Recently Sisterlocked had the chance to interview Kori Davis (also known as @geauxldie_locs), who went a bit viral after sharing one of her gorgeous selfies on Sisterlocked's Facebook page! Inquiring minds wanted to know all about her gorgeous blonde traditional locs and Kori was more than willing to share.

Why locs?

Before I started my locs, I changed my hair constantly. It was never the same for long, from color to style. I often found myself consumed in what I could do next. But on the flip side, I hated doing my hair everyday.

One day I was on Instagram and saw a beautiful woman with amazing locs and fell in love with the idea of locs. It took me about a year or two to actually go through with it, and when I did, I never felt so liberated!

How has your views around your hair and your own beauty been impacted by having locs? 

Honestly, I’ve never felt more beautiful! My hair being loc’d has forced me to focus more on myself, on who I am as person. I had to focus on my assets as well as my flaws. It allowed me to understand how I didn’t need this or that to feel beautiful, I just needed to let all of that go and really focus on me. Before, I was so focused on the next color, next wig, next style... Which was extremely time consuming, overwhelming as well as expensive.

How has your beauty regime changed and give us the details? 

My regime has changed drastically! It’s far more simple than I can explain.

Before it was braids, twist outs, wigs, etc. I use to have to sit hours for braids. I spend hours twisting my hair in order to try and get the perfect twist out, by the way it never came out right. I don’t even know how much I spent on wigs, it's ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, they all looked amazing, but LORD time was not on my side with them.

Now, I have so much freedom and time! I usually get my hair re-twisted once a month and I do my own roots about once a month. At the most, I spend $70 a month to get my hair done, that includes conditioning and moisturizers. I am no professional, but I do maintain my own color. I was blonde before I started my locs. So when I recolor them, I only touch up my roots. Those products are about $20. You can't beat that at all!

What have been some of your pros and cons of having locs?

Pros are it's pure freedom! No more spending 100s of dollars on hair or getting my hair done. No more spending hours in the salon. No more not knowing what to do to with my hair. No more late nights doing twist outs. A lot of people have the misconception that you’re only stuck with one style but that isn’t true. You can change your style easily. There are no cons to me. They’re amazing!

Who would you recommend locs to?

I would recommend locs to anyone who is in search of finding out who they truly are. To anyone who wants pure peace and freedom!

What are some of the costs associated? (cost to have them started, maintain, etc)

Traditional locs aren’t very expensive. When I started mine, the method used was comb coil and it cost around $60. I get them re-twisted once a month for about $40/$50. I’m not sure if size changes the price, but for mine that’s the ball park price. I also live in Louisiana, so that may factor in to the cost as well. The amazing woman that does my beautiful locs name is Kris and her IG is @blackgirlsrock1190, definitely check her out.

Where can we find you on the internet (Instagram, blog, Vlog, etc.)

You can follow me on IG: @geauxldie_locs
A YouTube channel is currently in the works so stay tuned!

• Monday, May 20, 2019
• black hairstyles

From Costly High Maintenance Hair to Loc'd Freedom

Recently Sisterlocked had the chance to interview Kori Davis (also known as @geauxldie_locs), who went a bit viral after sharing one of her gorgeous selfies on Sisterlocked's Facebook page! Inquiring minds wanted to know all about her gorgeous blonde traditional locs and Kori was more than willing to share.

Why locs?

Before I started my locs, I changed my hair constantly. It was never the same for long, from color to style. I often found myself consumed in what I could do next. But on the flip side, I hated doing my hair everyday.

One day I was on Instagram and saw a beautiful woman with amazing locs and fell in love with the idea of locs. It took me about a year or two to actually go through with it, and when I did, I never felt so liberated!

How has your views around your hair and your own beauty been impacted by having locs? 

Honestly, I’ve never felt more beautiful! My hair being loc’d has forced me to focus more on myself, on who I am as person. I had to focus on my assets as well as my flaws. It allowed me to understand how I didn’t need this or that to feel beautiful, I just needed to let all of that go and really focus on me. Before, I was so focused on the next color, next wig, next style... Which was extremely time consuming, overwhelming as well as expensive.

How has your beauty regime changed and give us the details? 

My regime has changed drastically! It’s far more simple than I can explain.

Before it was braids, twist outs, wigs, etc. I use to have to sit hours for braids. I spend hours twisting my hair in order to try and get the perfect twist out, by the way it never came out right. I don’t even know how much I spent on wigs, it's ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, they all looked amazing, but LORD time was not on my side with them.

Now, I have so much freedom and time! I usually get my hair re-twisted once a month and I do my own roots about once a month. At the most, I spend $70 a month to get my hair done, that includes conditioning and moisturizers. I am no professional, but I do maintain my own color. I was blonde before I started my locs. So when I recolor them, I only touch up my roots. Those products are about $20. You can't beat that at all!

What have been some of your pros and cons of having locs?

Pros are it's pure freedom! No more spending 100s of dollars on hair or getting my hair done. No more spending hours in the salon. No more not knowing what to do to with my hair. No more late nights doing twist outs. A lot of people have the misconception that you’re only stuck with one style but that isn’t true. You can change your style easily. There are no cons to me. They’re amazing!

Who would you recommend locs to?

I would recommend locs to anyone who is in search of finding out who they truly are. To anyone who wants pure peace and freedom!

What are some of the costs associated? (cost to have them started, maintain, etc)

Traditional locs aren’t very expensive. When I started mine, the method used was comb coil and it cost around $60. I get them re-twisted once a month for about $40/$50. I’m not sure if size changes the price, but for mine that’s the ball park price. I also live in Louisiana, so that may factor in to the cost as well. The amazing woman that does my beautiful locs name is Kris and her IG is @blackgirlsrock1190, definitely check her out.

Where can we find you on the internet (Instagram, blog, Vlog, etc.)

You can follow me on IG: @geauxldie_locs
A YouTube channel is currently in the works so stay tuned!

Read more

I almost always shower at night and an added benefit, other than going to bed without the day's dirt lingering on my skin and helping me to relax, is some of the steam gets to penetrate my locs and add a bit of needed moisture before bed. This is important because if you don't have a satin pillow case or wear a satin scarf, your sheets and pillow cases are very well stripping your hair of much needed natural oils and moisture and even leaving behind lint.

So let's talk loc nighttime routines. You should be doing something a few nights a week to help keep your locs moisturized, which will help prevent damage and breakage.

Steam Please

If you shower at night, don't use a shower cap. Put your hair up and let some of the steam penetrate your locs.

DIY Moisture Spray

If you don't take a hot shower at night or if you have regular issues with dry locs, consider praying on a water-based moisturizer.

My favorite hair moisturizing duo for locs is either the rosewater spray or you can make a powerful DIY loc spray from aloe vera juice and a mix of oils great for hair (I like to use a couple of drops of  avocado, lavender, rosemary oil). Also, burdock root and nettle brewed in distilled water is a great addition. See recipe/instructions below:

• Brew Burdock root and Nettle tea in boiled distilled water and let cool to room temperature
• Fill medium or large spray bottle more than half of the way with aloe vera
• Add couple of drops of avocado, lavender and rosemary oil
• Add cooled Burdock root and Nettle tea

Spray can be used as needed on mature locs. For locs still in their infancy, exclude oil (or only a few drops) and minimize use to when you hair is very dry.

Keep scrolling for a simplified version of the aloe loc spray by Valerie, who has a great instagram and youtube channel for her traditional locs.

Please note: There is quite a bit of misinformation about oils and locs. Oil do not moisturize your locs, black hair care experts are now clarifying that there is no such thing as a “moisturizing hair oil”.  To add moisture to your locs, you need a water based mix. Even for my skin, I use my skin oils after spraying with a water-based herbal spray or immediately after washing, while skin is still wet. So either first you apply a water-based moisturizer and then apply an emollient oil (emollient means retains moisture) or mix a bit of water-base moisturizer with a couple drops of oil.

Satin

Wear a Satin bonnet, satin lined cap or use a satin pillow. Cotton pillowcases and sheets are one of the biggest contributors to dryness and lint. The use of satin head coverings or pillows will help.

This bedtime routine mixed with a solid regular loc care routine, a healthy diet, and appropriate water intake will keep your locs healthy for years to come.

• Sunday, April 28, 2019
• hair care

Loc Bedtime Routine

I almost always shower at night and an added benefit, other than going to bed without the day's dirt lingering on my skin and helping me to relax, is some of the steam gets to penetrate my locs and add a bit of needed moisture before bed. This is important because if you don't have a satin pillow case or wear a satin scarf, your sheets and pillow cases are very well stripping your hair of much needed natural oils and moisture and even leaving behind lint.

