From India with LOVE xx...

The power of...Ayurvedic Haircare


Ever wondered why ladies of Indian descent always seem to have long flowing locks?

Do you remember when you were at school and your Indian class-mate with her long braids hair always smelt of a strange oil? More than likely it was Jasmine oil or coconut oil...whatever it was it worked wonders!

Well I am here to say how about adopting something Indian inspired into your life...forget about the Curries and Naan bread, I mean Ayurvedic haircare techniques.

AYURVEDIC HAIRCARE 101- The Basics

No matter what type of hair nature blessed you with, there are things you can do to keep it healthy, lustrous, looking its best, according to the tradition of Ayurveda, the 5,000-year old system of holistic healing that originated in India:



1) Oiling the hair and scalp:


A warm oil scalp massage two or three times a week will help stimulate growth and moisturize the scalp. You can use a good quality coconut, almond or olive oil.

Apply some mildly warmed oil to your hair and gently massage into your scalp evenly with your fingertips. Leave on overnight if you can, if not, leave on for at least an hour or two, then get it out by shampooing your hair. The scalp massage helps you relax and aids sound sleep as well.

Oils to use:

Coconut oil
Almond oil
Olive oil

A lovely coconut oil...

One of my favourites is this one by parachute...its a premium brand and smells divine- you'll be surprised how shiny it makes your hair. Try it on damp hair and let your hair dry naturally...and watch that shine.

Buy this from your local Indian wholesaler or grocery shop

2) Henna- Natures best Protein treatment!

This videos show how you should use it...see below for reasons why!

Henna is traditionally used in India and West Africa as a hair conditioner, strengthener and natural colourant.

Benefits:

It will thicken your strands

It will strengthen your hair and may help with breakage

It is 100% natural

Inexpensive to buy

You will see a difference from the first application

My favourite brand is...Karishma- body quality art henna

My Henna-mix Recipe:

1 pkt of Karishma Henna

1 tub of natural yhoghurt

2 tbsp honey

2 oz Olive oil

Add all to a metal bowl, mix well and leave it for 1-2 hours for conditioning benefits or overnight to use as a conditioning treatment with colour!

WARNING!!

Always apply oil to your hair as a hot oil treatment prior to using henna...do not rinse it out as the henna can be drying!

Only buy 'body quality art henna' as it is a fine grain...and better quality and purer

Do not add anything acidic to your mix- as it can be drying enough on the hair, the colour will release if left overnight naturally.

Follow up your henna treatment with a moisturising deep conditioner, add oil to the conditioner to increase moisture.

The colour your hair becomes varies from head to head- natural highlights!)

3) Using Herbal powders:

Amla, Shikakai, Maka, Brahmi or Neem

Using these Ayurvedic powders is said to have the following benefits for your hair:

• They stop hair breakage
• Strengthen the roots
• Strengthen the hair
• Condition the hair
  

How to use them?:

For conditioning and strengthening effects, use 1 tbsp of Amla + 1tbsp of Brahmi or Maka and make a tea with it, put in in a mug and let it brew, once brewed use an old stocking to strain the liquid off into a large jug and ass another cup of plain water.

Use this tea to rinse your hair with, after saturating your hair in coconut or olive oil and leaving overnight. Pour over your hair and do not touch your hair just let it sit their on the scalp for 5-10 minutes, then proceed to rinse it from your hair.

Follow up with a deep conditioner treatment for at least 45 mins!

Different tea mixes for different conditions:

(add 1 tbsp of each of the following)

Brahmi + Amala = conditioning

Amla + Shikakai = cleansing

Amla + Neem = Deep clean/dandruff

Maka + Amla + Brahmi = Super conditioning/strengthening.

My Ayurvedic experience...

I have been using henna for the past 12 months and it really has helped to make my hair stronger and thicker as well as giving an incredible shine.

I have recently started using the tea rinses and again they really are great at strengthening the hair. It takes a while to get into a routine with them, but once you do there is no stopping you.

Natural is best for me, so I love all things given to us from Mother Nature...

My Ayurvedic Results so far:

Check out the shine I have got from my recent henna treatment:

This is the colour my hair has become...I only henna every 3 months or so:

It has also helped me to retain length by strengthening my strands:

So what are you waiting for...try something natural and beneficial for your hair!

