You May Be Allergic To Your Natural Hair Products

You May Be Allergic To Your Natural Hair Products

Two weeks ago I paid a visit to a natural hair specialist to have my hair washed and retwisted. I actually forgot to bring my own shampoo and conditioner, but was familiar with the products she used. After I sat under the dryer for a about  30 minutes, she rubbed oil on my scalp. I was happy with my hair when I left the salon.

About 24 hours later, I was covered in hives.

When I started  seeing my stylist, I made mention of the various “natural” products I could not use because of my allergies. Shea butter, lemongrass, and tea tree oil are all on that list. Unfortunately, the oil she used that day had tea tree oil in it. It wasn’t anything benadryl couldn’t handle, but it could have been prevented. I would advise anyone to test out a product before they use it to make sure they’re not allergic to it. In countless hair forums, I’ve seen women complain about rashes, hives, swelling, only to find out it’s an allergic to reaction to their new favorite natural hair product.

Below are a list of common symptoms to a few popular ingredients in natural hair products:

Tea Tree Oil:

One common side effect of tea tree oil is skin irritation, especially if applied to broken or dry areas of the skin. Skin irritation can include stinging, burning redness itching or inflammation. In some cases, full strength tea tree oil can also cause mild to severe rashes to develop on the treated skin. Performing a skin patch test is recommended before applying. Tea tree oil can also cause a mild to severe allergic reaction to those who are allergic to the plant. If you are allergic to ingredients from the same family as tea tree oil, such as cloves, guava, eucalyptus, or allspice, you may be at a greater risk for having an allergic reaction to tea tree oil, states the American Cancer Society. The longer tea tree oil is allowed to sit and age, the more it also has a chance to break down into components that are more likely to cause an allergic reaction. Signs of a mild allergic reaction may include hives, rashes, itching, or congestion. More serious allergic reactions can include the same signs as a mild reaction plus possible cramps, diarrhea, light-headedness, flushing, vomiting, swelling, or life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Shea Butter:

The problem is that no one seems to recognize shea butter as an allergen or sensitizing agent. Shea is sourced from the nut of a tree that is closely related to the rubber tree, which yields latex, a common allergen. If you have a latex allergy, you’re likely to become allergic to shea. Ironically, shea butter is heralded as a cure for chapped skin, rashes, chapped lips, eczema and psoriasis, but will actually cause these conditions in one who has become cross-sensitized to it. Unfortunately, I know this all too well from personal experience. It is important to note that latex sensitization (a similar condition to latex allergy) worsens with cumulative exposures to latex and chemically similar products. Individuals who become severely sensitized can progress beyond contact dermatitis, developing many food allergies and even suffering anaphylactic shock upon exposure.

Coconut Oil:

Allergies to coconuts and coconut oil are considered rare. They can take two forms: a food allergy or a contact allergy. A tree nut allergy isn’t necessarily related to a coconut allergy. Chances are higher of developing an allergy to touching things that contain coconut oil than developing an allergy to eating things with coconut oil in them. In both cases, your body is reacting to certain proteins it thinks are harmful. Your immune system responds by releasing an antibody called immunoglobulin E, and it tries to fight off the “dangerous” coconut invaders. When it comes to a food allergy to coconut oil, your likely symptoms are itching, hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing and swelling in your lips and tongue. A contact allergy to coconut oil — which is often found in moisturizers, shampoo and other cosmetics — can result in an itchy rash or blisters that develop within a day or two of touching the allergen.

MY TURBAN DO

HEY EVERYBODY!!

Guess what i used a T-shirt that i still wear LOL to make this turban
ALL YOU NEED IS a long sleeved v-neck shirt 

Video coming soon!!

STYLE YOUR DREADLOCKS

 DON'T BE BORING..STYLE YOUR DREADLOCKS

MIZANI CURL CHECK TYPE

MIZANI CURL CHECK TYPE

Hey everybody
well today i went to HAIR SCENE SALON & two guys that specialize in AFRICAN HAIR walked up to me an asked me to fill in a form to figure my CURL TYPE. I did & my results are that's my curl type matched my 4C hair 

curl TYPE VII VERY COILED

Tight afro – distinct, springy coils closer to scalp

• TEXTURE:Thin to thick or combination
• GROWTH PATTERN:Curls directly from the scalp
• BODY / VOLUME:Minimal volume. Some compaction, no movement.
• ELASTICITY:Stretching with minimal return
• POROSITY:Raised cuticle. Frizzy, tangled and prone to knot.

HOW I MAKE MY FRO GROW FAST

HOW I MAKE MY FRO  GROW FAST

Hair grows at a rate of 1/4 to 1/2-inch per month. This is true even for Afro hair, which often seems to grow at a much slower rate. It is not the rate of growth, however,

but the texture of Afro hair that makes growth difficult. Afro hair is often composed of tightly wound coils that prevent natural oils from getting to the ends of the strand. As a result, Afro hair is dryer and more brittle than straighter hair, resulting in breakage. With proper care and a few lifestyle changes, it is possible to prevent breakage and improve Afro hair growth.

Shrinkage after wash

Step 1

Buy in a salon-quality moisturizing shampoo. Wash your hair at least once a week and do not lather more than twice. Only lather once if you wash your hair more often, but avoid washing your hair every day.

