack of moisture. - Keeping hair moisturized also helps prevent breakage from dryness and keeps your strands lubricated which helps keep the tips of your strands from forming knots/tangles.
Lay off excessive heat: Excessive heat breaks down the Keratin bonds in your hair which could cause breakage and overly porous hair (overly porous hair does not retain moisture well)
Monitor Temperatures if you do decide to use heat: Always make sure you are using the appropriate heat setting for your hair type.
Go easy on products that contain alcohol: (gels, setting lotions, hair sprays): These products can dry out your hair leaving it brittle, the ends split, and your strands lacking moisture.
Keep your hair protected at night: Sleep with the use of a satin bonnet, or on a satin pillowcase, not only will this help protect your strands from breakage, but it will also help stretch the life of your hair style.

Keeping these basic principles in mind will foster healthy hair and also keep you motivated as you start to see the health of your hair improve and also start to notice growth. Some essential tools you need on your journey are:

• Wide tooth comb: For detangling
• Soft/hard bonnet dryer: For deep conditioning
• Conditioner
• Ouchless rubberbands
• Moisturizing Shampoo
• Clarifying/Chelating Shampoo ( you can also use ACV as a natural clarifying shampoo)
• Natural Oil: For sealing moisture in your hair, I recommend Grapeseed, Jojoba, Coconut or Castor
• Styling aid: For doing styles like twist outs or braid outs. You can use hair butters like AfroVeda Totally Twisted Ginger Almond butter, Miss Jessies Curly Pudding, Shea Moisture curl smoothie, or you can opt to create your own butter using your favorite natural elements.

Healthy care = Healthy Hair

credits: info found at http://www.themoptopmaven.com/