DIY Protein & Moisture Treatments #EthnicHair

To the disbelief of my hairdresser, I've decided that I will be spending the rest of 2011 spotting my fabulously looking bald head and i must say i am loving it!! Come January 2012, I will start growing my hair again and will focus on taking proper care of it. Something I've heard of but have never done partly because I did not see the RandValue of it is conditioning or protein treatment, well turns out you can actually do it yourself in the comfort of your home. This will be part of my weekly regimen when i start growing the hair back. For those of you with relaxed or natural hair here are some pointers on how to give your hair some STRENTH and MOISTURE...

PROTEIN TREATMENTS are used to replace protein lost during chemical treatments. The protein in hair keeps hair strong and helps to prevent breakage. If protein that is lost is not replaced, the hair will become weak and eventually break. This will limit the length the hair can grow. For an effective protein treatment, add a raw egg to your favorite conditioner and apply to wet hair after shampooing. Cover with a plastic cap and allow to sit for 30 to 60 minutes.

MOISTURE TREATMENTS are used to keep hair soft and supple. They must be used when protein treatments are used to combat the dryness that can be caused by too much protein. For an effective moisture treatment, apply virgin coconut oil to wet hair and cover with a plastic cap. Cover with a plastic cap and sit under a hooded dryer for 10 to 15 minutes.

If protein treatments are done without balancing it with moisture, the hair can become dry and break.

Keeping hair moisturized is key to growing black hair long. If black hair is not moisturized properly, it will become dry and eventually break. Black hair care products often contain ingredients which are considered moisturizing. However, many of these ingredients do not moisturize effectively. Petroleum and lanolin are often used in black hair care products, but they are not good for moisture. They only coat the hair with a gloss instead of actually penetrating the hair and moisturizing the hair. To effectively moisturize black hair, you must use a moisture product that can penetrate the hair. Water based moisturizers are capable of penetrating the hair. Coconut oil is the only oil product that can penetrate the hair and moisturize it from the inside. Coconut oil also helps prevent protein losses and keep black hair strong.

Brazilian/Indian Remy Care Tips

when i had my brazilian hair, i battled to find someone to advise on what the hair care process was including my stylist who didnt know much but the basics (she is damn good at putting it on though). I got tips from people who thought Brazilian hair was for the elite and you must pay R250 rand to get it washed every 2nd week - my response was "Really"..Anyways i did a bit of research and found out that a bit of  good quality shampoo and conditioner once a week as well as a touch of hair Serum once a week will keep your Brazilian hair looking fabulously healthy and natural with no shedding either. Big tip though is to not use a handheld blow drier, rather let the hair airdry - keeps the texture and gives it good volume.. here are some proper tips i thought i should share on how to maintain your expensive but great investment:

• Wash your hair at least once per week.
• Use a shampoo with a pH of 7 at the most (neutral pH).
• Apply the shampoo first in your hands and rub them together.
• Distribute the shampoo in the hair, starting with the roots.
• Don't massage. Make movements from the roots downwards to clean your scalp and to bring the foam back to the ends.
• Rinse abundantly.
• Apply the conditioner and comb your hair starting from the ends and by going up gradually to the roots.
• Rinse abundantly.
• Dry your hair with a bath towel without rubbing them. Then finish by letting them dry naturally.
• If you don't have time, use a hair drier set on average heat or even better on cold air. Moreover, hold your hair drier at least 20cm from your hair.
• rub a drop or two of hair serum in your hands and massage it on the hair

should you desire a sleek/wavy look, then do the following when hair has dried:

• Before going to bed, attach your hair in form of a large braid.
• When you wake up, detach your braid. Then comb your hair starting with the ends and going up to the roots

NB: Don't sleep with wet hair. You risk tangling them during the night!!