Think out the box...

You can also buy oils with Ayurvedic herbs like amla and brahmi in them, these are also great for your hair as a hot oil treatment, or a leave-in oil.

Why does my hair not Grow Long??

What you need to know to get your hair to GROW...

Its summer time ladies! and that means its the perfect opportunity to get your hair growing...most people get a good growth spurt throughout the summer months due to the humid weather.

Take the opportunity to get upto 1 inch of growth in a month with the help of my hair growing tips...

READ ON...

Firstly I would like to dispel the myth that black hair does not grow...

The number of times a sister has said to me ...but my hair just does not grow! is ridiculous!

All hair grows in fact hair grows an average minimum of a 1/4 inch per month, so if you are not seeing that growth- What are you doing wrong??


Now For The Science:

Hair Stucture

Hair is composed of strong structural protein called keratin. This is the same kind of protein that makes up the nails and the outer layer of skin.

Each strand of hair consists of three layers. An inner-most layer or medulla which is only present in large thick hairs.

The middle layer known as the cortex. The cortex provides strength and both the color and the texture of hair.

The outermost layer is known as the cuticle. The cuticle is thin and colorless and serves as a protector of the cortex.

The Hairs life-cycle phases:

• Anagen Phase - Growth Phase

Approximately 85% of all hairs are in the growing phase at any one time. The Anagen phase or growth phase can vary from two to six years. Hair grows approximately 10cm per year and any individual hair is unlikely to grow more than one meter long.

• Catagen Phase - transitional phase
  
  At the end of the Anagen phase the hairs enters into a Catagen phase which lasts about one or two weeks, during the Catagen phase the hair follicle shrinks to about 1/6 of the normal length. The lower part is destroyed and the dermal papilla breaks away to rest below.
  

• Telogen Phase - resting phase

The resting phase follows the catagen phase and normally lasts about 5-6 weeks. During this time the hair does not grow but stays attached to the follicle while the dermal papilla stays in a resting phase below. Approximately 10-15 percent of all hairs are in this

Increase blood-flow to your follicles to get better growth

Some people say that long hair is down to genetics and that is partially true- however you can grow your hair longer than you imagined with the right care and products!




Hair Growth Formulae: Healthy hair= moisture + massage = length retention= Longer hair!

Relaxed heads:

If you think your hair doesn't grow...why do you continue to apply relaxer to your 'new-growth?

Natural heads:

Its difficult to see your growth if the ends of your hair are constantly between the teeth of your comb!!

If your hair is natural your hair will probably grow out then down...so you may notice it getting bigger, but unless you straighten it its hard to see its length
























If this head of hair was straightened it would be past her shoulders...

Lets GET REAL: Admit your hair mistakes, admit your hair is un-healthy, not growing and breaking (if it is!!) and do something about it!!

My TOP Tips for growing your hair longer:

• Set a hair length goal in your mind- you do not have to tell anyone - but write it down! sometimes when we take things out of our minds and jot them down, it makes them more real...and we will sub-consciously work towards that goal.





• Make a fresh start: If your hair is breaking, trim off those ends to prevent further damage. The ends of your hair are the oldest part, so keep the split ends at bay to see real growth!





• Create your own haircare regime- give your hair a 'date with you' whereby you pay it the attention it needs to grow healthy and long, take the time to deep condition and steam it!





• Give your hair a holiday, a time-out , a break from its daily life. Rest your hair whilst wearing a Protective style (see below)





• Pay attention to your scalp! Healthy hair grows from a healthy clean scalp. If your scalp is full of grease, bacteria you cannot see, and dandruff, or is very dry- your hair will not grow properly. Will a rose bush grow in a desert
  
  
  



• Wash your scalp frequently! forget the myths about hair growing when its dirty! that is nonsense. Your hair will thrive if the scalp is cleaned frequently, but use the righ shampoos and conditioners. aim for at least twice a week, I wash my hair at least 3 times a week, sometimes using only conditioner!! The massage is great for the scalp when washing/rinsing.
  




