Hair Growth Archives

In Hair Care

Is It Possible to Blow Dry Hair Without Damaging It?

5 Mins Read

Countless women across the globe continue to blow dry their hair regularly, completely oblivious to the possible damage it is causing their hair.

Constant blow-drying of hair does lead to damage, dry hair with split ends.

However, imagining every after-shower routine without blow-drying hair seems like a nightmare for a lot of women.

It’s because we quite often take a shower right before sleeping, so waiting for hair to dry itself naturally seems to take forever. Thus the only solution left is using the good old blow dryer.

Alternatively, people with wavy and curly hair are sometimes even afraid to let their hair air dry on their own because it becomes a real mess.

The good news is there is a way out with blow-drying with no damage done. You basically need to learn to take a few precautions, learn how to choose the right blow dryer, and practice recommended damage-free technique for blow-drying.

Will Blow Drying Damage My Hair?

Let us first try to answer the main question in your mind – will blow-drying damage your hair?

The extensive heat coming from a blow dryer, causes hair to lose its natural moisture that is inside the hair. Once the hair lacks the water it needs, the hair simply cracks and becomes brittle, and shortly after it breaks.

The most important part here to understand is that the damage can be eliminated if the correct drying method is used.

Notably, scientists even say that letting the hair air dry on its own can sometimes be more damaging. Studies done in this sphere claim that when the hair is being dried using a blow dryer at a distance of 15 cm, it causes a lot less damage than when it’s airdried.

Professionals say that the excess amount of water for hair is not advantageous, and the longer the hair strand stays wet, the more the cortex has the potential to accumulate and weaken the hair.

Moreover, the usage of a good blow dryer, heat protectant, brush, and drying technique helps to get rid of hair breakage dramatically.

Guide To Damage-Free Blow Dry

Firstly, you need to pay close attention when choosing to buy a blow dryer.

Blow dryers with options to choose temperature and power are known to be the most suitable ones.

You might want to purchase a blow dryer, which incorporates ionic technology because it’s specially designed to cause the least harm possible.

Secondly, the time you keep your wet hair inside a towel matters when it comes to avoiding damage.

The most appropriate amount of time should be ten minutes and not longer.

Also, something that you don’t want to miss in achieving damage-free blow drying is the correct usage of heat protectant.

It’s known that heat protectants are a must, but those should be applied equally and with the right quantity to deliver the best results. When applying, it is crucial to spread the product throughout the scalp, not forgetting about the back of the hair.

Moreover, don’t forget about choosing the right brush. Always remember that when the hair is wet, it’s in the most fragile form, and you better be very gentle while treating it.

Choosing the right brush depends on your hair type and what kind of blowout you want to achieve.

If you have thin and short hair look into round brushes with comparably small sizes. This gives you more control to deal with your hair. On the other hand, people with thicker hair may use larger sized brushes to create volume with more ease.

Also, be aware that brushes that include vented barrels speed up the time needed to blow dry. Ceramic ones can hold the heat inside them perfectly, while bristle or nylon brushes are a tool to achieve shiny hair when blow-drying.

Speaking of the process itself, professionals suggest starting at low speed and heat options. Dry the hair holding the dryer 15 cm away from the hair strand, and only when the hair feels near 90 percent dry, you may adjust the temperature to higher heat.

In the end, you may turn your hair upside down, dry, and brush hair in that position for a few minutes. This will help you achieve a lot of volume at the roots and a salon-like blowout.

Takeaway

Blow drying hair is nothing to be fearful about as long as you take a few precautions.

Fortunately, it is a reliable method if it’s used wisely and not overused, of course.

And remember that nothing is harmful when used in proper quantities.

These simple yet valuable steps for your regular blow-drying process should feel both time-saving and satisfying.

If you happen to be blow-drying your hair too often, consider making these changes to your routine, and experience the best possible results with beautiful, shiny hair.

In Hair Care

Effects, Benefits and Usage of Aloe Vera on Skin and Hair

6 Mins Read

If you are getting increasingly conscious about your hair as well as skin and want to establish an efficient routine for both, try to include pure Aloe Vera gel in your regular care schedule.

Aloe Vera is one of those natural ingredients that have the potential to leave you amazed in a short amount of time.

To learn exactly what makes Aloe Vera such a magical plant, how it works on your skin, hair and body and what are the effective methods on applying it on your face and hair, do read on for more insights on the topic.

About Aloe Vera Plant In General

This thick type of plant called Aloe Vera or Aloe Barbadensis is enriched with carbohydrates and has numerous beneficial compounds like vitamins, amino acids, minerals, etc.

The most prominent characteristic of Aloe Vera gel that should be mentioned above all is that it acts as an excellent moisturizer.

The reason behind it, is connected to the fact that the plant of aloe grows in rather a dry climate, which actually makes it full of water, hence an effective moisturizer.

Besides that, Aloe Vera is a well-acknowledged remedy known to treat skin sunburns, be used as a mouthwash, and even as a method to fight against diseases such as cancer.

Benefits of Aloe Vera Gel For The Skin

Besides it being a perfect moisturizer for the face, Aloe Vera gel also has the capability to downturn the look of irritated skin, and this is due to compounds of the plant, like acemannan, which aid the cells to reduce the redness of the skin.

Another benefit of Aloe Vera gel for our skin is its ability to act as an anti-aging remedy. Components present in the plant of Aloe Vera help improve the natural collagen production of our skin cells. The regular application of Aloe Vera is known to have tightening effects for the skin.

Adding to the benefits mentioned above, the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of this plant also act as a helping hand when a person deals with acne. There are variants of masks to try out; however, even applying the Aloe Vera gel itself with nothing added is a way to soothe the skin cells and treat acne.

Moreover, if you notice some dark spots on your body and want to find a remedy to treat those naturally, try applying Aloe Vera directly to the affected places.

Aloe Vera Gel For Hair Care

Enough said about skin benefits. What about the amazing results that Aloe Vera may have on your hair?

