I am into aromatherapy so this has always been part of my medicine drawer because it's great for inducing sleep and relaxation. Why is lavender so good for hair?
1. Regenerative. When you have irritated your scalp with combs, scratching, too many products etc, lavender oil helps to restore the scalp to its original state. 2. Soothing and calming effect on scalp. Inflammation caused by bad weather and bad products is repaired. 3. Great as an anti-itch agent due to its soothing effect. 4. Stimulating effect. Lavender oil penetrates cells in the scalp after it’s been massaged in and there it nourishes and improves blood circulation. Improved blood circulation brings more nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles. Roots and the hair shaft get nourishment faster and hence quicker growth is stimulated. 5. Cleans the scalp. Lavender oil dissolves dead skin and dandruff which can then be easily taken off when you wash the hair with some removed by the very act of massaging. As a powerful disinfectant it will also help to rid your scalp of lice, lice eggs, nits, fungi, viruses and other microbes. 6. Great natural fragrance. I don't like hair products with "fragrances" other than essential oils. I avoid packages that say "fragrances" because I don't want to add any unknown, unnatural products to my hair. Synthetic materials can damage and break hair. 7. It's great for relaxing. To cure insomnia or to improve the quality of sleep that you get, mix lavender oil up with a base e.g. sweet almond oil and get your guy or gal to give you a massage :). Good sleep makes for good hair growth.
Where can you get lavender oil? Health shops and pharmacies.
How do I use lavender oil? For my hair, I had c.4 drops of lavender to a base oil - currently jojoba, but I intend to try out other oils as well - then I massage the lavender into my scalp using the flats of my finger. Occasionally, to facilitate absorption, I cover my head in a shower cap. The extra heat helps your skin to absorb the oil. In addition, when I make my own hair conditioners, I add about 4 drops. How often do I use it? Almost daily.
Follow me @NenoNatural and check out Neno Natural's Haircare Store.
Water is the ultimate moisturiser for natural black/African hair.
I spritz my hair with water every morning when I am styling to make it softer. Note, I only finger comb my hair when styling, I don't use an actual comb (except when I'm conditioning); combing is one sure way to get breakage. As I spray the hair I separate the strands and massage the scalp to make sure the water sinks in. Empty spray bottles are easy to find and relatively inexpensive, check in your local pharmacy. Refill the water bottle regularly (at least weekly) so that the water doesn't get stale. The second bottle in the picture is misty because I add essential oils to the water to help my hair grow. I'll discuss essential oils in another article. By evening my hair has normally dried out so I sometimes spritz again especially if I decide to twist or plait my hair. If my hair isn't that dry I just massage Neno Natural's Hair Growth Stimulator into my scalp. DRINKING WATER
Spritzing your hair with water is just the start. You also need to drink plenty of the stuff; you need to be hydrated inside and out to keep your hair healthy.
All chemical reactions in the body involve water. Whilst hair itself is dead once it leaves the body, the capillaries and other cells under your scalp are living and transportation of oxygen and other nutrients to these living membranes involves water. Have you noticed how your lips and throat dry out when you're thirsty? That dehydration will affect cells involved in hair growth too. If you're dehydrated your body will prioritise important organs like the liver and kidneys over hair so your hair suffers. How can you drink more water? Lots of people find it hard to drink water; I had to get used to it myself. Without fail I drink eight 250ml glasses of warm water per day: - 2 as soon as I wake up with fresh lemon squeezed in - lemon is good for hair and skin too; - 2 just before lunch; - 2 at 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon; - 2 just before dinner - again with fresh lemon squeezed in. Why warm water? I find it's easier to drink and I feel that it doesn't 'shock' the body in the way that cold water does. If I drink anything else e.g. tea or coffee it has to be in addition to my eight glasses of water. I started this routine in April 2011 or there abouts and I am very used to it. If I stop taking the lemon I start getting headaches - I don't know how that works, don't ask! You will notice three added bonuses immediately: your digestive system will move "more efficiently", you'll feel more alert and your skin will clear up. In summary, drink lots of water and spritz your hair with water daily for healthy hair. Follow me @NenoNatural and check out Neno Natural's Haircare Store. |
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By Heather Katsonga-Woodward
I was a natural hair blogger and mixtress living between London & Chicago from 2012 to 2017. I always thought I was 4C but some say 4B; images below - you decide! Heather xx Categories
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