• Stimulate your scalp to grow hair by 5-10 minute daily massaging/scritching (see below) it with oils. Growth stimulating oils like the Grow-it long serum, contain growth stimulating essential oils like rosemary, that increases the blood-flow to the roots on your head. Will a plant grow without water?
  




• Treat your hair like silk! Our hair is very fragile, especially when wet, so avoid combing or brushing it when wet, use your fingers instead. detangle your hair gently, from the bottom up, when its saturated in conditioner
  



• Moisturise your hair daily- especially the ends of the hair which are the oldest. You need to stop breakage to see your length! Apply a heavier moisturiser to the ends of your hair so they stay strong. Castor oil is great for this!





• Excercise for 30 mins at least 3 x a week- to increase the blood flow to your scalp.
  




• Eat/Drink healthily...what you put in your mouth can affect how your hair sprouts out!! eat plenty of hair growing veg like, spinach, carrots, protein and drink lots of water.





• Take quality hair, skin and nail vitamins, or a good multi-vitamin with minerals, this can really help with your hair growth. You need vits like B12, C, A, E and Zinc, the mineral Silica and protein L-Cysteine, to really increase hair growth.






• Wear your hair up! to avoid split ends and dry-ness keep the ends of your hair away from your clothes...your hair cannot handle the friction of brushing against your clothes regularly, its lie asking for them to split and break off.





• Avoid hair products containing, Petroleum, Mineral Oil, SLS in shampoos., and alcohols in gels and sprays. Use products that use plant botanicals, essential oils, vegetable oils, silk , wheat and vegetable proteins, biotin and panthenol.
  





• Be careful when relaxing your hair and especially when re-touching new growth. If your hair is over-processed it will break off like straw. Never go over the old relaxed hair with the relaxer- that is hair virtual hair suicide!!
  




• You are what you HEAT! Avoid using heat on your hair! Blow-dryers, flat-irons and tongs! if you must use a heat defence spray, like tresemme's thermal heat desfence.

TOP TIP: Try sleeping with a plastic cap on your head at night time.. to retain moisture! works a treat...this will help your hair retain length by not drying out!




• Picture your growth! take a starting picture of your hair and every 3 months take another picture so you can actually see and compare your growth!!
  



• Check out my online hair album http://public.fotki.com/salheaven/hairgrowthpack/root-energizer-growth to get an example of why documenting your hair growth really helps- as you see your progress in pictures!
  
  

Scritching 101:

To really maximize your growth results, you should "scritch" your hair daily, after oiling our scalp. (Place a satin scarf or bonnet on your head first if you so please...)

"Scritching" is like, massaging your scalp with the pads of your fingers and lightly with the tips of your nails. It also aids in circulation, bringing blood to your scalp to feed your hair- giving you better hair growth!!

The main benefits of scritching:

• Cleanses scalp by exfoliating dandruff, debris and dead cells
  Remedies hair loss
  Encourages hair growth

Don't cheat yourself!!

















Pay' n Go hair!!

We can all buy ourselves long hair, just like the celebs...but there is something magical when that long hair is growing from your own roots!!

It does not matter whether it is relaxed or natural- as longs as its healthy!!

Weave Woes:

How many times have you been on a date with a pretty weave and the guy tries to touch your hair stating how long it is!! and you flinch and recoil with your heart racing! as he is about to discover the lumps and bumps where the weave/tracks are attached to your scalp!!



Its Time to get GROWING!!

Check out these growth charts and set yourself a goal:

Your Ideal hair length??

Will it be sl, apl or mbl? see the charts for what the abbreviations mean...

Hair Growth Charts

12 months later?

The Kinder surprise effect!

Do you remember those chocolate eggs with the toy inside? Whereby you never knew until you ate the chocolate and opened the plastic container inside what you were going to get!! Reminisce on that excitment you felt, and think about how that can be trasnslated into hair-growth!!

Hair is a funny thing and black hair grows best when its not manipualted or combed daily!



Give your hair a protective style leave it for 2 months and check the surprise amount of growth you have at the end of the 2 months.



Protective Styling for major hair GROWTH:


Weaves, Braids, Natural twists and Wigs or Instant weaves are very effective styles that protect your hair from the stress of everyday life.