Besides being a great natural product to be used on the skin, Aloe Vera gel can help you with its unique advantages when it comes to hair care.

If your hair scalp struggles from excess oil build-up, you have dry and damaged hair, or you desire quick hair growth, then Aloe Vera can be one of the ideal solutions for your problems.

When you rub Aloe Vera gel directly to your scalp and leave it for nearly one hour, it works as a cleanser for hair follicles. It cleans up all the excess oil while simultaneously keeping the natural oils inside the hair, promising healthy and shiny looking hair.

Since this plant contains vitamin A, C and E, and other essential amino acids, it is also beneficial to achieve soft and healthy hair. These vitamins are acknowledged to promote healthy cells, which therefore results in having shiny looking and smooth feeling hair.

On top of this, when applied to the hair scalp, this plant acts as an excellent hair growth promoter. It is full of minerals like zinc and copper, which are known to be enriching the hair follicle actively, leading to extensive hair growth.

The simplest method of applying Aloe Vera is to use the gel from the plant’s leaves, or if you prefer a bottled version, you can buy Aloe Vera gel from your nearest supermarket or pharmacy.

How to Use Aloe Vera Gel?

There are two ways that people usually get hold of pure Aloe Vera gel.

1) You can buy the thick leaves of this plant and extract the gel yourself. There are those who grow the plant in their garden and use the leaves as and when ready to harvest.

However, if you are planning on doing this, you need to be careful. When you cut the leaves of Aloe Vera, they also contain a yellowish liquid along with the actual gel. This liquid needs to be carefully drained out from the leaves before you can scoop the gel for further use. Not doing so can lead to skin irritation and worse in some cases.

2) The other method is to simply buy pure Aloe Vera gel from the store. This is the easiest and most recommended method of acquiring natural Aloe Vera gel.

What you need to keep in mind here is that the store-bought gel should be pure and free from other artificial ingredients. Some companies add a natural perfume and Vitamin E to the gel to enrich it further. This is fine as long as both those ingredients were natural and not artificial. Perfume is added since pure Aloe Vera gel has a fragrance that not many will like.

Regardless of how you get your Aloe Vera gel, for usage, you need to take a teaspoon worth of the gel on your fingertips and massage gently around your scalp or skin.

Initially, you may feel a bit slimy but the gel dries out very fast. So keep this in mind and wait a few minutes after applying Aloe Vera gel.

Final Thoughts

Aloe Vera gel is one of the best gifts of nature for both our hair as well as skin. As long as you are using pure Aloe Vera gel, you are fine and can possibly see excellent results.

As always with anything, do apply only a bit first to check for allergic reactions. If you are fine, then use it regularly for your skin as well as hair care routine.

In Hair Growth

Growing Hair Overnight: Fact or Fiction

6 Mins Read

If you’ve ever longed for lengthier locks, you’ve probably tried to learn how to make your hair grow overnight. While it’s a well-known scientific fact that most healthy hair grows about a quarter to half an inch every month, there are articles aplenty boasting methods to teach you how to make your hair grow longer overnight. Mostly, you’ll find that there are mayonnaise and keratin treatments, and other sticky situations. But you know as well as we do – that doesn’t actually work as advertised.

Let’s just get it out in the open: there’s no make your hair grow fast overnight. If you come across someone peddling that premise, you know you’re barking up the wrong tree.

Instead of trying cockamamie schemes that won’t ever work, this week’s trick will teach you how to make your hair grow overnight – well, over many nights. The most important ways to achieve healthy hair growth are through optimal hair care, your diet, and the way you take care of your scalp.

Eating Right for Hair Growth

Vitamins, nutrients, and protein are the golden keys if you’re looking for long, lovely locks. The hair growth cycle is implemented at many different times for each hair on your head. The anagen stage of the hair growth cycle is also known as the growing phase, and the best way to learn how to grow your hair longer overnight is by training your locks to languish in this phase.

Did you know that protein makes up 90% of your hair? It’s a special protein called keratin, and the more protein you have in your diet, the more of it you can produce. The sweet spot for health science and nutritionists is at least 15% of your daily food intake being some type of protein.

Although any protein will do the trick, we recommend those from marine life. Fish (salmon especially), oysters, and shrimp contain omega-3 fatty acids that support a healthy and hydrated scalp. Pescatarians can rejoice, because marine proteins also contain some of the most crucial nutrients that help hair grow long, thick, and fast: vitamin B3, iron, and zinc.

Vitamin B3 is also called niacin, and can work as a form of detox for your body. Hair will shed less and be less likely to break if your diet is rich in niacin. This vitamin also makes your hair and skin look youthful and shiny.

Iron empowers your red blood cells to transmit oxygen throughout the body, and livens up your cells this way. Chief among those? You guessed it: Your hair follicles. In fact, if you’re losing your hair and you don’t think you should be, you might want to check and see if you’re anemic.

Zinc is another essential nutrient found in fish and shellfish. It keeps your body balanced by aiding in the production of the hormones called androgens. If your hair is growing slowly, falling out, or continuously filled with dandruff, your androgen levels may be low.

Don’t have the chops to eat marine proteins? No worries – simply add omega-3’s and a daily vitamin and mineral supplement to your diet. Vegetarians and vegans, especially, will want to protect their hair this way.

Secrets to A Healthy Scalp

You’ve got your vitamin game down. Now, you need to make sure that your hair has the ultimate growing environment. The best platform for this is through a healthy scalp, and one that has great circulation. If your scalp is happy, your hair will be happy. And you will look great and feel even better!

It might come second nature to you in the shower or during those tough work projects, but be sure to massage your scalp with your fingertips as much as you can throughout the day. 20 minutes is ideal, but you want to make sure to just use your fingertips to avoid greasing up your scalp’s natural habitat. If you want to go even further with scalp serenity, essential oils can be a game changer for scalp circulation and comfort. Choose essential oils that improve circulation, such as citrus oils or peppermint. If you feel it tingle, that’s a good sign.

