Let's talk about frequent washing and hair growth.

A couple of days ago, I was watching reruns of Flipping Out online.  In one episode, Jeff Lewis, the star of the show is having his hair washed and cut by Chaz Dean, the creator of WEN hair products.  Jeff tells Chaz, "my hair has been growing like crazy lately."  Chaz asks "have you been cleansing every day?"  "Yeah." Jeff replies.  "That's why" Chaz answers in a matter of fact tone.

That exchange stayed with me for a little bit.  Then I receive this comment on the post discussing cold showers. 

"I believe this can work well for hair growth. When was texlaxed I always rinsed with cold water and my hair seemed to grow quickly and my length retention was on point. As a natural, I most quit doing this often only to recently start again. When I had my 2nd summer natural I rinsed my hair with cold water in the shower everyday and my growth was impressive."

Since the topic of frequent washing and growth came up twice within a couple of days, I thought it would make sense to talk about the merits of frequent washing and how it pertains to hair growth.

When I studied the regimens of women with successful hair journeys, I noticed the following patterns. 

Group 1:  Cowashed every day and experienced amazing growth and retention.
Group 2:  Washed in regular intervals and left their hair alone (protective styled) until next wash day.

I'm sure there were other groups but those are the ones that stuck out to me.  Almost everyone who washed/conditioned daily would mention how much growth and retention they enjoyed as a result of their efforts.  But how exactly does daily washing influence hair growth?

1|  Hair is constantly expososed to moisture in the form of water.  Hair that is highly moisturized is likely to break less.

2|  Daily washing creates daily scalp stimulation as you cleanse. Your shower head acts as a second method of scalp stimulation thereby promoting blood flow.  Cold rinses can further accelerate this process.

3|  Daily cleansing promotes a clean scalp which can help promote healthier growth.  A scalp with clogged pores can hamper healthy growth from occuring.

4| Daily co-wash/cleansing also promotes a low manipulation lifestyle.  Most co washers didn't go through any intricate styling process post wash knowing they'd be washing their hair again in the immediate future.

5| Daily co-washing means daily conditioning. Which means the hair follicle is better protected to withstand damage caused by manipulation.

The benefits can even be experienced if one washed several times a week (not just daily).  Back in the day, when I had less texture, I could co-wash and air dry with the best of them.  And yes, my hair did enjoy regular exposure to water and moisturizing conditioners.  But now air drying is my arch nemesis and the thought of roller setting multiple times a week makes me cringe.  It seems like a huge waste of time and I'm not sure about all the manipulation.  But, who knows, my hair might be better equipped to handle it since I now have Olaplex on my side.

Washing hair just might stimulate growth. Especially when done during the warmer months when hair growth rates are already accelerated.  But it could also be the retention that allows us to finally experience the growth that once seemed invisible.    One word of warning is to never forgo deep conditioning if you become a regular co-washer.  Highly moisturized hair may feel healthy but we still need to balance with protein to fortify the strand.  It's all about balance.

I'm ready to try again with more frequent washings.  Maybe not daily. More like 2-3 times a week and see what happens.  For now I have to roller set because nothing else seems to agree with my hair after a wash. 

Those of you who co-wash regularly with great results. Share your tips on what you do with your hair afterwards and whether you've experienced increased growth/retention because of it. 

Shampoo & Vinegar | The perfect combination for healthier hair

My head is brewing with ideas on how to keep my cuticle layer happy while reducing shedding.  This morning, I came across a wonderful article that inspired me to try something different this weekend.  The article, titled The Shampoo pH can affect the Hair: Myth or Reality talks about how an alkaline pH increases a negative charge of the hair's surface which increases the amount of friction between the strands.  The result of all the increased friction is long term damage to the cuticle and breakage.

They go on to say that shampoos with a lower pH can cause less negative charge on the surface of the hair.  Then I got to thinking.  I've done ACV rinses in the past and enjoyed great results.  What would be the pros and cons of adding a little vinegar to my shampoo?

PRO:  Scalp Health
Shampoos are meant to cleanse the hair and scalp.  Since a lot of people are only applying shampoo to the scalp, why not apply a shampoo with a pH level that would also keep it healthy?