BRAID it UP for GROWTH...

NOTE: Make sure you stick to a healthy haircare regime, when in your protective style, to maximise your growth!!

PROTECTIVE STYLING + A CONSISTENT REGIME = HAIR GROWTH

Alopecia..or just plain old getting bald spots or thinning hair!

Help...I think I am losing my hair!

Whenever you think about someone going bald or their hair-line receding or the top of the hair getting thin...do you think of your Grandad and his friends, with their shiny heads and bits of hair round the sides! or do you run from the mirror too ashamed to confront your own HAIR ISSUE, and put on your comfort blanket...your trusty wig?

If the latter is you, then you- you are not alone so take heed.

There are thousands of women around the country who suffer with hair-loss problems.

The difference being the number of women who choose to actively do something about it.

Possible reasons for hair-loss in ethnic women/girls:

Weaves that are sewn on tightly
Braids/exstensions put in too tightly

Ponytails and other styles that can pull tightly and put tension on the hair-line
Chemical Abuse from relaxers/perms

Hereditary genetic disposition
Stress

Hormones
Pregnancy

Vitamin deficiency

Hair neglect

Traction Alopecia-(hair-line hair-loss)

In a society where wearing hair exstensions has now become second nature to many young teenage girls and women, you do not have to look far to see a girl/woman who has lost her hair-line- subsequently called ' Traction Alopecia' this is very common but wholly preventable among ethnic women.

This type of hair-loss is self induced, through how we do our hair, or sometimes it can be inflicted by parents (in mis-guided ignorance) onto their children, who have no control over their hair styles.

A severe example of traction alopecia caused by tight/ weaves/braids

The picture above has become so common placed in high-street salons, whereby the problem is not treated but just covered up by sometimes reckless hairdressers with a weave/wig-cap that will only serve to distress the remaining hair/hair-line!

How to prevent this happening to you:

1. When wearing ponytails don't scrape the hair up so tightly you look chinese!- (especially if you have a thin hair-line...try to do it loosely, or leave the hairline free- to protect and keep it!)

1. When getting a weave done, ensure the hair-line is left out and the canerows are not done too tightly. (Speak up- tell the stylist- if you feel a tightness, no style is worth losing your hair for)

1. If you have exstensions make sure they do not pull on the delicate hairs around your hair-line, its better to have to re-do them if they look messy, if put in loosely, than have your hair-line come out with the exstension when you take them out.
   

Over time if the hair-line is constantly stressed- the hair is permanently lost- but if caught in time the hair can be nurtured to re-grow with consistent attention, growth stimulating oils and regular massaging of the area.

Note the WARNING SIGNS:

If you ever get those tiny white bumps around the edge of your hairline where the hair is being pulled- then this is a warning sign- your scalp is being damaged- the hair is literally being pulled from the root! loosen your hair immediately if in exstensions/braids or a weave and massage the area to avoid permanent scalp scarring and hair-loss.

Parents Please Note:

Since you control the styling of your childs precious tresses...make sure that you do not damage the hair-line for that 'cute hairstyle'.

A child/toddlers hair is even more supscebtible to damage- so keep the styling loose.

Leave the hair-line tension free

Avoid canerow styles that pull the hair away from the face

Avoid tight ponytails and bobble styles

If your child says the hair is tight- Listen to them!

Adopt styles that leave the hair and moreso scalp stress-free, like free flowing twists, without the use of exstensions and please NO WEAVES!

This innocent looking style is already causing breakage around this child's fragile hair-line, by pulling away from the hair-line...

A simple hair-line loving hairstyle...using bobbles that contain no metal bits!

Alopecia Areata:

This is another common form of hair-loss affecting ethnic women, it forms small circular bald spots over the crown of the head, it can be quite distressing as is all hair-loss, but it can grow back, and does so in 90% of patients.

However if you feel you are suffering with this type of hair-loss, you should not be using any type of chemical on your scalp. I have witnesses over-zealous and un-educated hairdressers too often perming the remaining hair on a lady with this problem! Ridiculous.

Alopecia areata

What Causes it?

