Nontoxic Deep conditioning Tips for your difficult hair

Balancing moisture into your hair without stripping more moisture or shedding more hair is important. 

Do you find random hairs in your comb, on your shirt, on your sinks and on your bathroom floors? If you are finding hair everywhere as you comb or brush your hair? You may have a problem with hair breakage. Many at times we experience dilemma when transitioning from relaxed hair look to a more natural textured hair type in area regarding what products works best for our hair type without overly drying it out; Finding styles that works with your hair texture could also be a problem, I know it is for me at times until recently while experimenting when i found a style and organic products that works best for my hair & its shape.

Hair is not a living fiber but your scalp does have living tissue and are porous enough to absorb what you put on it, so therefore it is priority that you avoid products containing harmful chemical ingredients. Hair once damaged cannot heal or be permanently repaired, any damage your hair experienced is permanent and cumulative so applying more hair products to repair it doesn’t fix the damage incurred but it can help it look better and more presentable. Hair needs water to maintain its elasticity, or ability to stretch so it’s advised you use water-based product to get great moisture. Deep conditioning moisturizers are simply products that are water-based and nourish your hair deep within the strand. Products with moisturizing properties tend to be your deep conditioners and other specific moisturizer sprays or creams. Moisturizers may also contain large amounts of protein, but these protein based moisturizers do not have the moisturizing benefit that moisture-based moisturizers have. Check labels to gauge protein content. Good  deep moisturizers will not contain cheap, filler ingredients like petrolatum, mineral oil, or lanolin. Avoid products that claim moisturizing benefits and contain these ingredients. There is nothing moisturizing about them! Petrolatum and mineral oil are sealants that seal out the precious moisture our hair needs.

Sealing in moisture into Hair:
Our hair naturally contains moisture, but because our hair is also naturally porous, keeping the moisture inside is important as well as adding on external moisture supplementation. Water molecules and natural moisture from these supplemental moisturizing can be easily absorbed by the hair shaft under favorable condition.
REMEMBER! Oils DO NOT Moisturize hair; maybe olive oil and castor oil is healing to the hair shaft but it does not replace the good deep conditioners do for the hair.
Perhaps a word like "nourish" would be better than moisturize. Oil alone will not and cannot moisturize within the hair shaft. Oil (grease) can only coat the outside of the strand, and give it shine- the illusion of moisture. Oils are made of large molecules. These molecules are too large to absorb by the hair strand. Applying oils to the hair and scalp will coat them and trap the moisture that is inside on the inside and the moisture that is outside on the outside. Oil molecules are hydrophobic which means they repel and do not readily mix with water. Remember, if you apply an oil product to your hair before you have added a moisturizing product, you have created a seal on your hair strand that water and moisture cannot penetrate. A light coating of oil like jojoba, carrot, coconut oil, olive oil after your daily moisturizer will help seal the moisture inside. The key is to use the oil to "lock in the moisture." If you use oils without a moisturizer or before one, the oil will seal the moisture out of the hair strand and lead to a coated feel and eventual dryness. Fighting hair breakage and achieving moisturizing success is all in the order in which you apply your products.

I do recommend you first begin moisturizing by deep conditioning your hair with a deep conditioner like Nature's Gate, Biotin Conditioner, Strengthening, Nature's Gate Hemp Nourishing Conditioner, and Nature’s gate herbal conditioning daily conditioner. Nature’s gate hair conditioning product line is a new improved herbal product that is affordable. Nature’s gate herbal conditioner effectively conditions hair while helping to enhance texture, shine and radiance. It is cruelty free vegan product containing a unique blend of herbs and healthy botanical hair nutrients like vitamin E, panthenol, hydrolyzed soy protein, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, borago (borage) officinalis seed oil, tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), chamomilla recutita (matricaria) extract, urtica dioica (nettle) extract, prunus serotina (wild cherry) bark extract, lavandula angustifolia (lavender is an antiseptic, anti-bacterial, stimulant) extract, arctium lappa (burdock) root extract, yucca schidigera root extract, lilium candidum (lily) bulb extract, nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus) flower extract, quercus alba (oak bark) bark extract, ascorbyl palmitate etc, that helps to nourish fortify and revive hair. It is also sulfate free, paraben free, phthalate free, butylenes glycol free, sodium lauryl/ laureth/ coco sulfate free.
For Ethnic hair in particular, hair breakage is typically a result of an imbalance of moisture and protein levels in the hair strands. Deep conditioning for hydration once every week is a good routine for those with ethnic coarse/dry hair. And you can find Nature’s Gate herbal daily conditioner here at iherb


Hint: Ladies, please stop destroying your hair with toxic chemical relaxers. Keep in mind, it is deep protein conditioner, plant-based relaxer or nontoxic keratin treatment that helps make the hair relaxed, softer and more manageable. Not toxic hair relaxers with lye or no lye----Avoid using toxic relaxer and harmful hair products/ingredients; stop the damage and improve your hair growth and texture.

Stay tuned for More great tips and products but for now see what Curly Like Me: How to Grow Your Hair Healthy, Long, and Strong and the science of black hair---a comprehensive guide to textured hair care has to offer you.

Other great moisturizing hair product

• Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil
• Cantu Shea Butter.
•  nuNAAT Hair mask Mascarilla Karite Special
•  nuNAAT hair detangler and nuNAAT hair re-constructor.
• Taliah Waajid curly curl cream

You can find it all at Sally's Beauty Supply---



Courtesy to the science of black hair.
written by
 Onyinye A freelance writer who specializes in nontoxic self improvement, green & Eco-friendly living, nontoxic lifestyle (preventing cancer, illness and toxicity) and everything related to organic living. Her work has been published by nontoxiclifestyle.org, Ezine.com, and other online and print publications.