So let's talk loc nighttime routines. You should be doing something a few nights a week to help keep your locs moisturized, which will help prevent damage and breakage.

Steam Please

If you shower at night, don't use a shower cap. Put your hair up and let some of the steam penetrate your locs.

DIY Moisture Spray

If you don't take a hot shower at night or if you have regular issues with dry locs, consider praying on a water-based moisturizer.

My favorite hair moisturizing duo for locs is either the rosewater spray or you can make a powerful DIY loc spray from aloe vera juice and a mix of oils great for hair (I like to use a couple of drops of  avocado, lavender, rosemary oil). Also, burdock root and nettle brewed in distilled water is a great addition. See recipe/instructions below:

• Brew Burdock root and Nettle tea in boiled distilled water and let cool to room temperature
• Fill medium or large spray bottle more than half of the way with aloe vera
• Add couple of drops of avocado, lavender and rosemary oil
• Add cooled Burdock root and Nettle tea

Spray can be used as needed on mature locs. For locs still in their infancy, exclude oil (or only a few drops) and minimize use to when you hair is very dry.

Keep scrolling for a simplified version of the aloe loc spray by Valerie, who has a great instagram and youtube channel for her traditional locs.

Please note: There is quite a bit of misinformation about oils and locs. Oil do not moisturize your locs, black hair care experts are now clarifying that there is no such thing as a “moisturizing hair oil”.  To add moisture to your locs, you need a water based mix. Even for my skin, I use my skin oils after spraying with a water-based herbal spray or immediately after washing, while skin is still wet. So either first you apply a water-based moisturizer and then apply an emollient oil (emollient means retains moisture) or mix a bit of water-base moisturizer with a couple drops of oil.

Satin

Wear a Satin bonnet, satin lined cap or use a satin pillow. Cotton pillowcases and sheets are one of the biggest contributors to dryness and lint. The use of satin head coverings or pillows will help.

This bedtime routine mixed with a solid regular loc care routine, a healthy diet, and appropriate water intake will keep your locs healthy for years to come.

Read more

Winter is coming. Time to prepare for it with the right tools and loc care habits.

The Tools

Prepare your winter arsenal with the right tools.

• Boar bristle brush- Brushing your locs has many benefits including:

1. Encourages hair growth by invigorating the hair follicles with the bristles of the brush, thus increasing blood flow and oxygen to the scalp.
2. Discourages build up by removing oils trapped in your locs that can be magnets for lint. For already trapped lint, loc brushing can help dislodge it. It can also dislodge dead skin cells (dandruff), and other buildup that may have become trapped inside your locs.
3. Minimizes dry and frizzy locs. Frizz can be an indication of a lack of moisture, you can combat this via loc brushing because it can help distribute your natural oils from your scalp to the tips of your locs, hydrating the locs while taming any frizzy hairs in the process.

To help remove dirt, build up, or lint from your locs, dry brushing is a great solution.

Also,  wait until buds on the ends and locs are in the teenage phase before you start loc brushing.

• Silk lined caps- wear beneath wool and other winter caps to protect against lint and drying our your locs.

• Hair Dryer and Steamer- The dryer to prevent hair staying wet all day and risking mold and steamer for those mornings where you have more time and you want to imbue a bit more moisture into your locs. 

The Right Products & Routine

The right products and routine will help prevent dry winter hair.

• Consider making an Herbal Hair Rinse part of your routine to strengthen your hair and combat dryness in both your hair and scalp during those dry months.
• Incorporate essential oils and create some DIY recipes or try one of my two favorites

                  - The magical Ancient Greek Oil Mix (it comes in a convenient spray bottle)

                 - Camille Rose Nibs & Honey - Ultimate Growth Serum (it has a easy to use nozzle top perfect for scalp oiling.

Only use oil sparingly on wet locs to seal in moisture.

• Thoughtfully develop a daily, weekly and monthly loc care routine.
• Switch to a conditioning or gently cleansing shampoo like Alaffia - Neem Turmeric Balancing Shampoo 
• Prevent and remove lint getting trapped from those favorite sweaters
• Drinking at least half your weight in ounces of water per day (meaning—if you weigh 180lbs, you need 90oz of water per day). 
• Spray a water-based products, like rose water on dry locs as needed.

  

  What Southern California winters be like...

Do you have any winter routines that keep your locs healthy through those chilly months, please share in the comment below.

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Email Address *

First Name

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• Tuesday, November 13, 2018
• hair care

Preparing Your Locs for Winter

Winter is coming. Time to prepare for it with the right tools and loc care habits.

The Tools

Prepare your winter arsenal with the right tools.

• Boar bristle brush- Brushing your locs has many benefits including:

1. Encourages hair growth by invigorating the hair follicles with the bristles of the brush, thus increasing blood flow and oxygen to the scalp.
2. Discourages build up by removing oils trapped in your locs that can be magnets for lint. For already trapped lint, loc brushing can help dislodge it. It can also dislodge dead skin cells (dandruff), and other buildup that may have become trapped inside your locs.
3. Minimizes dry and frizzy locs. Frizz can be an indication of a lack of moisture, you can combat this via loc brushing because it can help distribute your natural oils from your scalp to the tips of your locs, hydrating the locs while taming any frizzy hairs in the process.

To help remove dirt, build up, or lint from your locs, dry brushing is a great solution.

Also,  wait until buds on the ends and locs are in the teenage phase before you start loc brushing.

• Silk lined caps- wear beneath wool and other winter caps to protect against lint and drying our your locs.

• Hair Dryer and Steamer- The dryer to prevent hair staying wet all day and risking mold and steamer for those mornings where you have more time and you want to imbue a bit more moisture into your locs. 

The Right Products & Routine

The right products and routine will help prevent dry winter hair.

• Consider making an Herbal Hair Rinse part of your routine to strengthen your hair and combat dryness in both your hair and scalp during those dry months.
• Incorporate essential oils and create some DIY recipes or try one of my two favorites

                  - The magical Ancient Greek Oil Mix (it comes in a convenient spray bottle)

                 - Camille Rose Nibs & Honey - Ultimate Growth Serum (it has a easy to use nozzle top perfect for scalp oiling.

Only use oil sparingly on wet locs to seal in moisture.

• Thoughtfully develop a daily, weekly and monthly loc care routine.
• Switch to a conditioning or gently cleansing shampoo like Alaffia - Neem Turmeric Balancing Shampoo 
• Prevent and remove lint getting trapped from those favorite sweaters
• Drinking at least half your weight in ounces of water per day (meaning—if you weigh 180lbs, you need 90oz of water per day). 
• Spray a water-based products, like rose water on dry locs as needed.

  

  What Southern California winters be like...

Do you have any winter routines that keep your locs healthy through those chilly months, please share in the comment below.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

Read more

A DIY herbal hair rinse recipe that nourishes your scalp, increases shine, and strengthens hair naturally.

Most hair care items, even the natural ones, strip the natural oils from our. A vast majority of shampoos also contain ingredients that coat the hair to replace the natural and vital oils that they strip. A great herbal hair rinse features nutritive herbs that feed the scalp for healthier, stronger hair. The apple cider vinegar softens and cleanses, without removing the scalp’s natural oils.

Herbal Hair Rinse Ingredients

• 3 TBSP dried rosemary
• 4 TBSP dried lavender
• 1/4 cup nettle
• 1/4 cup horsetail
• 3 TBSP dried basil
• 3 to 3 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
• distilled water

Rinse Instructions

1. In a quart-size glass jar combine all of the herbs. Cap the jar and shake to mix.
2. Fill the jar 1 inch from the top with apple cider vinegar. Cap it tightly, and shake well.
3. Keep the jar in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks. Shake daily. After the first few days you may notice that the herbs have absorbed some of the vinegar. Just top your jar off with some more vinegar so that it stays about 1 inch from the top.
4. After the herbs have infused into the vinegar for a few weeks, strain them with a cheesecloth or a clean old t-shirt. 
5. Store completed herbal hair rinse in a clean glass jar. When ready to use dilute it with 1 part of distilled water. The vinegar concentrate will preserve indefinitely; however water will encourage mold and bacterial growth, so don’t store the rinse pre-diluted with water.

How to Use Herbal Hair Rinse

Mix equal parts of the prepared herbal hair rinse and water together in an empty clean container. Apply diluted rinse to clean, wet locs as leave-in or briefly rinse with distilled water.

Use the following as a guide but you may need less or more rinse depending on the texture and thickness of your hair.

