Hair Diet Summary

Well June is over and I made it the entire month without silicones or sulfates. My hair feels fabulous!

During the month of June, I used:

Dudu-Osum Herbal Shampoo

Giovanni SAS, 50:50, and TTT

Kimmaytube Leave In Conditioner (with Giovanni Direct leave in)

Shea Moisture Shea Butter Leave in

I also did a henna treatment during the month of June.

The verdict:

The combinations of these products left my hair feeling soft and moisturized. I experienced less itching with my scalp and my shedding also decreased (strange??). My hair was also more manageable and easier to style. I am very satisfied and would recommend the use of natural/organic products to anyone.

I looked at my product stash last night and debated about repurchasing many of the items on the shelf. I am thinking that I would love to only use the products listed above or the ones that fall into the natural/organic category. This will require a complete re-haul of my stash. My non-natural/organic products far outweigh the amount of natural/organic products that I already own.

ugh....I need some coupons

How I Retain Moisture

I found that when I made moisture my primary goal (not length, style, etc) it made a dramatic difference. I pre-pooed to retain moisture and prevent drying shampoo, the shampoo I used was selected because of minimal stripping properties, my conditioner�s choice was targeted towards the ones that seemed to be the most moisturizing, and now my styling products that are chosen for their moisturizing properties.

I aim to implement moisture at each step of my regimen:

Pre-poo: The first step in my regimen and like so many things in life the first step is the most important step. So don�t slack at this step.

Shampoo: A stripping shampoo can make your pre-poo step almost irrelevant. First I aim at really cleaning my scalp by applying shampoo directly to my scalp. While I am massaging the shampoo on my scalp suds form and I use those to cleanse the rest of my length.

Conditioner: I used to think that any conditioner could be used as a deep conditioner until I read somewhere (that I can�t find right now) that there is molecular difference in rinse out conditioners and deep conditioners. I am still on the fence with this one but that�s a topic for another day. The goal for moisture at the conditioning step is to deep condition with a moisturizing conditioner. The way in which you do (shower cap, heat, no heat, etc) really had not shown that big of a difference to me.

Styling: You don�t want the last step of your routine to ruin all of your hard work. Selecting a styling product that contributes to all of moisturizing that you have done at each step will benefit a whole lot more than an alcohol filled drying product. I style on damp hair and seal as I go.

Special treatment, such as protein, that are done to strengthen the hair should be followed with a moisturizing treatment. Proper strength and moisturize will decrease or prevent breakage. Too much of anything can be harmful so proper balance is key.

I retain moisture by adding moisture in each step. I haven�t had a problem with dryness for almost a year.

As always, this is what I found that works for me � experiment and find what works for your hair.

Protein Treatment

I did my first protein treatment since my youth and I want to wait a few days to post the results. The verdict is in and I LOVE IT! I refuse to buy anything else so I made my own treatment.

1/3 Cup Lustrasilk Shea Butter Cholesterol

1 Large Egg

2 tablespoons Olive Oil

Apply to entire head (dry hair) and let sit for 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water. Deep condition and style as usual.

I never did a protein treatment before because I ate a pretty high protein diet and I didn't want to overload. For the past few months my diet has been extremely poor and I could tell my hair was missing something. You know that voice in your head? It told me to try a protein treatment. I did and my hair feels so much stronger. As of this moment I have not decided if this is going to be a regular in my regimen. I will do it as needed.

Recap: January '10 Protective Style

During most of January (5th-30th) I wore two strand twists. It was great not having to worry constantly about styling but it was a struggle to fight through the boredom. I am used to changing my hair every week. When I finally took the twists out, I had a TON of shedding. This was expected since I did not comb or detangle my hair for nearly one month. I knew they were shed hairs because they we long and I could see the white bulbs on top. I didn't look at all of them but I did examine a good number of them just to make sure I was suffering from a ton a breakage. I feel like I retained a lot of length from wearing the twists all month but I didn't think to do before and after pics so I have no way of checking that assumption.

