Natural Hair Q&A II

Vonda, the Decadent Beauty is back with more questions regarding natural hair care and maintenance.

Vonda: I've been using olive oil as a hot oil treatment, is there a certain hot oil treatment that's better to use?

DB: Not really. You can use any oil of that you like. As long as you're saturating the hair from root to tip and getting the scalp as well.  Olive oil is good on it's own. You can enhance the olive oil by adding some coconut oil, jojoba oil and vitamin E if you like.  Here's a simple recipe:

1/2 to 1 c Olive oil (adjust depending on the length and volume of your hair)
2 Tbsp Coconut oil
2 tsp Jojoba oil
1 tsp Vitamin E oil

In a double boiler heat your up your coconut and olive oil for about 10 to 15 minutes over a low heat. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes.  Add in jojoba and vitamin E oil and pour into an applicator bottle.  Coat the entire scalp and hair shaft from root to tip.  Put on a plastic cap/bag and wrap a towel over that and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash hair thoroughly to remove the oil.

DB: How's your hair in the front doing? How many inches of new growth would you say you have?

Vonda: It's still straight with a slight wavy pattern to it. It's almost like it's a totally different texture.  I have about 2 to 3 inches of new growth.

DB: That's ok, 2 to 3 inches is good.  Just give it time and you'll learn how to deal with it as time goes on.

Vonda: Yeah, it's grown a lot. I'm excited about it this time around and it seems a lot healthier.  I'm going to get braids pretty soon so I don't have to worry about it for a while.  Are micro braids good for natural hair or should I get twists?

DB: That's good.  Overall health is what's most important.  Whether it's twists or braids make sure that your hair isn't braided or twisted tightly at the root, especially your edges.  Let the braider know that up front because you can always go back in a few weeks time to get them touched up.  Also, I suggest doing a deep conditioning treatment the night before and take in your own hair butter or favorite moisturizing styling product.

Vonda: So a braider can use hair butter when they braid your hair?

DB: Yes, some braiders will braid your hair with a product and some don't.  If the braider uses a hair product on your hair while braiding make sure it isn't a petroleum and/or mineral oil based product. You want your hair to be moisturized and the scalp and hair shafts to be able to breathe. Also don't be afraid to ask the braider your questions before hand so that you feel comfortable.  Remember that it's your hair, time and money.

Vonda: If I run out of distilled water can I use boiled water instead as a base for my hair spritz?

DB: Although distilled water is best, boiled water will do when you're in a pinch just be sure to add a natural preservative like honey, tea tree oil, vitamin E or grape seed extract.

Vonda: What are some good YouTube channels that I can watch to learn how to do some styles besides two strand twists?

DB: There are so many of them out there.  The ones that come to mind at the moment are MahganyKnots, Glamazini, MsVCharles, Mahogany Curls, MyNaturalSistas, Naptural85, PrettyDimples01 and ToniDaley80

Vonda: Is Kool-aid a good coloring agent to use on natural hair?

DB: No. I would recommend that you stick to natural dyes like henna and indigo are just a few that come to mind.  If you're going to use store bought hair dyes or go to a hairstylist then I recommend doing a hot oil treatment at least 24 hours before and a deep conditioning treatment afterwards. Commercial hair dyes have alcohol in them, which can be very drying to the hair. Check out this website to look up the ingredients of Kool-aid.

Natural Hair Q&A

The following questions are from a decadent beauty who's transitioning from relaxed to natural. At the moment she wishes not to have her picture posted.

Q: I just did a partial big chop. Is it normal that my hair is always shedding?
A: Shedding is normal especially after a "big chop". Because you're a newly natural it may seem a bit excessive because of the adjustment your hair is going through. Just know that our hair sheds on a daily basis unless of course it's in a protective style and there are those of us that shed more hair than others and that's normal. Now if you notice that there are some bald spots where you have shed some hair than that's a different matter all together like alopecia. I recommend seeing a doctor if that's the case.

Q: Ok, because it was a lot of hair. I didn't know if it was because I wear a lot of headbands or if it was thining.
A: Try not to wear headbands as much because the hair is trying to regenerate so the band is pulling and stressing the hair follicles. Thus why I suggest not using a brush. If you want to smooth down the edges of your hairline then spritz it with water, apply castor oil or gel and place a silk/satin scarf on it for about 10 minutes.

Q: Ok, I'll try that. Thanks. I have a long way to go with this natural hair thing. I just hope it begins to grow.
A: It will. Just remember to be patient, that's the key. On average our hair grows half an inch a month, which gives a total of 6 inches a year. Figure out a regular hair care routine and moisturize daily. You'll be fine.

Q: Is there a reason why my hair has two different textures? The front is straight with a slight curl to it and the rest is curly. Did the perm maybe change the texture?
A: It is normal to have more than one texture in your hair. And it is possible for the chemical of a relaxer or texturizer to change the texture of your hair. Watch that area as it grows out and if the ends are still straight while the new growth is curly then the ends of the hair is still relaxed and needs to be trimmed/cut off.

Q: How long does it take for a relaxer to grow out?
A: It depends on how fast your hair grows. Remember on average we get a total of 6" of new growth a year. There are those of us where our hair grows faster. You might want to trim off the relaxed ends every 6 to 8 weeks depending on how much growth you've acquired.

Q: Do you recommend micro (braids)?
A: Micro braids are fine as long as your edges or any thin/weak parts of your hair aren't braided to tightly. You don't want the hair pulled so tight that when you take them out your hair comes out with it.

Q: Can I use the mayo conditioner every week?
A: You can I would also recommend adding 5 to 10 drops each of rosemary and lavender essential oils because they're known to help promote hair growth.

Q: Are texturizers ok to use?
A: No. Although they're advertised to bring out the natural curl pattern of one's hair it's still a chemical. There are lots of natural products such as flaxseed gel, castor oil or shealoe that can enhance your natural curl pattern.

Q: I don't like how my hair looks and feels after doing the "big chop". I want it to look and feel softer. It was badly damaged, broken off and had varying lengths when it was relaxed. That's why I was considering a texturizer. What do you recommend?
A: Alternate between co-washing and shampooing, moisturize daily (whether it's with water, oil or a combination of the two), deep condition once a week and do a protein treatment once every 6 to 8 weeks. After about three months or so (if not sooner) you should notice the difference in how your hair feels.

Q: What if I decide to put my hair in a protective style for three months? Will that cause my hair any damage?
A: No. With your hair in a protective style it won't be prone to the daily manipulation of styling. Just be mindful to clean your scalp like with a ACV or rosemary/tea tree oil spritz and moisturize your hair and scalp as often as needed. Take care to shampoo or co-wash it as needed and seal in the moisture with a good hair butter. Wear a stain scarf or bonnet or sleep on a satin pillow case. Just a side note to that, if you're going to keep your hair braided for the better part of a year be sure to give your hair a 1 to 2 week breathing period. You don't want to risk thining edges or breakage/damage.

Q: Do you have a recommendation for a homemade hair spritz ?
A: 1/2 c distilled water, 1/3 c oil (coconut, almond, olive or any oil of your choice), 1/3 c vegetable glycerin or aloe vera juice and 5 to 10 drops of the essential voice of your choice (rosemary, lavender, etc.).

Q: Do I have to moisturize my hair with a water based spritz?
A: No. You can also use an oil (coconut, olive, etc.) or butter (cocoa or shea) of your choice to moisturize your hair and scalp.

Q: Is Argan oil an essential oil?
A: Actually Argan oil is a carrier oil. Essential oils are a concentrated oil derived from a plant or herb and have a strong natural fragrance to them.