PRO: Deeper Cleansing
Another wonderful benefit of apple cider vinegar is that it can help clarify the hair/scalp, removing product build up and hard water residue.  The effects of this are mild so it still makes sense to do a deep clarifying every once in a while.

PRO: Smoother Cuticles
It may seem a little counterproductive but smoother cuticles during the wash could be a good thing.  First, it could reduce the risk of breakage when the hair is most fragile (wet).  Secondly, this could help reduce the amount of tangles during the shampoo.  Third, smoother cuticles can make it easier to apply deep conditioner after the wash. There can be quite a bit of manipulation as I part my hair in small sections, so it makes sense to positively charged strands during all of that friction.

I guess the only con is that closed cuticles during while applying conditioner could hamper the amount of conditioner that gets absorbed by the strand.  But, all of that can be easily rectified by sitting under the dryer or steaming.  Honestly, I only care about open cuticles when I need it. And I only need open cuticles when conditioner is sitting on it.  After that, I want everything closed again.

Which leads me to the next point, using vinegar in the final rinse to close everything back up again after the final rinse. I also understand the slight risk of dry hair from overusing ACV.  That's why I'm experimenting with coconut cider vinegar which, to me, is milder than apple cider vinegar.

Can't wait to try it this weekend.

Does anyone have experience doing an mixing acv with their shampoo?

The Healthy Scalp Essentials Kit

When my scalp behaves, I seem to neglect it.  Ever since I began the micro trimming project, all of my attention has be focused mainly on creating healthy ends.  But I want to change all of that.  Since my scalp is doing fine, I want to care for it even more to make it as healthy as possible.

So I'm going back to my roots (pun intended).  Looking back to when my scalp was at its worse, I think back to the actions I took to stop shedding, flaking, dryness.  Instead of waiting until things fall apart again, I'm brining some of my best strategies into my current regimen to see I can transform my "normal" scalp into the healthiest version of my scalp possible.

The Applicator Bottle - A must on wash day.  This inexpensive bottle has the ability to provide direct access to the scalp.  Perfect for when I want to tone my scalp with Coconut or Apple Cider Vinegar which is a much healthier option of scalp cleansing then using shampoos that over strip.

Essential Oils- I was completely inspired with June Ambrose shared that she enjoys a stimulating essential oil massage before her wash.  I love treating my scalp to a eucalyptus oil massage but sometimes the scent is a bit overwhelming.  That's why I love the idea of applying before the wash allowing the oils to work their magic, then rinsing.  If you recall, eucalyptus oil can actually help increase the ceramide content of our new growth.  Plus I absolutely love how it stimulates that scalp, driving healthy blood flow to the area.  My greatest scalp concern, at the moment, is proper exfoliation and removal of dead skin.  Although I'm not certain about this, I do believe that vinegars and essential oils can help address that concern.

Normally, I spray essential oil (EO) directly to my scalp but I also like the option of mixing it with oil and applying via a dropper.  This way the EO is diluted making easier on the scalp and diminishing the scent.  This way you can apply the essential oil/plant oil blend more frequently than just on wash days.

Mister- The newest member of my healthy scalp team is my little aluminum mister.  After finding myself repeatedly using my Evian Facial Spray on my scalp, I figured I had to get a bottle just for that purpose.  But with the refillable mister, I had the freedom to incorporate other ingredients such as MSM which has wonderful, healthy hair properties.  Next, I may include a few drops of Coconut Vinegar to drop the pH.  I'd also like to experiment with adding a little pink salt to see that works out.  Stay tuned.

Scalp Massager- Then, of course, there's my wonderful little scalp massagers.  I've loved these things for years.  Simple to use and highly targeted.  Perfect for providing a much needed massage after a long week of travel.  I've since tried various other scalp massagers but I keep going back to these because of ease of use.

Last but certainly not least, a healthy scalp needs to be adequately hydrated in order to be healthy.  When I was diligent in drinking almost a gallon of water a day, my scalp was at it's happiest.  Without adequate hydration, we fall into the cycle of reacting to scalp concerns rather than being proactive.  If my scalp is well hydrated all the other strategies I employ as part of my scalp essentials kit will only further promote my end goal of having the healthiest hair possible.