Alopecia areata is not contagious. It occurs more frequently in people who have affected family members, suggesting that heredity may be a factor. In addition, it is slightly more likely to occur in people who have relatives with autoimmune diseases.

The condition is thought to be an autoimmune disorder, in which the body attacks its own hair follicles and suppresses or stops hair growth

Other forms of hair-loss/Alopecia

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, another hair-loss condition common among ethnic women, is characterized by circle-shaped balding at the crown toward the front of the head.

Many trichologists blame this condition on the sometimes outrageous things we do to our hair with tension, heat and chemicals.

Light At the end of the tunnel: It can GROW back!

The picture below shows a lady suffering with balding towards the front crown section as described above. However she is now experiencing great growth results after only 3 months, with the help of the 100% Natural ROOT2TiP Hair Growth Pack, e-mail root2tiphair@yahoo.co.uk for details.

3 months later, thicker hair & growth

Another example of great results with using the Root2Tip Growth pack

Be positive:

At the end of the day you can either seek help for your hair-loss problems or choose to ignore them, hair-loss affects your confidence and self-esteem, but the best way to deal with that is to really get to the ROOT of the problem.

Take a positive step in the right direction today. E-mail root2tiphair@yahoo.co.uk for advice on great products.

Help...I want to stop using relaxers in my Hair!!

I QUIT THE RELAXER TODAY!!

So you have made the BIG decision to stop using relaxers in your hair- CONGRATULATIONS! you should be really proud of yourself.

It certainly is not an easy choice to make especially since you may have been relaxing your hair since you were 10 years old!


So what now??

Its only been 2 weeks since your usual re-touch day and your mind keeps wondering onto the pretty boxes of relaxers on the top shelf in your local hair-care shop!

Do not fear you are not going mad! and you are not alone, especially when you have been invited out next week and the finishing touch to your outfit is that well over-due re-touch to those roots!

Try to be strong and resist the temptation to relax again. Its a bit like when you quit smoking cigarettes- you need to wean yourself off slowly!

The most addictive white stuff known to woman! creamy crack...relaxers

Below are 10 really good reasons to further inspire you to quit the relaxer for good!

1) You will never have to suffer from a burning scalp again!
2) You will save money £££££££, as you no longer need to visit the hairdressers for re-touches...
3) Your hair will over time regain its natural thickness and BODY!
4) Your hair will feel and be stronger- as relaxing hair can often make it weak and thin.
5) Your scalp will begin to be healthier- it will not feel so dry
6) You will retain length much easier - providing the hair is well moisturised and maintained!
7) That portion of your hair that seems to get shorter with every re-touch will grow again as it is not being OVER-PROCESSED- in particular the back/nape area of the head!
8) You will have to spend more time getting to know how to handle your natural texture.
9) You will feel a sense of liberation, as you look forward to A NEW YOU- HAIR IS DEAD- BUT YOU CAN MAKE YOUR’S ALIVE AGAIN!
10) You may even notice that your natural hair was never that bad to begin with!

Learn to love your unique hair texture....

Keeping The hair Healthy whilst you TRANSITION from Relaxed-Natural

Try to wash your hair at least once or twice a week to keep the scalp clean to encourage growth.

Use a conditioner to rinse your hair with at least 3 times a week- it helps with tangling!

Decide on whether you want to do a BIG CHOP and get rid of the relaxed hair or whether you will trim it off as the re-growth grows out.

Take time when handling your hair as the two different textures you will experience will be difficult to handle. Your hair will be very fragile due to this so take your time with it.

Handle your hair only with conditioner in it, it is easier to manage this way- and less likely to break.

If you decide to keep the relaxed hair until your natural hair has grown to a decent length then try a PROTECTIVE STYLE- to help your hair grow out and prevent damage to it.

Try any of these PROTECTIVE Styles:

Braids
Twists
Sew-in weave
Instant Weave
Wig

MOISTURISE daily- especially the re-growth.

Massage your scalp to promote GROWTH and use a GROWTH stimulating scalp oil like the GROW-it Long Serum Scalp oil or the ROOT ENERGiZER scalp tonic...to make your hair grow thicker and nourrish your roots...(see below)

The ROOT ENERGiZER & GROW-it-long Scalp oils (100% ALL-NATURAL)...great for thicker hair and growth

For those who CAN'T stop relaxing:

If you feel that to stop relaxing is not for you, but you still want healthier hair, then read on...

