5 Things You Need to Know About Hair Growth

Of all the hair concerns woman have, hair growth is usually one of them. Normally hair grows half an inch a month. Age, medications and overall health can affect this rate of hair growth. Below are five things you need to know about hair growth.

Drink plenty of water

Drinking a sufficient amount of water will support hair growth and moisturize your hair. Water helps to regulate the circulatory system, which then feeds the hair follicles. This causes hair growth. If your roots are deficient in moisture, your hair will eventually become brittle. This halts hair growth.

Use the right shampoo

A lot of shampoos on the market can be harsh due to their ingredients. This is definitely bad news for African American hair. Kinky,coily hair types need to be extra careful about which shampoo they use. Seek out shampoos that contain organic oils. The oils will combat dryness and leave your hair feeling healthy and soft. Jojoba oil and argan are organic oils which promote hair growth.

Pay attention to hair ends

Visit a hair professional to clean up hair ends every three to four months. This will rid hair of any split ends and encourage hair growth. When hair ends are in tip-top shape, hair will grow properly without damage. Only a 1/2 inch, at most, needs to be trimmed.

Air dry when possible

After shampooing your hair, the best way to dry it is by blotting it gently with an old tee shirt. Avoid using the blow dryer as the excess heat can weaken your hair. If you must use your blow dryer, use the coolest setting. A silk scarf can also be wrapped around the hair and left to dry overnight.

Take fish oil supplements

Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are very beneficial to hair growth. These supplements are especially good at combating dryness and dullness. Hair will become more radiant, softer, and stronger. Fish oil can also help prevent dandruff.

 

In conclusion, hair growth will undoubtedly be boosted if these tips are followed consistently.

 

Removing Build Up After Wearing a Protective Style.

Anyone who has worn a protective style past two weeks,can see the build up of dirt. Sometimes that build up can cause new growth to mat up at the root. This matting can cause excessive shedding and hair loss. The whole purpose of protective styling is to GROW hair. Not take it out. Some may leave a protective style in past three weeks! Whew! That is a lot of dirt and oily build up! Not to mention the smell!

First, gently remove extensions,protective style. Unravel gently or rake through hair with your fingers. You may also use a wide tooth comb to separate and unravel hair. Next use a clarifying shampoo to strip out all the dirt,product,and oil that your hair has accumulated.

After this,you can also spritz the hair all over with a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle. Massage through. Rinse. Then apply a deep conditioner and also to sit on your hair for at least twenty minutes. Rinse,style as desired.

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How To Remove Crochet Styles

Crochet styles are the most popular form of protective style right now.

 

You can keep them in for up to 6 weeks. A protective style gives you the chance to try a different look,while also giving your real hair a break.  

 

Giving the hair a break from heat,products and chemicals will help to aid in hair growth as well.

Taking the crochet style out however, is just as important. If you have not worn the style very long,you may want to reuse the hair. In this case,you may want to section off your style and unravel it at the base of the cornrow or braid. If you’ve had the style in for awhile, it’s probably sour and dirty,simply cut it out. Cut the hair as close to the braid or cornrow as you can. Then pull it out .

Cutting out a crochet.

Unraveling a crochet.

It’s Cutting Season!

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I know that most sistas are natural these days,but some still relax their hair. In order to wear some of the hottest short cuts these days,you almost HAVE to relax your hair. But get it done PROFESSIONALLY! 

Image Courtesy Of Strawberry Strands Salon . Stylist Erica Spicer .

https://www.facebook.com/StrawberryStrandsSalonQC/

Image Courtesy Of Strawberry Strands Salon . Stylist Erica Spicer .

https://www.facebook.com/StrawberryStrandsSalonQC/

1. Only relax your hair every 8-12 weeks depending on your hair texture. DO NOT relax your hair every time you see new growth.

Image Courtesy Of Strawberry Strands Salon . Stylist Erica Spicer .

https://www.facebook.com/StrawberryStrandsSalonQC/

Image Courtesy Of Strawberry Strands Salon . Stylist Erica Spicer .

https://www.facebook.com/StrawberryStrandsSalonQC/

2. Avoid using extreme heat on your hair to style. When possible try to avoid heat all together. Use other methods of achieving curls and style settings like magnetic rollers, wet setting and curlformers. Heat should NOT be used everyday of the week. If you are going to blow dry your hair make sure it’s partially dry and turn the heat to medium. Just remember too much heat is damaging. 

3. Keep up with your trims! Every three weeks to shape up, Every seven to eight weeks for a FULL CUT when you get your touch up.

Image Courtesy Of Strawberry Strands Salon . Stylist Erica Spicer . 

https://www.facebook.com/StrawberryStrandsSalonQC/

 

Image Courtesy Of Strawberry Strands Salon . Stylist Erica Spicer .

https://www.facebook.com/StrawberryStrandsSalonQC/

10 The Bob Way

The bob hair style has got to be the most popular hairstyle! I do that hair cut more than any other cut at my salon. Here are 10 different renditions of this cute and sexy do!

Chinese style with full layered 80’s style bangs.

Messy yet polished with a side part.

Curly

Thick,heavy layers with a bang.

Chinese style with a tapered back.

With highlights.

Long & asymmetrical with short side bangs.