If massaging and oils aren’t your thing, hit the running trails or gym and work it out! Blood flow increases everywhere when you’re exercising, and the cold shower you take afterwards can help, too. Cold immediately stimulates increased blood flow, as your head will be trying to get warm. When you feel a pang of energy as the cold water hits your head, you know your getting your blood pumping!

Last but not least, practicing stretching exercises where your head is upside down (or inverted) will increase the blood flow to your scalp. Yoga is notoriously good for this. Make sure your blood pressure is stable if you’re going to turn yourself upside down!

Healthy Hair Habits

If you are still wondering how to make your hair grow longer overnight, there’s one way that – over a number of nights – is sure to make a difference. Keep your ends trimmed! Split ends can make your hair brittle and dry, and aren’t a good look for anyone. Make sure to get a good haircut every other month (or more!), and minimize breakage of ends.

If you ditch the blow dryer, your ends won’t break as much. But if you’ve got to style your hair with heat, make sure to keep it below 340 degrees Fahrenheit. Any hotter and the keratin starts to break down, creating the perfect storm of problems for otherwise healthy hair.

To Conclude

You can do everything right for your diet, hair, and scalp, and you still might not unlock the secrets of how to make your hair grow overnight (or nights). Genetics is a factor in all types of health issues, including rates of hair growth. If you stimulate your scalp, have a great haircut, don’t fry your ends, and eat really healthy, your bad genetics may not matter so much! You’ll be looking and feeling great without worrying about how to grower fuller thicker hair overnight. Love your locks, and they will love you!

In Hair Growth

Vitamins for Healthy Hair – Vitamin B Complex

6 Mins Read

B vitamins consist of a group of water soluble vitamins that are essential to your overall health. A common misconception about B vitamins is that they are all one vitamin, commonly referred to as vitamin B. In reality, though, there are many B vitamins including B1, B2, B3 along with vitamins B5, B6, B7, B9 and finally B12. It has been long known that some of the B-complex vitamins can do wonders when it comes to improving hair growth, shine and thickness. Let’s take a better look at how B-complex vitamins can help hair grow better.

Which B Vitamins Promote Hair Growth?

While there are many different B vitamins, each with slightly different health benefits, most hair care experts recommend that if you have a vitamin B deficiency, you should be taking full vitamin B complex supplements (or eating foods that contain all of these vitamins). The reason for this is simple: B vitamins work to support many vital bodily functions and they are better absorbed and produce the best results when taken together.

Below is a list of B-complex vitamins that are commonly used to promote healthy hair.

Vitamin B2 (also known as riboflavin): This vitamin plays a key role in fat, protein and carb metabolism. A riboflavin deficiency can result in severe or gradual hair loss.

Vitamin B5 (also known as pantothenate): This vitamin is commonly found in various skin and hair care products. A pantothenate deficiency can result in hair loss and scalp irritation. Some hair care experts believe that vitamin B5 can be applied to hair externally to make it shinier and stronger. For this reason vitamin B5 is commonly found in hair shampoos and conditioners, although there is no strong evidence showing that B5 applied externally has any measurable benefits (and if it does they are likely to be very short lasting).

Vitamin B6: While this vitamin is not linked to hair growth directly, it can help to keep your skin and scalp healthy, which will in turn promote better hair growth. Vitamin B6 deficiency can bring on a skin condition called dermatitis which is often responsible for slower hair growth and thinning.

Vitamin B7 (also known as Biotin): One of the main ingredients in hair and skin care products, Biotin is thought to make nails and hair grow stronger. Overall Biotin is an extremely important vitamin as it is required by the body in order to produce fatty acids and promote cell growth. Although Biotin deficiencies are rare, they do happen and can cause hair loss, thinning and breakage.

Vitamin B12: Just like with vitamin B6, B12 has no direct link to hair growth. With that said, without B12 the body cannot perform many metabolic functions which can have an indirect negative effect on hair growth and your overall health. Gray hair at an early age (under 30 or so) can also be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Now, it’s important you understand that if your vitamin B levels are perfectly normal (ask your doctor to have your levels checked), you won’t see much of an improvement when it comes to hair growth. Most people, however, do have slight vitamin B deficiencies and will usually see positive results after taking additional supplements for at least 3-6 weeks. Just remember to consult with your doctor before taking any supplements!

Vitamin B Deficiency

A vitamin B deficiency can often go unnoticed for years. The most common signs and symptoms are very general and most people don’t think much of them until the condition gets really bad.

Now, while there are many different B vitamins, a deficiency of vitamin B12, for example, can lead to a vitamin B6 deficiency and so on. This makes accurate diagnosis without a specialized blood test very difficult. Some of the signs of vitamin B deficiency are:

Dry and itchy skin, especially around the mouth.
Cracked lips, especially around the edges.
Rash on the face or genitals.
Brittle nails.
Lots of dandruff.
Headaches.
Extreme nervousness and irritability.
Gray hair in people under the age of 30.
Depression, lack of energy, fatigue and constant tiredness. Vitamin B helps us access energy from food and a deficiency can make all bodily functions “lag behind” a bit.
Some cases of hormonal imbalance can be caused by lack of vitamin B. Hormonal imbalance leads to hair loss.
Problems with the central nervous system often inhibit healthy hair growth. B-complex vitamins are absolutely essential to nervous system health.

Again, having proper blood work done is very important. In some cases (quite common actually) the body might lack the ability to absorb certain B vitamins which can lead to serious hair problems.

In some instances vitamin B deficiencies are caused by a poor diet. Unhealthy foods can inhibit vitamin B absorption and lead to deficiencies. These foods include potato chips, barbequed foods, foods that have been processed using fats and so on. Birth control pills and environmental factors (toxins, tobacco smoke, etc) can also cause vitamin B deficiencies. Do note that if your body cannot absorb vitamin B due to one of the above reasons (or your genetics), taking simple supplements will not help and you may require vitamin B shots.