Craving | Alter Ego Hair Energizing Hair Lotion {stimulate winter growth}

I was going to save this find for an Instagram Beauty Secrets post but I got too excited to wait.   As I was bobbing and weaving through various pics, I stumbled upon an image that immediately grabbed my attention.  Not sure if it was a beauty or hair product so I checked out the caption to  see what she had to say about it.

via @troprouge Instagram

"I swear by this stuff. It's made my hair grow incredibly fast!! It's called Alter Ego Hair Lotion."

Ok. So a couple of things happened at this point.
#1. I immediately recognized the name of the brand from back in the day when I frequented Dominican Salons.  Then I remembered that I tried (and loved) their garlic conditioner mask to combat excessive shedding.
#2. I mosied on over to Amazon to see what others had to say about it.  Over 100 reviews with nearly a perfect 5 rating.

People who've tried the energizing hair lotion say that it tingles the scalp when applied (which is a sign that blood flow to the area has increased).  Some mentioned that they found this product via a recommendation from a hair loss specialist.  Many of the reviewers noticed an increase in their hair  growth rate.  Happy reviewers mentioned how this product helped bring their edges back to life.  Heck, a few people even boasted of stronger hair and less breakage from this wonderful hair lotion.  I also appreciate how quickly people said they started seeing results and new growth.

I could go on and on.  Point is that this miracle in a bottle seems really promising. Especially during this time of year when seasonal  shedding starts to rear it's ugly head.  Not to mention that hair growth starts to slow during cooler months.  This is definitely on my wishlist but I probably won't wait long to get it.  Especially since I'm working on reviving my nape back to it's former healthy state.  I cant totally see myself applying the lotion to my scalp once I've braided by hair in sections to moisturize and seal.

Who's as excited about this hair lotion as I am?

First Impressions | Linange Shea Butter Relaxer Review

Not too long ago I mentioned that, for the first time in years, I would be trying out a new relaxer.  More specifically, Linange Shea Butter relaxer.  The reviews alone were enough to interest me, but when I received even more confirmation in the form of a wonderful comment about how amazing the relaxer is, I was sold.

It was difficult, at first to decide between their texturizer and relaxer so I decided to try the stronger formula this time and, if I so desired, I'd experiment with the texturizer next touch up.   The lye formula comes with nothing other than the jar contianing the relaxer.  No activator needed to mix in like with my Affirm Fibergaurd.

With sprush in hand, I prepared myself for the experience.  Normally, I would mix a little Pure Protein into my relaxer but, for the sake of this review, I decided to add no bells and whistles.  Minutes prior to relaxing I applied excessive amounts of coconut oil to the length of my hair allowing it to soak in a little before touch up process.

 I separated my hair in small sections and began to apply the thick cream.  The consistency was heavy enough that it didn't move when applied.  That's a good thing.  My only thoughts were about how I demonstrated no discipline with regards to scratching itches in the days leading up to the relaxer application.  I silently hoped that Linange would spare my scalp from intense burning and subsequent scabs.

Linange didn't have that "relaxer chemical" scent and when I applied it throughout, it barely affected my new growth.  Another thing I noticed was how little scalp irritation I was experiencing.  After it was applied throughout, I began to smooth with my gloved hands.  Again, very little irritation.  Since it appeared that my hair wasn't over-processed, I allowed the relaxer to do its thing for a few more minutes before washing out.  The best way to describe what I love about Linange is that allowed my hair to retain its structural strength.  I felt like it respected my hair. I know this sounds weird but typically, after a touch up, I can tell that my hair was been "weakened" by chemicals and I immediately begin the process of reintroducing protein to my regimen to try to reverse some of that damage.  This wasn't the case with Linange, It did its job without wreacking havoc to my hair. I can only imagine the long term benefits of this.

With Linange, my hair doesn't feel damaged AT ALL.  It processed my hair enough to loosen my texture without making it weak  and fragile.  I almost felt like I didn't need a protein step after rinsing the relaxer but I did it anyway.  Oh, and I left the experience with ZERO damage to my scalp. No scabbing....nothing (even though I didn't deserve it).  I would say the experience was pretty flawless with one exception.  Everything was perfect with my newly relaxed hair but, I felt like my previously relaxed hair dried out a little from the impact of the relaxer run off as I rinsed in the shower.

