AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!That is how hard it is to go natural. I have been attempting to go natural for almost 2 years now, and it remains a struggle. I have tried all types of methods and some worked while others didn't. One thing that keeps me on track is the happiness I get everytime I wash my hair and see new curly growth :D So if you are like me and are trying to let go of "The Perm", stay focused and keeping trucking. I have brittle, dry, light brown African-American hair and it seemed to always have split ends no matter what I did. I never used oil because I hated the look of greasy hair. I never let water touch my hair, other than my bi-weekly wash, because I did not want my hair to get frizzy or "nappy". I Made my hair bone straight with a blow dryer and flat-iron. Then I realized I was not treating my hair right, it deserves better. So I did a semi Big Chop (BC), in an attempt to rid my hair of chemicals. My hair has gotten progressively better since begining my journey to freedom from perms. Here are some things that have helped me:
1. Keep your hair moisturized with a Henna and Placenta conditioner treatment sold in CVS. Apply after washing and leave on for 10 minutes.
2. Co-wash your hair WEEKLY with only conditioner.
3. Let your hair AIR DRY twice a month, only use a blow dry every other week if necessary.
4. Deep condition your hair before washing with V05 for 1 minute, or use hot oil (All natural oils like " Africa's Best" )under a cap for 10 minutes bi weekly.
5. Trim your ends at home, very slighty as you see breakage. Stay away from chop-happy stylist. You dont need all your hair cut off at once, a little at a time can help you keep your length as you grow the perm out.
6. Shampoo and condition your hair with NATURAL products with lots of moisture. STAY AWAY from: sulfates, parabens, alcohol, petroleums, MINERAL OIL, and any other ingredient that look too chemically! Aubrey's natural are great for ethnic hairs.
7. Use a satin head scarf to keep hair silky and undamaged.
8. Keep the scalp hydrated with castor oil, especially around the edges, this will ward off breakage.
9. Spritz water on your hair every couple of days. Your hair needs WATER!
10. Clarify shampoo your hair once a month to get all the build-up off your scalp. Nexxus makes a great clarifying shampoo.
Try these steps and see if it works for you, I hope it does work for you in the NU decade!!!!!!