Very Short hair: 1/4 cup infused vinegar to 1/4 cup water
Short to chin-length hair: 1/2 cup infused vinegar to 1/2 cup water
Shoulder length hair: 2/3 cup infused vinegar to 2/3 cup water
Longer hair: 1 cup infused vinegar to 1 cup water

Tip your head back and slowly pour over locs until saturated.

The benefits of the Herbs

A great herbal rinse should be infused with beneficial herbs that help hair in a variety of ways:

Rosemary
Adding rosemary stimulates hair follicles and encourages hair growth while strengthening hair at the root. It is also a slight astringent, which works to strengthen the hair follicles and prevent hair loss.

Lavender
Lavender calms inflammation on the scalp and increases circulation for better growth.

Horsetail 
Containing high amounts of silica to strengthen hair strands. Horsetail is rich in calcium, magnesium, bioflavonoids, chromium, potassium, copper, and iron.

Nettle
A wonder herb full of vitamins and minerals. You’ll find vitamin A carotenoids, vitamins B, C, D, and K, as well as chromium, silica, calcium, magnesium, boron and others. By nourishing and increasing the health of the scalp, nettle makes hair naturally stronger and more vibrant.

Basil
Similar to the other herbs in the mix, basil feeds the scalp, but plays a special role as it also detoxes the body by removing toxins and heavy metals. Basil also promotes hair growth as it nourishes with vitamins A and C, flavonoids, and polyphenolic acids.

Apple cider vinegar
An apple cider vinegar helps clarify and smooth hair cuticles – the secret to shiny hair!

Additional Tips

• Use the herbal rinse bi-weekly or monthly according to preference.
• Use this hair rinse in-between shampooing.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

• Wednesday, November 07, 2018
• clarifying

Herbal Loc Rinse

A DIY herbal hair rinse recipe that nourishes your scalp, increases shine, and strengthens hair naturally.

Most hair care items, even the natural ones, strip the natural oils from our. A vast majority of shampoos also contain ingredients that coat the hair to replace the natural and vital oils that they strip. A great herbal hair rinse features nutritive herbs that feed the scalp for healthier, stronger hair. The apple cider vinegar softens and cleanses, without removing the scalp’s natural oils.

Herbal Hair Rinse Ingredients

• 3 TBSP dried rosemary
• 4 TBSP dried lavender
• 1/4 cup nettle
• 1/4 cup horsetail
• 3 TBSP dried basil
• 3 to 3 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
• distilled water

Rinse Instructions

1. In a quart-size glass jar combine all of the herbs. Cap the jar and shake to mix.
2. Fill the jar 1 inch from the top with apple cider vinegar. Cap it tightly, and shake well.
3. Keep the jar in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks. Shake daily. After the first few days you may notice that the herbs have absorbed some of the vinegar. Just top your jar off with some more vinegar so that it stays about 1 inch from the top.
4. After the herbs have infused into the vinegar for a few weeks, strain them with a cheesecloth or a clean old t-shirt. 
5. Store completed herbal hair rinse in a clean glass jar. When ready to use dilute it with 1 part of distilled water. The vinegar concentrate will preserve indefinitely; however water will encourage mold and bacterial growth, so don’t store the rinse pre-diluted with water.

How to Use Herbal Hair Rinse

Mix equal parts of the prepared herbal hair rinse and water together in an empty clean container. Apply diluted rinse to clean, wet locs as leave-in or briefly rinse with distilled water.

Use the following as a guide but you may need less or more rinse depending on the texture and thickness of your hair.

Very Short hair: 1/4 cup infused vinegar to 1/4 cup water
Short to chin-length hair: 1/2 cup infused vinegar to 1/2 cup water
Shoulder length hair: 2/3 cup infused vinegar to 2/3 cup water
Longer hair: 1 cup infused vinegar to 1 cup water

Tip your head back and slowly pour over locs until saturated.

The benefits of the Herbs

A great herbal rinse should be infused with beneficial herbs that help hair in a variety of ways:

Rosemary
Adding rosemary stimulates hair follicles and encourages hair growth while strengthening hair at the root. It is also a slight astringent, which works to strengthen the hair follicles and prevent hair loss.

Lavender
Lavender calms inflammation on the scalp and increases circulation for better growth.

Horsetail 
Containing high amounts of silica to strengthen hair strands. Horsetail is rich in calcium, magnesium, bioflavonoids, chromium, potassium, copper, and iron.

Nettle
A wonder herb full of vitamins and minerals. You’ll find vitamin A carotenoids, vitamins B, C, D, and K, as well as chromium, silica, calcium, magnesium, boron and others. By nourishing and increasing the health of the scalp, nettle makes hair naturally stronger and more vibrant.

Basil
Similar to the other herbs in the mix, basil feeds the scalp, but plays a special role as it also detoxes the body by removing toxins and heavy metals. Basil also promotes hair growth as it nourishes with vitamins A and C, flavonoids, and polyphenolic acids.

Apple cider vinegar
An apple cider vinegar helps clarify and smooth hair cuticles – the secret to shiny hair!

Additional Tips

• Use the herbal rinse bi-weekly or monthly according to preference.
• Use this hair rinse in-between shampooing.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

Read more

Various people and cultures around the world refer to bentonite clay as "healing clay" and with good reason. Having both amazing internal and topical uses, bentonite clay has been used for centuries but has become super popular amongst wellness enthusiasts. Composed of ash made from volcanos, one of the largest known sources of bentonite clay is found in Fort Benton, Wyoming (hence the name).

Internally bentonite clay benefits your body by producing an "electrical charge" when combined with liquid and seeking out and binding with toxins, chemicals, impurities and 'heavy metals" in your body and is then able to draw them out of your body. So internally the benefits of bentonite clay can include:

• providing minerals for the body (bentonite clay is known for being abundant in minerals like calcium, magnesium, silica, sodium, copper, iron and potassium)
• speeding up recovery from vomiting and diarrhea
• fighting pathogens responsible for disease, like E. coli and a virus that can cause staph infection. 
• and helping with digestive disturbances like constipation, acid reflux, gas and bloating

To use internally: mix 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of bentonite clay throughly with water, drink immediately, and use as often as daily. You can also use as a homemade mouthwash to detox your teeth and gums.

Skin and Hair

Externally bentonite clay is the ultimate skin detox! It is able to bind to bacteria and toxins that live on the surface of the skin and within pores and it even extract these from the pores. This can help to reduce acnes, redness, and even fight allergic reactions from lotions or face washes. The clay serves as antibiotic treatment topically, which can calm skin infections. So not only do I use on my face and underarms but also on my inner thighs and butt before showering. It also pulls all the crap out of your scalp and hair leaving it shinny and noticeably softer!

For your skin and hair the uses of bentonite clay can include:

• as a face mask by mixing bentonite clay with apple cider vinegar until you form a paste and applying topically to your face and body. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse away. This can be done weekly.

A post shared by Samantha Sophia (@sisterlocked) on Apr 6, 2018 at 11:26am PDT

• as a hair detox since bentonite clay pulls chemicals and metals out from our bodies like a magnet. When applied to locs, bentonite clay pulls dirt, lint and product build-up from our hair. When you apply bentonite clay, be sure your locs are freshly shampooed. Mix equal parts of the clay with apple cider vinegar (until consistency of yogurt) and 10 drops of essential oil (like Rosemary for hair growth) in a non-metal bowl with a non-metal spoon. (If you use metal, you will activate or deactivate certain properties in the bentonite clay). Apply to hair and leave for 20 minutes, it will magically lift lint to surface. Be sure to thoroughly rinse! Optional: Rinse with a cup of water with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar added. See my other favorite loc detoxes here.

• as a skin softening and relaxing detox bath by adding about 1/4 cup of Bentonite Clay to a bathwater.

Bentonite clay benefits the body because it is able to produce a natural charge that is electrical when in contact with liquid — very similar to how earthing (touching your bare feet to the earth) works.

Important: Don't let healing clays come in to contact with anything metal, this will reduce the effectiveness. I opt to use class, plastic and wood when working with bentonite clay.

• Friday, April 06, 2018
• DIY

Bentonite Clay for Skin and Hair

Various people and cultures around the world refer to bentonite clay as "healing clay" and with good reason. Having both amazing internal and topical uses, bentonite clay has been used for centuries but has become super popular amongst wellness enthusiasts. Composed of ash made from volcanos, one of the largest known sources of bentonite clay is found in Fort Benton, Wyoming (hence the name).