How to Take Vitamin B

While most hair care products contain B-complex vitamins, there is very little evidence that any of the many B vitamins have any effect when applied externally. For this reason, I recommend that you either take vitamin B supplements or change to a diet rich in B vitamins. The exact dose is very difficult to estimate and only your doctor can give you qualified advice. In most cases, however, sticking to the recommended daily dose that comes with your chosen supplement should be safe and sufficient.

Hint!

People with vitamin B12 deficiencies often choose to take sublingual (under the tongue) vitamin B12 supplements to help absorption.

Foods that contain B-complex vitamins are: green leafy vegetables, liver, enriched wholegrain cereals/bread, all kinds of fish, bananas, peanuts, watermelon, grapefruit, wheat bread, mushrooms, eggs, milk, lean red meat and so on.

I hope that you liked this article and please share if you have any further tips when it comes to hair growth and B-complex vitamins!

In Hair Growth

Castor Oil for Hair Growth – The Benefits Of Using Castor Oil For Your Hair

6 Mins Read

In all the research I’ve done on various ways to stimulate hair growth and keep hair healthy, perhaps the single most interesting and unexpected finding I’ve come across is using castor oil for hair growth. This is without doubt one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to having a full head of gorgeous hair. Castor oil is considered a vegetable oil, and it’s obtained by pressing the seeds (called castor beans, even though they aren’t true beans) of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis).

The plant originates in the southeastern Mediterranean Basin, eastern Africa and India, but it is commonly grown as an ornamental plant throughout many tropical regions, especially variations with reddish leaves and flowers. It’s important to be aware that the plant and its beans constitute one of the most poisonous plants in the world. If you ate a handful of the seeds and didn’t get immediate medical attention, it could very well be fatal. The toxin it contains is called ricin, which is obviously removed from castor oil products. I only mention all of this in case you get the idea to grow your own plants and try to make your own castor oil. Don’t do it!

With that quick disclaimer, let’s get into the huge benefits you can reap by using castor oil for hair growth and health. If you’re like me, you’ll wonder how you haven’t heard of this wonder hair treatment before! Here are seven major benefits of using castor oil on your hair:

Castor Oil Hair Care

Reduces Hair Loss. With all the styling, drying, coloring and other things we do to our hair, not to mention the genetics we inherit, hair loss is an all too common and psychologically depressing occurrence for many people. Using castor oil on your scalp and hair helps protect it because of the ricinoleic acid it contains, which both protects your hair and stimulates nutrient-rich bloodflow to your scalp that keeps hair strong, healthy and intact. Ricinoleic acid makes up about 90% of castor oil, so it’s definitely one of the richest sources of this hair tonic you’ll find anywhere.

Stimulates Hair Growth. The act of applying castor oil by gently massaging it into your scalp and hair boosts circulation of blood to the scalp and hair follicles, which is essential to stimulating hair growth. But the oil itself also helps because of its high omega-6 fatty acid content, which is another important component in growing healthy hair. Well-nourished hair will be stronger, more resilient, and less prone to falling out prematurely.

Fights Scalp Infections. Various pathogenic microbes can take root in the scalp and cause all kinds of trouble, from bald patches to itchiness, all of which can stall out hair growth. Castor oil has natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and even anti-viral properties that will help wipe out any pathogenic organisms that can cause a variety of scalp and hair issues, including follliculitus, ringworm and peidra.

Controls Split Ends and Hair Breakage. Castor oils rich levels of vitamin E, amino acids, and omega-6 fatty acids help put a stop to both split ends and breakage by penetrating deep into your scalp and smoothening out rough hair cuticles (the hard, outermost part of the hair shaft).

Moisturizes and Conditions. There are omega-9 acids in castor oil that help lock moisture into both your hair and scalp, making it a surprisingly effective conditioner. Because dry scalp can lead to dandruff, making regular use of castor oil can help keep that problem under control as it moisturizes your scalp. Castor oil has the ability to penetrate dry and damaged hair to heal and restore it.

Gives Hair a Beautiful Shine and Silky Feel. By coating each shaft of hair and locking in moisture, castor oil leads to a natural luster as well as a smoother, silkier feel. Note also that castor oil tends to give hair a richer, darker hue due to its humectant effect and nutrients.

Increases Thickness of Hair. Both the omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids will help make your hair feel thicker, giving a real boost to its volume.

Heal and Regrow Eyebrows and Eyelashes. If you find yourself needing to regrow or thicken thin eyebrows, castor oil is probably your best bet. You can also use it to repair and strengthen your eyelashes as well. Use a mascara brush to apply it to your eyelashes.

How to Use Castor Oil for Hair Growth?

The first thing to be aware of is that you want to use an unrefined castor oil product because that will have many more of the nutrients that make your hair healthier. Also know that castor oil is quite viscous, meaning you’ll find it a lot thicker and stickier than other oils, so you might consider mixing it with a lighter oil to make it easier to work with. Coconut, olive or almond oils are good choices to mix with castor oil. Choosing an oil with a pleasing odor will also make your hair smell great (who doesn’t like the smell of coconut?).

A good rule of thumb here is that the longer you’re going to leave it in, the less you should use. It’s powerful stuff, and you don’t want to overdo it. If you only use a small amount, feel freet o use it on a daily basis as an added conditioner. Leave it in a good 15-30 minutes before washing your hair with your favorite shampoo. For longer treatments, use less, massaging it into your scalp and throughout your hair in sections, then wrap your hair in a moist, warm towel for an hour. If you leave it in overnight, be sure to wear a shower cap. To reduce the messiness of the whole process, you can also try using an applicator like a hair dye dispensing bottle or brush instead of your hands. Although you won’t see substantial improvements immediately, after about a month or so of regular use, you’ll notice all of the amazing benefits of using castor oil for hair growth and health.