Nontoxic Hair care

Natural tip that puts healthy shine and moisture to your hair!

First, you want to begin with loosening your hair, and shampooing using a mild organic hair shampoo or you can get a Deep Conditioner with herbal extract that will shampoo, detangle, and define your natural curls without weighing down on your hair like most toxic hair conditioner/relaxer do to the hair. For example: Aubrey Organics, Honeysuckle Rose, Moisturizing Conditioner, Dry Brittle, 11 fl oz (325 ml)  is Vegan, Biodegradable hair product that detangles, controls and defines without weighing down hair. It is a moisture-replenishing conditioner that can put your hair at ease, restoring manageability and sheen with rich plant butters that Leaves your hair with silky-smooth soften and defined curls. It works well in all hair types (relaxed and natural hair types).  Aubrey organics Honeysuckle rose is an organic ethical product. A convenient and instant conditioner containing 100% natural ingredients such as Coconut Fatty Acid Cream Base, Organic Aloe Vera, Organic Shea Butter, Wheat Germ Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Rosa Mosaqueta Rose Hip Seed Oil, Extracts of Fennel, Hops, Balm Mint, Mistletoe, Chamomile, Yarrow, Chrysanthemum, Angelica, Forsythia and Magnolia, Honeysuckle Oil, Carrot Oil, Aubrey's Preservative (Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamins A, C and E) Plus it is packaged in recyclable container.
 
Product ingredient hint: Honeysuckle oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial properties. Organic aloe Vera, coconut cream, wheat germ oil, yarrow has astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, tonic properties that is beneficial for the hair. Organic coconut milk & Shea butter; jojoba butter provides vitamin E- nutrients, hydrates, conditions, softens hair texture, and helps seal in moisture.
It is wise to use detangle shampoo or Deep conditioner to separate tight curls, especially if you have ethnic Afro curl, and to avoid causing breakage to the hair roots. I find combs a little harsh for the scalp unless it is well conditioned before combing because combing tight dry hair could cause breakage to your hair. When you use this product you will be getting the benefits of herb extract like Rose hip seed oil extracted from the seeds of a rose bush plant that grows wild in the southern Andes. It contains Vitamin A, vitamin C, high amount of essential fatty acids which helps delay the effects of skin aging, assists with cell regeneration, promotes collagen and elastin level for a firmer, smoother, well conditioned healthy scalp, and hair.

What you can do to help your hair grow: 

Wet your hair with warm water to soften, apply the deep conditioning shampoo then begin to scrub your scalp gently till the soap has gone well into your scalp, and to the ends of your hair for about 1-2minute then rinse. Place a towel over your hair to dry, avoid scrubbing too hard, afterwards you can apply your choice of organic Hair moisturizer.

I make my own serum because I trust my mixing judgment in its raw form so what I do for moisturizer is take some castor oil, aloe Vera gel put into my hair and then braid it and style, eat well, try to relax, and watch the hair grow worry free. Also check the hair transitioning story.

You can use castor oil + Shea butter+ Aloe Vera gel+ beeswax if you want to lock your twist naturally or dreadlock. You can also use it as a replenishing serum. You can even add some organic Hair dye called henna at the ends of your hair for color, shine, and for a deep condition.

Recipe for Hair: Mix powdered henna into vinegar or lemon juice, and warm water then apply to the part of body you want dyed for about 45minute to an hour or longer then rinse and moisturize. 

HINT: Make sure you rinse and detangle well to prevent your hair strands from knotting.

Replenishing serum and nutrient can be used or Moisture, growth, and protection.

Aubrey Island Naturals deep conditioner

Castor oil and Aloe Vera serum is the best serum for growing the hair especially for people who have tight Ethnic curls that is usually difficult to manage. 
Using cosmetics products from the same line is best when experimenting, so that you can figure out which product or ingredient does the best for your hair without damaging your hair.
Dry hairs by dapping out water, don’t scrub hair with towel- just dap. Afterwards pour some castor oil into your hand, add aloe Vera to loosen up the thickness of the castor oil then rub it into your scalp and all over your hair till you get the softness you think your hair can achieve. Avoid delusions- Every hair type comes with its own texture.

Daily Hair Replenishing Mist-- helps protect your hair from damage caused by the weather. Also I suggest using soft water to wash your hair because it softens the hair. . 

Boil some rosemary herb and add it to some rose water, and olive oil or jojoba oil. You can use for hair spritz conditioner. 

Hair math: Rosewater + coconut milk + rosemary extract+ olive oil or jojoba oil. Store in a spritz bottle and keep it air tight in cool place.

Note: Rosemary, tea tree oil is good tonic and dandruff herb cleanser for the hair. 

Note: Castor oil has germicidal, insecticidal, anti-viral and anti-fungicidal properties. Ricin and Ricinoleic acid found in castor oil protects the scalp and hair from microbial, and fungal infections which are known to be the two prime causes for hair loss. In addition to this, the fatty acid in castor oil helps to nourish the hair and prevents the scalp from drying by retaining moisture.

Men hair care: shave and select helpful tip from the above article.

Find a beneficial hair and skin supplement.

 Author:
Onyinye A is a freelance writer who specializes in nontoxic self improvement, green & Eco-friendly living, nontoxic lifestyle (preventing cancer, illness and toxicity) and everything related to organic living. Her work has been published by nontoxiclifestyle.org, Ezine.com, and other online and print publications.