Internally bentonite clay benefits your body by producing an "electrical charge" when combined with liquid and seeking out and binding with toxins, chemicals, impurities and 'heavy metals" in your body and is then able to draw them out of your body. So internally the benefits of bentonite clay can include:

• providing minerals for the body (bentonite clay is known for being abundant in minerals like calcium, magnesium, silica, sodium, copper, iron and potassium)
• speeding up recovery from vomiting and diarrhea
• fighting pathogens responsible for disease, like E. coli and a virus that can cause staph infection. 
• and helping with digestive disturbances like constipation, acid reflux, gas and bloating

To use internally: mix 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of bentonite clay throughly with water, drink immediately, and use as often as daily. You can also use as a homemade mouthwash to detox your teeth and gums.

Skin and Hair

Externally bentonite clay is the ultimate skin detox! It is able to bind to bacteria and toxins that live on the surface of the skin and within pores and it even extract these from the pores. This can help to reduce acnes, redness, and even fight allergic reactions from lotions or face washes. The clay serves as antibiotic treatment topically, which can calm skin infections. So not only do I use on my face and underarms but also on my inner thighs and butt before showering. It also pulls all the crap out of your scalp and hair leaving it shinny and noticeably softer!

For your skin and hair the uses of bentonite clay can include:

• as a face mask by mixing bentonite clay with apple cider vinegar until you form a paste and applying topically to your face and body. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse away. This can be done weekly.

A post shared by Samantha Sophia (@sisterlocked) on Apr 6, 2018 at 11:26am PDT

• as a hair detox since bentonite clay pulls chemicals and metals out from our bodies like a magnet. When applied to locs, bentonite clay pulls dirt, lint and product build-up from our hair. When you apply bentonite clay, be sure your locs are freshly shampooed. Mix equal parts of the clay with apple cider vinegar (until consistency of yogurt) and 10 drops of essential oil (like Rosemary for hair growth) in a non-metal bowl with a non-metal spoon. (If you use metal, you will activate or deactivate certain properties in the bentonite clay). Apply to hair and leave for 20 minutes, it will magically lift lint to surface. Be sure to thoroughly rinse! Optional: Rinse with a cup of water with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar added. See my other favorite loc detoxes here.

• as a skin softening and relaxing detox bath by adding about 1/4 cup of Bentonite Clay to a bathwater.

Bentonite clay benefits the body because it is able to produce a natural charge that is electrical when in contact with liquid — very similar to how earthing (touching your bare feet to the earth) works.

Important: Don't let healing clays come in to contact with anything metal, this will reduce the effectiveness. I opt to use class, plastic and wood when working with bentonite clay.

Read more

Someone recently reached out to me via social media declaring that they are interested in locs but they wanted to continue to have laid edges. They were wondering if it was a good idea to

1. Leave most of their edges out of the locing process and/or
2. Relax their edges

A while back I learned that a blogger, who's natural hair I admired, relaxed her edges and I was legit shocked. For me, a huge plus of locs and other forms of natural hair is avoiding harsh chemicals like relaxers. It had never dawned on me to even relax only my edges aka a halo relaxer.

To each their own, but after doing a little bit of research, I would NOT recommend for the following reasons:

1. It can be damaging. Relaxing the edges alone will likely lead to breakage and thinning along your hairline
2. It can look like a hot mess
3. Many note that their edges revert to their original state only a week or so after relaxing

Alternatives to a halo relaxer:

• Edge control gel, an oldie but a goodie and it really does work, even without pushing back your hairline with overly tight scarves.

• Old nylons/hosiery and a good moisturizer or conditioning gel
• Coming to peace with your nappy edges

I kind of blame lace-front wigs with baby hair attachments,  I personally haven't had baby hair since I was a baby and I somehow manage to be a healthy and well adjusted adult.

I slightly laid my edges just for you in this photo by using applying Alaffia Curl Defining gel  to wet hair and wearing a nylon scarf while getting ready in the morning for work.

• Monday, August 21, 2017
• hair care

Relaxed Edges and Locs

Someone recently reached out to me via social media declaring that they are interested in locs but they wanted to continue to have laid edges. They were wondering if it was a good idea to

1. Leave most of their edges out of the locing process and/or
2. Relax their edges

A while back I learned that a blogger, who's natural hair I admired, relaxed her edges and I was legit shocked. For me, a huge plus of locs and other forms of natural hair is avoiding harsh chemicals like relaxers. It had never dawned on me to even relax only my edges aka a halo relaxer.

To each their own, but after doing a little bit of research, I would NOT recommend for the following reasons:

1. It can be damaging. Relaxing the edges alone will likely lead to breakage and thinning along your hairline
2. It can look like a hot mess
3. Many note that their edges revert to their original state only a week or so after relaxing

Alternatives to a halo relaxer:

• Edge control gel, an oldie but a goodie and it really does work, even without pushing back your hairline with overly tight scarves.

• Old nylons/hosiery and a good moisturizer or conditioning gel
• Coming to peace with your nappy edges

I kind of blame lace-front wigs with baby hair attachments,  I personally haven't had baby hair since I was a baby and I somehow manage to be a healthy and well adjusted adult.

I slightly laid my edges just for you in this photo by using applying Alaffia Curl Defining gel  to wet hair and wearing a nylon scarf while getting ready in the morning for work.

Read more

I've become pretty skilled at caring for my hair after 7 years of having locs. The really great part about having locs is that it doesn’t take as much work as many other black hair styles to still have gorgeous and healthy hair, but you still should have a solid hair care routine. Here are some tips to developing a daily, weekly and monthly routine!

Daily

Every other day I spray with Rosewater. I use the two main versions, one with and without glycerin (a type of humectant, which means it attracts moisture to itself).

Rosewater spray has been a significant part of my hair routine for a few years now. The benefits are as follows:

• Rosewater acts as a lightweight conditioner that also promotes hair growth 
• Has anti-septic properties that can reduce scalp inflammation
• Stimulates blood circulation that can revitalize hair
• Has antibacterial properties that prevent some forms of hair loss, dandruff and odor
• Can be used at any stage of loc journey

I also put my hair up at night in a loose high bun to minimize friction and avoid lint.

Weekly

• I go through my lint removal process. Checking regularly for any topical debris from sweaters and fabric to pluck off.
• Massage my edges with a lightweight oil mix for hair growth. 
• If I am working out more, it's a sweaty summer or I notice buildup, I use Alaffia - Neem Turmeric Balancing Shampoo weekly otherwise I wash bi-weekly. 
• As a conditioner I use either Alaffia: Conditioner Moisturizing Neem sparingly or SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo,  though this is a shampoo, it is so rich and my locs are so sensitive to buildup, I use it as a conditioner. It makes my hair smell lovely and leaves my hair shiny and moisturized.

Monthly

• I check for any locs over due for a retightening and maintenance. 
• I do a build-up test, lightly scratch my scalp and look for a gray oil substance under my nails, if I find any on my scalp, I carefully and slowly massage a cleansing shampoo like  Avalon Organics into those trouble spots until squeaky clean or
• I apply a ACV rinse (only as needed) or Herbal Hair Rinse.

Quarterly

I color with my go to natural hair color in black.

I keep it simple with my hair and found that this works really well for me. My hair is not weighed down, is clean and smells lovely, nor do find I have major scalp issues!

Developing Your Own Routine

When developing your own loc maintenance routine, make sure you:

• Don't over retighten, this can cause thinning locs and breakage.
• Be careful with hair products that may cause buildup or contain chemicals that can compromise hair or body health.
• Don't forget to moisturize but avoid over conditioning.
• What you put in your body matters so eat a nutritionally complex diet and drink plenty of water
• Adjust to the seasons, loc care during winter months may be dramatically different than summer or spring.
• Pay attention to how your hair is responding to your routine and adjust according to these messages.

What about you? Do you do anything different with your routine, tell us why and share in the comments below.

Updated as of April 2019, affiliate links are present on page.

• Saturday, March 11, 2017
• hair care

Developing a Daily, Weekly & Monthly Loc Care Routine

I've become pretty skilled at caring for my hair after 7 years of having locs. The really great part about having locs is that it doesn’t take as much work as many other black hair styles to still have gorgeous and healthy hair, but you still should have a solid hair care routine. Here are some tips to developing a daily, weekly and monthly routine!

Daily

Every other day I spray with Rosewater. I use the two main versions, one with and without glycerin (a type of humectant, which means it attracts moisture to itself).