The good news is that dryness was combatted with the help of Kerastase Nutrithermique and Kanechom Shea Butter.  Throughout the week, I kept the hair nice and moist using Evian Facial Spray, Aveda Damage Remedy moisturizer and Gleau Argan oil blend.  Next time I touch up, I'll come armed by applying Avlon's preservo serum to the length or perhaps I'll experiment with using their nuetralizing conditioner on my previously relaxed strands.

Lastly, the one jar was enough to do my entire head and leave a little for next time.  I will still need to purchase a second jar when I do this again in 3-4 months.  Overall, I'm a believer in Linange. It has now become the official relaxer of Relaxed Hair Health Blog until further notice.  For those of you interested, I would say that if you aren't looking for the "bone straight" look, consider trying Linange out and seeing if your hair likes it. Most of the people who tried it (including myself) are very happy with the results.

DIY Scalp Stimuation + Exfoliation Sugar Scrub

Lately my scalp has become a bit of a concern.  Normally, I think of my scalp during the cooler months but it's just as critical to care for the scalp now as it is during winter.  Simply put, I feel as if my scalp would benefit greatly from exfoliation.  I've gone on and on about exfoliation in previous posts. Heck even Chilli of TLC provided a gentle reminder when I ran into her last week.

There's Fresh Sugar polish that I adore for my face and I live & die by Tree Hut Shea body polish as an every day ritual. I'm pretty much exfoliating from head to toe.  That is......except for my scalp.  Scalp is skin too...right?  And, it's constantly bombarded with products oil and other stuff layered on throughout the week. Not to mention sweating from the warmer temps.  Our scalp deserves from refreshing.  I did a quick search online and learned that lots of ladies were getting good results from using a brown sugar scrub on their scalp on wash day.   

By simply adding some brown sugar to your favorite shampoo, conditioner, or even oil, you'll have a simple, effective method to cleanse your scalp.  

I also thought about how to take this process to the highest level possible by incorporating scalp healthy ingredients into the mix.  Perhaps, instead of olive oil, I opt for coconut which has anti fungal properties (great for dandruff) and will also nurture the hair.  A couple of drops of essential oil like eucalyptus or peppermint will provide an invigorating experience while increasing circulation and blood flow.

This, I think will work well during the pre-poo step, just before I get into the shower. I can gently massage/exfoliate my scalp as I allow the pre-shampoo product to condition my hair.  There's also the benefit of having a scalp free of excess dead skin, products, etc blocking the healthy growth of my hair. I can't wait to experience that clean scalp feeling again.

Currently Loving | CapriClear Coconut Oil Spray

One of new finds from my last Instagram Beauty Secrets posts that I was most excited about was CapriClear.  If you've been reading my blog over the past few weeks, you know that I've been fascinated with the idea of spraying oil on my hair instead of using manual application.  The Misto Sprayer has changed my life.  Incidentally, I was planning on investing on a second sprayer to house my coconut oil when I learned of CapriClear.  Right away I placed my order on Amazon, and from the moment my package arrived, we've been inseparable.

Girl, this stuff has been sprayed on my hair, my cuticles, my scalp, my feet, my elbows, my face, everywhere. This morning I even sprayed a little on my finger tips and rubbed on my lips as an all natural lip conditioner.  When my dermatisis strikes again on my scalp and hair line, I'll be ready.

 It's made of 100% coconut oil and nothing else.  It sprays in a fine mist that releases just enough product.  Because it's fractioned coconut oil, it doesn't actually carry the coconut oil scent.  So, no matter how many times I sprayed it, there was no trace of coconut scent to be found.  Fractioned coconut oil also doesn't become solid in cooler temps so it's perfect for nourishing dry skin in the winter. 