Try to S-T-R-E-T-C-H O-U-T the length of time between your usual re-touches.

So relax every 3 months instead of every 4 weeks- this will help your hair to thicken up as you will have less chance of over-processing the already relaxed hair when you re-touch.

Lessen the amount of time you relax your hair for- i.e, instead of leaving the relaxer on for 20 minutes leave it on for 10 mins, this will leave you with some natural body in your hair.

Use a protective style to help you STRETCH out your next relaxer. By wearing braids or a wig you will have an easier time when trying to stretch as your hair is out of the way and not manipulated.

Deep condition regularly

Moisturise daily

Take time with your hair

Try to only comb- using a wide tooth comb when your hair is saturated with conditioner or oil.

6 weeks of thick healthy growth acchieved using a protective style and the GROW-it-long serum scalp oil

Whatever you decide to do...you can have healthier hair if you stick to a simple haircare regime and treat your tresses like silk...

GOOD LUCK!!

______________________________________________________________

E-mail me at root2tiphair@yahoo.co.uk for details of how to buy the ROOT2TiP 'GROW-it-long Serum Scalp Oil and the ROOT ENERGiZER Scalp tonic

100% All- Natural Haircare Products

That really do CARE for Your Hair!!

Setting Hair Goals...

Seasons Greetings Ladies!

Can you believe its almost Christmas already! where did that year go?

Did you achieve all of the goals you set out for yourself at the beginning of the year?

How about changing the health of your hair in 2008 being one of your New Years Resolutions this year...

This post is all about changes and how you can set a goal for your hair that is realistically achievable...

I also invite you to join in the ROOT2TiP...

'Grow your hair up to 6 inches in a year challenge'

You will find the details and rules of this really fun and exciting challenge at the end of this post- The challenge is here ARE YOU UP FOR IT???

All I want for Christmas is....LONG HAIR?

Unlike many things in our lives...our hair is the one of the main things we are able to have complete control of.

Since your hair can give you confidence or take it away, I think its an important tool to be in control of.

Your hair allows you to stand out from the crowd. For example if you are over-weight but you have healthy long hair...you will get more than a second glance, in comparison to a slim lady with shorter unhealthy looking hair.

Hair gives a woman her beauty...whether long or short...however the bible says...'if a woman has long hair its a blessing... I say its time to GET YOUR BLESSING!

I think its easier to grow your hair than it is to lose weight, so lets get growing and you will surprise yourself at what you are able to achieve!

Stretch Yourself:

If we want our hair straight we relax it or blow-dry it, if we want it curly we can use rollers or the tongs to set it- but when was the last time you set out to achieve something completely different with your hair?

You may have had short hair your whole life and maybe its your dream to have long flowing locks...well I am here to say- it is possible and a realistic aim to set for yourself- but you must have will-power and stay FOCUSED on the Prize!

The key to achieving real goals with your hair is to set yourself an objective and be consistent.

For example if you have shoulder length hair set yourself a time frame of 12 months to grow your hair out to near your armpits, and use a hair regime to realise your dream.

If you have always had thin hair that is relaxed and does nothing and your dream is to have a head full of thick hair- then look at what you currently do to your hair and change something about it.

Goal 1) Thin-Thick hair:

Over-relaxing your hair is one of the key contributors to keeping your hair thin and lifeless.

If you religiously relax your hair every 6 weeks at the first sight of any kinks in the hair from re-growth then take note:

Its more than likely you are over-lapping the relaxer when doing your re-touches, if you have 1 inch of new growth, are you certain that your hairdresser or person relaxing your new growth is putting the new relaxer only on the new growth?

If they are not- this is the reason your hair is staying thin.

NB: Once your hair has been relaxed and the hair is processed, you should NEVER overlap the relaxer on already relaxed hair- this is killing the life and body out of your hair quite literally.

Try to stretch out the periods of time between your relaxers and maybe leave the relaxer on for less time, this will allow you to keep some of the body in your natural hair and will make the hair stronger.