I learned that tea tree and aloe vera are GREAT for the itches. The first two weeks of January I used a water/conditioner mix for moisturizing and my scalp was itching like crazy. The last two weeks I used the aloe vera spray with some tea tree oil and my scalp felt sooooo much better. I also learned that my hair LOVES getting moisturized and sealed nightly. The shaft of my hair feels stronger but yet softer than it did in December. When my scalp felt a little too dry I used some coconut oil and that absorbed right in with no problem.

My routine with the two strand twists was fairly simple. Moisturize & seal nightly, co-wash (while twisted) in the middle of the month, and oiling the scalp when needed. I continued to wear my twists up because most of my length retention would have been lost if I would have allowed my twist to brush against my clothing or constant exposure to the dry winter hair.

Combating Dry Hair

"Dry hair is hair that does not have enough moisture and oil to maintain its normal sheen and texture."

-Medline Plus

It seems like the biggest and most frustrating problem with hair problem is dryness. I base this assumption off of the fact that I get asked about this topic a lot.

External factors that contribute to dry hair:

• Shampooing too often
• Using a harsh shampoos
• Environmental elements

Internal factors that can contribute to dry hair:

• Nutrient deficiency
• Illness

Some suggested ways to combat dry hair include:

• Shampoo your hair with care-don�t go overboard
• Use a conditioner (deep, leave in, or a rinse out)
• Trim frayed/split/knotted ends
• Use a no heat styling methods
• Protect your hair from the elements (weather)
• Do hot Oil Treatments

Alternative methods:

• Aromatherapy - add a combination of six drops of lavender, bay and sandalwood essential oils with six ounces of warm sesame or soy oils then apply the oil to the hair, wrap in towel for 15 minutes, then rinse
• Food Therapy - Eat lots of food high in omega -3 fatty acids, such as fish. Add flaxseed oil to your diet; approximately two tablespoons a day added to popcorn or potatoes can replenish lost hair and skin oils.
• Mayo - comb the mayonnaise through your damp hair, then wrap your head in a towel, let it penetrate for at least 20 minutes and then shampoo.

I personally prefer to combat dry hair by:

-Moisturizing and Sealing regularly

-Using a conditoner/water mix spritz on my hair

-Wearing hats when the air is dry

-Deep Conditioning Weekly

Treating dry hair was not an overnight process. It took a few weeks of me treating my hair with love. It has been well worth. I showed my hair love and my hair is loving me in return. Patience is a virtue

Home Remedies For Dry Hair

Dry Hair

Dry Hair Remedies

Coconut Oil

This past week I have been applying coconut oil to the length of my hair before I go out into the cold dry winter air. In the evening when I return home my hair is really soft and just feels great. I am so in love with coconut oil and after reading about it's capabilities I understand why.

Some key points:

"Historically, coconut oil has been used as a hair dressing in the developing countries in

the tropical regions of the globe where the coconut is cultivated extensively. Prolonged

use of coconut oil has been known to lead to healthy looking long hair, suggesting that

it may prevent damage to the cuticle in grooming procedures involving abrasion."

"It is well known that wet combing is accompanied by the breaking of the surface cuticle cell because of its brittleness"

"...the performance of coconut oil in reducing protein loss was better than that of mineral

and sunflower oils. Coconut oil performed better as a pre-wash rather than a post-wash

conditioner"

"damaged as well as undamaged hair benefits from application of coconut oil as a pre-wash conditioner, whereas in the case of sunflower oil and mineral oil, there was no effect. The effects of coconut oil were also positive in a salon test. In both normal and bleached hair, treatment effects in reducing protein loss were significant, whereas the same findings were absent in the case of mineral oil and sunflower oil."

�Coconut oil is mostly a triglyceride of lauric acid and is hydrophobic. Application of Coconut oil as a pre-wash conditioner coats the hair and inhibits the penetration of water into the hair. A small part of it is also absorbed in to the hair during the wash when the fiber is swollen. Introduction of this hydrophobic component reduces the swelling propensity of the cuticle, which limits the upward curving of the surface cuticle. This reduces the chipping away of the cuticle cells, which reduces protein loss, as observed in this work.�

I strongly recommend reading the research article in its entirety on your own:

Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage

http://journal.scconline.org/pdf/cc2003/cc054n02/p00175-p00192.pdf

Cold Weather Regimen

So I think I learned a lesson.....