I love this product so much.  Instantly, it became an item that I will carry around with me at all times.  I knew I was sprung when I left home for an overnight trip and went out to buy a replacement after realizing that I left my CapriClear at home.  Now I have the travel size an the 5oz bottle. Honestly, this is the most versatile product I own.  Often, when I travel, I battle drier skin and hair due to the change in climates.  I can't tell you how long I've dreamed of having a way to bring coconut oil with me on the road.  Finally, my dream has come true.   What I appreciate most about CapriClear is the liquid consistency.  Since warmer weather is coming upon us, I'm not looking forward to slathering on lotions that cause build up and feel heavy on the skin.  I can keep a bottle in the fridge and mist to refresh my skin while creating a nice glow (not greasy).

Because of my obsessive excessive use, I suspect that it won't be long before I'm repurchasing again (for a third time).  I think I'll experiment will buying larger bottles of fractioned coconut oil to refill when run out (which won't be long).  The convenience of this packaging is worth it's weight in gold.  Add to that to how versatile this product is and you have the recipe for a must have beauty product.  Everyone needs this......even you.

New In.

Sharing a small round up of new goodies that I've recently acquired. 

My  KHairPep samples came in!  Please read my last post on this  product line if you haven't already done so.  It seems to be a very promising product if the claims hold true.  I'll be testing it out this weekend and sharing my review soon.

After experiencing a couple warmer days, I decided to get back on my smooth skin regimen.  My favorite body scrub of all time has to be the Tree Hut Shea Butter Body Scrub.  Used daily, this stuff works miracles on my skin.  I've gotten compliments form a woman while receiving a massage on how soft/smooth my skin was.  There was even a time when a cashier noticed this in my shopping basket and asked, "is that why your skin looks so good?"  If you haven't tried this yet, make it a must.

In a past "Cravings" post, I talked about purchasing a Japanese Facial Steamer.  While looking at other Japanese beauty products on Amazon, I stumbled on an electronic facial roller/massager.  I couldn't find hardly any reviews or videos of this thing in use (with the exception of a promotional video from the company). I stepped out in faith and gave it a shot!  Weeks later, it arrived directly from Japan.  After charging, I gave it a shot for the first time.  In the video, they made it seem like this would simulate the strokes of someone massaging your face (like during a facial). Truth is, even on the low setting, this tool is more intense than I imagined.   After the first use, I though to myself, this thing would make an amazing scalp massager.  On my scalp, it feels heavenly, I tied my hair with a scarf because it has a rotating piece that could cause trouble if my hair got caught in it.  But even with my hair tied, it gave me an amazing massage.  Not just the "my scalp is stimulated" massage. But one that relieved tension in my head.  Afterwards, I actually felt better.  I'm really liking this thing.  I've wanted an electric scalp massager for years and now I finally goit it! I hope to make a video showing how it works so you can see it in action!

Boots.com Haul | grow gorgeous hair growth serum, Gold Collagen + more

Someone must have been a really good girl this year because I received a very special delivery on the eve of Christmas.  Can I just tell you how excited I am about my Boots.com haul?

After much discussion about the value of pea sprout extract in hair growth & health, I finally get to wrap my greedy little hands around a bottle (or two) of my own.  We've talked about grow gorgeous serum before.  But now I actually read the package, so let's find out more about it, shall we?

Product description on the label:

"Put your lethargic follicles through some serious schooling with this ultra-concentrated formula with a proprietary 21.5% active complex of 7 technologies that work hard together to make hair visibly longer, thicker and fuller."

Here is a breakdown of the 21.5% active complex.

+ 8.0% Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3: "Has been shown in an independent study to start working within 8 days to improve visible hair length while increasing hair density by 13% within 4 months. It'd be like having 13,000 more hairs on average."

+8.0% Bio-Active Pea Sprout Complex:  "Starts working within 2 weeks and improves visible hair growth by 78% compared to normal levels within 3 months based on an independent active complex study."

+5% Bio Active Complex of Chinese Skullcap, Soy Sprout & Wheat Sprout: "Improves visible hair thickness and the condition of the follicles within 3 months for fuller, denser and healthier looking hair.

+0.5% Hyaluronic Acid (non animal source): "Is able to attract up to 1,000 times it's weight in water, improving in scalp hydration and penetration.