In Hair Growth

Coconut Oil for Hair Growth

7 Mins Read

You will never have the healthy and shiny hair of your dreams if your hair doesn’t grow properly. Hair growth is influenced by a number of factors, which include your overall health, your diet and of course whether or not you follow a good hair care regimen. If you are looking to promote hair growth, your hair care regimen must include oil application. Many people use coconut oil for hair growth. When used correctly this oil conditions, protects and moisturizes the scalp and allows the hair to grow properly.

In this article I’m going to tell you why coconut oil can help your hair grow faster, explain how to apply it to hair, and give you some general advice for using this amazing natural oil on your hair.

How Does Coconut Oil Work to Promote Hair Growth?

Shields hair protein:Lauric acid, a major component of coconut oil gives the oil its protective properties. Lauric acid is a fatty acid that easily binds hair proteins thus helping in protecting roots of hair strands and preventing hair breakage. A study conducted in 2003 revealed that coconut oil can reduce or prevent hair protein loss more effectively than mineral and sunflower oils (these two oils are common ingredients of many hair care products).

Seals in hair moisture: Regular application of coconut oil can help you to keep your hair strong and moisturized. Coconut oil possesses the ability of penetrating the hair shaft and thus conditions your hair from within. The oil supplies enough moisture to protect your hair follicles from environmental impurities and heat.

Contains antibacterial and antifungal properties: Coconut oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties give the oil the ability of protecting your scalp against dandruff and lice, both of which can hinder hair growth.

Contains nutrients: Coconut oil is a rich source of nutrients like vitamin E, vitamin K and iron. These nutrients are essential for maintaining your hair’s shine and softness. Vitamin E is particularly effective in eradicating dandruff, which is a major cause of hair fall and hindered hair growth.

Improves blood circulation: Massage your scalp with coconut oil to stimulate blood circulation. Improved blood circulation to your scalp will ensure that your hair follicles receive the required amount of essential nutrients and oxygen. This will make your hair follicles healthy and promote hair growth.

How to Apply Coconut Oil

There are two ways to apply coconut oil to hair – either before or after washing:

People with slightly wavy or straight hai should undergo coconut oil treatment before washing their hair.
If you have curly or thick hair, you can apply coconut oil both before and after washing your hair. As curly hair tends to absorb oil quickly, you will not end up having greasy looking hair even if you apply coconut oil after washing the hair.

Before shampooing: First apply the oil generously to your scalp and rub the scalp gently to ensure that the oil spreads adequately to the entire area. Continue massaging the scalp for 5 minutes. Now, concentrate on your hair strands. If required you can take some more oil for oiling the hair strands. Leave the oil on your hair for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2-4 hours if you have a lot of hair breakage problems) and then wash the hair off with your regular shampoo.

During shampooing: Some people get amazing results by mixing their shampoo and/or conditioner with coconut oil (50/50 or some other ratio). Give it a try and see how it compares with using coconut oil as a pre-wash treatment. This is by far the least time consuming method, so that’s a big benefit as well.

After shampooing: Not all types of hair react well to post-wash coconut oil treatment. If you find that your hair is “protein sensitive”, it is likely to react badly to coconut oil as well, so keep this in mind. As for application, here’s what I recommend: if you have problems with split-ends or dry hair, apply a little coconut oil to the ends of your hair (up to 2-3 inches) after it has completely dried out.

Tips for Using Coconut Oil On Your Hair

While there are thousands of articles touting the benefits of coconut oil treatments for hair, very few of them provide tips to maximize those benefits and avoid any potential pitfalls. The truth is that coconut oil hair treatments are not suitable for everyone. In the next few paragraphs I’m going to give you some tips for using coconut oil, explain how it works, and help you decide whether this kind of treatment is right for you.

Q: Should I warm the oil up before applying it?

A: Due to the fact that coconut oil turns solid in lower (room) temperatures, it often makes sense to warm it up a little before use. This makes it much simpler to apply to hair/scalp. Avoid using hot oil as it can damage your skin. A simple way to prepare coconut oil for use is to fill a large bowl with boiling-hot water and then place a smaller bowl with some oil into it. Wait until the coconut oil melts and then use it!

Q: How much oil should I apply to my hair?

A: When applying coconut oil to your hair before shampooing you can use as much oil as you feel necessary. Many people dose coconut oil the same way as regular shampoo/conditioner by applying just enough to cover the scalp and full hair length.

Now, using coconut oil as a leave-in treatment after washing your hair is very different. Applying too much of it will almost certainly leave your hair looking greasy and tangled. Plus, oil attracts dust and other pollutants which can make the hair look dirty really fast. I recommend using just a tiny amount of coconut oil on the ends to help combat dryness. If you are looking for a suitable leave-in post-wash oil treatment for your hair, coconut oil is not it.

Q: What are the benefits of pre-wash coconut oil treatments?

A: Using coconut oil on your hair prior to washing is a great way to minimize damage and breakage that occurs when you wash your hair. Water has the tendency to soften our skin and can lead to the skin around your hair follicles becoming tender and prone to damage. This can lead to hair breakage, shedding and various other problems.

Luckily, since coconut oil is a water repellent, applying some of it to the scalp/hair before washing can prevent this from happening. Another thing that sets coconut oil apart from other oils is that it bonds with hair proteins with ease and can penetrate deep into the skin thanks to its light chemical properties. This creates a temporary “shield” that protects your scalp and hair from water damage.

Q: What about using coconut oil as a post-wash treatment?

A: Most people use coconut oil after shampooing to prevent split ends. Wait until the hair has dried out completely and then apply a little oil to the very ends. The oil is quickly absorbed by the hair and forms a “protective” layer shielding your hair from environmental damage.

Q: Does coconut oil really cure head lice?

A: There is a lot of evidence that coconut oil is very effective as a natural head lice treatment. For instance, one UK study found a special coconut oil + anise spray to be nearly twice more effective at eradicating head lice than any other widely used treatment today.

A commonly used (although never studied) lice treatment is to soak the scalp and hair in coconut oil, then cover with foil, shower cap or a towel. Leave it on overnight, then wash the oil out with shampoo. There’s no evidence that this treatment works, but many proponents of all-natural remedies swear by it.

