Relaxer Touch Up & Hair Update :)

Previous  and recent relaxer comparison

 shot

I got a relaxer touch up on June 28^th 2014 at 12 weeks post relaxer. It was impromptu but I was able to get prepared for the process. I didn’t mind also because I had deep conditioned a week prior to making the decision to get a touch up. At first I was a bit unsure because I couldn’t feel much new growth. I also was sure I wasn’t going to see any or very little progress, but, on the whole I’m extremely pleased with the outcome. And I’m more and more in love with my hair.

PRE-RELAXER TREATMENT

• I coated my already relaxed ends with petroleum jelly to avoid over processing just in case some of the relaxer got on there.
• I tried to base my scalp but my new growth was a bit dense and after getting the petroleum jelly on some of my new growth I decided to stop because, I really didn’t want my new growth under-processed
• I use some petroleum jelly around my edges (forehead), ears and nape to avoid burns.

THE RELAXER PROCESS

                     

I used PROFECTIV RELAX AND REFRESH ANTI DAMAGE NO-LYE RELAXER PLUS COLOR SILKY BLACK #19

• I mixed the relaxer creme with the activator myself. :P
• My stylist applied the relaxer on my new growth ONLY. It’s important to avoid over processing. She smoothed out the relaxer with her fingers only. And I waited to allow the relaxer process. Application plus processing took a little over 17mins.
• She rinsed out the relaxer and washed my hair twice with the Anti- Breakage Neutralizing Mousse. And then put the mousse on my hair and covered it with shower cap.
• I sat for almost 12 minutes because I wanted my hair darker but not too dark and also because the mousse kept running down my face through the shower cap.
• Roller set and sat under the hooded dryer.  That’s it.

My, oh my! When I saw my hair it was unbelievable. I had retained and gained length. I was super pleased. And even more pleased with the compliments I received. This relaxer touch up was a success  .

Loretta Directs (Hair feature)

Hi Lovelies, Today we interact with Loretta. She shares some bits of her hair journey with us and shares some tips. P.S Her hair is amazing.

1. Your hair is .......(relaxed this includes texlaxed, natural, loc'd)?
Texlaxed

 2. What is your current length?
Full Shoulder Length

3. How long have you been on a hhj and how long did it take to get to your current length?
I have been on a HHJ (healthy hair journey) for 1 year and 4 months. I went from neck length to full shoulder length withing the period with TWO MAJOR trims. I still have some damaged relaxed ends that also have to go. :)

4. What's your daily and weekly regimen like?
I don't really have a daily regimen but I moisturise every other day and ensure I sleep in my satin scarf (sometimes I don't because I'm just too tired).
I shampoo with a moisturising shampoo and deep condition weekly. I rarely miss DCing sessions even when I have a super busy week.

5. How do you like to wear your hair? (i.e your go-to protective style)
Buns are my favourite protective style. I bun 75% of the time. I do weaves 10% of the time, in braids 10% of the time, and I wear my hair down 5% of the time

6. Do you use direct heat? If so, how often?
I'm not heat disciplined but I try to cut it down to blow-drying with heat 2-3 times a month and flat ironing one in 2 months but I beak the rule sometimes. ;)

7. Are you on any diet or are you taking any vitamins to promote healthy hair growth?
I'm not on any diet or pills. I have tried GNC and Hairfinity at different times in the past and had terrible breakouts so I stopped. I just take lots of fruits and vegetables and drink loads of water

8. If you could have only 5 hair related items, what would they be, and why?

• A water base leave-in moisturiser to combat dryness
• Olive oil to seal in the moisture and also for hot oil treatments
• Moisturising Deep Conditioner to hydrate my hair
• Protein DC to strengthen my hair
• A satin scarf to protect my hair from damage. And for use when I sleep.

9. Encourage someone also on a healthy hair journey.
Afro textured hair really grows with the right hair acre practices. It may take a while to notice significant progress, but, it will come. Don't Give Up!


Really readers, DON'T GIVE UP! Stay AWESOME :*

Hair Growth and Length Retention!

My hair would not grow. My hair doesn’t grow. My hair has stayed at the same length forever. It’s not uncommon to hear people make these complaints over and over. The problem is not with growth but with length retention. The fact that you are relaxed and you have to go for a relaxer touch up or the fact that you can see undergrowth in your braids or weaves or the fact that you have no disease or illness that has stunted your growth means, YOUR HAIR IS GROWING. The problem is with retaining the old length. That is holding on to or keeping your length and adding to it the “new growth”.

There are many reasons why we don’t retain length but the main cause is man handling the ends of your hair. The ends of your hair are the oldest and the most fragile. They require some TLC (Tender Loving Care). I’ll direct you on how you can retain your old length and gain new lengths. Just keep reading.

• ·         Keep Your Hair Moisturized- Hair lacking in moisture tends to be very brittle and brittle equals BREAKAGE. By keeping the hair moisturized the strands become more elastic and less prone to breakage. Less breakage means you get to hold on to your old lengths and that is a great thing if you ask me. :)

• ·         Avoid Over Manipulation- Over manipulation of the hair by combing too often; getting extensions constantly without giving your hair a break; getting braids too tight you name it, weakens hair strands and eventually causes the ends to break off. The ends are fragile and get stressed easily by these practices. Avoid over handling the hair if you want to hold on to your ends. Go for low manipulation styles like braids, buns, weaves, cornrows, curly styles.