So now that you have a basic understanding of the makeup of the serum, let's talk a little more about it.  I checked out the ingredient list which is pretty extensive but honestly, most of it consists of plant based extracts.  Water is the first ingredient.  The "Bio Active Extracts & Hyaluronic acid appear near the top of the list after water.  The only oil I saw present was castor oil which appeared as one of the latter ingredients.  As you can see from the picture above, it's a liquid serum.  The consistency is very watery and easy to distribute using the dropper provided.  Application was a snap because of the texture.  The only thing I would change about it is the scent.  It's really mild but, to me, it has a slight cologne-like smell.  But other than that, I'm cool with it.  I'm supposed to use it once a day, massaging it in until my scalp has fully absorbed the liquid.  So far, so good. Because of it's watery base, it feels like I'm moisturizing my roots during the process.  This also gives me another reason to stay consistent with my scalp massages.

Since I live in the U.S. and Boots.com only delivers in the UK, I had to take advantage of this opportunity and order whatever I could while I had the chance.  So I picked up a bottle of Fountain which is a liquid supplement containing 40 mg of Trans-Resveratrol.  This main ingredient is a powerful anti-oxidant which can help fight free radicals.  They say that resveratrol helps slow down the rate at which our cells divide which can slow down the aging process by extending the life of the cell.  Along with resveratrol, Fountain also contains black carrot (another anti-oxidant) and hyaluronic acid.  Seemed too good to pass up.

Finally, I picked up more collagen.  This time it's in a bottle, already formulated for immediate consumption.  I heard about Gold Collagen before but had a hard time getting my hands on it.  When I saw it on Boots.com, I knew what I had to do. Another thing I like about Gold Collagen is that it also contains vitamins such as zinc, copper, biotin, vitamin C, E, B6 and, the one ingredient that all my purchases have in common, hyaluronic acid.

Santa sure knows how to make a girl's day.

Merry Christmas everyone!

How a roller with metal pins creates healthy skin & hair

I got a thing.  And I want to share it with you.  It's pretty nifty and can help me in both my hair and skin care journey.  You may remember a post I wrote on my plan on dealing with my acne scars. In that post, I mentioned the use of derma rollers to promote cell turnover and the generation of new skin cells.

I love the derma roller but sometimes I'm a little apprehensive about using it. Because it actually pierces the skin, I have to be conscious of maintaining high standards when it comes to keeping things hygienic.  This means, I have to sterilize the instrument to avoid skin issues.

I wanted something different that I can use every day but with similar benefits. I find that if I have to do something every day, I'm more consistent versus if I  use it once/twice a week.  Then one day I stumbled on this video.



Tonya demonstrated the use of a roller with pins that is similar to the dermal roller except that it doesn't pierce the skin.  I instantly knew I wanted one.  My skin responds well to vigorous stimulation.  Things like facial massage, skin brushing, the Clarisonic pro, have all be well received.  So I knew that I'd benefit from this rolling pin thingy.

Just when I thought things couldn't get better, I saw this video.



Am I seeing things or did I see this woman roll a bed of pins on her scalp?  Suddenly I was filled with wonder and excitement mixed with a little caution.  I'm an avid supporter of scalp massages.  I've even shared the benefits of scalp brushing.  Could this be the next level of scalp stimulation?

Fast forward a couple of weeks and my roller with the pins arrives.  I use it carefully on my skin for fear of inflicting pain on myself.  Instantly, I realized just how gentle this tool is.  It feels incredibly comfortable as I roll it up and down my face.  I experiment with different levels of pressure.  It feels nice.  My husband sees it and inquires about it's purpose. I tell him what I plan on doing with it.  He gives it a try. Minutes later he's still using it.  After I finally have it back in my possession I carefully test it on my hair.  Fear creeps up in me as I wonder if it will get tangled and rip out an entire section of hair as I try to dislodge it from my scalp.

I gently roll it on my scalp and begin to enjoy the tingling sensation as my scalp receives the stimulation.  Much to my surprise and wonder, the tool is extremely gentle on my hair. No snagging, no ripping, nothing.  It's even more gentle then when I use a brush to stimulate.  I'm amazed.  I've used it several times on my hair without one single casualty.  I'm pleased.  I've decided to get one more from ebay so I don't have to use the same one on my face and on my scalp.  Turns out that they come in two different sizes. I bought a small one for my face. The large one will be perfect for scalp rolling.

