Oils that promote healthy hair growth!

On this natural hair journey I've searched for many ways to grow my hair faster, longer, and thicker. Ive taken several trips to the beauty supply store trying fo find products that promised faster hair growth and was met with disappointment. What I've learned on my journey is that you can't make hair grow any faster than what its meant to grow. But what you can do is keep your hair healthy so that it can grow and you can retain length.

Making sure your hair is healthy and growing you have to make sure that you are putting healthy things into your body. Eating healthy foods like green leafy veggies and foods with iron, amino acids, fiber and the right fats can help your hair grow healthy.  Also drinking lots of water. Typically drinking 8 glasses a day (well that's what I was taught in nutrition class).
Exercise is essential as well. Exercise helps stimulate blood flow to the scalp which the hair needs to grow. And exercise also helps reduce stress. Stress can cause your hair to break off. Ive experienced "stress breakage" over the past few years and no matter how many products you put in your hair to keep it from breaking, if you're experiencing a high amount of stress your hair will break off.

To keep hair healthy and growing, oils plays a major role. Oils such as caster oil, oilve oil, coconut and sweet almond oil help stimulate hair growth and moisturize your hair. Here's a list of some great oils that promote hair growth. 

ROSEMARY OIL

Rosemary oil is often used in shampoo. Rosemary has the ability to stimulate the hair follicles, which results in hair growth. Rosemary helps hair grow not only longer, but stronger.

JOJOBA OIL

Jojoba oil has the ability to loosen and remove crusted build up on the scalp. This build up is known to block hair follicles and inhibit hair growth.

LAVENDER OIL

Lavender oil is used for many purposes one of which is hair loss. Several smaller studies have shown that individuals suffering from alopecia (hair loss) who massaged their heads daily with lavender and other essential oils had significant hair re-growth over the course of seven months

COCONUT OIL

Coconut oil is excellent for nourishing hair and helping it have a beautiful shine. Massaging coconut oil into the scalp ensures that the hair is free of lice, lice eggs and dandruff and helps with the nourishment and re-growth of damaged hair

THYME OIL

Thyme oil is used to promote hair growth by improving circulation to the scalp through massage. Thyme provides hair with shine, luster and bounce.

JAMAICAN BLACK CASTER OIL

This Oil works for all hair types. It will moisturize, thicken, strengthen and rapidly increase hair growth. It increases blood flow to the scalp, supplying valuable nutrients to hair follicles. Jamaican Black Castor Oil will also prevent hair breakages, dandruff, eczema and dry, itchy scalp. Jamaican Black Castor Oil has crossed over into other ethnic groups, and is now being used widely for some of the same purposes, as well as new found uses including eyelash and eyebrow hair growth and as massage oil. This versatile oil carries many varied uses.

My Natural Hair Journey pt. 1

      Its been over 3 months since I had my hair relaxed and 2 months of transitioning. I must say that Im happy that I made the choice to go natural. Ive seen alot of changes in my hair. Before transitioning my hair was very weak, brittle and thinning. Now my hair is strong, thick and growing.

       I just recently took out my twists I did with extensions(kept them in for over a month) and I noticed growth especially around the nape area (back of my head). My nape was where I had saw the most damage and breakage over the years, especially when I had my last relaxer. It had gotten so short that I could barely grip the hair when I was putting my extensions in. Now my nape is thick and full. I know its going to be a few more months before i see significant growth. But as long as I know its growing healthy, I'm fine with that.

        I'm aware that there are pros and some cons to going natural and the #1 con on my list is "Shrinkage". Sometimes I find myself a little upset because its hard to tell if your hair has grown. When I moisturize my hair it shrinks, making it hard to see actual growth. #2 is that I'm having a hard time with is finding the "right" kind of hair products that are great for 4B hair. I started using Dark ~n~ lovely's new natural mango moisturizer. It makes my hair soft but when it begins to dry it leaves  this flacky white residue in my hair. Finding the perfect products have been a challenge for me. And #3 is time. I understand that growing hair takes time but it can be a little frustrating. Its almost like planting a seed and waiting for it to grow, some plants grow faster than others. I just have to learn that it takes time, everyones hair isn't the same (mines grows a little slower) and to keep reminding myself that it'll all be worth it in the end.

        For the first time in years I'm actually seeing my natural hair texture. I have been relaxing my hair for so long that I didn't know how my natural hair looked or felt . Like I mentioned above my natural hair is a 4B. So it's taking a lot of getting use to. But overall I'm happy. Ive started trimming off my split ends and in some areas my relaxed hair was so thin and damaged I just cut it off completely. I'm feeling like I'm becoming more ready to do the "big chop" and just get rid of all my damaged hair all together.  I'll give it another month or so. Everyone was right, dealing with 2 kinds of textured hair can be a challenge.

       So far my regimen includes using Aphogee 2 step protein treatment every 6 weeks, co washing 1 to 2 times a week using Organix coconut milk conditioner (smells great). When I do shampoo my hair I shampoo once a week to once every 2 weeks depending on the dryness of my hair. I also use Wild growth oil 1 to 2 times a day (usually when I wake up in the morning and/or right before I go to bed at night. I always try to keep my hair moisturized and conditioned. I use Aphogee Pro-vitamin Leave-in conditioner everyday. That's until I can find a better one. Along with the Wild growth oil, I use Argan oil to help seal in the moisture and add shine. I started using Dark-n-Lovely natural hair mango moisturizer but Im probably going to discontinue use because of all the residue it leaves in my hair. I was also using Profectiv root healthy cream but I stopped using it because it leaves my hair feeling sticky. I always make sure my hair is wrapped with a satin scarf before bed. Also on occasion I use CHI keratin mist (I'd say twice a week).

    I have been keeping my hair in protective styles (twists, braids, even lace fronts and wig caps). I actually enjoy wearing wigs and lacefronts. Its a great way to protect my natural hair and I have fun switching to different styles. I'm planning on braiding my hair with extensions later on this week. I try to make sure that when I braid that its never TOO tight.

I found another helpful website that helps you better understand how to grow your hair and keep it healthy.
How Black Women Can Grow Long, Healthy Hair

Below are some pics of me wearing protective styles and pics braided hairstyles I love