Curly style that doesn't require combing. Good way to avoid manipulating too often. Flexi-rod set. (left)

Curly style converted to a curly pony tail a week after. Still low manipulation. (right)

• ·         Protect your ends by keeping it tucked in most of the time. The environment can be an enemy to your ends and so by tucking it in or hiding it, you protect it from external factors like wind, and other unfriendly textures that might come in contact with the hair. Even the fabric of your shirt could be an unfriendly external factor to your ends. Use buns, fold ups, wraps, braids and weaves to hide your ends.
   
  Protecting my ends with a teenie weenie bun. :)
  
  

• ·         Trim off splits and damaged ends. Holding on to damaged ends do no good for anyone. If split ends are not trimmed or gotten rid of. The split travels up the strands and it ends up in more damage. Keep your ends healthy and retain the healthy ends.

• ·         Finally, do not trim too often. Let me explain why. If your ends are not damaged do not trim. On average hair grows ½ - 1 inch per month. By trimming monthly or too often, you do not gain any length because the new growth replaces the trimmed ends and then you are stuck at the same length forever. If you feel the need to trim every time you relax, you should consider stretching relaxer often.  And if your stylist or hairdresser is scissor happy you should start rehearsing how to tell her NO when she pulls out the scissors J

Happy hair retention! Stay AWESOME!

My History with Hair Growth Supplements

I have been on my hair growth journey since July last year but I didn't start with any hair growth pills till November last year. Main reason was I have never been good with taking any pills generally. In November however, I really really wanted to give my hair a boost and so I talked to my mum (I'm a parent's girl.... lol). and she agreed to get me Biotin 5000mcg. On November 7 2013, I started with BIOTIN. I was good for about two weeks but after that I took it only when I remembered, ON and OFF for another 4weeks and then stopped entirely. I still have some left but I have no zeal to take them again. I had absolutely NO problem with Biotin. No break outs, No headaches, No changes with my body except my hair which seemed to grow faster and healthier. i avoided the breakouts by drinking loads of water. Biotin was okay.

I was off growth supplements from the middle of December till May. I went to the pharmacy to get something and I saw PERFECTIL Hair, Skin and Nails. I didn't like them at all. I only used it for 4 days and then i gave it to my twin sister. I felt nauseous every time I took the pill and i actually threw up twice. I researched and found that some people also experienced it and so I stopped. My sister has no side effects and her nails have grown so long and strong from them. Her hair? I don't know. But I'm never taking Perfectil again.

Finally, GROGANICS. Simply put, too big to swallow. For me though! After 3 days I tossed it. I can't tell what it does. or if it works.

I'm looking forward to trying Hairfinity but that depends on the future. If I get my hands on it, I promise I'll be good, well, because I have seen amazing results and I want that to be me. If I get any side effects though, that will be bye bye to Hairfinity and prolly all other growth supplements. But like I said, depends on the future.

**UPDATE**

I did get Hairfinity and loved the results it gave me, Loved the progress I got. No side effects.

Currently though I am on ABSOLUTELY NO growth supplements.

Thanks for reading. Leave a comments. What's your thought on hair growth supplements? Stay Awesome!

NB. To my readers on growth pills remember to drink loads of water!

My Direction (regimen)

Over the course of my hair journey, I have had different regimens that have helped with my journey, but this is my usual regimen and the only changes that occur are with products. I'm not going to be stating all products but, I will state the processes.

• Wash my hair at least once a week. In protective styles, at least once every 2 weeks.
• Apply my growth aids at least 3 times a week. Over the months, I have used t444z, Doogro mega thick grow oil, Dr Miracle's Gro Oil and I'm currently using JBCO JBCO,Olive oil and peppermint oil mix.
• Drink at least 2 litres of water daily. I usually push myself to drink more.
• Moisturise and Seal almost daily. my go to oils are Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Coconut Oil. I recently got Shea oil and I use it in the dryer seasons.
• I do scalp massages often, at least 5 times a week. 
• I do the green house effect when my hair feels exceptionally dry.
• I do NOT co-wash. TRied it once and my hair didn't feel clean so NO. I am Giving co washing a try in 2015!!
• I ALWAYS always sleep with a satin scarf. My grandma's church scarf which I have taken. :) I have upgraded to satin bonnets. I have 3!!!! I occassionally reach for my scarf.
• I'm currently on no growth supplements. I have had a history with growth supplements. See my history with hair growth pills here.
• I protective style almost 60% 75%. I will say 90% but that will be lying. I like to play in my hair. My biggest HHJ flaw. My go to protective styles are weaves, wigs and braids.
• Inversion for one week in a month, on selected months.
• And finally i try to relax my hair a MAXIMUM of 4 times year. Means I stretch my relaxer for at least 12 weeks

My regimen is subject to change but for now. this is my go to regimen.
Updated 2nd January 2015

PROGRESS PICTURES

This is just a timeline of my healthy hair journey and my progress so far.

 

Start of my HHJ. July 2013. before and after relaxer.

 

Relaxer Update October 2013

 

November 2013

 

first fold up.

 

 

Relaxer Update December 2013.

 

Relaxer Update. April 2014!!

MIRANISA

I'm Miranisa. I'm 19 years old. I am on a healthy hair journey. It will be nice to have people follow my journey and be encouraged by it. This blog is going to be mainly based on my hair but I will OCCASIONALLY post details on other stuff that may arise. I hope to help and DIRECT other people on healthy hair journeys like me to have beautiful hair. to take care of their hair and to love themselves more through their hair. Everyone is beautiful. Stay AWESOME!!!!!

And that is me. old picture that i love.