See the picture below of Ms X, it took her 12 months to regain the thickness in her thin lifeless hair..she has a haircare regime and used a growth stimulating oil called the ROOT ENERGiZER to kick-start her roots to produce thicker hair and the reslts speak for themselves...

Thin Hair to thick Hair using the ROOT ENERGiZER Oil



Goal 2) Short- to-long hair:

What does long hair mean to you?

Would it mean you feel more feminine, beautiful, or would it just be the start of a dream come true...

I know many women and young girls who wish for long hair- however to many its an unrealistic possibility, as there kind of hair just does not grow- and they have been told this for years...

This is in fact not true, all black hair grows it does not matter how coarse or curly it is.

Many women see a weave as the only way to have long hair, but its not the only option.

I am here to say that again- all hair grows.

In fact our hair grows at least a 1/4 inch per month, so in a year you could have at least 3-6 inches of new growth, but if you never see this, then you are doing something wrong.


The key to longer hair is to keep and retain the inches of growth every month, whether that be 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch every week-just keep it! and you will be pleasantly surprised at the end of the 12 months at your success.

Motivation...


Document your progress by taking pictures every 3 months to see the growth you are getting. We all have to start somewhere...


This will motivate you to continue on your hair journey!

See the example below of how thick afro hair grows... it may have taken 4 years...but at least the hair that blows in the wind is now ALL HER OWN!

Kinky afro hair that has grown long and strong with committment and a good HAIRCARE REGIME...

The CHALLENGE:

ROOT2TiP are starting a 'Grow your hair upto 6 inches in a year challenge'

It will begin on the 31st December 2007 until the 31st of December 2008, these are the

Send an e-mail to register at: Root2tiphair@yahoo.co.uk your details should include the following information:

• Your name- (it doesnt have to be your real name!)
  
• E-mail address
  
• The current length of your hair: Ear Length, Chin Length, Nape of the neck length, shoulder length, armpit length, bra-strap length etc..
  
• Your hair length goal for the next 12 months - between 1 and 6 inches!
  
• Take a picture of your hair at its starting length on 31st December 07- this could be one of your resolutions for 2008!


• Stick to a haircare regime- e.g. moisturise your hair daily,wash your hair at least twice weekly Deep condition weekly etc.


• Give your hair a chance- wear a weave or maybe have braids or extensions put in- to protect your own locks while they grow...but still moisturise!


• LIMIT THE HEAT YOU PUT ON YOUR HAIR... i.e. blow-dry only once a month, or allow your hair to air-dry if possible.


• Take a progress picture every 3 months to motivate yourself
  

At some point early next year we will ask you to send in your progress pictures so we can all see how well we are doing. Even if you only retain 2 inches and you normally have hair that alway breaks- then that is a great result!

Any questions please e-mail us at: Root2tiphair@yahoo.co.uk

We will encourage each other by knowing that we are not doing it alone.

Please encourage your friends to join in the challenge with you- but they must register their details by sending an e-mail to Root2tiphair@yahoo.co.uk


Also: PLEASE NOTE LADIES:


ROOT2TiP-are launching a discussion forum over the next 6 months all about hair:

It will be called- The 'Grow-it-long Haircare Forum:

• Who is it for?
  

It is a forum for women of colour who want to know how to grow their hair long and healthy...

• What will be discussed?
  

On the forum web-site you will be able to speak to other women about your hair care issues, goals and share their stories, we will discuss good hair products and haircare regimes...hair HORROR stories there will be plenty of hair challenges and lots more!!

• Anything else?

Yes...there will also be an area on the forum to talk about issues relating to men...christianity...celebrities and lots more...

• Why should you join?
  

You should join the 'GrowItLong Haircare FORUM' to learn how to grow your hair long and strong.

For years we have been told our hair does not grow...so this is the place where you can learn how to prove everybody wrong!

You will also learn tips like the ones on this blog to help you grow your hair, thicken it and keep it healthy. You will also learn of haircare techniques available to you that you may not have even thought of before!

More importantly you will be a member of an on-line community of women all on a HAIR JOURNEY...we will SUPPORT each other and have fun...

Ladies you know when it comes to our hair- we all have a story to tell!