Face framing with fringe and layers.

Longer,straight bob with long layered side bang.

asymmetrical,long on one side slightly shorter on the other. Side part with no layers .

Up Up And Away!

Photo Courtesy Of Strawberry Strands Salon

Any hair type can wear an updo.You can have a conservative and sleek style when you put your hair up or a romantic look with luscious curls. A messy,edgy updo works well for club nights.Neat ringlets are more appropriate for a formal event. Think about the occasion for which you are choosing to rock an updo.

Photo Courtesy Of Strawberry Strands Salon

Your hair texture will determine which updo looks will be most suitable for you.If you can work with your hair  type instead of fighting its natural tendencies, you will be more successful.

Alicia Keys does an EDGY look.

Lala does a FORMAL updo look.

Jordin Sparks showing off a ROMANTIC updo look .

Festive updo on NATURAL hair.

Temporarily Straightening Natural Hair

Straightening natural hair ( African american hair that is not chemically straightened) can be damage free and easy!

Blow outs are the best way to temporarily straighten naturally curly hair safely. A good blowout can last several days on coarse,kinky hair.On hair that is not so coarse, maybe a week.The total time it takes to get a blow out done is 45 minutes to an hour.But that also depends on thickness and hair length.

Hair has been shampooed & conditioned.

 Blot hair, never rub with a towel to get rid of excess moisture. A  blowout can’t be done on super wet hair or it will take forever.

Hair is parted in small sections and blown out with a round brush.

Now if your thinking about trying to blow out your own hair,MORE POWER TO YOU! Lol,its not as easy as it looks or sounds.You can’t see all over your head and you will have to keep your arms up a lot.Your arms will get tired and sleepy and you will be in the mirror for hours!Go to a salon and have this done properly and a lot quicker.Make sure that the stylist uses a round brush with BOAR BRISTLES.Never plastic bristles!That is a cheap brush & may break your hair off.

A good styling product is also key to the perfect blowout.Foam wrap or leave in conditioner can be used.These  add body,shine and keep frizz at bay.Weigh down random frizzy bits with a shine serum or balm. Skip this step if you have limp, oily hair.

The Finished look !

Before

After !

 To keep your blow out fresh,try to use minimal product.A little shine serum or oil sheen every other day is okay.Keep the hair wrapped over night in a silky scarf.

African American Hair Trends For Fall 2011

SHAVED MOHAWK-ESQUE LOOKS

Jill Scott puts a different spin on this look by wearing it in a braided updo!

Coco and Breezy are 20-year-old identical twin accessory designers from Minneapolis, Minnesota.I had the pleasure of meeting them on my recent trip to NY.

NATURAL HAIR

Tanika Ray rocks a curly fro with highlights.

 Recording artist Marsha Ambrosius also sports a highlighted,curly fro.

 

HIGH BUN

High buns are great for accessorizing!Nicole ritchie rocks one here!

From day to night, a high bun will give you a put together look in under five minutes!Take note of ashante’s accessorizing.

 

LONG AND VOLUMINOUS

Kelly Rowland rocks a long mane with bangs.Depending on the length of your hair, these types of styles may require hair pieces to create fullness.

Currently,rhianna is sporting long,voluminous sun kissed locks.

Tressed To Impress

So many formal events take place in the summer and early fall.Prom, in the early part of summer.Class reunions,military balls.Also,last but not least, WEDDINGS!

Click on images for a closer look

Formal look with EDGE !

Many women look forward to these special occasions to dress up!But are confused about what to do with their hair.A  trick for those of you overwhelmed with hair style choices is to mimic a celebrity look.There are a bevy of fashion and hair magazines out there to choose from.Online photo galleries and catalogs are another option. Hairstyles should coordinate with your dress and the whole attitude of your look.

Updo's are a very popular formal hair style!

Ponytails can also be glammed up for a formal occasion.

Want a slightly edgey different formal look? Its all about the accessories!

Try out a few hairstyles in advance, whether you, a friend or a hairstylist crafts them.I strongly suggest this for a bride to be!Brides obsess about their hair almost as much as their gown.

Top 5 Low Priced Products For Biracial Hair

I get a lot of calls & emails about biracial hair.

How to manage it and what products to use. There are MANY great products out there.With today’s economy however, clients want to get the most for their money. Here are 5 reasonably priced products. Some of these products I’ve used and some were highly recommended by others.

Coconut oil is great for little girls with either natural or biracial hair. Apply a little to clean, damp hair.Hair can be smoothed  up into ponytails or braided.Adults can also use this to add moisture & shine to their curls.This is a pretty cheap product but I know many people with BEAUTIFUL HAIR who swear by it !

Cholesterol is a very thick,rich conditioner.It works great when you let it sit with a plastic cap for 30 min.If you like to wear your hair curly,this will eliminate frizz and make your curls look DIVINE!Make sure you rinse this out well.

Creme of nature shampoo is 1 of the mildest shampoos around.Great for natural and biracial hair!It Softens and moisturizes.

Frizz ease’s whole line works well on biracial hair and can be found in most drug stores.

Chi silk infusion is a little pricier than the other products.If you like a sleeker look,this is great to use.This is a great product to use when flat ironing.