This is the first year that I actually made an attempt to change my regimen with the seasons. I now see that I only need two main regimens; one for warm weather and one for cold weather. The regimen that I started the following for the fall was quickly thrown to the wayside and now it's just a cold weather regimen.

The first day of winter is December 21 but I guess it really doesn't matter because it's cold already. I hate cold weather. Hate it! It's like we went from summer straight to winter.

This is the update to my regimen:

Cleansing

Alternate between shampoos and co-washes. The winter hair is already drying to I don�t want to shampoo too often. Every week might be too much for my hair.

Conditioning

Deep condition every week with LeKair Cholesterol/Rosemary Oil/Olive Oil Mix Moisturizing: After rinsing and while hair is still damp, leave a small amount of condition in the hair and apply coconut oil to the entire length with special focus on the ends.

Special Treatments

Oil Rinse - Twice a month (I love these!!!)

Styling

Styles for the cold weather will consist of braids, cornrows, buns, and twists that are pinned up or styled in updos. Now that I can do roller sets, I will incorporate those as well.

Trims

Since I have been more loving towards my ends they have not given me a problem with splits and fairy knots. I am going to trim when needed. S&D!!!

Moisturizing and Sealing

Moisturizing your hair means to go through the steps appropriate for YOUR hair in order to properly hydrate your hair. Sealing is the process by which you lock in that hydration. There are several ways to moisturize your hair, using natural products is the best way (in my opinion). I say that because it is the best way to avoid many of the damaging chemicals that are in commercial items. The trick is to discover which way your hair likes to be moisturized.

Moisturize first

Water based products (such as a conditioner) aid in moisture retention and the water helps the penetration of the hair shaft. You want to look for products that have water (aqua) as the first ingredient and also one that is not filled with fillers (mineral oil, petroleum, etc).

Seal second

Most natural oils & butters can be used to seal your hair. The ones that seem to be favored most are Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, and Almond Oil. Of course there are many others. Always choose the oil that is best for you and that your hair likes.

How is it done?

After washing, co-washing, rinsing, etc.....seperate your hair into manageable sections. Take each section one at a time and apply a small amount of your moisturizing product. Then take a small amount of the sealing oil of your choice and apply that to your hair in the same manner. All the product should go onto your hair-not the scalp. When all sections are done....style as usual.

Moisturizing and sealing do not always have to be done after cleansing. Some individuals choose do this routine nightly. This is a great way to maintain length because you are protecting your hair from breakage.

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Know your stuff: Oil Sheen ingredients

I remember how I used to coat my tresses in oil sheen back in the day. Attempting to make my hair shine like gold because of course if your hair is shiny, it must be healthy.....not. Too bad I learned this lesson the hard and costly way. Using oil sporadically and lightly may be okay for your hair but overdoing it can lead to dryness and breakage.

Ingredients commonly found in oil sheen:

C13 14 Isoparaffin: mixture of hydrocarbons (mineral oils) derived from petroleum, and is used in cosmetics and personal care products primarily as an emollient, and also considered a thickening agent or gelling ingredient

Citronellol: used in perfumes and insect repellents and as a mite attractant

Hexyl cinnamal: is a common additive in perfume and cosmetic industry as aroma substance.