Step 2

Wash your hair with a conditioner if your hair is very dry. Washing with a conditioner, or "no-pooing," is similar to washing with shampoo, but less likely to strip oils from your hair. "No-poo" your hair at least once a week.

Step 3

Apply a conditioner after each wash. Do so even if you use the "no-poo" method, but just use a thicker moisturizing conditioner. Use a wide-tooth comb or a Denman brush to work the conditioner to the ends of your hair. Leave the conditioner in for at least three minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water to seal the cuticles.

Step 4

my afro after removing twist

Condition with a deep conditioner every two weeks. Lather once with a light shampoo, such as baby shampoo, to remove any residue and to allow the conditioner to penetrate better. Apply the conditioner, put on a plastic cap and sit under a hair dryer for 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water to seal the cuticle.

Step 5

Squeeze or pat the hair dry. Avoid rubbing, which can damage the cuticle and break the hair strands. Wrap your head with a super-absorbent towel and gently pat dry.

Step 6

Comb your hair while damp. Use a wide-toothed comb, or a Denman brush, and apply a detangler beforehand. Start at the end and work your way toward the roots.

Step 7

Use heat styling as little as possible. Heat can damage and weaken the hair. Opt for air-drying styles such as twists or roller sets. Alternately, choose permanent styles, such as box braids or weaves, which protect the hair while it is growing out.

Step 8

Replace moisture with natural oils, such as jojoba, coconut or shea butter. Avoid heavy oils, such as mineral oil, which clog the pores and prevent hair growth.

Step 9

Eat healthily and drink plenty of water. A diet rich in vitamins, minerals and protein feeds the hair from the inside out. Properly hydrating keeps the hair and skin moist.

Step 10

Wrap your hair with a silk or satin scarf, while sleeping. Alternately, use a silk or satin pillowcase.

Step 11

Trim your hair every 2 to 3 months. Trimming keeps your hairstyle neat and removes damaged ends.

Why Is Castor Oil Good for Hair Loss?

Castor oil has been used for centuries for its natural healing properties to treat conditions such as constipation, gastrointestinal problems, skin conditions and arthritis. Castor oil’s healing components also work well at treating mild to moderate hair loss. Derived from the castor bean and composed almost completely of essential fatty acids, castor oil delivers mild yet effective nutrients to your hair and scalp that can promote hair growth.

Hair Loss Factors

Although factors out of your control, such as age and heredity, can cause hair loss, there are lifestyle factors within your control that may be to blame. Poor diet and vitamin deficiencies,chemicals and heat applied to your hair can cause hair loss. Hair breakage in the forms of shedding, thinning, split ends and balding--especially at the crown and temple areas--are common hair-loss issues. A lack of moisture, deficiency of nutrients, and lax cleansing and conditioning of both the hair and scalp are major contributors to hair loss in men and women.

Benefits

Castor oil is a mild, natural, inexpensive, easily accessible and easy-to-use treatment for your hair and scalp. It has a high concentration of essential fatty acids that your hair thrives on to maintain strength, fullness, length and shine. Castor oil is easily absorbed into the hairshaft, locking in the moisture and nutrients needed and eliminating the dryness and brittleness that leads to hair breakage .It also improves scalp condition and keeps hair follicles healthy. Castor oil contains a high concentration of Ricinoleic acid, an anti-fungal and anti-bacteria property that is effective in treating scalp conditions This ingredient prevents the onset of dandruff, scalp infection and scalp inflammation, which are major sources of hair loss

Quality

.Choose castor oil in its natural unprocessed state for hair and scalp treatments. Processed castor oil has been stripped of its natural potency and is less effective. Be mindful of using pure castor oil--not an oil blend, which may contain fragrances and other unnatural or chemically based ingredients.

Functions

Castor oil can be used alone or blended with other hair-growth promoting oils, such as coconut, olive, jojoba and almond. Castor oil can also be used as a leave-in conditioner, hot-oil treatment and hair-growth treatment As a scalp conditioner and hair-growth treatment apply and massage to scalp, let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing and styling. As a daily and weekly conditioner, apply lightly near the roots and more liberally on the hairshaft and hair ends to keep your locks long, strong, thick and healthy.

Considerations

Genetics and medical conditions play a significant role in hair loss for both men and women and should not be negated. Hair loss can be a warning sign of internal health factors. Consult your doctor at the first signs of unusual hair loss.

How Does Castor Oil Help Hair Loss?

HOW DOES CASTOR OIL HELP FOR HAIR LOSS ?

Stimulates Hair Growth 

Massaging castor oil into the scalp helps hair loss in two different ways. First, the massaging action stimulates the hair follicles, encouraging new and faster growth. Second, the castor oil soaks in to the root of the hair, where it interacts with the follicles and encourages them to grow additional hair.

Conditions Scalp

Castor oil also conditions the scalp and existing hair, making it healthier and improving its appearance. Even though initially a person may have the same amount of hair, that hair will appear thicker because it is healthier. Healthy hair strands appear thicker than unhealthy hair strands.

Strengthens Hair

The application of castor oil also helps strengthen each hair strand, preventing breakage and hair loss. The hair stays in the follicle longer, and the hair itself doesn't break as easily. Broken hair strands can make hair appear thinner.