Rosewater spray has been a significant part of my hair routine for a few years now. The benefits are as follows:

• Rosewater acts as a lightweight conditioner that also promotes hair growth 
• Has anti-septic properties that can reduce scalp inflammation
• Stimulates blood circulation that can revitalize hair
• Has antibacterial properties that prevent some forms of hair loss, dandruff and odor
• Can be used at any stage of loc journey

I also put my hair up at night in a loose high bun to minimize friction and avoid lint.

Weekly

• I go through my lint removal process. Checking regularly for any topical debris from sweaters and fabric to pluck off.
• Massage my edges with a lightweight oil mix for hair growth. 
• If I am working out more, it's a sweaty summer or I notice buildup, I use Alaffia - Neem Turmeric Balancing Shampoo weekly otherwise I wash bi-weekly. 
• As a conditioner I use either Alaffia: Conditioner Moisturizing Neem sparingly or SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo,  though this is a shampoo, it is so rich and my locs are so sensitive to buildup, I use it as a conditioner. It makes my hair smell lovely and leaves my hair shiny and moisturized.

Monthly

• I check for any locs over due for a retightening and maintenance. 
• I do a build-up test, lightly scratch my scalp and look for a gray oil substance under my nails, if I find any on my scalp, I carefully and slowly massage a cleansing shampoo like  Avalon Organics into those trouble spots until squeaky clean or
• I apply a ACV rinse (only as needed) or Herbal Hair Rinse.

Quarterly

I color with my go to natural hair color in black.

I keep it simple with my hair and found that this works really well for me. My hair is not weighed down, is clean and smells lovely, nor do find I have major scalp issues!

Developing Your Own Routine

When developing your own loc maintenance routine, make sure you:

• Don't over retighten, this can cause thinning locs and breakage.
• Be careful with hair products that may cause buildup or contain chemicals that can compromise hair or body health.
• Don't forget to moisturize but avoid over conditioning.
• What you put in your body matters so eat a nutritionally complex diet and drink plenty of water
• Adjust to the seasons, loc care during winter months may be dramatically different than summer or spring.
• Pay attention to how your hair is responding to your routine and adjust according to these messages.

What about you? Do you do anything different with your routine, tell us why and share in the comments below.

Updated as of April 2019, affiliate links are present on page.

Read more

I've had my sisterlocks for 7 years now and despite all of the issues: postpartum hair-loss, sketch hair stylists, DIY hair color failures, and my own consistency with self-maintaining, I still think it is the best hair decision I have ever made!

I really love my hair! I have to repeat the sentiments form my 6th hair anniversary:

You don't know what it means to be a brown girl that loves her hair as is. To be free of relaxers that never agreed with me. To be free of curl defining this and hair straightening that. As much as I love seeing a girl with a great blow-out or a fierce twist-out, I felt like I was comparing my hair to others and feeling inadequate. Hair, for many of us, is one of the first ways we express our personal style, culture, and self.

As a gift to you for reading, commenting, and providing a wealth of recommendations to me on this journey:

1. Everyone gets a discount code to Nappy N Happy, who kindly sent me a sample of their improved thicker gauge tool after noting the one I bought would often bend during use. The thicker gauge tool is amazing; exactly what I needed to retighten my hair and start my husband’s thicker interlocks. Head over to https://www.nappynhappy.com/ and use the code: Anniversary2017 for 10% off through 3/31/2017.

2. One lucky reader will get my favorite hair care products which includes

• My current favorite shampoo from Zatik in the Jasmine Wildcherry scent.
• My current favorite conditioner (though actually a shampoo but much to rich for that) from SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo
• Rosewater Spray
• Avocado Oil

I am my own hair goals, gorgeous and free of harsh and toxic products.

A post shared by Samantha Sophia (@sisterlocked) on Dec 18, 2016 at 2:55pm PST

Thanks for following me in this journey. Enter below by leaving a comment stating what do you currently use on your hair?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

• Wednesday, March 08, 2017
• hair care

Giving Away My Favorite Hair Products

I've had my sisterlocks for 7 years now and despite all of the issues: postpartum hair-loss, sketch hair stylists, DIY hair color failures, and my own consistency with self-maintaining, I still think it is the best hair decision I have ever made!

I really love my hair! I have to repeat the sentiments form my 6th hair anniversary:

You don't know what it means to be a brown girl that loves her hair as is. To be free of relaxers that never agreed with me. To be free of curl defining this and hair straightening that. As much as I love seeing a girl with a great blow-out or a fierce twist-out, I felt like I was comparing my hair to others and feeling inadequate. Hair, for many of us, is one of the first ways we express our personal style, culture, and self.

As a gift to you for reading, commenting, and providing a wealth of recommendations to me on this journey:

1. Everyone gets a discount code to Nappy N Happy, who kindly sent me a sample of their improved thicker gauge tool after noting the one I bought would often bend during use. The thicker gauge tool is amazing; exactly what I needed to retighten my hair and start my husband’s thicker interlocks. Head over to https://www.nappynhappy.com/ and use the code: Anniversary2017 for 10% off through 3/31/2017.

2. One lucky reader will get my favorite hair care products which includes

• My current favorite shampoo from Zatik in the Jasmine Wildcherry scent.
• My current favorite conditioner (though actually a shampoo but much to rich for that) from SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo
• Rosewater Spray
• Avocado Oil

I am my own hair goals, gorgeous and free of harsh and toxic products.

A post shared by Samantha Sophia (@sisterlocked) on Dec 18, 2016 at 2:55pm PST

Thanks for following me in this journey. Enter below by leaving a comment stating what do you currently use on your hair?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read more

My six year old daughter has this gorgeous fro that I usually put up in a ponytail or two. And though she looks so adorable with with her afro puffs sitting high on her head, she recently became super self conscious about her hair. She kept asking why her hair doesn't lay straight down her back like all the other girls in her class. She kept asking why there were no other brown girls in her class. She kept staring at herself in the mirror with a hint of sadness that made my heart ache. Up until this moment I didn't realize how self and socially aware a child as young as six could be.

I later read that there is  more research surrounding the narrow depiction of what “beautiful hair” is traditionally thought to look like and earlier this year, Dove™ Hair found that 8 in 10 women feel pressure to wear their hair a certain way. For many, these pressures begin at an early age. It feels so serendipitous that I have the opportunity to write this sponsored message as part of the Dove™ #LoveYourHair campaign. As mothers and/or mentors, we can make a difference and help ensure the children in our lives grow up feeling confident. So start celebrating the beauty of your daughter’s hair today–so she loves her hair tomorrow.

Hair Care Routines

This week I was inspired by a few youtube videos and decided to attempt a flexi-rod defined afro on my daughter.

Friday night, after her bedtime and while she was asleep, I washed, deep conditioned, and put flexi rods in her hair. It was one of those peak black girl magic #momlife moments. Many times, when I was a kid, I would wake up and my hair would be freshly braided or styled with ribbons by my mother while I was sleeping. She was raised with this deep-seeded standard that women didn't send their child off to school with hair uncared for. My mother worked crazy hours as a nurse and often worked multiple jobs to help support our family, but she would still prioritize caring for our hair.

Saturday morning she was all surprised smiles and excitement about the brightly colored hair accessories she woke up with. We went to the farmers market with them still in her hair and she blushed as the kombucha vendor complimented her funky hair style.


She was so happy to wear her hair down Saturday night to a Christmas party a a friend's house.

My daughter woke up Sunday morning singing the lyrics to a song she made up about her hair in front of my bathroom mirror. She was all smiles while I was untwisting the night-time protective twists I placed in her freshly washed and deep conditioned hair. She kept touching her hair as I shaped and picked out her fro. She had this intense moment where she paused, looked at me and asked if she could wear her hair like this to school. This was literally a first.

Watching her experience real pride in her own natural reflection reminded me of something I wrote about about raising strong girls of color:

Loving yourself is an act of rebellion. 

Your children, outside of you, yet an extension of you can teach you a universe of truths. Take my daughter for example, she’s felt the weight of being different and yearned for a community of peers to disappear into. She’s anxious about standing out, about being different, even if the difference is as marvelous as melanin and as awe-inspiring as well defined hair texture. In her anxiety and in her doubt, I saw my own struggles to come into my own and be comfortable with myself.

A huge part of the journey of raising my daughter is helping her to love herself and that includes affirming her natural beauty. Embracing my own unique version of beautiful took me two decades to achieve. On the sixth anniversary of having locs I wrote:

I've been loc'd 6 years now and it is the best decision I've ever made in my adult life, outside of my choice in a partner.

