Monday, July 11, 2016

A New Hair Routine

I have a home salon in North Carolina. Moving to DC made it almost impossible for me to see my cosmetologist like I need to. Now that I'm planning my NC wedding, I'm home more and I'm able to see my cosmetologist on a more regular basis.

My last visit to her salon was 2.5 years ago. In the fight for having and maintaining healthy hair, I have to change what was once routine, in more ways than one. My life is much different now than it was 2.5 years ago. Things are happening that I didn't correlate with the health of my hair, so I'm taking my advice and using these 6 things to get me back on the right track to having healthy hair.

My new hair routine

1. Handling Stress

There are a few things going on now. There's wedding planning so there's constant traveling between DC and NC. There's been an increase in my workload which decreases much needed down time and home life doesn't stop. If you would've asked me a few months ago if I was stressed, I would've said no! My body has led me to believe otherwise.

Stress can cause bald spotsI've had two episodes where a spot of baldness has appeared on my hairline. I don't know how it happens, but I'll look up one day, and have a bald spot staring back at me. The first time this happened was last summer. It recently happened again. My cosmetologist wasn't making a diagnosis, but said it may be due to stress.

My (barber) fiancé had already told me that's what he thought it was, but I told him I wasn't stressed. However, that conversation with him made me take a closer look at everything I had going on. I still don't define myself as stressed. I'm overwhelmed...extremely overwhelmed.

Solution: I haven't quite figured this out. Thought bubbles keep coming up blank. I know this needs to be handled, but I truly don't know what to do.


2. Changing Diet

One smoothie from the Green Smoothie ChallengeOver the past few years, my diet has changed significantly. Since moving to DC, I've stopped frying foods and my diet altogether is much healthier. I recently did the Green Smoothie challenge and since then I've continued to drink smoothies as meal replacements here and there. While I'm eating healthier, I'm sure this change in diet has effected my body.

Solution: My cosmetologist suggested taking vitamins, but I want to discuss what's best for my body with a physician. Our bodies need vitamins, but too much of anything isn't always necessarily a good thing.

3. Increase Water Intake

Your body needs water to live. When you're working out, your body needs even more water to supplement the water you're losing by sweating. I hadn't really taken this into consideration. Quite frankly, it just never really crossed my mind.

Solution: It's been an ongoing goal of mine to drink water, so I want to continue that. The plan is to drink 4 bottles of water a day. On days I work out, I want to drink 5 bottles of water. On days I feel dehydrated (dry lips, dry mouth, etc.), I want to drink 6 bottles! This is just a plan. I've never been a fan of water, so we'll see how I do with this.


4. Protective Styles

Cornrows and two strand twists make a protective style for natural hairOver the past 2 years, I've tried two different protective styles; a full sew-in and crochet braids. I think these styles work great for my hair because they allow my hair to grow without being exposed to the elements (sun, cold, wind, etc.). The thing about my hair, though, is it's very fragile. It can't withstand a lot of pulling and tugging. With these styles, especially the crochet braid styles, that's all I did!

Solution: I want to use protective styling on my hair, but I want to do styles that don't need extra hair and if it does need it, it won't be for extensions. I'll use extra hair to thicken my hair for things like cornrows or use the extra hair to make fuller buns.

5. Regular Trims

Trims are a must for healthy hairTrims have never been a favorite of mine. They're never at the top of my list. However, I know how important it is to keep my ends healthy. This last time I went 6 months without a trim and that's just unacceptable!

Solution: My cosmetologist suggests getting trims every 8 to 12 weeks. Since I'll be starting wedding hair trials soon, I'll be seeing my her more often. When my hair is in her hands, I don't have anything to worry about. For those bouts when I don't go home, I'll be sure to keep my eyes on my ends and mare sure I keep them trimmed appropriately.


5. Quality Hair Products

Before, I had a go-to products I was using. I stopped trying new things and used what I thought was working. I ran this list by my cosmetologist and she told me to stop using more than half of the products. She wants me to take into consideration the quality of the products I'm putting in my hair, especially noticing the pH.

Influance, It's Natural, Design Essentials, & Rose Natur are the hair products suggested by my cosmetologist

Solution: I will only be using products that are okayed by her. The new products I'll be using are: Influance It's Natural Organic Shampoo and Rose Natur's Argan Oil & Hemp Seed No Commitment Moisturizing Conditioner. I will go back to using Design Essentials styling products and I will continue to use my Mixed Chicks leave-in conditioner.

Like I always say, when you know better you do better. This hair thing is constantly changing and evolving as is life! I have to make the changes for my hair that are appropriate for the lifestyle I'm living and these are my new goals!

Over the years, what changes have you made to your hair routine?


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2 comments

  1. These are great things to keep in mind. Regarding the bald spots; I suggest seeking out a dermatologist. As a hair care specialist, I know I wouldn't be able to diagnose an issue that is beyond a hair/scalp issue that a dermatologist may be able to.

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  2. You're right. I had a dermatologist here, but she disappeared. She was a naturalistas just like me, so I felt really comfortable with her. Now, I have to start all over! You're right though. I just saw the spot again today, so it's important to figure out what it is!

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