I love the feeling of experiencing blood flow after a rolling session.  Anytime blood flow increases to an area, good things happen.  Thank you, Tonya, for sharing this amazing find with us.

I bought Coconut Vinegar! Here's how I will use it.

As I was casually strolling through the aisles of my local vegan health food store, my eyes happened to look up at exactly the right moment to land upon this:

Immediately knew what it was because I just happened to write a post on coconut vinegar earlier this year.  Only difference was that my first attempt was a makeshift version. This time, I got my hands on the real thing.  Since this is a new product to me, I'm still in the learning phase.  So far, what I've gathered is how nutritious coconut vinegar is.  Not only does it contain 17 amino acids, minerals, vitamin C and B vitamins, it also has prebiotics (aka food for your digestive flora). All these nutrients are possible because the source of the vinegar is derived from the sap of the tree grown in volcanic soil.  It's said that the coconut trees go through their growth spurt in part due to the minerals collect from sea water along with the rich soil. The roots of the tree have access to this water which it delivers to the coconut blossom via it's sap. The nutritious sap is collected, fermented and used to make this amazing product.

Another piece of info I gathered from my research is that coconut vinegar isn't as acidic as ACV (apple cider vinegar). In fact, it has a nearly neutral pH.  This makes it much milder in taste and intensity to ACV.  So now that I have my hands on the "Coconut Secret," here's what I'm going to do with it.

I'm going to drink it! While I was checking out at the health food store, one of the employees mentioned how he drinks this in the morning instead of ACV. It has a much milder taste and doesn't sting like it's counterpart.  I used to muster up the courage to take a shot of ACV in the mornings but then I couldn't take it anymore and just gave up.  My husband still does it and I cringe any time I witness it.  Not only is it milder but coconut vinegar is much more nutritious than ACV.  Then I saw this video where a guy shared that he replaced him lemon water and ACV with coconut vinegar in the morning.  I'm gonna give it a shot!

I'm going to use it on my skin! Everyday I use some apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and apply to my skin.  This is because I've battled dermatitis for over a decade and, I promise you, ACV is the ONLY thing that worked on the peeling I experience on my face.  Perhaps the ultra low pH has something to do with it.  I'd like to experiment with coconut vinegar because I'm attracted to the nutritional content.  I'm curious to see if my skin will benefit differently if it came in contact to a nutritionally rich vinegar day after day.  On the other hand, I still need the same potency I get from ACV.  Who know's, maybe the best solution is to mix the two.

I'm going to use it on my hair!  We should all know by now how beneficial apple cider vinegar is to our hair.  The low pH helps seal cuticles and promote a healthy scalp.  I read a few accounts online where ladies substituted coconut vinegar for their usual ACV and liked the results.  They claim that this is milder but still benefited the hair.  Sometimes when I use ACV, I feel like it's a bit much for my hair.  Having an alternative available really makes me happy. 

I just bought my bottle yesterday so I haven't had a chance to use it on my hair yet. But I did get a chance to taste it both raw and diluted with water.  First off, this smells and tastes nothing like coconut.  The taste is very similar to ACV but not as potent.  Doesn't burn as much when it goes down the throat.  Then I put a little bit of it on a cotton pad and wiped it all over my face.  The experience was very similar to when I use ACV.  In fact, it reminded me of when I first used apple cider vinegar as a toner.  My eyes were a little sensitive to the scent and I experienced a little tingling.  I think my skin got used to ACV because I rarely experience tingling anymore.  I hope to see additional benefits from the nutritional content of this vinegar both internally and externally.  Oh, and I can't wait to use it on my hair.

Seasonal Shedding? I'm not about that life

We've got to think on our feet and stay ahead of the game when it comes to this hair journey thing.  Right now, the only thing on my mind, is how to successfully avoid the excessive seasonal shedding as much as humanly possible.  I'm not talking about your normal, everyday shedding.  No, what I speak of is the viscous, non stop shedding that takes normally place right around the end of the year.