Hydroxycitronellal/Hydroxycitronellol: used in the creation and/or manufacturing of fragrance and flavor concentrates of all types

Isobutane: used as a refrigerant, as a propellant for aerosol cans and foam products

Isodecyl Oleate: made from decyl alcohol and oleic acid. Decyl Oleate is made from straight chained decyl alcohol, while Isodecyl Oleate is made from branched chain decyl alcohol

Linalool: naturally-occurring terpene alcohol chemical found in manyflowers and spice plants with many commercial applications, the majority of which are based on its pleasant scent

Propane: derived from other petroleum products during oil or natural gas processing. It is commonly used as a fuel for engines, oxy-gas torches, barbecues, portable stoves and residential central heating

Simmondsia: nique among plants in that its seeds contain an oil which is a liquid wax

Fragrance (Parfum): self explanatory

It seems that most of the ingredients are used for fragrance. Okay your hair smells great but what else? Keep in mind that this ingredient list is by no means all inclusive. There are some natural oils in a few oil sheens but there is also mineral oil and petroleum in them. The last thing you want to do is block out the much needed moisture that natural hair craves.

Some natural products that can give you the same shiny effect of oil sheen:

Sweet Almond Oil

Honey

Coconut Oil

Olive Oil

I personally prefer sweet almond oil for amazing shine. I'd rather avoid the risk of dryness and breakage.

How well do you really know your hair? Part 1

Do you know the structure of your hair? Basic knowledge of hair will help you choosing how to care for your hair. With basic knowledge you may be able to eliminate a lot of trial and error from your natural hair journey (and save some money).

Human hair in good condition is surprisingly strong - one hair can hold the weight of a chicken�s egg. It is a hard, fibrous substance. We have to be very careful how we treat it because, unlike skin, it is not alive and cannot repair itself. Therefore, we need to correctly maintain its balance of protein and moisture to keep it in good condition.

The percentage of protein in hair is between 83% and 87%. The percentage of moisture is about 3%. The balance is made up of sugar, salt and trace elements. If this essential balance is maintained, the hair will stay healthy and strong. It will be in good manageable condition, soft to the touch and with a natural shine.

The outer structure of the hair shaft consists of a collection of transparent layers of interlocking scales, which are collectively known as the cuticle. Most people have from 7 to 11 of these transparent layers all wrapped around the delicate inner part.

The delicate inner part of the hair shaft consists of a collection of spring like fibers that are coiled around each other and suspended in a glutinous material known as a fatty acid. This is where the moisture and hard and soft proteins are found.

The outer root sheath of the hair follicle encloses the inner root sheath and hair shaft.

The inner root sheath of the hair follicle is located between the outer root sheath and the hair shaft. It is made of three layers: Henle's layer, Huxley's layer, and the cuticle.

Cuticle: the outermost part of the hair shaft.

Cortex: located between the hair cuticle and medulla.

The hair matrix produces the actual hair shaft as well as the inner and outer root sheaths.

Papilla: large structure located at the base of the follicle, made up mainly of connective tissue and a capillary loop, cell division is either rare or non-existent.

References

http://www.tintsofnatureusa.com/about_haircolor.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrix_(hair)

Deep Conditioning

Deep conditioning is very beneficial to anyone and everyone that has hair on their head. I consider myself to be doing deep conditioning treatments on my hair weekly. However, this is a topic and regimen that I never bothered to research and just relied upon my general knowledge to develop a deep condition routine. What I am doing has been working for me but if it could be better then why not give it a shot. Also, none the authors mentioned using a specific type or brand of conditioner to deep conditioner. One even stated that any conditioner can be used as a deep conditioner if left on the hair for at least 20-30 minutes. I examined various sources to compile the most frequently recommended suggestions and why those recommendations are made (I like to know the �whys� about things).

According to the articles I read, deep conditioning should leave your hair feeling soft and moisturized. To achieve this outcome:

� Hair should be saturated with conditioner for 15-30 minutes.

Why? To allow the conditioner to penetrate

� You should cover your hair with a plastic cap, sit under a dryer, or cover your head with a warm towel

Why? The heat allows the hair shaft to swell and the cuticles to open and allow the conditioner inside. The heat helps increase the conditioner�s effectiveness.

� The conditioner should be rinsed out thoroughly and rinsing should end with a final cold water rinse.

Why? The cold water helps the cuticles to close and trap the moisture inside the hair.

