Category: African hair

6 ways to grow strong, thick and healthy African hair

by Renniestar, posted in African hair

Thick, stronger hair is more often associated to good health. Remember the saying, “you are what you eat” that’s exactly right, whenever it comes to hair and overall body wellness, growing and seeing significant amount of hair growth it has to start from the inside then the outside.

It takes time to grow hair as an average human being grows about a half (1/2) an of hair every month, that’s approximately 6 inches of hair in a year.

Patience is a value you have to keep in the long run because you will definitely need it.

Here are the ways to help grow your hair strong, healthy and thick:

  1. Massage your scalp

Scalp massage is a practice used by many people including me! And when performed right, it can lead to strong and thick hair follicles that are noticeable. To do a scalp massage you can use essential oils such as peppermint especially because it has a stimulative property that rushes blood to your scalp. Using your finger tips (not nails) massage your scalp in circular motions.

Can also do an inversion method, whereby you sit on a chair and bend your head so that the heart is above your head or just bend your upper body like on the picture down below! 👇 and continue massaging your scalp in circular motions.

Peppermint essential oil

2.Trim your ends more often.

I know this might seem counter-intituive but to grow healthy and long hair you have to trim those ends! The more you trim the dead ends the more your hair will look & be healthier.

Also it’s best to trim after 3 – 6 months for African hair texture, you don’t have to go overboard with trimming because you want to see hair growth. But, if you feel the need to trim in between then dust off the ends. 💇 Do this 👈 only when necessary.

Grab classic pair of scissors

3.Take biotin

Biotin is found in small amounts in foods. Foods that contains biotin are liver, cauliflower, salmon,carrots, bananas,cereals, eggs,dairy products, nuts and chicken.

Biotin improves your body’s keratin structure. Keratin is the basic protein that makes up your hair, skin and nails. Taking biotin strengthens hair and nails, improves your overall skin health, supports metabollism and alot more. If you’re unable to consume foods with biotin you can use biotin suppliments.

Buy biotin suppliments

Get also liquid biotin

4.Drink lots of water

Drinking water has a great impact on hair growth. But drinking even more water has even greater benefits. Dehydration Halts your hair growth and can split your ends which makes hair even more brittle. It is recommended to take at least three litres of water on a daily basis for sufficient hair hydration!

Here is some coconut water

Hydration triggers the energy that is transmitted at the scalp that’s runs down your ends. Coconut water can also increase hydration, ensure to drink some more water💦.

5.Up your intake of Omega 3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that plays a role in maintenance of cardiovascular system and tissue maintenance. Can be found in fish oil which is extrated from food sources high in Omega-3s, and delivers two potent fatty acids for the body. These are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Fish oil has anti-inflammatory properties that helps in opening hair follicles and promoting hair growth. It also prevents dry and flaky scalp lubricating hair follicles while adding elasticity to your hair. The best way to up your intake is through supplimentation.

Shop your fish oil softgels

6.Eat protein rich foods

We know that protein is a body building type of food & hair is comprised of keratin which is a type of a protein that makes up hair, skin and nails. Keratin is a structural building block of your hair. It works by smoothing down cells that overlap to form your strands. Protein rich foods include eggs, nuts, seeds, legumes/beans, meat and tofu.

Get collagen peptides

Some more tips

  1. Use a leave in conditioner more often whenever you want to style your hair
  2. Do not put/pull your hair in a tight bun too often. Tie your hair loosely instead or just let it loose.
  3. Boost your intake of vitamin A&C
  4. Avoid using heat styling tools.

Take your vitamin C powder

May also want some vitamin A

Let me know if you have any questions down at the comments section! Also like and share with your friends and family.

How to make a curling custard at home

by Renniestar, posted in African hair, anti-frizz custard

Are you frustrated by curling creams that don’t work and contains hidden chemicals that make your hair crunchy and dry and never satisfying? Then worry no more there is a way and hope for you! Make your own curling custard at home using your equipments at the comfort of your kitchen!

These are the equipments that you will need:

  • Stand mixer/ hand mixer
  • Strainer/ sock
  • 2 bowls
  • Spatula
  • Storage container

The ingredients required:

  • Pre-made flaxseed gel
  • Shea butter
  • Cocoa butter(optional)
  • Mango butter
  • Guar gum
  • Essential oils of your choice
  • Preservative (optiphen+)
  • Vitamin E oil

Start with making enough gel for your mixture. How to prepare: take 1/4 cup of flaxseeds and pour in a cup of distilled water then place it on a stove at medium to low heat for about 8min.

Now sieve the mixture using your strainer or if it’s thick then use a sock to get your gel.👏 you just made your first gel at home 🎉🎉.

Grab your flaxseeds

Benefits of using flaxseeds

  • Great source of vitamin E is one of the best vitamins for hair growth.
  • Prevent hair and scalp damage.
  • Balances pH levels and oil production.
  • Nourishes your hair strands.
  • Keeps your hair conditioned & soothes the scalp.

Then we proceed to melting our butters using a double boiler method, how to do that; take your shea, mango butters also Guar gum and place them in a pyrex beaker then insert it in boiling water for few minutes until fully melted. You could also stir using a spatula to help it mix and melt faster. Allow It to cool for about 30 min.

Unrefined Shea butter

Unrefined mango butter

Now combine your mixtures together in this ratio 3 tbps of flaxseed gel to 1 cup of melted butters, add your preservative calculations 👇 below! Add vitamin E oil. Using your stand mixer/ hand mixer mix for a maximum of 15 min until thick in texture then wait for a minute and continue to mix until your mixture steadily becomes white.

To know the amount of preservative you are going to use in your batch.

