Mission: D.A.N.D.R.U.F.F.

I've been gone for a while because of spring break. I flew to Tennessee to stay at my grandma's house to visit her, my cousins, aunts and uncle.
Lately, my dandruff has really been bothering me. A lot. I know it has something to do with my hair not growing at the rate I think it should be growing. (Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Healthy scalps do not have dandruff). I really should have tackled this problem months ago, when I first started my hair journey. BUT I thought I did get rid of it.
When I started my HJ it was the first time I ever moisturized and sealed my hair. I thought I was supposed to use the oil directly on my scalp. Doing that didn't get rid of my dandruff, it just masked the issue. I've realized that to really get long healthy hair, I have to quit running from my scalp caring for my scalp.


I've stopped using oil directly on my scalp. (I actually don't think I need oil on my hair everyday-maybe a few days a week I'll moisturize and seal, other nights I'll just moisturize.)


1. What's causing the dandruff?
I've looked up causes of dandruff many times, and few causes apply to me.

1. overactive oil glands (maybe, but I never thought I had 'oily' hair. Especially since I'm black and black hair tends to be dry)
2.  food allergies (none that I know of)
3. stress (Nope...not this either)
4. excessive perspiration (No, I don't work out that often and I'm not a naturally sweaty person)
5. harsh shampoos (Maybe...? Not sure. But I've switched shampoos so often, I'm sure one wasn't that harsh)
6. dry skin (maybe on my scalp, not on my face though. Does your scalp and face have two different skin types?)

 2. Plan to get rid of the dandruff.
Easy. Pre-pooing. However, this time, I'm going to use Witch Hazel. Witch Hazel is a stinky plant that is good for everything! I originally bought witch hazel to be used as a facial toner (before clinique). (Tip for summer: I also use it as after shave to prevent razor burn) I've also read that it can help with dandruff. My plan is to put this directly on to my scalp to let it sit for at least thirty minutes then wash as normal, or then put what ever pre-poo mixture I want to use that day on my hair and let it sit for a while.

This is the brand I use.
I bought it at Target for around $3.

side note: witch hazel is also a crazy witch lady on looney tunes

There are other home-remedies that I want to try also, here are some that sound interesting to me:

-crushing aspirin into shampoo, letting it sit for two minutes, rinsing it out.
-returning to apple cider vinegar rinses
-cleaning my hair brushes more often

Travel Hair Ramble

In about two weeks I'm going to Tennessee to visit my grandma for spring break. I'm so excited! I keep thinking about what I'm going to do to my hair though! I can't bring something big because I'm going to be flying by air and I can't take huge bottles with me. Since there's a Walgreens right up the street (thank GOD!) I'm going to go there for hair supplies. I'll only need to get small things since I'm only going to be there a week. Online, Walgreens carries Nexxus Humectress travel size shampoo and conditioner, and I would like to try that. The ingredients are full of silicones and things I can't pronounce, but I still want to try it. I mean, I'll only use it once or twice while I'm there.

Then again, do I even need to buy the Nexxus shampoo? Can't I just co-wash twice? Something to consider..

As far as moisturizers go I'm so confused! I'm not sure what to do! I can only bring 3 ounce bottles on the plane and everything I own is around 8. I know they sell small containers that you can pour your personal care items into, but what if the person checking my bag doesn't believe me? Okay, that's silly. But I guess I'm going to have to try to take some with me. Just because I'm on vacation doesn't mean I can slack on my hair care.


Oils? My grandma cooks a lot so I'm sure she'll have some extra virgin olive oil laying around. She'll look at me funny for putting it in my hair, but that's okay.


I hope Walgreens has some coconut milk. I was at the grocery store today and noticed coconut juice and milk sitting next to each other on the shelf. I looked up coconut milk and saw some people deep condition with it. I don't know..it just sounds interesting to try.


Tennessee Hair Regimen (may change):
Sunday:
deep condition with Nexxus conditioner for a looong time! (to make up for not pre-pooing)
wash with nexxus shampoo
use what ever moisturizer I take as a leave in.
air dry


Thursday:
deep condition with Nexxus conditioner
rinse
leave in
air dry


every night: moisturize (may not seal)