What’s all the fuss when it comes to growing African American Hair? You’d think the hair on our head had gotten a message from another universe that said: don’t grow!

Well that’s not the case but the things you do to your hair will either encourage its growth or stop its growth.

Because your hair is an extension of your skin, your hair will need the same tender loving care that you give to your skin.  Now, although the skin care industry is growing for Ethnic Skin Care, the black hair care industry still gets more dollar volume and attention than skin.

Could it be that as a people we’re chasing someone else’s hairstyle, look and texture and it causes us to spend more money trying to be like someone other than self.

Say it ain’t so!

Let’s take a look at why black hair doesn’t grow.

• Could it be internal? – Poor digestion/constipation
• Could it be medication? – Medications have a way of affecting the condition of your hair, making it brittle and prone to breakage.  It can also have your hair thinning and falling out
• Could it be stress? – Stress can also cause breakage and thinning of your hair
• Or could it be what you’re eating – Your food intake can contribute to dryness, thinning and overall hair loss.

Hair Care Regimen

If you’re looking to grow your hair and do it naturally, you’ll need a hair care regimen.

• Just as your skin needs to be cleansed, toned and moisturized, your hair will need to be cleansed and moisturized.

• You’ll also need to remove the dead skin cells from your scalp. Massaging, lightly scratching or brushing your scalp can remove those dead skin cells.

Those dead skin cells often show up in what you know as dandruff.  How do you get rid of dandruff?  You first have to know that dandruff is a form of fungus so using herbs and oils will be very helpful.

Of course I like to take the natural approach to skin and hair care.  You will need patience and know that you will not rid your challenge of dandruff overnight.

Bayberry and Rosemary are great herbs that can help you in ridding dandruff.  If you add two teaspoons of chopped barberry to a half pint of boiling water and let it cool, you’ll have a rinse that you can pour over your scalp after you’ve shampooed it.

Adding a half pint of hot water to a teaspoon of chopped rosemary will give you a great wash.  With rosemary if you feel a skin irritation stop your treatment.  Rosemary and barberry are anti bacterial and antifungal.

Peppermint and Tea Tree are also known to be great for fungal cure.  Adding these essential oils to olive oil will give you a great scalp oil.  You can also add them to your shampoo and wash with them.

Relaxers, Weaves and Wigs

Relaxers are chemicals that can destroy your hair follicles.  Weaves are being sewn or glued in and causing trauma to your scalp.  Wigs worn constantly without allowing your scalp to breathe will cause bacteria and fungus to set into your scalp.

Understand that there is a natural process to the growth and shedding of your hair. But, often times we aid in the excessive shedding and breakage by what we do to our hair, which inhibits its natural growth.

Dedicated To Your Beauty

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care