If you have any questions about coconut oil for hair please ask in the comments below and I will answer them as soon as possible.

In Hair Growth

Hair Essentials for Hair Growth, A Review

4 Mins Read

If you could take most of the home remedies for hair growth and put them into a formula, you’d get Hair Essentials for Hair Growth in capsule form. It’s a shotgun approach to the most common reasons why people develop hair loss – nutrient deficiencies, high testosterone, and essential fat deficiencies.

The list of ingredients is actually quite impressive:

Vitamin A, C, and E at 115-117% of the estimated value for adults
Biotin at 350 mcg, 115% of the daily value
Iodine, zinc and selenium at over 100% of the daily value
Herbs known for their hair growth ability – saw palmetto, fo-ti, Bu-gu-zhi, milk thistle, white tea, horsetail, and Eclipta herb
Two amino acids cysteine and methionine
Essential fats from flaxseed oil and borage oil
Black pepper to stimulate the absorption of the herbs and other ingredients
Rice bran, an overall B supplement
MSM and collagen

This is truly a winning ingredient list that can stimulate new hair growth and thicken the strands of hairs that do grow. It can make a big difference in many people’s hair loss. I’d definitely recommend it to most patients with hair loss or those who just want a healthier head of hair.

What I like best about it is the choice of herbs used in the formula. Saw palmetto can decrease the influence of high testosterone levels on the hair follicles. Testosterone can increase hair loss, so if this is one of the reasons for your hair loss, you want to make sure that it is addressed. Fo-ti has been used for hair growth and also to reverse gray hairs. No one wants new hair growth that is all gray! If this herb can help at all, put it in the formula! And that’s exactly what the company that makes Hair Essentials for Hair Growth has done.

Horsetail is known for its high silica content. Silica is what makes hair strong and resilient and prevents it from developing split ends. You want the hair you are growing to be strong! And the herb Eclipta alba has had the best success of any herb in growing hairs. In one study this herb increased hair growth by 46%.

Herbs fill in gaps in the body’s metabolic pathways that vitamins and minerals can’t fill. That’s why I’m so glad that this formula has included seven different herbs. The milk thistle is known for its effect on the liver. Milk thistle isn’t really considered an herb for hair growth but it supports liver functions and this comes in handy when someone might have high testosterone levels or high heavy metals. If cadmium levels are high, it can lead to hair loss, and if milk thistle is cleansing the liver of cadmium, you have another benefit from this product.

It is true that Hair Essentials for Hair Growth is missing a few ingredients that can affect hair growth. If someone has an iron deficiency, which is easily tested for by the doctor, it can seriously interfere with hair growth and cause hair loss. There’s no iron in the Hair Essentials for Hair Growth formula. So you may want to get tested first to see if you’ll be needing any extra iron.

Not including iron in the formula is understandable, as there has been a fear promoted by some media reports and health experts about iron toxicity. Although most people are low in iron anyway, the myth circulating the internet is that iron causes free radicals in the body. The truth is that this doesn’t happen that often. Iron deficiency is more common, especially in menstruating women. Another myth could conceivably contribute to why people are low in iron is not to eat any red meat because it’s bad for you. We all need iron. Like other nutrients, we need it in small amounts no matter what.

Another thing missing from the formula is folic acid, which causes hair loss if you have a deficiency. Folic acid is one of the B vitamins. Other B vitamins include vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B12, biotin, choline, and inositol.

You may want to take a separate folic acid supplement of 5 mg a day to supplement when using this supplement. But remember that if you increase the level of one B vitamin in the diet, you must increase all the others, too to prevent a deficiency. With Hair Essentials for Hair Growth supplement, you’d have to take a separate B complex vitamin to make sure you are getting everything you need without creating imbalances in the B vitamins.

Overall, I give the Hair Essentials for Hair Growth supplement product a high rating. Most people start noticing a difference in their hair growth in the first 3 weeks.

In Hair Growth

Castor Oil for Healthier Hair

7 Mins Read

Hair oils are incredibly popular these days and castor oil specifically is one of the most commonly used oils right now. Many people believe castor oil to have countless benefits such as increased hair growth, thicker and stronger hair, and that it can even make your hair darker.

In this article, I’m going to take a closer look at castor oil benefits and try to find out whether it can really help with hair growth and thickness. Continue reading or jump straight to the sections about hair growth, hair darkening and other castor oil benefits or how to apply castor oil.

What is Castor Oil?

Castor oil is a very thick vegetable oil that is extracted from castor beans (which are not real beans, actually) that are part of a plant that grows in India, China and parts of Brazil. This oil is used in a variety of industries and is known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and laxative effects. That’s right, I said laxative, as in it can cause digestive problems, diarrhea and nausea in some individuals (but only when used in very large amounts or ingested). Castor oil has a very low molecular mass which allows it to penetrate deep into the skin.

The American Cancer Society notes that castor oil should never be used by women who are pregnant or suffer from chronic digestive problems. Under normal conditions castor oil is considered to be completely safe and should not cause any issues.

Castor Oil for Hair

Castor oil, just like many other oils, is often used as a leave in scalp and hair treatment. Just like with coconut oil, not all types of hair and scalp like castor oil and the only way to find out whether it will work well for you is to give it a shot. Let’s look at some of the benefits of using castor oil for hair.

Castor oil for hair growth: While many articles online claim that using this oil regularly can help to speed up normal hair growth and even spur new hair growth, there is no scientific evidence whatsoever showing that castor oil has a direct influence on how fast hair grows. This doesn’t mean that using castor oil to help with hair regrowth is pointless, though.

Now, a lot of times slow hair growth happens due to issues with the scalp or the fact that hair strands grow weak and break off early. Another common factor is improper use of hair care products or bad hair care in general. Since castor oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, applying it to your scalp can help treat dandruff, flaky scalp, dryness, and itchiness. There are no guarantees that it will work for you though, but it is definitely worth trying, especially with so many people reporting amazing results when using castor oil.

