My Hair ~ My Way
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5 STEPS TO: THE HEALTHY HAIR CARE METHOD
STEP 1
Hot Oil Treatment
If your hair tends to be dry, brittle, damaged, unmanageable, with split ends, then you would benefit from a pre-shampoo hot oil treatment. Warm your choice of oil, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Carrot Oil, or Coconut Oil are all good choices, in a pan of warm water just until oil is lukewarm (test on wrist). Apply oil to fingertips and massage well into hair, especially the ends. Leave in hair for at least half an hour before shampooing - longer if possible.

STEP 2
Shampoo
Wet hair and apply shampoo. Organic shampoos are best because they don't use harsh detergents, which strip the hair and rob it of moisture. A natural, soap-based shampoo gently and thoroughly removes dirt and oil from the hair. If this is not available, try to use shampoos with mild detergents, such as sodium myreth sulfate. Rinse your hair and apply more shampoo for a second time.

STEP 3
Condition/Deep Condition
If your hair tends to be oily, you may wish to go on to step 4 or, instead of applying a cream conditioner, you may want to apply a conditioning spray. However, for normal to dry hair, we recommend that you condition your hair each time you shampoo (and at least once per week if your hair is oily). Apply conditioner to hair, concentrating on the ends. Leave on for at least five minutes and rinse with warm water for a full minute. For a more intense penetration, or for dry/damaged hair, place a plstic cap on hair and sit under warm hair dryer, or wrap head in warm towels for 10-20 minutes before rinsing.

STEP 4
Herbal Rinse
The purpose of this step is to clear the hair from any soap or conditioner film and to act as a natural antiseptic. Purchase an organic, commercial brand, or make your own. Try 1-3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 1 quart of distilled water; or add 10 drops of Rosemaryessential oil & 4 drops of Sage essential oil to 20 oz. of distilled water. You might even steep an herbal tea bag, such as chamomille, for 10 minutes and then add to 1 quart of water.
*If your hair is oily, use the rinses after conditioning; if your hair is on the dry side, use the rinses before conditioning.

STEP 5
Styling
Avoid the excessive use of blowdryers, hot rollers, curling irons, etc. which may overdry or damage hair. Ensure that hair is well moisturized.

My Personal Hair Care Regimen

I'm still fine tuning my regimen, so you will see various changes from time to time. Especially, since I'm trying to extend my relaxer retouches to 12 or 13 weeks. Eventually, I'd like to have a regimen that incorporates mainly all natural products and various essential oils; but it seems that the things that aren't so great for your hair are always cheaper.I also want to use more homemade conditioners, such as bananas, coconut milk, avacodos, cucumber, etc. My regimen will also change slightly as the seasons change.

Weekly Shampoo Day ~ Thursday

1. I pretreat with a warmed mixture of olive oil, honey, and Wonder 8 oil. I apply it using an applicator bottle to ensure my entire scalp is covered. Then I squeeze some in my palm to work through the rest of my hair and ends. Next, I place a plastic cap on and let it "sit" for 30 minutes to 11/2 hours without heat.

2. I shampoo once a week, in the shower, with a rotation of one of the following: Avon Advance Techniques Tress Theraphy, Cream Of Nature HerbaRich, Motions Lavish Conditioning, or Garnier Fructis. I wash twice, thoroughly massaging my scalp both times. I do an instant conditioner with any Suave conditioner or Flex Triple Action under a plastic cap for the remainder of my shower.

3. Because I don't want the vinegar smell left in my hair, I do my apple cider vinegar rinse next. I add approximately 3 to 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 1.5 liters of distilled water. On occasion, I steep 1 herbal tea bag and 1 peppermint tea bag, for 1 hour or overnight ,to add to my mixture.