Additional info that I found interesting:

The type of deep conditioner used should depend on the condition of the hair. If the hair feels mushy when wet and stretches a lot before breaking then a protein conditioner is required to restore the hair's strength. If however, the hair feels brittle and just snaps when any tension is applied; the hair is in need of a moisturizing conditioner. The aim is to get the hair to a stage where the hair is both strong but has a certain degree of elasticity. Too much protein will make the hair go hard and too much moisture will make the hair mushy. Moisturizing deep conditioners should be used in conjunction with protein deep conditioners in the hair care regimen to maintain a healthy balance.

So after reviewing this information I have decided to make a few changes to my regimen. I will now include heat and the final cold water rinse to my regimen.

Resources:

Why Is Deep Conditioning Important

-Alma Campbell

How To Deep Condition Your Hair

-Lisa Richardson

Tutorial On How To Deep Condition Your Natural Hair

-Alma Campbell

Coconut Oil

I used coconut oil for the first ever this past weekend and I must say I LOVED IT! My hair felt so soft, moisturized, and look the way it felt. I picked up the coconut oil from Whole Foods for only $6.99 and I can tell that it is going to go a long way.

I cleansed my scalp with Dudu Osom liquid black soap, deep conditioned LeKair Cholesterol for one hour, and then applied the coconut oil while my hair was still damp. Let it air dry and then styled in a bun for the week. I am trying really hard to protect my ends to see how much growth I can achieve.

The next day after air drying over night.

The bun I plan to wear until the end of the week. I have two braids in the front, inspired by a picture of a model I saw one one the many websites I visit. The pic makes it look frizzy...but it came out really nice and the compliments are stacking up.

Healthy Hair is Good Hair

The entire year of 2009 I have been focusing on the health of my hair. Today I used coconut for the first time and I loved it. That got me thinking about how much more of an effort I have been putting into the overall health of my hair instead of styles and length. Looking at before and after pics really encouraged me. In 2005 my hair looked dull and brittle-not to mention, look at those ends! In 2009 I am still not where I want to be but my hair feels softer, looks healthier, and my ends have more intact ones vs splits.

I didn't realize how much time had passed since I first started taking pics of my hair for a FOTKI album. I have been through a lot of trial and error since that time. The internet and discovery of all those hair care sites has been dangerous. Be careful of who you take your advice from. I tried some "treatments" that left me feeling like my scalp and hair were going to slide right off and plop on the floor. The best advice I can give is to listen to your hair and give it what it asks for and not what someone tells you to do. Especially if that person has never seen or touched your hair. Remember what works for one may not work for another. Don't be afraid to keep your routines simple, trying suggestion after suggestion will only slow down your learning process about what your needs and likes. I hope my super simple information helps someone out there. I know my blog is not filled with tons of treatments, regimens, and products but that is because I don't believe in putting so many different elements into a hair care routine. Simple is working for me. The proof is in the pudding!

Less Can Be More

For years I have been reading up on different hair recipes and products that are suppose to this and that for hair. Rarely did I gets the results that were indicated. For a while now I have been pretty lazy with taking care of my hair, meaning I would, co-wash only, or shampoo/condition only, and only use one product for moisture. What's crazy is I've noticed my hair has been a lot better (shine, growth, moist, etc) since I have become slack. I think I found my niche!

I use the shea butter/olive mixture when I style. I co-wash when I don't feel like doing a real wash. Then when my scalp starts itching(my wash indicator, LOL), I shampoo/condition and then it's back to the shea butter/olive when I style. I have been doing this since the beginning of February (it's when I started Grad school) and I am in love with the outcome. When I wear my hair out I do moisturize at night with my regular conditioner.

Forget all these "special" regimes and "treatments" I have finally found what works for me. :)

Current products:
100% African Shea butter
GreatValue Olive Oil (Wal-Mart brand)
Suave Ocean Mist or Coconut Conditioner
Suave Clarifying Shampoo

I will admit that I broke from the simple routine and started to deep condition with 1/2 jar of LUSTRASILK Placenta & Jojoba Oil cholesterol/Rosemary Oil (8 drops)/Olive Oil (tablespoon). Usually I do not see or feel a difference with deep conditions but this time I did. So here's my theory....I spent almost two months putting very little product on my hair and it was able to just be its healthy self. Therefore, the deep condition concoction was able to actually do what it's supposed to on my hair-it didn't have to fight against the "work" of other treatments/products/compounds. I think I will keep this up.