You don't know what it means to be a brown girl that loves her hair as is. To be free of relaxers that never agreed with me. To be free of curl defining this and hair straightening that. As much as I love seeing a girl with a great blow-out or a fierce twist-out, I felt like I was comparing my hair to others and feeling inadequate. Hair, for many of us, is one of the first ways we express our personal style, culture, and self.

It sounds silly, and it may even sound vain, but hair politics is a huge part of growing up black/brown/Caribbean. If your parents aren't giving you a complex, the kids on the playground are with talk of good and bad hair and being light-skinned or not. Measuring a woman of color's beauty in narrow and exclusionary terms. 

My locs were an outward manifestation of an inward journey toward self-acceptance.  When I rejected this notion fed to me subliminally via media or my peers, the self-hate that I internalized and replayed via endless critiques and complaints about my body and hair were replaced with something amazing. When I rebelled against these negative thoughts and ideas and learned to love myself as-is, a major shift happened and I experienced this confidence I never had as a teenager or in my early 20's. Something exquisite began to replace all that head space once totally occupied by negative body image and I found my own personal style and creativity.

This is one of main reasons why I was so happy to take part in Dove™'s #LoveYourHair initiative. Dove™ Hair believes that beauty is not defined by shape, size or color – it’s feeling like the best version of yourself. Authentic. Unique. Real. This campaign is a social mission to create a conversation with mothers on how and why they should share hair positivity with their daughters.  If there is a girl in your life that you would like to affirm and share your love for their version of beautiful, visit this spectacular site create by Dove™ Hair and create a free animated message via Dove™'s #LoveYourHair website by visiting this link: http://bit.ly/2gWJgad

Send me an email or message  with the link or screen shot if you'd like for me to share your message on Sisterlocked's Facebook and twitter pages.

I'm always open to your narrative please share with me in the comments below how you guide your children to embrace their natural hair-type?

• Monday, December 19, 2016
• hair care

Loving Your Hair is an Act of Rebellion

My six year old daughter has this gorgeous fro that I usually put up in a ponytail or two. And though she looks so adorable with with her afro puffs sitting high on her head, she recently became super self conscious about her hair. She kept asking why her hair doesn't lay straight down her back like all the other girls in her class. She kept asking why there were no other brown girls in her class. She kept staring at herself in the mirror with a hint of sadness that made my heart ache. Up until this moment I didn't realize how self and socially aware a child as young as six could be.

I later read that there is  more research surrounding the narrow depiction of what “beautiful hair” is traditionally thought to look like and earlier this year, Dove™ Hair found that 8 in 10 women feel pressure to wear their hair a certain way. For many, these pressures begin at an early age. It feels so serendipitous that I have the opportunity to write this sponsored message as part of the Dove™ #LoveYourHair campaign. As mothers and/or mentors, we can make a difference and help ensure the children in our lives grow up feeling confident. So start celebrating the beauty of your daughter’s hair today–so she loves her hair tomorrow.

Hair Care Routines

This week I was inspired by a few youtube videos and decided to attempt a flexi-rod defined afro on my daughter.

Friday night, after her bedtime and while she was asleep, I washed, deep conditioned, and put flexi rods in her hair. It was one of those peak black girl magic #momlife moments. Many times, when I was a kid, I would wake up and my hair would be freshly braided or styled with ribbons by my mother while I was sleeping. She was raised with this deep-seeded standard that women didn't send their child off to school with hair uncared for. My mother worked crazy hours as a nurse and often worked multiple jobs to help support our family, but she would still prioritize caring for our hair.

Saturday morning she was all surprised smiles and excitement about the brightly colored hair accessories she woke up with. We went to the farmers market with them still in her hair and she blushed as the kombucha vendor complimented her funky hair style.


She was so happy to wear her hair down Saturday night to a Christmas party a a friend's house.

My daughter woke up Sunday morning singing the lyrics to a song she made up about her hair in front of my bathroom mirror. She was all smiles while I was untwisting the night-time protective twists I placed in her freshly washed and deep conditioned hair. She kept touching her hair as I shaped and picked out her fro. She had this intense moment where she paused, looked at me and asked if she could wear her hair like this to school. This was literally a first.

Watching her experience real pride in her own natural reflection reminded me of something I wrote about about raising strong girls of color:

Loving yourself is an act of rebellion. 

Your children, outside of you, yet an extension of you can teach you a universe of truths. Take my daughter for example, she’s felt the weight of being different and yearned for a community of peers to disappear into. She’s anxious about standing out, about being different, even if the difference is as marvelous as melanin and as awe-inspiring as well defined hair texture. In her anxiety and in her doubt, I saw my own struggles to come into my own and be comfortable with myself.

A huge part of the journey of raising my daughter is helping her to love herself and that includes affirming her natural beauty. Embracing my own unique version of beautiful took me two decades to achieve. On the sixth anniversary of having locs I wrote:

I've been loc'd 6 years now and it is the best decision I've ever made in my adult life, outside of my choice in a partner.

You don't know what it means to be a brown girl that loves her hair as is. To be free of relaxers that never agreed with me. To be free of curl defining this and hair straightening that. As much as I love seeing a girl with a great blow-out or a fierce twist-out, I felt like I was comparing my hair to others and feeling inadequate. Hair, for many of us, is one of the first ways we express our personal style, culture, and self.

It sounds silly, and it may even sound vain, but hair politics is a huge part of growing up black/brown/Caribbean. If your parents aren't giving you a complex, the kids on the playground are with talk of good and bad hair and being light-skinned or not. Measuring a woman of color's beauty in narrow and exclusionary terms. 

My locs were an outward manifestation of an inward journey toward self-acceptance.  When I rejected this notion fed to me subliminally via media or my peers, the self-hate that I internalized and replayed via endless critiques and complaints about my body and hair were replaced with something amazing. When I rebelled against these negative thoughts and ideas and learned to love myself as-is, a major shift happened and I experienced this confidence I never had as a teenager or in my early 20's. Something exquisite began to replace all that head space once totally occupied by negative body image and I found my own personal style and creativity.

This is one of main reasons why I was so happy to take part in Dove™'s #LoveYourHair initiative. Dove™ Hair believes that beauty is not defined by shape, size or color – it’s feeling like the best version of yourself. Authentic. Unique. Real. This campaign is a social mission to create a conversation with mothers on how and why they should share hair positivity with their daughters.  If there is a girl in your life that you would like to affirm and share your love for their version of beautiful, visit this spectacular site create by Dove™ Hair and create a free animated message via Dove™'s #LoveYourHair website by visiting this link: http://bit.ly/2gWJgad

Send me an email or message  with the link or screen shot if you'd like for me to share your message on Sisterlocked's Facebook and twitter pages.

I'm always open to your narrative please share with me in the comments below how you guide your children to embrace their natural hair-type?

Read more

Looking for a remedy for what ails you? Look no further than your own pantry. Some of the most nutritious foods are great topical remedies and hair treatments.

Try these two DIY pre-shampoo treatments for thinning hair.

Hair Growth: Ginger Infused Hair Oil

Ginger encourages blood circulation which helps stimulate hair growth. Blood flow also directs nutrients and oxygen to the surface, nourishing the scalp and hair follicles.

Ingredients

• 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 spring of Rosemary or a few drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions
Add grated ginger (and rosemary) to olive oil heated the olive oil on low heat. Remove ginger from heat once it turns and allow to cool. Once cool, strain the ginger out of the oil.

Apply to the scalp for up to 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly, follow with shampoo.

If you want to keep it simple, you can substitute the freshly grated ginger with 1-2 drops of ginger essential oil. I like going through the process of making from scratch though.

This ginger-infused oil is easy to make at home and can be applied a few times a month. I purchased fine mist spray bottles from here.

Hair Growth & Strength: Coconut Milk Mask

Coconut milk contains healthy proteins and essential fats, both of which boost hair growth.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 3 teaspoons olive oil

Instructions
Combine ingredients, apply the mixture to your scalp and then work the mask through your hair. Massage the mask into your scalp and through the ends of your hair. Wear a cap to allow heat to help with deeper penetration. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and then use a clarifying shampoo to rinse the mask out.

• Monday, April 18, 2016
• DIY

Hair Thickening Treatments

Looking for a remedy for what ails you? Look no further than your own pantry. Some of the most nutritious foods are great topical remedies and hair treatments.

Try these two DIY pre-shampoo treatments for thinning hair.

Hair Growth: Ginger Infused Hair Oil

Ginger encourages blood circulation which helps stimulate hair growth. Blood flow also directs nutrients and oxygen to the surface, nourishing the scalp and hair follicles.