Another (indirect) reason why using castor can help with hair growth is improved blood circulation in the scalp due to stimulation with fingers when applying the oil. It is well known that scalp massages are good for hair health and the process of applying castor oil (or any oil for that matter) to the scalp is like a mini-massage.

Castor oil for hair darkening: Some people say that using castor oil can make hair darker. While there is no scientific evidence of this, I have actually seen this happen (although the effect was very small and temporary) so there’s definitely something to it. Most experts believe that since castor oil is extremely thick, it actually coats the hair and makes it look slightly thicker and darker than usual. This effect is temporary, because natural hair color is not changed. So, if you have blond or light colored hair, keep this in mind when using castor oil. And again remember that the darkening effect is very, very mild and might not really be noticeable at all in some cases.

Castor oil for thicker eyebrows/eyelashes:
This oil is commonly used to make eyelashes appear thicker and grow longer. While I don’t believe that it can actually make eyebrows/eyelashes grow faster or longer, it can definitely add some (temporary) thickness and make them look darker and “fuller”. Some beauty experts say that castor oil used on eyebrows kills off bacteria that hinders hair growth and can actually help increase length and stop shedding.

Do note that castor oil should not be allowed to get into your eyes! Use very little oil and apply it carefully.

Castor oil for hair shedding and itchy scalp: Some people say that castor oil stops hair shedding and can cure various conditions that cause itchy scalp and dry, flaky skin. Others have tried using castor oil but had to stop due to increased shedding. This just goes to show that everyone’s scalp is different and there’s no way to tell exactly how your hair/scalp is going to react to castor oil without giving it a try.

How to Use Castor Oil On Hair

The process of applying castor oil to scalp/hair is very simple. Do remember that most people use it as a leave in treatment for scalp and hair strands. Castor oil is rarely applied to hair length/ends. Here are some tips to get your started:

Castor oil is very thick. Applying it undiluted can be problematic – you should either get your scalp/hair wet before using the oil or mix (50/50) castor oil together with a different oil such as coconut, avocado or almond. This will make it easier to spread the oil out nicely and should help to prevent buildup.
Castor oil doesn’t smell nice. Add a few drops of rosemary, peppermint or a similar essential oil to help with the smell.
Use very little oil. When applying castor oil to your scalp you should avoid overuse to prevent having to deal with greasy hair afterwards. Plus, if you put too much of it on your head, it can be very difficult to wash out!
Spread it evenly. While many people like to use a dropper bottle to drop oil directly onto the scalp, I prefer using my fingers instead. Put your castor oil mix into a small bowl, dip your fingers in the oil and then apply it gently to your scalp. This may not seem like a big deal, but it does help to reduce problems with greasy/oily hair post-treatment.
Warm it up. If the oil feels extremely thick you can warm it up a little to make it more fluid. Don’t microwave it though – fill up a bowl with hot water, then add a smaller bowl with some castor oil into it and wait 2-4 minutes.
Shampoo or conditioner? If you find that your regular shampoo just doesn’t get all of the oil out of your head, try using a conditioner instead (and skip the shampoo). Apply some conditioner to your head/hair, wait for 10-20 minutes and then wash it out.
How long? Leave the oil in for at least 30 minutes and then wash it out. Some people like to leave castor oil in overnight which is also fine. I don’t think that going any longer than 2-3 hours has any added benefit, but choose whatever method is the most convenient for you.
How often? Just 1-2 treatments per week should be enough to see good results. Give it about four weeks and if you aren’t seeing an improvement in how your scalp/hair feels – try something different.

As you can see, castor oil is a superb scalp treatment that you should try at least once, especially if you have problems with itching, dry scalp and shedding. Just remember this:

Dilute the oil using coconut, almond or some other oil. Use very little oil.
Add several drops of your favorite essential oil (rosemary, peppermint) to make it smell better.
Warm it up a little (don’t microwave!).
Apply it evenly to your scalp and leave in for at least 30 minutes.
If shampooing doesn’t get it all out try using a simple, cone-free conditioner instead.

That’s it! Let us know how it goes and feel free to ask questions in the comments below.

In Hair Growth

Black Hair Growth Tips

5 Mins Read

If you want hair down to your bra-strap, it’s not going to happen automatically unless you use black hair growth tips consistently and stay dedicated to your purpose.

Hair grows at the rate of about one-fourth to one-half inch per month. That means if you want hair down to your shoulders for your wedding, plan the wedding for about two years from now if you’re starting with a buzz cut. If your hair is at the nape of your neck, you only have about a year to go…

If you want hair down to your waist, give yourself about 4 years. That’s if you want the hair to look full, healthy and beautiful.

Hair Facts

There are three different stages hairs go through: 1) anagen – the growth phase, 2) catagen – the follicle renewal stage, and 3) telogen phase – resting phase. In the telogen phase, the hair and follicles rest for up to four months and don’t produce a hair.

When you read about these stages in research, the key for black hair growth is to keep hair in the anagen phase for a longer period of time. You also want to keep the hair out of the resting phase for long periods of time.

The good news is that hair follicle cells grow fast and divide quickly when you give them what they want and need. As a result of this, you can gain control of your hair’s growth to an extent.

What to Do For Black Hair Growth

Here are some black hair growth tips that can help you by providing the knowledge you need to reach your hair length goals.

1. Feed Your Hair What It Needs

Hair is made of protein and the protein in your diet will determine how strong your hair is and how many hairs you have on your head. Without enough protein in your diet, your body will divert whatever protein it gets to your vital organs since hair is not considered a priority tissue in the body.

Most women don’t eat enough protein in their diet. They skimp on the protein and somewhere along the line believed a myth that protein is hard to digest. If you feel that you can’t digest protein, it’s a clue that your digestive tract is in need of cleansing, not that you need less protein.

Eating enough protein is only half of the battle. You have to make sure you eat the right proteins. Protein foods include beef, buffalo, lamb, chicken, turkey, eggs, fish, and dairy products. These are the high quality proteins you need to grow hair, not protein bars (also high in sugar and carbs) or protein shakes (unless you met your protein needs first with high quality proteins).