I look back to years past when I was plagued with an incredible amount of shedding.  Because of my relaxer touch-up schedule, I normally relax at the end of the year. So year after year, I would endure battle the shedding while having a bounty of new growth.  Shedding + New Growth = Tangles (massive ones).

Not this year though.  I think I have learned some tricks to help thwart my shedding. I intend to employ these techniques whole heatedly starting now. My focuses will be simple.  It's really all about making sure my scalp is well cared for while ensuring adequate circulation to the hair follicle.

Already, I'm noticing an increase flakes and dryness in my scalp.  This is not okay.  I see it as a sign of impending danger.  So I am taking the first step in my plan to prevent excessive shedding by increasing my water intake.  It's not as hot as it used to be and I'm noticing the need to drink lots of water is subsiding.  So I have decided to become more regimented in my water drinking.  Which means going back to having clear goals around how much water I consume.  Right now, I shoot for 2 liters or more a day.  Another reason why I'm drinking lots of water is maintain proper circulation throughout my body.  I have a sneaky suspicion that our circulation isn't as high in fall/winter season as in summertime which could be a factor in the shedding.

Another reason why I'm ramping up the water intake is because I'm constantly reminded of a conversation I had with a friend.  She told me that her stylist was always able to tell when she wasn't drinking enough water based on the condition of the scalp.  Then I think about some of the experiences shared on a forum when they challenged themselves to drink more water.  Several stated that their hair began to hold moisture better, others talked improved skin benefits, etc.  We, too, shall drink our water so we can experience all of that and more!

Along with the additional water intake, I also focusing on manual stimulation/circulation as well.  For over a month, I've challenged myself to exercise my scalp daily. This could include massages, scalp brushing, and even hair pulling.  Whatever I takes to bring more blood flow, I'm with it!  Whenever I consistently exercise my scalp, my shedding decreases. So, I'm committed to keep this up throughout the rest of the year.

A couple of other things I will keep doing is stimulating the scalp with essential oils on wash days (and more frequently if necessary).  Then I also need to make sure I drink lots of bamboo tea throughout fall and winter months.  The tea contains hair healthy nutrients that help my hair and scalp tremendously. Back in my vitamin rotation is cayenne pepper which is amazing at increasing internal circulation on so many levels.

 I've already employed these strategies and so far, so good.  I look forward to completing the fall/winter season without the paralyzing fear of having to battle unnecessary shedding.  Wish me luck.

{The Weekly Wash Project} Pre-poo scalp stimulation ritual

This week I realized that my scalp, which was once a major concern, has been giving me almost no trouble at all.  On the one hand, this is a good thing.  On the other, I've been ignoring my scalp.  Although I'm grateful to have one less concern to worry about, I also realize that, if left alone, eventually I will experience the side effects of not caring for my scalp.

So I decided to take matters into my own hands.  I opted to proactively add a permanent  step to my wash routine to care for my scalp.  Thinking ahead to fall season, I know that two scalp related concerns may surface.

1. Shedding
2. Flaking/peeling

For me, one solution to both of these problems came in the form of essential oils.  Back when my scalp issue was at its worst, I would use essential oils almost daily.  Now, I'm going to experiment with adding an essential & carrier oil scalp massage every week as a part of my pre-poo step.

Last night, before heading to bed, I mixed a little eucalyptus oil and coconut oil together.  I parted my hair in small sections and applied the blend directly to my scalp and hair.  Then I put on a plastic cap and called it a night. I can't tell you how much I love feeling a tingling sensation on my scalp.  Makes me feel like my hair follicles are coming alive!

Adding this step as a part of my weekly wash routine will give me several benefits.  Let's discuss:

+ Scalp stimulation to help promote growth.
+ Reduction in shedding.
+Less flaking/peeling
+Eucalyptus oil helps increase ceramide levels in the hair strand.

There's no reason for me not to do this.  Back in the day, when my scalp was misbehaving, I would use essential oils several times a week. As a side effect, I would often walk around smelling medicated.  My hope is that the weekly ritual will be enough to address any issue so I don't have to resort to doing it multiple times a week. This a proactive approach. Hopefully with this weekly scalp stimulation ritual (and by drinking lots of water), I'll be able to keep my scalp healthy throughout fall and winter.