Ingredients

• 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 spring of Rosemary or a few drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions
Add grated ginger (and rosemary) to olive oil heated the olive oil on low heat. Remove ginger from heat once it turns and allow to cool. Once cool, strain the ginger out of the oil.

Apply to the scalp for up to 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly, follow with shampoo.

If you want to keep it simple, you can substitute the freshly grated ginger with 1-2 drops of ginger essential oil. I like going through the process of making from scratch though.

This ginger-infused oil is easy to make at home and can be applied a few times a month. I purchased fine mist spray bottles from here.

Hair Growth & Strength: Coconut Milk Mask

Coconut milk contains healthy proteins and essential fats, both of which boost hair growth.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 3 teaspoons olive oil

Instructions
Combine ingredients, apply the mixture to your scalp and then work the mask through your hair. Massage the mask into your scalp and through the ends of your hair. Wear a cap to allow heat to help with deeper penetration. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and then use a clarifying shampoo to rinse the mask out.

Read more

You may not know this, but when it comes to hair care products, ingredients matter more than brand. Some of the most well known and/or most expensive brands produce hair care products I would use to clean my toilets before I would use on my child's hair. In some instances, they are so toxic that I would even hesitate to flush them down the toilet.

Many products that make your hair look awesome in the short term, but overtime strips your hair of moisture, makes hair brittle, causes long-term damage, and (in worst case scenarios) can cause health issues. For instance, avoid these ingredients:

• Isopropyl Alcohol - It is hard to find a hair ingredient that does not have this. It is found in many gels and hair sprays and is also found in hand sanitizer as well as industrial car and home improvement products. Isopropyl alcohol dissolves hair oils and can lead to breakage. In terms of health, the inhalation of this ingredient can cause dizziness, depression and headaches. (aka isopropanol or dimethyl carbinol)
• Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) - Found in most shampoos, SLS is also an industrial cleaning agent used in professional and machinery cleaning. This ingredient is know to cause health issues and dries out hair. (aka sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium laurel sulfate, sodium dodecylsulfate, sulfuric acid, Akyposal SDS, Aquarex) 
• Proplyene glycol (PG) - Used in every type of hair and body care product you may find -conditioners, shampoos, styling gels and lotions. The Environmental Protection Agency flagged proplyene glycol as one of the top 10  hair-care product ingredients that can potentially impact health with overexposure. Though toxicity is low, the concern is over prolonged exposure. The shady FDA has approved for use in food (they feed it to animals for 104 weeks and there were no ill effects), you can find this ingredient in frozen desserts. Additionally,  this product hurts sea life by consuming oxygen needed by aquatic organisms for survival once introduced in ocean water. So I won't even flush it down the toilet.
• DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (momoethnanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine) -  Commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. On the show, CBS This Morning, Roberta Baskin revealed that a recent government report shows DEA and MEA are readily absorbed in the skin. Dr. Samuel Epstein, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois said "repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of two cancers - liver and kidney cancers.” John Bailey, who oversees the cosmetic division for the FDA said the new study is especial important since “the risk equation changes significantly for children." (aka Cocamide DEA or MES, Lauramide DEA, etc. )
• See here for a more detailed list.

Caring for Hair Naturally

As a rule of thumb, I tend to use products with plant based ingredients I can say/recognize like

• Jojoba oil, coconut opil, shea butter, or grapeseed oil to seal in moisture
• Tea tree essential oil or aloe vera juice for itchy scalp
• Jojoba oil, aloe vera juice, grapeseed oil for dry scalp
• Grapeseed oil, safflower oil, castor oil, argan oil to soften hair
• Glycerin, aloe vera gel/juice, or rosewater for non-oil moisturizing or softening and moisture retention
• Castor oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or apple cider vinegar (post-wash rinse with cold water for 5 minutes) for shine
• Baking soda to cleanse
• Coconut oil or hydrolyzed protein (e.g. keratin, collagen) for strength
• Lavender essential oil, jasmine essential oil, rose essential oil, orange essential oil for scent

and I couple that with good hair care techniques.  For instance:

1. I use a wide tooth comb and/or detangler brush 
2. I only detangle while wet and use a rosewater or glycerin spray
3. I start at the ends and work my way to the roots carefully
4. I put in a simple protective style in the evening (two strand twists)
5. I moisturize regularly and use natural cleansers
6. I use a small amount light soft hold plant-based gel 
7. I use a old tooth brush with the gel to smooth down her edges

I spent a great deal of time educating myself about ingredients and making conscious decisions about what I expose my children to. I can't control for everything, but I do my best to minimize my child's exposure to harmful ingredients, people, situations, etc.

Also note that ingredients for both food and body/skin care products are listed by quantity, from highest to lowest. Try looking for products that list whole foods or plant based ingredients as the first three ingredients, and be skeptical of foods/products with long lists of ingredients.

My favorite brands are

• Alaffia
• Shea Moisture
• Nubian Heritage

• Wednesday, April 06, 2016
• Green Living

Selecting Hair Products for Children

You may not know this, but when it comes to hair care products, ingredients matter more than brand. Some of the most well known and/or most expensive brands produce hair care products I would use to clean my toilets before I would use on my child's hair. In some instances, they are so toxic that I would even hesitate to flush them down the toilet.

Many products that make your hair look awesome in the short term, but overtime strips your hair of moisture, makes hair brittle, causes long-term damage, and (in worst case scenarios) can cause health issues. For instance, avoid these ingredients:

• Isopropyl Alcohol - It is hard to find a hair ingredient that does not have this. It is found in many gels and hair sprays and is also found in hand sanitizer as well as industrial car and home improvement products. Isopropyl alcohol dissolves hair oils and can lead to breakage. In terms of health, the inhalation of this ingredient can cause dizziness, depression and headaches. (aka isopropanol or dimethyl carbinol)
• Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) - Found in most shampoos, SLS is also an industrial cleaning agent used in professional and machinery cleaning. This ingredient is know to cause health issues and dries out hair. (aka sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium laurel sulfate, sodium dodecylsulfate, sulfuric acid, Akyposal SDS, Aquarex) 
• Proplyene glycol (PG) - Used in every type of hair and body care product you may find -conditioners, shampoos, styling gels and lotions. The Environmental Protection Agency flagged proplyene glycol as one of the top 10  hair-care product ingredients that can potentially impact health with overexposure. Though toxicity is low, the concern is over prolonged exposure. The shady FDA has approved for use in food (they feed it to animals for 104 weeks and there were no ill effects), you can find this ingredient in frozen desserts. Additionally,  this product hurts sea life by consuming oxygen needed by aquatic organisms for survival once introduced in ocean water. So I won't even flush it down the toilet.
• DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (momoethnanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine) -  Commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. On the show, CBS This Morning, Roberta Baskin revealed that a recent government report shows DEA and MEA are readily absorbed in the skin. Dr. Samuel Epstein, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois said "repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of two cancers - liver and kidney cancers.” John Bailey, who oversees the cosmetic division for the FDA said the new study is especial important since “the risk equation changes significantly for children." (aka Cocamide DEA or MES, Lauramide DEA, etc. )
• See here for a more detailed list.

Caring for Hair Naturally

As a rule of thumb, I tend to use products with plant based ingredients I can say/recognize like

• Jojoba oil, coconut opil, shea butter, or grapeseed oil to seal in moisture
• Tea tree essential oil or aloe vera juice for itchy scalp
• Jojoba oil, aloe vera juice, grapeseed oil for dry scalp
• Grapeseed oil, safflower oil, castor oil, argan oil to soften hair
• Glycerin, aloe vera gel/juice, or rosewater for non-oil moisturizing or softening and moisture retention
• Castor oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or apple cider vinegar (post-wash rinse with cold water for 5 minutes) for shine
• Baking soda to cleanse
• Coconut oil or hydrolyzed protein (e.g. keratin, collagen) for strength
• Lavender essential oil, jasmine essential oil, rose essential oil, orange essential oil for scent

and I couple that with good hair care techniques.  For instance:

1. I use a wide tooth comb and/or detangler brush 
2. I only detangle while wet and use a rosewater or glycerin spray
3. I start at the ends and work my way to the roots carefully
4. I put in a simple protective style in the evening (two strand twists)
5. I moisturize regularly and use natural cleansers
6. I use a small amount light soft hold plant-based gel 
7. I use a old tooth brush with the gel to smooth down her edges

I spent a great deal of time educating myself about ingredients and making conscious decisions about what I expose my children to. I can't control for everything, but I do my best to minimize my child's exposure to harmful ingredients, people, situations, etc.

