The Importance of a Healthy Hair Care Regimen

I posted this incredibly long response to someone on a natural hair FB page.  This beautiful natural wanted to know why her hair hadn't grown as expected one year after her Big Chop. 

Although this response is overwhelming, it lays everything out in one place where a new natural can learn from my personal experience of 7 years of trial and error to a perfected routine.  

Here was my response.

"You will receive different advice about hair regimens, but do you have a hair regimen? If you don’t please check out Chime (Hair Crush)'s channel  to learn how to create one. 

A good hair regimen includes a way to maintain moisture (weekly) and protein (every 8 weeks) balance. 

I've tried almost all products, but this is my current hair regimen. 

Weekly Shampoo/Condition Routine:
Tag Concepts Moisture Therapy Shampoo, 32 Ounce
Tag Concepts Moisture Therapy Conditioner, 32 Ounce
Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Leave-In Conditioner, 8 Ounce (Liquid)
Extra Virgin Coconut oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Oil)
Raw Shea Butter (Cream)

Protein Treatment Routine (once every 2 months): 

Clarifying Shampoo, Suave (it is important to remove all of the build up from your hair every 2 months)

Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed - 8.0floz

Tag Concepts Moisture Therapy Shampoo, 32 Ounce

Tag Concepts Moisture Therapy Conditioner, 32 Ounce

Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Leave-In Conditioner, 8 Ounce (Liquid

Extra Virgin Coconut oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Oil

Raw Shea Butter (Cream)

WARNING! When you use a protein treatment, it is critical to use a moisturizing conditioner after you rinse out the protein treatment because if you don't, your hair will, unfortunately break off. 

I moisturize my hair every day with water and every other day using the LOC method:
Water from spray bottle (Liquid)
Extra Virgin Coconut oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Oil)
Raw Shea Butter (Cream)

I DO NOT USE a COMB or BRUSH in my hair, but I use the tail on the comb to part my hair. I know that it sounds crazy.

I like wearing two strand twists because it is easier to moisturize my hair while my hair is in twists.

I trim my hair in twists every 12 weeks. 

I basically did what other people were doing to their hair from 2010-2014. I suffered heat damage in April 2014 after the Army’s ban on twists because it would have taken twice as long to plait or braid my hair, I didn't want to spend money to install extension braids, and I felt like I had to flat iron my hair.

My hair started to thrive in 2014 after I read a book called, The Science of Black Hair. This book breaks hair care down to the molecular level because it is important to know WHY you are doing what you are doing in order for you to maintain your hair care regimen. For example, you can only moisturize your hair with water or a water-based product. If you are not applying indirect heat to your hair while conditioner is in your hair under a plastic cap or with steam (deep condition) and you have low porosity hair, you are not moisturizing your hair because the oils and water can’t penetrate the hair shaft to nourish the hair. You can download the Kindle version from Amazon or purchase the hard copy book from Amazon (the color copy is the best because the photos in the black and white version aren't the best). 

You could also watch a video review of the book.  This young lady summarized all of the chapters of the book in several videos. Good Luck! We’ve all been there and we are here to support. 

1-59 (Part 1): pH Balance & Hair Growth Cycles Book Review

1-59 (Part 2): pH Balance & Hair Growth Cycles Book Review

Science of Black Hair Pages 60-81: Shampoos, Conditioners & Healthy Hair Regimen (Book Review)

Science of Black Hair Pages 82-126 (Pt 1): Moisturizers & Hair Oils (Book Review)

Science Black Hair Pages 82-126 (Pt 2): Stop Hair Breakage - Hair Gel & Protein (Book Review)

Science Black Hair Pages 126-142: Detangling Hair, Combs & Brushes (Book Review)

Science Black Hair Pages 143-167: Braids, Weaves, Puffs & Trims (Book Review)

Science Black Hair Pages 216-220: How Transition to Natural Hair (Book Review)

Science Black Hair Pages 222-230: Children's Natural Haircare (Book Review)

Science Black Hair Pages 231-237: How Diet Effects Hair (Book Review)