4. After lightly squeezing the water from my hair and blotting with a towel, I apply my deep conditioner. For this part, I rotate one of the following: Avon Advance Techniques Active Replenshing Mask, Lustrasilk Tea Tree Cholesterol w/ 3 tablespoons each of carrot oil and olive oil added, Garnier Fructis conditioner for dry/damaged hair, Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayo, or Got2bSoSmooth One Minute Emergency Repair Creme. I apply my conditioner by parting my hair in several sections and "greasing" my scalp with it. I pay particular attention to my entire hairline, as well as, my ends. Then I place my plastic cap over it and sit under a hooded dryer for 10 to 15 minutes. I then leave the conditioner on, without heat, for an additional 45 minutes to 2 hours while I relax or do household chores. My rinse out is done with distilled water.

5. I do not use a lot of styling products on my hair. After I rinse my conditioner out, I apply a slightly more than quarter size amount of Suave Tropical Coconut conditoner to my hair. I also add about that same amount of IC Fantasia Hair Polisher. After finger combing to remove any tangles, I apply a small amount of Infusium 23 leave in or IC Fantasia daily strengthner and use a wide tooth comb to distribute the mixture to my ends. Next I do either or both of the following: I part my hair into several sections and "grease" my scalp with Dax Supergro w/ rosemary and clary sage essential oils added or spray my scalp with Sta-So-Fro Comb Out Conditioner. I use a band, cut from a pair of nylon pantyhose, to make my ponytail. (These do not allow you to pull hair tight.) Next, I oil the length of my ponytail with Softee Indian Hemp and twist it up and clamp it with a small metal clamp to dry. I place a small amount of  Elasta QP glaze of my edges to help them lay smooth. 

~My routine remains the same when I do a rollerset/rodset except for the ponytail portion. I do these atleast once a week; but more after 6 weeks post relaxer to help conceal my new growth.~

Weekly Conditioner Wash ~ Monday

I follow the same routine, omitting steps 2 & 4. I thoroughly massage my scalp with any Suave conditioner w/ peppermint essential oil added, working the condtioner through my hair and to my ends. I rinse and repeat before proceeding to my next step.

Protein Treatments

I do protein treatments once a month with Elasta QP Breakage Control Serum or Aphogee Reconstuctor, right after shampooing my hair. I also do them 1 week before my relaxer and 3 to 4 days after my relaxer. The relaxers I use are Organics by Africa's Best or Hawaiian Silky Creme Conditioning.

 





 

Vitamins and Exercise

My Vitamin Regimen

~1 to 2 oz. per day of Earthworks Essential Nectar(multi-vitamin/liquid nutrition) or 1 to 2 caplets of One Source for Active Adults.

~I have a 4 week biotin routine, compliments of DSD(LHCF) that I adapted slightly. I use the Rexall Extreme Biotin brand from Wal-Mart, it comes in 1.5gm tablets.

Week One~ 12gm

Week Two~ 10.5gm

Week Three~ 7.5gm

Week Four~ 4.5gm

 

My Excercise & Diet

~2004 Routine~

I excercise 5 to 6 days per week. I walk 3 to 4 miles daily. I do the Firm AbSculpt videotape every morning and strength training with a personal trainer 3 days per week

Starting January 26, 2004 my diet will be limited to the following five meals per day:

Week One~  (1)2 carbs & 1 fruit, (2)1 fruit, (3)4oz. chicken, 1 1/2 carbs, & 1 veggie, (4)1 fruit, (5)4oz. fish, 3 veggies, & 1 fruit.

Week Two~  (1)2 carbs & 1 fruit, (2)1 fruit, (3)4oz. chicken, & 2 veggies, (4)1 veggie & 1 tablespoon of peanut butter(5)4oz. fish, & 3 veggies.

Week Three~ (1)2 carbs  (2)1 veggie, (3)4oz. chicken, & 2 veggies, (4)1 veggie (5)4oz. fish, & 3 veggies.

Week Four~ This will be my free week, which will still include atleast 2 salads. Or I'll just start my rotation over again.....you know...get to my goal quicker! I'm supposed to lose 24 pounds in less than a month on this routine, well we'll see. You know if I get that "fine" I will be posting them pics!