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"The impossible is God's chance to work a miracle"
-Maurette Brown Clark

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Tips for health and growth Part 3: Nutrition, Tools, and Styles

Proper Nutrition

Healthy hair grows at an average rate of about 1/2 inch per month. If you choose to take hair vitamins, Biotin and Folic Acid that make your hair grow faster. I don�t like to �pop pills� I love food so I would rather eat what I need. This is also why I don�t do protein treatments. I drink proteins shakes for a quick breakfast so I am sure that I am getting more than I need.

Using proper tools

Nighttime Care Satin pillowcase and scarves work wonders! Cotton can cause breakage and suck the oils out of our hair.

Wearing protective styles

They are great for minimizing breakage and retaining moisture. Protective styles are those which work to prevent snags and help maintain the overall healthiness of your hair. Protective styles fall into two categories: Complete and Low-manipulation protective styles.

Complete Protective Styles are styles that have the ends out of sight and are 100% protective. These styles include: all varieties of buns, chignons (French rolls), tucked styles, phonytails (phony-ponies), wigs, and sew-in type weaves.

Low-Manipulation Stylesare styles that do expose the ends to some degree, but are protective in that they drastically cut down on the manipulation (combing/handling) the hair experiences. These styles include: Rollersets, Braids, cornrows, some updo's or pinned up styles, braidouts and twistouts.

Question and Answer: Transitioning a child's hair

This has got to be the hardest question I have ever gotten because 1-I don't have any children and all my God-babies are boys, 2-I was always natural as a child, and 3-I never had to transition.

Q: (after church) My daughter is 12 and she wants her hair all natural. She stopped getting relaxers but now her hair is really thin. What should I do?

A: (So, I was totally clueless and didn't want to look that way because I hate not knowing stuff. I told the lady I would bring her some information on Bible Study night...time to research). This is what I came up with:

Transitioning

Sources:

Long Healthy Hair Advisor

Curly Hair Salon

Treasured Locks

Tips for Health and Growth: Part 1 Shampoos

SHAMPOO
All shampoos are not created equal. Harsh sulfates found in some shampoos can strip all the natural oils from your hair. Stripping leads to dry hair and dry hair leads to breakage.
Some of those harsh sulfates include:
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
TEA Laureth Sulfate
TEA Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Some sulfate free shampoo brands:

Avalon Organics
Ingredients: (for Grapefruit & Geranium Refreshing Shampoo) Aqua (Purified Water), Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E), Sodium PCA, Panthenol (Vit. B5), Beta-Glucan, Arginine, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Extract(1), Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract(1), Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract(2), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract(2), Barosma Betulina (Buchu) Leaf Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Starch Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Alcohol(2), Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
EO

(this one has a sulfate listed, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, which is a coconut derivative-a safer alternative)

Ingredients: Purified Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Vegetable Glycerin, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate & Sodium Lauroamphoacetate & Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Panthenol, Hibiscus (Rosa Sinensis) Extract, Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica) Extract, Dry Hair Complex [Lime (Citrus Aurantifolia) Fruit Extract, Avocado (Persea Gratissima) Fruit Extract, Fig (Ficus Carica) Fruit Extract, Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum Graecum) Seed Extract], Hydrolyzed Quinoa Protein, EO� Organic Herb Blend [Organic Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis), Organic Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita) Extract, Organic Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Extract, and Organic White Tea (Camelia Sinensis) Leaf Extract], Stearyl Dihydroxypropyldimonium Oligosaccharides, EO� Essential Oil Blend [Lavender (Lavandula Officinalis) Essential Oil, Orange (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis) Essential Oil, Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis) Essential Oil], Honey, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitmain A), Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate Key Ingredients: Honey, Fig, Fenugreek, Avocado

Pure & Basic

Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 2% Inactive Ingredients: Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Decyl Glucoside, Isosteareth-20, Soyamidopropyl Betaine, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Polyquaternium-7, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Linoleamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phos- phate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Epilobium Angustifolium (Canadian Willow Herb) Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens (Cypress) Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Botanical Fragrance, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate.