Weight of the mixture – weight of the bowl = weight of the product

Weight of the product × 1% (0.01) of preservative = quantity of the preservative to use.

Pick up optiphen preservative

Using a spatula transfer your curling custard to a storage container of your choice and store it in a cool dry place. It can last you up to 6 months or up to 1 year if you reduce water in your batch.

Huraay!🎉🎉👏 You just made your curling custard at home.

Benefits of a curling custard

  1. Gives moisture and curl definition, holds and gives brilliant shiny hair.
  2. Removes frizz
  3. Provides long lasting hold
  4. Shines without ever being greasy or drying.

Benefits of guar gum in the mixture

  1. Natural hair thickener
  2. Protects hair against breakage.
  3. Helps seal in moisture on thirsty strands
  4. Adds tonnes of slip and shine

Let me know if you successfully made your first curling custard down at the comments. Also like and share with your family and friends!

Reasons why your hair feels dry and brittle

by Renniestar, posted in African hair

Dry brittle hair

If you have started to notice your hair feels non-stretchy, unmanageable, breaks off easily and tangles at the ends, cannot be combed then you probably have dry brittle hair. Most of us with African hair texture suffer from this problem alot and it’s because our hair is curly and the sebum that we produce cannot reach to the ends of our hair to offer protection to the hair cuticle.

Unlike straight hair the sebum is able to travel through the hair shaft to the ends. This is not to worry you at all, with the right mindset and technique you can get your hair moisturized in a matter of 30 mins or an hour depending on your hair length.

Before jumping into moisturizing your hair let’s first look into hair porosity, porosity is the ability of hair to absorb and retain moisture. It affects how we should moisturize our strands for efficient moisture absorption and retention, start by performing a porosity test.

Low porosity- has a tight cuticle that makes it hard for moisture to penetrate and may require heat to help the moisture absorb into the strands, how to know: it floats in a clear glass of water.

Medium porosity- has a looser cuticle layer, allowing for steady but moderate flow of moisture in and out of the hair how to know: it suspends at the middle of a clear glass of water.

High porosity- has a cuticle that is raised making it easier for moisture to penetrate and also to escape, how to know: it sinks to the bottom of a clear glass of water.

Here are some of the techniques and ways you can get your hair moisturized:

  1. Choose a shampoo that is formulated for dry hair- when buying your shampoo check on the ingredients list and choose the sulphate free ones which will not strip natural oils from your hair.
  2. Skip the daily shampoo- reduce the amounts of time you wash your hair to washing it weekly or bi- weekly for African hair texture.
  3. Use moisturizing masks often- after a week of protective styling and over manipulation of hair and maybe even usage of heat treat your strands to a moisturizing mask, which penetrates quickly to the hair shaft. Make sure to use aplastic shower cap after for about 30- 45 min or even do it overnight.
  4. Protect your hair at night and in harsh weather- after moisturizing your hair use a silk or a satin scarf at night ( don’t use cotton as it’s going to strip moisture out). Also when going out in harsh weather cover up your hair with either a hat or a stylish satin scarf.
  5. Avoid usage of excessive heat: blow drying and flat ironing makes our hair beautiful however, this may destroy your strands and cause permanent damage. Be careful and use a heat protectant spray, cream or serum. Also invest in the recent heat tools that shows temperature.
  6. Air dry your hair whenever possible- after washing your hair avoid using a towel to dry your hair and use a t-shirt instead to remove excessive water then follow up with an oil or butter like Shea & mango and allow it to dry for the next few days in a twist out or braid out.

More tips

Ensure you get your beauty sleep for at least 8 hours daily for your body to recover and circulate blood all over the body organs including your scalp, and also get other nutrients.

Drink plenty of water daily and eat foods with large percentage of water content like cucumbers and watermelon. It’s recommended to drink at least 8 glasses of water daily.

Exercise also at least 30 min everyday and if you’re unable to do that, at least take a walk, get active at home with other activities like jumping ropes and playing football with your family.

Tell me if this article was helpful to you down at the comment section! Also like and share with your friends and family!

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    Throughout the annals of history, humanity’s pursuit of luscious locks has given rise to an array of intriguing practices aimed at fostering hair growth. From the fragrant concoctions of herbs to the gentle touch of fingertips on the scalp, these age-old rituals have been handed down through generations as secrets to thriving tresses. Herbal wisdom has been a steadfast companion on this journey, with nature’s bounty offering ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, onion juice, henna, and fenugreek. These elixirs, carefully concocted, hold the promise of nourishing the scalp and coaxing reluctant follicles into action. The art of scalp massage, practiced across cultures, holds more than just relaxation in its grasp. Fingers dancing upon the scalp not only melt away the stress of the day but also revitalize blood circulation, breathing life into dormant hair roots. Venturing into the realms of traditional medicine, the rich tapestries of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine unfurl. Within their scrolls lie intricate prescriptions for hair health, offering a holistic approach that transcends mere aesthetics. Yet, as we traverse these time-honored trails, it’s important to tread with awareness. The efficacy of some practices rests in cultural heritage rather than scientific validation. While dietary adjustments rich in biotin, zinc, iron, and protein may enhance hair growth, not all herbal remedies yield the promised results. In the modern age, where our hair battles extend to the realm of heated styling tools and chemically laden products, the wisdom of our ancestors can guide us back to basics. Gentle care, minimal aggression, and the embrace of natural beauty are threads that weave through these practices. However, should your hair-related concerns deepen, seeking the counsel of professionals becomes paramount. Dermatologists and healthcare experts stand as beacons, illuminating the path between anecdotal lore and clinical verity. As we peer into the mirror of history, let us honor the past while navigating the present, for within this delicate balance lies the secret to a head of hair that tells its story with vitality and grace.
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