thanks, madison and L.A. woman (what part of L.A.?)!! /images/graemlins/smile.gif
okay, i'll go ahead and post my regime again here.
adrienne
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In my opinion, these are the two most important rules to achieving your goals:
1. Find the products that are right for your hair, and stop switching to other stuff when someone recommends things.
2. Leave your hair alone as much as possible. This was more important than the first for me. I used to blow dry and curl mine twice a week. After I got braids and did nothing, that's when it grew. They're not for everybody, but if you can sport them, I highly recommend it.
My hair policy is "less is more"... less manipulation... less heat... less product switching... I put different stuff on my hair depending on how I’m wearing it. So I’ll list it separately. Basically, I’ve been washing my hair once a week. If my scalp is itching bad, I’ll either rinse and condition or wash again depending on why it's itching (dandruff vs. sweaty). My scalp is getting worse. So I’ve increased to twice a week so I can get braids again.
UPDO:
<ul type="square"> [*]Wash with KeraCare Hydrating Detangling and prescription-strength Nizoral shampoo. I let the Nizoral sit for at least five minutes because of my problem scalp (psoriasis, I think). I now alternate between Elucence and KeraCare Hydrating Detangling shampoo.
[*]Condition with KeraCare Humecto Cream conditioner. Every other week, I do a protein conditioning with Aubrey GPB.
[*]Apply Kiehl’s leave-in and finger comb. Then spray with S-Curl No Drop Activator to comb into ponytail. I smooth it down with a mixture of 1/2 World of Curls Activator and 1/2 Let's Jam gel.
[*]For the bun: I put Vaseline on my ends, and braid the hair. I tuck it under, wrap a baggie over it. Then I cover it with a cut-off stocking. I put the drawstring ponytail over the stocking and put two scrunchies around it.
[*]Wrap head at night with silk or satin scarf. [/list]
DOWN:
<ul type="square"> [*]Wash and condition same as above.
[*]Apply Kiehl’s leave-in and finger comb. Then I work a small amount of Breakthru Heat Style Protecting Foam through my hair. I blow dry on a medium setting. Then I curl on 7 or 8 setting. I usually roll it as I go to get the hair out of my way. After I’m finished curling, and before I comb it, I ALWAYS spray some kind of sheen on (right now, it's KeraCare Silken Seal) and rub Avon Dry Ends Serum through it. Both of these products prevent breakage from static. The Avon stuff also smells great!
[*]I usually wrap my hair every night, and use the Caruso rollers in the morning. I LOVE those things! I put both the KeraCare sheen and Avon Serum on before I comb it in the morning. [/list]
TRIMS:
• Never on a schedule, only when needed.
RELAXER:
• Dark & Lovely No Lye every 4 months (i'll be changing this the next time i get a retouch, but not sure which yet).
VITAMINS (and why I take them):
• Central-Vite Multi Vitamin with Antioxidants (1/day)
- overall health
• Natrol Vegetal Silica, 400mg (1/day)
- hair growth rate, nail health
• Country Life Biotin, 5mg (1/day)
- hair growth rate, psoriasis, nail health
• TriMedica MSM, 1000mg (2-3/day)
- hair health, allergies, joint health
• Vitamin Shoppe Evening Primrose Oil, 1300mg (1/day)
- EFA, psoriasis, cholesterol
• Nature's Bounty Combo Vitamin C & E (1/day)
- C (500mg): antioxidant, boosts immune system, aids vitamin absorption
- E (400IU): antioxidant, boost immune system
• Vitamin Shoppe Pantothenic Acid/B5 (1/day)
- hair thickness, growth rate, acne
I take all of the supplements at once first thing in the morning with my protein shake. I haven't experienced any discomfort from doing it this way. I also take the MSM during the course of the day. I think everything that I take benefits my body in other ways in addition to my hair.
I recently changed my vitamin regimen slightly because I didn't think the supplements I took specifically to increase my growth were working. I added the B5 and changed silica brands. So we'll see... That's about it.