Giovanni�s

Ingredients: Aqua (purified water), Rosemary (Rosemarinus Officinalis) Oil, Nettle (Urtica Dioica) oil, Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) Oil, Birch Leaf (butela alba) oil, Chamomile (anthemis nobilis flower) oil, Clary (salvia sclarea), Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia), Coltsfoot leaf (tussilago fargara), Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) oil, Mallow (Malya Sylvestris), Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) oil, Soybean Protein (Glycine Soja), C12 - 14 olefin Sulfonate (coconut derived), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Tocopherol (Vit. E), Trace Minerals, Citric Acid (corn), Sodium Hydroxymethlyglucinate, Sodium Chloride Sea Salt, Grapefruit Seed (citrus derived)

Want to know more about any ingredient in a product you use: Household Ingredient List

Clarifying Shampoo

Many of us use a clarifying shampoo to remove build up. These shampoos also contain sulfates, however they are gentle and when used properly (like once a month) will not damage your hair. Polyoxethylene Fatty Alcohols

PEG 80

Sorbitan Laurate

Decyl Polyglucose

Cocamidoprpyl Betaine

Sodium Myreth Sulfate

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

In the News: Food and Hair......my two fav loves!!

I was supposed to working on an assignment with school when I came across this:
Foods for Healthy Hair

Foods that can encourage hair growth....like I need an excuse to eat. I love food and now I think I love it even more, LOL. According to the article, there are foods that you can eat that will result in healthier longer hair. For those that want the important points, here is the cliff notes version:

"Your hair grows about 1/4 to 1/2 inch every month, and the foundation of all of our new hair, skin, and nail growth is the nutrients we eat," says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, a Chicago-based dietitian. "If you eat a healthy diet, you will grow stronger and healthier cells throughout your entire body -- inside and out." And beware of dietary supplements often marketed to thicken hair or make it grow faster. They may backfire.
Healthy Hair Food No. 1: Salmon
Healthy Hair Food No. 2: Dark Green Vegetables
Healthy Hair Food No. 3: Beans
Healthy Hair Food No. 4: Nuts
Healthy Hair Food No. 5: Poultry
Healthy Hair Food No. 6: Eggs
Healthy Hair Food No. 7: Whole Grains
Healthy Hair Food No. 8: Oysters
Healthy Hair Food No. 9: Low-Fat Dairy Products
Healthy Hair Food No. 10: Carrots
When it comes to foods for healthy hair and beauty, variety is the best way to go. "An overall balanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fatty fish like salmon and low-fat dairy will help keep hair healthy," Giancoli says.

In The News: Healthy hair for young girls

August 31, 2009 Chicago Tribune article about hair and young girls.

Stylist preaches healthy hair and lifestyle to Chicago schoolgirls

Here are some of the key points from the article:

• For the last 10 years, Frances Simmons has been going into Chicago public schools on a mission to educate young African-American girls on the importance of healthy hair and a healthy lifestyle, and how the two can be interwoven into an even healthier self-esteem.
• For blacks, hair travails are deeply rooted in a sad history that too often has defined beauty by a white standard and divided locks into two camps: "good hair" or "bad hair"
• "You've got some mothers who are getting their kindergartners hair weaves or hair pieces," Simmons said. "It breaks your heart. All that weight on those tiny heads."
• In Illinois, stylists who braid aren't required to be licensed so training can be a crapshoot.
• We've been taught not to love our hair and not to love ourselves. Part of having healthy hair is accepting who we are and what we have."

What I really like about this article is that the information is coming from a stylist. Many times we try to share advice or tips we have learned, through reading and research, with our friends and family and the look at us like we don't know what we are talking about. So maybe the same information coming from a professional will open their eyes and ears.