HELP, my braid extensions are to tight!

 It's midnight, but you cannot sleep because your scalp is throbbing. Earlier in the day, you got a set of braid extensions. You should never allow someone to intentionally braid your hair to tight. Doing so is a sure way to cause permanent hair loss.

Signs you need to leave your braid appointment

1.  If you are wincing every time she does a braid. Extensions should be secure, but not uncomfortable.

2.  If you need to take a painkiller before or during braid service. STOP!

3.  If you tell the Braider it is to tight and she continues to braid to tight. STOP!

Test the tightness of your braids. Move your braid side to side, from the root.  It should do so without causing you any pain. 

Say you got your hair braided and none of those things happened as you were getting it done. Your scalp felt fine when you left the appointment. But within a few hours or at bedtime, your scalp begins to hurt. Our muscles relax as we sleep. It is common for annoyances to be magnified when we lay down. Even to the point that it disturbs our sleep.

5 Ways to loosen tight braids

1. Spray scalp with warm water

2. Apply some cold creamy leave in conditioner to tight area. 

3. If a large portion of your scalp hurts. Run water over your scalp for about ten to 30 seconds.  

4. Rub an ice cube over sore area.

5. Rub some pure cold aloe vera gel onto scalp.

Gently massage scalp after each of these methods. 

There are times when you will need to remove the braids or weave quickly. Take this seriously. You can get "permanent" root damage. 

1. Pain still bad, after 48 hours.

REMOVE THEM!

2. White bumps  on the scalp. Those bumps are inflamed hair follicles, filled with fluid.

REMOVE THEM!

Should you Co-wash or not?

TWO TYPES OF CO WASHING

1.  Cleansing your hair  with a cheap conditioner

2.  Cleansing your hair by using a formulated cleansing conditioner or co wash

CO WASHING became very popular within the Natural Hair community around 10 years ago. Due to the drying effect of shampoo. Not long ago, most of the shampoos on the shelves were full of sulfates. Naturals became hugely aware that sulfates are extremely damaging to Afro coily hair. This made the technique of co washing the route to take. Co washing consists of replacing your shampoo with a cheap conditioner. You then would "cleanse" with the conditioner, forgoing the drying, damaging shampoo. 

THE PROBLEM WITH CO WASHING

The problem is that, conditioners do not remove, germs, old product or microbes from your hair. So all of that sits on your hair week after week, eventually clogging your hair follicles. When the hair roots are filled with products, excess sebum and microbes your hair growth slows or it falls out. 

Today you can easily find a non sulfate shampoo on the shelf. So co washing with a conditioner is no longer necessary. Co washing with a conditioner should never be used to replace shampoo. Conditioners are formulated to be applied to hair after cleansing. Not as a cleanser. 

If you want to co wash to refresh a wash and go that is good. But it should not be used for cleansing. Because conditioners do not cleanse properly. 

CONDITIONING CLEANSERS

FORMULATED CO WASHES

Lots of naturals find good benefits from using a conditioning cleanser instead of shampoo. Conditioning cleansers, will state that on the bottle. It is a product that contains cleansers in it. This is okay to use. Many times naturals use the term co washing to describe both forms. It is hard to know which type of co washing one is referring to. Some products are labeled co wash. Whether it states co wash or conditioning cleanser, it will contain some type of cleansing agent. That is what you should look for, if you decide to co wash. 

Today most shampoos are sulfate free. So co washing with a cheap conditioner is no longer needed. 

How to be shampoo free!

How to cleanse your hair without using shampoo. 

God created our hair to withstand exposure to the elements. Thus your hair can take being washed frequently, without becoming damaged. Hair, skin and nails are made up of the keratin. We  do not think twice about washing our body daily. Yet the average black woman thinks that washing Afro hair to often, will damage it. Some act as though, Afro hair is so delicate that it cannot withstand much manipulation.

Cleansing the hair does not harm it. Cleansing it with the wrong shampoo or cleanser is what causes damage. Not conditioning well after we cleanse, also causes damage. Not the washing by itself. It is important to cleanse your hair at least twice a week. This will rid the hair of germs, viruses and fungi. Hair grows best on a clean scalp.

NON SHAMPOO OPTIONS Although there are many non-sulfate shampoos on the market. Some people are not fond of shampoo. You do have other choices. Here are some of the natural cleansers I recommend to replace your traditional shampoo.

Clay:
I recommend bentonite clay or red clay. It is best to use them together. But you can also use them separately. If your hair is prone to excessive knots, tangles and dryness. Replacing your shampoo with clay is the way to go. Clay cleanses, conditions and defines your coils in one step. For a DIY clay recipe and full information about clay, go HERE.

Order here!

Hibiscus powder
Hibiscus is a gentle cleanser. If you use gel, grease or heavy oils, this might not cleanse enough for you. Add some spring or distilled water to pure hibiscus powder. Add a little at a time. You want to create a paste. Rinse your hair under warm water for 30 seconds. Apply hibiscus paste to scalp and gently massage. Smooth the paste over each hair strand. Cover with a plastic cap for 10 minutes. Rinse well with med temp water. Continue with deep conditioning. Do not use on blonde or light color hair.  It might change the color.

Soapwarts
This one is great for dandruff and itchy scalp. It is also a gentle cleanser. It is a natural cleanser that suds. But it is not harsh like bar soaps. It has a light earthy smell. Buy it in a powder form. Create a paste with distilled water. Wash hair with it and follow with deep conditioning. Find it at health food stores or HERE.

Black soap
This is an excellent all natural cleanser for the whole body. It softens, cleanses and conditions the hair, amazingly. It is cheap and long lasting. Be sure to buy only authentic black soap. MORE INFO HERE

Hair myths part 3

Braids can give you a break from incorrect manipulation. 
Thus helping you "retain" more length. 