Do a little experiment and see what happens after eating more high quality protein foods for a few months. Notice the difference in your hair. Of all the black hair growth tips, this one could help you the most.

2. Get Instant Length by Relaxing the Curls With Oil

There are special oils on the market that you put on your hair and scalp to relax the curls. This is an easy way to get some instant length. By instant, it means a few weeks. One of these oils is called Wild Growth Hair Oil. It’s the type of product that you’ll either love or hate.

3. Oprah’s Beauty Expert Secret

Believe it or not, Oprah’s beauty expert is against using natural boar bristle brushes. She says its bristles are more haphazard than regular brushes, and as a result, pulls out more hairs than normal brushes do. If you’re pulling out hairs, you aren’t growing them.

4. Examine Your Daily Habits

Do you go crazy with relaxing your hair and do it more than 5 times a year? If so, back off the relaxing a little!

Do you run your fingers through your hair during the day, curious as to how much hair will come out? Stop it.

Do you get your hair trimmed an inch too often or not often enough? Every 8-12 weeks is sufficient.

Do you protect your hair from the sunlight? Sun can damage your hair as much as it can damage your skin.

Do you ever use egg to ‘beef up’ the protein strands? Do you sufficiently rinse the shampoo (and conditioner) out of your hair after shampooing?

Do you braid your hair too tightly?

Change the habits you have that aren’t contributing to growing your hair.

5. Don’t Forget Your Multivitamin

Your hair needs all the nutrients, not just some of them, as some people want you to believe. You need more than zinc, selenium, biotin, and folic acid. You also need iron, vitamin A, C, E, and D, and all the other B vitamins and minerals. They all work together so don’t just go for the nutrients purported to help hair grow fast. You’ll get a much greater gain by providing them all.

Don’t forget the visualization part of these black hair growth tips. If you can put up photos of women with long hair you admire, you’re more apt to stay on track and do the things you need to consistently. Happy hair growing!

In Hair Growth

Review: Wild Growth Hair Oil

5 Mins Read

There aren’t very many good solutions for black hair but Wild Growth Hair Oil is a solution.

I like to think about products in two ways: is it scientific enough to work, and did it work. After that, I ask what’s in it and is it natural or does it contain any ingredients that might harm me.

The Wild Growth Hair Oil contains a lot of natural ingredients such as oils and vitamins that are good for the scalp and hair.

After looking at the ingredients of Wild Growth Hair Oil, it’s easy to see it as a nutrient formulation for hair. It has three different types of healthy oils in it: olive oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil.

For centuries, women have used oils on their hair and body as a luxurious way to soften the hair and skin. Even the girls preparing to be queens used rituals that included oils like jojoba and coconut oil. The king had to have a queen who had soft smooth hair!

After all, everyone knows that the softer your hair and skin is, the more approachable you look. So these primary ingredients have a history of use by smart women who lived decades or centuries before us.

Brand: Wild Growth Oil
Contains: 4 Oz 100% Natural Ingredients

Price: Between $8 and $10

The vitamins in the Wild Growth Hair Oil include vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin A, and choline. Some of the latest research studies on animals are discovering that vitamin D is important for hair to grow. This vitamin is in this formula. Surprisingly, you won’t find vitamin D in a lot of other hair growth formulas on the market.

Vitamin E and A have been used in topical ointments for years for skin (and scalp). They may help with cell differentiation and cell growth, too.

The product also contains some minerals and other plant substances such as magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium and chlorophyll. These are as natural as you can get. Magnesium and phosphorus don’t really have any link to hair growth; however, the product formulators must have a reason for why they are included in the product. Of course, magnesium and phosphorus are natural minerals so they wouldn’t harm you in any way.

Iron deficiency is linked to hair loss and there may not be any research supporting the use of topical iron for hair loss, but nevertheless the product works. Chlorophyll is an oxygenator of cells, so the topical application of it may assist in oxygenating the cells of the scalp and bring in more blood flow. This is part of the reason why Minoxidil works – it brings in additional blood flow to the scalp, reports the researchers.

Products always depend on their ingredients so if they use high quality natural ingredients, you can expect good results. Because of the hundreds of good reviews about this product, we can surmise that the ingredients are high quality; otherwise, there would be a lot more negative reviews.

Some of the other ingredients are found in foods, like the squalene, terpenoids (found in herbs), oleuropein, and pinoresinol (in pine). There is natural fragrance and natural color added to it, so it’s possible that someone who is sensitive to a lot of things can be sensitive to it. This might result in itching but most people shouldn’t experience this.

The beauty of using oil like this is that it can relax those natural curls you may have while it heals the scalp. With the high level of nutrients for the hair, Wild Growth Hair Oil can provide the ideal conditions for your hair to grow. That’s step 1 for what to do to grow hair. Step 2 is simply to keep applying the product regularly.

What’s pretty awesome is that you can replace a hot oil treatment with the Wild Growth Hair Oil. At first, I thought other people were fibbing about the growth of their hair and then I figured out how they were getting such good results. It’s obvious. The oil relaxes the hair, straightening it. When you straighten out a curve, you get greater length fast. It makes perfect logical sense.

Wild Growth Hair Oil can make your scalp and hair come alive. People will see your hair shining and looking its best and know your hair is healthy.

You don’t have to use a whole lot of the oil to get results. In fact, if you use too much, your hair will be dripping, so just use enough to get the results. You can use it after shampooing and conditioning. I know some people don’t like the smell of it and I think if the smell is that horrendous to them, there’s a reason for it so they shouldn’t use it. (kind of like dating – you wouldn’t date someone who didn’t smell right, would you?)

Anyway, I give the product a 4.4 out of 5 just because it works and contains all the natural ingredients that create the right conditions so your hair can grow. You don’t ever have to worry about using something that’s bad for your body with Wild Growth Hair Oil.