9 Most ineffective moisturizing practices

You’ve heard it before, over and over again — moisture is everything when it comes to natural hair health. Still, many naturals struggle with keeping their curls, kinks and coils well-moisturized. Perhaps you’re guilty of one of our 9 ineffective moisturizing practices. Check it out; 1. Moisturizing dirty hair/hair that has product buildup The objective of moisturizing is to apply water-based product that penetrates the cuticle (outer layer) of the strand and infuse the cortex (inner layer) with water. If there is too much dirt or product on your cuticle, then there’s little chance that any moisturizing product you apply will make it to the cortex. 2. Using butters or oils as moisturizers With the exception of a few oils, like coconut oil, that can penetrate the strand — oils and butters will sit on the OUTSIDE of your strand because they are SEALANTS, not moisturizers. Their purpose is to lock in moisture — not apply it. If your hair is feeling dry, and you apply a butter or oil, you are just weighing down dry hair, making it more brittle and susceptible to breakage. 3. Using water based products without sealing Just like oils and butters aren’t effective as moisturizers, water-based products — and water itself! — isn’t effective at moisturizing unless it’s sealed in. Water quickly evaporate out of the cortex unless a sealing product is applied to the lock it in. *Note: Spritzes are a great daily moisturizing solution as they contain water, which penetrates the cuticle, as well as oils, that seal the water in. While they aren’t heavy-duty enough to provide long-term moisturizing, they are great as a daily refresher, in between moisture and seal sessions. 4. Under-moisturizing Just like your body can be thirsty way before your throat actually feels parched, natural hair can need moisture way before it feels crunchy and dry. Start by moisturizing your hair at least once a day. If, in the following hours, your hair feels wet and mushy, you can cut your moisturizing down to every other day. If it still feels dry, then you might need to up your moisturizing to twice daily. 5. Neglecting the re-moisturizing process after a shampoo Shampooing is a bit of a paradox when it comes to moisturizing — you are dousing your hair with water, while also stripping your strands of dirt and natural oils that help lock in moisture. So, in a sense, your hair is getting dryer as it gets wetter. The squeaky, super dry feeling your hair has after a shampoo is lack of lubrication, and its critical that it be replaced. Be sure to deep condition after every shampoo and follow up with a moisturize & seal. 6. Using styling products as moisturizers The primary purpose of styling products is NOT to improve the health of your hair. Just like the primary purpose of moisturizing products is NOT to sculpt and style your hair. There are some crossover products that can do both, but most will not. Liquid styling products might look tempting as a fill-in when you need a moisturizer but they might contain alcohols and mineral oil that will dry your hair out in the long run. 7. Focusing on roots instead of ends Your ends are the driest part of your strands and most susceptible to breakage. The natural oils that your scalp secretes don’t travel down far enough to coat your ends, so it’s important that you are proactive in protecting them. Work moisturizing product into your hair from root to tip. Some naturals even limit their product application to the bottom 75% of their strands. 8. Over Moisturizing Properly moisturized strands don’t feel soggy and wet, they feel supple and strong — even when they’re dry. Applying too much moisturizing and sealing product can leave your hair perpetually wet, making it difficult to style. Be even-handed with your product application. Not only will it make styling easier, but it will save your bed spread, couches, car seats, and anything else your hair comes into contact with. 9. Deep conditioning/steaming for hours While there are a few treatments, like henna, that require long-term application, most deep conditioning treatments need 30 minutes or less. Many naturals feel that keeping treatments on overnight helps with softness and moisture, but an increasing number are realizing that 30 minutes (or whatever time the product instructions say) is just as effective as 8 hours. Keep in mind that the makers of your conditioner have tested the product, and know how much time it takes to be effective. www.blackgirllonghair.com

Why not baby oil?

The topic for the day is baby oil (also known as mineral oil, magnesium hydroxide, paraffin, paraffin oil, propelyne glycol, and petroleum). For the longest time, african american women have been using baby oil as a moisturizer on their skin, as well as their newborns. Do you, and your babies a favor and trash it!! I'll tell you why... Mineral oil is one of the inexpensive byproducts made from petroleum. Any oil that uses petroleum as a base can be damaging to the body from the inside out. How is that? (I'm glad you asked:-) The largest organ of your body is the epidermis, the skin. Like all of your organs, it is specialized for particular functions. For the sake of not going off topic, I want to discuss what baby oil stops your body from doing,-- breathing oxygen into the body and excretion of toxins out of the body. With the lifestyle we live and the food that we consume, it is enough that the liver is working overtime to sift through and squeeze anything good that is coming from the average diet. Baby oil acts as a plastic wrap, and we all know what happens when you place plastic wrap over someone's face, they can't breathe. If you are putting this stuff on your skin, it can't breathe, or properly eliminate toxins. Your kidneys and liver are working overtime, storing within the things that would've been excreted through your skin, possibly causing cellular mutation. You may be wondering why you or your child has a skin disorder-- acne, psoriasis, eczema, premature aging, etc. Well, oxygen is not getting into the body, and toxins are not getting out. While baby oil makes the skin appear smoother and more moisturized, the long term affects are the opposite of what is required for optimal health and wellness.If you are looking for something to moisturize, purchase mineral oil-free lotion and mix in some Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Your skin will thank you for it now, but most of all, later...Just my thoughts!! Sincerely with *LoVe*, Danica Norris CEO, Wellness Coach

4 Hair Benefits of Aloe Vera

4 Hair Benefits of Aloe Vera Via AloeVera.com Hair issues, such as hair loss or thinning, excessive frizz, dryness, or oiliness, as well as scalp conditions, including dandruff, scaly, or itchy skin plague, millions of Americans each day. Aloe vera shampoos and conditioners have been around for years and serves as an ideal alternative to commercial hair products. For gorgeous, healthy looking hair, try natural aloe vera. Promoting Hair Growth Aloe vera can be used as a safe and natural treatment to prevent hair loss. It is great for both men and women to promote new hair growth in places that have experienced hair loss or significant thinning. Aloe vera stimulates the production of new hair and may even lessen the effects of Alopecia. Nourishing Shampoo The aloe vera plant is packed with essential vitamins and minerals that aid in restoring hair’s strength and beauty. When combined with coconut milk and oils, such as wheat germ oil or jojoba, aloe vera gel can make a revitalizing shampoo that not only works to prevent hair loss but also promotes new hair growth. Aloe vera gel can be added to favorite shampoos to deliver nourishing benefits. When combined with herbs, essential oils, and plant extracts, the nutritive benefits of aloe vera are multiplied exponentially. Reducing Dandruff The natural enzymes found in aloe vera can soothe and moisturize the scalp, helping to eliminate the scaly dryness that causes dandruff. It also helps to increase blood circulation in the scalp, which works to stimulate the production of moisturizing oils. Aloe vera reduces the dry, itchy feeling that accompanies dryness or oiliness. It keeps the hair’s natural oils in balance to prevent excessively oily or dry scalp. Aloe vera also brings a refreshing and cooling sensation to the scalp. Natural Conditioner Aloe vera acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness. It naturally combats frizz but does not have the greasy buildup that many hair care products leave behind. Regardless of the scalp or hair’s condition, whether too oily or too dry, aloe vera can restore the proper balance. It has amazing results for promoting hair growth as well as staving off hair loss. Say goodbye to expensive and often ineffective hair treatments. Try aloe vera, nature’s own remedy for restoring health and beauty to hair.