1. Hair extensions makes your hair grow faster.
False
Hair growth happens under your scalp. No type of weaves or braids can make your hair grow faster. Blood circulation, nutrients and a healthy hair root is what makes your hair grow. This is a commonly shared myth. 


2. You need to straighten or blow out Afro hair in order to trim it properly.
False
Straightening or blow drying your hair before getting braids is a bad move for hair. Heat sucks all moisture from the hair. Then letting the fake hair sit on top of your dry hair for weeks, causes a lot of breakage. This is partly why most comb so much hair out, after they remove extensions. A good braider should be about to braid your Afro hair in its natural state. 

HEAT FREE WAYS TO STRETCH YOUR HAIR.

3. If you have low porosity hair, you cannot use butters or certain products.
False
Porosity does not dictate the types of oils or butters one can use. Most of the oils and butters sit on top of  all hair. Most times the molecular structure of the butter or oil is to big to penetrate any hair strand. To keep build up from happening, be sure to wash your hair once or twice a week. 

Water molecules can get around oils and butters.

Hear from a Chemist. 

4. The Sink Float test will tell you, your hair porosity.
False
There is a commonly shared test within the natural hair community. This test involves putting a strand of hair in a cup of water. Depending on whether your hair sinks or floats, dictates  if you are high or low porosity. This test is not accurate. So do not base your hair regimen around it and wrongly label your hair.

Faster Hair Growth With Stimulating Oil Therapy

Stimulating oils are essential oils, which increase blood flow to the scalp. Certain essential oils have the ability to stimulate each individual hair root. This increased blood flow, will give your hair a powerful growth surge. When these oils are massaged onto the scalp, on a consistent basis, they will help your hair grow faster than normal.  

BEFORE YOU BEGIN, LET YOUR LEAVE IN CONDITIONER, CHILL IN THE REFRIGERATOR. A COLD PRODUCT WILL  COOL THE HAIR DOWN,  AFTER THE HOT THERMAL CAP TREATMENT. 

The Coily Queens Regimen top 5 stimulating essential oils 

Pure Peppermint oil

Eucalyptus oil

Rosemary

Ginger oil

Tea Tree oil

 Three, easy to follow, stimulating growth oil recipes. Make one or all. 

____________________________

2 tablespoons cold pressed coconut oil
+7 drops eucalyptus oil
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BUY NOW!

2 tablespoons EVOO
+5 drops pure peppermint oil
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1 tablespoon jojoba oil 
+ 3 drops rosemary oil

GREAT DEAL ON JOJOBA OIL!

HOW TO USE

1. Lightly scratch all over your scalp once.
2. Apply your stimulating oil blend (each recipe is one application)
3. Massage scalp in circular motions for a full ten minutes. (do not rinse out)
4. Cover hair with Thermal Heat Cap for 10 minutes.

Pydana Thermal Heat Cap
Get more information HERE

5. Apply your (chilled) leave in conditioner. Finish setting hair as needed. 

Do this 3 times a week.
Enjoy a powerful increase in your hair growth. Visible results in 3 to 7 weeks.

Black owned hair vitamins!

Growing your hair to waist length and beyond, requires the help of a good quality hair vitamin. It helps immensely to take a hair skin and nail vitamin, while on your hair growth journey. Cooking your foods with high heat, destroys the nutrients. A quality hair skin and nail supplement helps to makes up for those lost nutrients. 

When beginning a new hair vitamin, purchase a 90 day supply. It takes 3 months to see the best hair growth results. Therefore, spend your dollars with black owned companies. It is important that we support those who support us. Support  black owned companies  who work hard to deliver us quality products. Those black companies who have respect for our hair.

If we support black owned businesses on a regular basis. We do not have to worry much about them being brought out by larger companies.

Here are 3 black owned hair companies that  sell good HSN vitamins. Measure your length in 3 places and write it on a calendar. Wait 40 then measure again. Keep track of your growth every 30 days. If you do not track your growth then you have no ideal how well it is working or not. 

The Mane Choice hair vitamins 

CVS & Target

Camille Rose Super foods hair vitamins

Order HERE

Liquid hair vitamins by Curls

Find this at CVS & Target

Vee's top 5 products (Updated)

My last list was created in 2016.. You can see my old list HERE. I still love those items. However 3  have been knocked out of first place.

HERE WE GO!

1. BEST LEAVE IN CONDITIONER 

Camille Rose Curlaide

This has knocked the Shea moisture smoothie out of first place. This thick whipped butter does duo duty as a styler and moisturizer. A little goes a long way and it is long lasting. Black owned makes it even better.

Buy now

2. BEST MSM HAIR GROWTH OIL

Liquid Gold Sulfur oil

Still hands down the best sulfur oil that increases your hair growth.  Pure MSM sulfur infused in the best natural oils you can use on your hair. No cheap fillers!

Buy now!

3. BEST DEEP CONDITIONER 

Mielle Babassu oil mint deep conditioner

This awesome conditioner functions as a protein conditioner as well. The ingredients are good and it is black owned. Give it a try!

Find at CVS, Target and the Beauty supply store.

4. BEST CLEANSER 

Organic Black soap

Replace your shampoo with an all natural product. You will notice softer, curlier hair after the 3rd wash. It cleanses deep without stripping your sebum. You have less tangles and knots. 

Buy here

5. BEST SEALANT

Kuza Indian Hemp grease

Yes it is grease and I think it is fabulous. It gives my hair sheen and helps my flat irons to last longer. Still on my list for when I flat iron ONLY!

Find at CVS or buy HERE