Next Target: Dandruff

Okay, so now I've found a good shampoo and conditioner for me, now I have to tackle another issue: dandruff. I've been dealing with dandruff for a while, since before my hair journey in September 2010. I thought taking care of my hair would also fix my dandruff problem.  Well nope, it didn't. Ever since last salon visit, I've been thinking about dandruff. I co-washed on Thursday and since then my scalp has been soo itchy! I never had a problem with an itchy scalp before, only flakes.

I know the only way to have healthy hair is to start with a healthy scalp, and since my scalp is obviously not healthy, neither is my hair. Which, I think, is one reason why my hair hasn't been growing the way I think it should. (I stopped posting length check pictures, I don't see the point if it's not growing)

In order to make your scalp healthy, it has to be clean. Simply put, my scalp is not clean. I always put oil directly onto my scalp. When I didn't do that on Thursday's co-wash, my scalp has been itching ever since. Also, I've never clarified my hair. Yea, I know. Terrible. Tomorrow's wash I'll clarify my hair with the sample-size 1st lather shampoo that came with the Keracare kit. That'll completely strip my hair of all the oils and build up of products that I've been causing.
Not getting rid of all the oils and products can accumulate on your scalp making it dirty. AKA, in my case, causing dandruff.

so, I guess I'm on the hunt for a dandruff conditioner for co-washes.
(can't use keracare dry and itchy scalp, contains mineral oil)

Co-Washing. :)

I've been co-washing my hair every Thursday and my hair loves it! It could be contributing to the extra softness I've been feeling and/or the added growth. All I've been doing is pre-pooing for 30 minutes, co-washing, deep conditioning, leave ins, styling. That's it! I thought I was going to give it a try until April (when the heat challenge is up), but I'm not quitting this, my hair has been thriving too much!

I've been using a lot of moisture in my hair lately and I think it's time for a small amount of protein. So I'm either going to co-wash with Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Conditioner, or DC with ORS replenishing pak.

NO HEAT!

It's no secret that heat is bad for your hair. I learned how to do braid outs just so I won't 'have' to use heat anymore. It's not only that I don't want to use heat on my hair anymore, but I also am tired of wearing my hair straight.  I've been wearing my hair for the same exact way basically since 10th grade. (except those few months I had braids.) Now I'm bored with straight hair and I'm ready to experiment. I learned how to do braid outs better so I'll start wearing my hair like that for a while. Well, actually until April 1st since today I joined a no-heat challenge.
The rules are simple:
No heat. (unless DC).

Well, that sounds simple, but I have to alter the rules slightly for myself. The only time I can use heat is when I'm doing a roller-set saran wrap method. Which is okay because it's still not direct heat and I don't plan on wearing my hair straight that often anyways.

I have done braid outs before in the past, (when my sister braided my hair), so I know that they only last a few days. To keep up with my style I guess I'll have to start co-washing. And since I'm co-washing, I don't think I'll need to DC for as long as I was. Instead of DC for 2 hours once a week, I'll DC for 45 minutes-1 hour twice a week.

By the end of this challenge, I expect my ends to look better, hair to be longer and overall healthier.

Note:
When I get my next relaxer in March, instead of getting my usual wrap, I'll get 3-4 braids to the back so I won't cheat in my challenge.

HJ- fish oil, DC's, and roller sets. :)

3 weeks ago i told you that i will not be buying hair products for three weeks because I don't want to become a product junkie. Well, that three weeks is up. :) now I can buy products but I don't really have my eye on anything at the moment. I think my regimen is fine as it is and doesn't need any thing new. (well, I'm almost out of my DC, but I'll climb that hill when i get to it.)The only thing I really want at this point is fish oil pills. Fish oil is supposed to help with a lot of things. (more details below)
Yesterday I DC'd my hair (no shampoo) for about two hours. ( I used to keep track of what I put in my DC's, but now I just put a hojpoj of things in there. I normally just put the stuff on my hair, but yesterday I applied similar to a relaxer and it worked much better. I'm not sure if its how I applied it or what I used to make my hair feel that way though. Then my mom roller setted it. (tools used: clips, rollers, triangle hair net, hooded dryer) When I took it out, It looked..eh. not great like i hoped. But i won't give up because it defiantly had potential to be better. Then I woke up and flat ironed it. :\


Fish Oil Benefits:
hair
-promote faster hair growth
-nourishes hair follicles
-rich in protein which contributes to healthy hair
-improves texture, makes it softer
-improves density, makes it thicker
-adds moisture
-maintains a healthy shine and luster
skin
-makes skin smoother (Gets rid of acne)
other
-brain health
-joint health
-cardiovascular health
-makes nails harder

Of course, instead of taking dietary supplements, you could simply eat more fish or increase your Omega 3 intake- but i don't like fish that much so I'll choose to take the supplements instead.