Loving Your Natural Hair

"My hair is so nappy, its so dry, I cant deal with it, I'm getting a relaxer!" As a stylist I hear these words every single day. I remember my natural journey path it was a true learning experience. All of a sudden I had this huge amount of hair to deal with. From research, through trail and error, I have learned how to care for and maintain these natural locs!

I am writing this post to encourage everyone transitioning to natural or those considering, To stay encouraged its not the end of the world! Its your hair! Being informed is the key to managing your mane.

 Surprisingly the number one thing I see with women who are "new to natural" is breakage and heat damage and lots of it. The breakage is from lack of knowing how to care for your hair and heat damage from constantly cranking up the heat on those flat irons. Here are some tips that I believe can help.

1. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize. Here is the link to Super Oils for your hair http://miyamiahair.blogspot.com/2012/10/super-oils-for-natural-hair.html

2.The Shampoo you are using is stripping the mess out of your hair.
If this is the case try using a sulfate free moisturizing shampoo. Always purchase the shampoo for your hair type, for example if your hair is dry- buy moisturizing shampoo, if your hair is limp, volumizing shampoo, color-highlights, they are shampoos out there that cater to you specific color. There are colors for brunettes, black, blondes, and reds.
3. You are shampooing entirely too much( the same holds true with Relaxed Hair).
Begin to learn your hair try shampooing every two -three weeks, and in between shampoos, co-wash with a clarifying conditioner.To do this apply the Clarifying conditioner, detangle from root to ends, rinse! That's it! Click here for a list of product recommendations. http://miyamiahair.blogspot.com/2012/11/product-recommendations.html

3. Your shampoo method is overly rigorous.
Do you scratch and rub your hair all kinds of crazy ways while shampooing? And after your rinse your hair is stuck together like a matted mess?To avoid this section your hair in four quadrants like so
Take one section emulsify a good amount of shampoo in your hands and apply to the first sections, gently massage the scalp to remove dirt, buildup, and oils from your scalp.Gently Finger comb the   rest of the shampoo through to the ends.

Repeat on the remaining sections.Rinse. Repeat the same steps when conditioning.
D. Chemically/Heat Damaged Hair.
Do some research and find a stylist that you trust, to begin treating and caring for your hair.Little by little have your stylist to remove those ends as your hair grows.If you don't trust stylists invest in a good pair of hair cutting shears and begin to trim your hair little by little until all of the damaged it gone.
C. Control The Heat
 I suggest investing in ceramic/tourmaline flat irons where you can control the temperature, and always keep the temperature under 400 degrees. This will also help your hair be able to revert back to its natural curl pattern when shampooed.