Check out these hair growth inspiration pictures, of real women who have grown their hair with TLC, a Haircare Regime and consistency and perseverance:

Beautiful Afro Hair Growing...

All progress is great to see...

2003 2005 2006

Beautiful Relaxed Hair that has grown Long

The triple threat...Moisture, Moisture and Moisture

Why our Hair needs Daily Moisture to Thrive and Grow...

As the nights get colder and that brisk wind nips throught the air it is even more important now that we top up the moisture levels in our natural hair. Without continuous moisture in our delicate strands- your hair is subject to frost-bite! and even worse severe breakages.

Naturally dry:

Black hair as it is born through the pores in our scalp is naturally dry. The reason being in short- is unlike European hair which grows straight our hair has a kink or wave to it- this kink or wave is not able to carry the natural oils that are produced on our scalps down the hair strand in the same way it is able to do so on naturally straight European hair types.

Hair that is relaxed and coloured is even drier- than natural hair without moisture it can look and feel like straw!

Dry hair = Breakage

In order for our hair to survive, we need to add moisture to it externally and our bodies internally on a regular basis. Without it our hair will become very dry, weak and eventually break off at the ends, the middle or even the root. NB: Relaxed and couloured hair is even more dry than natural afro hair- even more reason to moisturise consistently.

The Best Moisturisers are...

In short there is no definitive answer to this question, in fact I am still in search of the Perfect moisturiser for my own hair!

However there are things you can use and do that will add moisture to your hair.

Moisturising conditioners

S-curl hairspray (in the white bottle)

African pride Braid sheen spray

Castor oil

Olive oil

Glycerine - (humectant)

Hair lotions with ingredients like shea butter etc...

Conditioner Washes- ''co-wash'

This product adds great moisture to your hair and also makes it shinier over time- Not just for Jheri-curls!!

Go One step Further:

Often I find that the products I buy are not good enough simply on their own- by that I mean sometimes your products need a bit of a boost.

The moisturiser I apply to my own hair is a combination of different products with the addition of moisturising oils and humectants like glycerine.

Humectants are a substance that draw moisture from the air into your hair. They do work better in warmer temperatures but even in cold England they will benefit your hair.

Glycerine is another great humectant. Try adding some glycerine or an even bigger favourite of mine Castor oil, to your normal moisturiser and watch as your hair over time becomes more shiny and healthy.

TOPTiP: Add some olive oil to your regular or deep conditioner for extra shine and moisture, apply to your hair and cover with a plastic cap- even better sit under a hair dryer to allow it to penetrate further.

With the correct moisture maintenance hair that is relaxed and coloured will have shine and look and feel healthy...

Water + Conditioner = Your Hair's Best friend...

An easy way to add moisture to your hair daily is by washing your hair with conditioner only- I mean by not using shampoo and only using conditioner- to wash your hair with.

Shampoos have a tendency to strip our hair of its natural oils, so by doing a 'co-wash' or conditioner wash, instead of stripping away the hair's natural oils instead you add moisture to your strands.

I co-wash my hair at least 4 times a week this has helped me to keep my hair soft and well moisturised especially when wearing braids...TRY IT!!

TOPTiP: To lock moisture into your hair apply your moisturiser whilst your hair is wet and then apply Oil over it to seal the moisture in.

Strictly Silk Sheets!!

One of the greatest moisture thiefs your hair will often become victim to is your cotton pillow cases or sheets. Unless your a princess and only sleep on the finest silk or satin when you rest your head at night- then TAKE NOTE!

Your hair will suffer less breakage and retain more moisture when it is allowed to glide across a satin or silk surface, this means that you should invest in a silk or satin pillow case or even cheaper a silk or satin head scarf or bonnet.

They sell many different types in your local haircare shop- so save your strands and keep the moisture in your hair and not on your pillow case by investing in satin.

Pamper your hair with a satin or silk scarf or bonnet...Your worth it!!

Next Post: Setting Your Own Personal Hair Goals... JOIN IN THE GROW YOUR HAIR UPTO 6 INCHES CHALLENGE STARTING DEC 31st!! e-mail root2tiphair@yahoo.co.uk for details now.