Operation grow my edges

So after the loss of my already naturally scanty fragile baby-hair edges, I am on a mission to re-grow them.

So far, so good. as you can see in the picture, it looks like the hair is growing out. Trust me it was worse than this, I literally had bald spots.

My plan is to:

1. Stop any hair style that pulls my hairline- the above hair style was done so loosely I didn't feel any pain or tension.
2. Increase low manipulation and protective styles- I will be using wigs, weaving (corn rows) and braids with "brush" in front
3. Increase the application of tea-tree essential oil and Castor oil to my hair line- I find that this mix works well for me. It improves the growth rate of my hair and also helps with itchy scalp.
4. General TLC for my hair- for me this means weekly deep conditioning, protein treatments and dogonyaro (neem leaves) rinses

I know it may take a while, so I have to be patient and gentle with the process.

For all hair types growth process it is important to set realistic goals; my goal is healthy hair. Healthy hair trumps long hair in my books.

Quick tip- Dandruff

A few days ago my sister complained about dandruff. She said she had tried so many different things and products but nothing seemed to be helping (I think she didn't try many of them long enough for them to actually work..... impatient girl). She asked me to come over with my bottle of tea tree essential oil to put on her scalp and I thought why not mix that with some black Jamaican castor oil. The heaviness of the castor oil will make for stronger hold and better coating while the tea tree will work on the dandruff.

And... It work unbelievably well!

We applied the mix in the evening and by morning there were no white flake. She followed up the treatment with tea tree oil in water and sprayed on her hair and scalp. She had just installed box braid so there was no washing the hair just yet.

Tea tree oil is fantastic for different uses; I apply the oil mixed with castor oil to my hair line and I must say the combination of the mix and protective styling has really helped improve the hair around the nape and front of my head.
Also I use tea tree oil for my breakout; it dries up the breakout almost overnight and doesn't leave spots.

So, if you are having dandruff issue, try tea tree oil, on it's own, mixed with other oils/butter or in a spray bottle with water. 

Castor Oil

I am not a big fan of castor oil but I do include it in my regimen. I use it to seal the ends of my hair; as the ends are most susceptible to damage I think it is better to coat them with a thick oil.

What really is castor oil ? Castor oil is derived from the seed of the castor oil plant that is found in most tropical parts of the world. The seeds of the plant are processed to get the oil. Most castor oils are processed so they have lost some of their nutritive properties. The purest type of castor oil is the Jamaican black castor oil, this oil has had little or no processing done to it so it retains almost all it's good stuff. Castor oils contain vitamin E, minerals, proteins, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

A few benefits of castor oil:

• Is an excellent emollient and humectant for skin and hair

• Is a treatment for hair thinning and hair loss

• Prevents the dry and itchy scalp

It's anti-fungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties can be effective for treating skin/scalp infections like ringworm.

Castor oils can be very thick and viscous to make it more manageable for use you can mix it with other lighter oils also do not be too heavy handed when using castor oils as a little goes a long way.

As castor oils only helps to lock in moisture ensure that you hair and skin have been properly moisturized before you apply it. 

Do you include castor oil in you hair or skin regimen ?