Also note that ingredients for both food and body/skin care products are listed by quantity, from highest to lowest. Try looking for products that list whole foods or plant based ingredients as the first three ingredients, and be skeptical of foods/products with long lists of ingredients.

My favorite brands are

• Alaffia
• Shea Moisture
• Nubian Heritage

Read more

The question most posed to me throughout social media is:

What are the pros and cons of sisterlocks?

Here's the answer:

Cons

Initial Cost
More than one person will say: if you can't afford them don't get them, even if you use your tax return to pay the initial installation costs. I slightly disagree. Make sure you can afford the installation (500+), first year of retighenings ($80+ each), and possibly an official retightening class ($250) and you can make it until you are able to self-maintain. Now if you can't afford that hefty additional cost of the retightening class, consider working hard to learn the interlocking method via all the resources on blogs and Youtube. (Add a significant markup to all the aforementioned prices if you are in the NYC area, I am told the New York prices are considerably higher for some random reason.)

Many of my most drastic close calls with losing my locks were during seasons where my budget did not allow for going to a consultant regularly. These close calls ended when 1. I found a skilled AND affordable consultant and 2. I learned the DIY interlocking method for those times in-between.

The first year or two are the most expensive, when you become self-sufficient, it is much cheaper than other hair styles. Even cheaper than the fro when you realize that all you really need is a good shampoo and no other products to maintain your hair.

The weekend is near!

A photo posted by Samantha Sophia (@raisingself) on May 12, 2016 at 1:36am PDT

> Consultants/Locticians
Finding a great consultant that educates you while supporting your journey is hella hard. The sisterlock business model is super secretive and the secrecy seems to be breeding inconsistency and poor customer service. I made a ton of mistakes early on when there were few DIY resources because my consultants seemed to be more concerned with making me dependent upon them than instructing me on how to maintain the strength and health of my locs.

Before you commit to sisterlocks, find a consultant with a strong reputation for service and client support.

Hair Loss
This may not be true for everyone, but I experienced more than my fair share of loc loss during my sisterlock journey, mostly due to:

• Waiting too long in-between retightenings
• Heavy-handed consultants
• Postpartum hormonal hair loss
• Ongoing issues with thin hair due to low iron 

I wrote a detailed post about hair loss here.

Please note: Waiting too long in-between retightenings is not good for your hair. At one point (before I knew how to self maintain) after giving birth and while I was working on my own business, I waited 5 months to retighten. Many of my locs were very thin and ready to break off. This is because I did not have the time resource, financial resource and consultant resource (I was looking for a new one) and my locs paid the price.

CaramelALaMode.com

Pros

Versatility/Appearance

All locs have some degree of versatility, but none compare to sisterlocks because of their size. Sisterlocks tend to make the thinnest of loose hair seem fuller. On top of this, the styling possibilities are endless, you can use heat (flit iron/curl) and do even the fanciest up-do. You could style as much or as little as you would like.

Freedom

Rainy day worries are a thing of the past. Moisture is my best friend. I wash and go with the best of them now. Retighenings are every 4-6 weeks and I can go literally this entire time without doing a single thing to my hair.

Natural/Holistic Living Friendly

Sisterlocks don't enjoy to many products, they look best when clean, with minimal products. Not only am I relaxer free, I am free from the curl defining product addiction. I use quality natural and organic products and  keep my hair clean/healthy.

A photo posted by Samantha Sophia (@raisingself) on Feb 10, 2016 at 10:55pm PST

While there may be other pros and cons, these are the ones I've experienced and most consistently encounter across others with sisterlocks. I love my hair despite the cons and I can't imagine another hairstyle now that I have sisterlocks.

Please let me know if I missed any other pros or cons.

• Monday, February 15, 2016
• hair care

Pros and Cons of Sisterlocks

The question most posed to me throughout social media is:

What are the pros and cons of sisterlocks?

Here's the answer:

Cons

Initial Cost
More than one person will say: if you can't afford them don't get them, even if you use your tax return to pay the initial installation costs. I slightly disagree. Make sure you can afford the installation (500+), first year of retighenings ($80+ each), and possibly an official retightening class ($250) and you can make it until you are able to self-maintain. Now if you can't afford that hefty additional cost of the retightening class, consider working hard to learn the interlocking method via all the resources on blogs and Youtube. (Add a significant markup to all the aforementioned prices if you are in the NYC area, I am told the New York prices are considerably higher for some random reason.)

Many of my most drastic close calls with losing my locks were during seasons where my budget did not allow for going to a consultant regularly. These close calls ended when 1. I found a skilled AND affordable consultant and 2. I learned the DIY interlocking method for those times in-between.

The first year or two are the most expensive, when you become self-sufficient, it is much cheaper than other hair styles. Even cheaper than the fro when you realize that all you really need is a good shampoo and no other products to maintain your hair.

The weekend is near!

A photo posted by Samantha Sophia (@raisingself) on May 12, 2016 at 1:36am PDT

> Consultants/Locticians
Finding a great consultant that educates you while supporting your journey is hella hard. The sisterlock business model is super secretive and the secrecy seems to be breeding inconsistency and poor customer service. I made a ton of mistakes early on when there were few DIY resources because my consultants seemed to be more concerned with making me dependent upon them than instructing me on how to maintain the strength and health of my locs.

Before you commit to sisterlocks, find a consultant with a strong reputation for service and client support.

Hair Loss
This may not be true for everyone, but I experienced more than my fair share of loc loss during my sisterlock journey, mostly due to:

• Waiting too long in-between retightenings
• Heavy-handed consultants
• Postpartum hormonal hair loss
• Ongoing issues with thin hair due to low iron 

I wrote a detailed post about hair loss here.

Please note: Waiting too long in-between retightenings is not good for your hair. At one point (before I knew how to self maintain) after giving birth and while I was working on my own business, I waited 5 months to retighten. Many of my locs were very thin and ready to break off. This is because I did not have the time resource, financial resource and consultant resource (I was looking for a new one) and my locs paid the price.

CaramelALaMode.com

Pros

Versatility/Appearance

All locs have some degree of versatility, but none compare to sisterlocks because of their size. Sisterlocks tend to make the thinnest of loose hair seem fuller. On top of this, the styling possibilities are endless, you can use heat (flit iron/curl) and do even the fanciest up-do. You could style as much or as little as you would like.

Freedom

Rainy day worries are a thing of the past. Moisture is my best friend. I wash and go with the best of them now. Retighenings are every 4-6 weeks and I can go literally this entire time without doing a single thing to my hair.

Natural/Holistic Living Friendly

Sisterlocks don't enjoy to many products, they look best when clean, with minimal products. Not only am I relaxer free, I am free from the curl defining product addiction. I use quality natural and organic products and  keep my hair clean/healthy.

A photo posted by Samantha Sophia (@raisingself) on Feb 10, 2016 at 10:55pm PST

While there may be other pros and cons, these are the ones I've experienced and most consistently encounter across others with sisterlocks. I love my hair despite the cons and I can't imagine another hairstyle now that I have sisterlocks.

Please let me know if I missed any other pros or cons.

Read more

I've had my own battles with hair loss in the past. I installed my sisterlocks immediately after having my first  kid and before the onset of postpartum hair loss. The professional caring for my hair at the time did not advise me through this very difficult season and it took me a long time to figure out what was happening and why.

Postpartum Hair Loss

Since then, and with a great deal of personal research, I learned that my initial hair loss culprit was a mix of hormones and traction alopecia and eventually breakage due to weak spots formed during my hormonal loss periods.

The first step at preventing or stopping excessive and abnormal hair loss is identifying the culprit. Below you will find the more applicable forms of hair loss, please note this will not encompass when medical/environmental trigger but are the more common forms.

Types of Hair Loss and Ways to Remedy or Prevent

Hair Breakage

Hair loss that occurs along the hair shaft and not the root. This can be cause by dryness, friction, hair styles, excessive handling, or using the wrong styling tools. 

You can prevent and remedy breakage by self-assessing your routine and discontinue or change your hair care routine. Consider doing a protein treatment, changing the way you moisturize, and your hairstyle of choice.

Quick Tips

• Cleanse like a boss
• Try a DIY protein treatment (see below)
• Upgrade your conditioner
• Use a quality moisturizer when necessary
• Seal in moisture
• Drink more water

For sisterlocks

• I keep my locs clean
• Avoid hairstyles that induce breakage
• After washing, I seal with a light oil (avocado)

Effluviums

Temporary hair loss may occur weeks or even months after an episode of  stress like childbirth, fever, severe illness, stress or sudden weight loss, which decreases gradually in a few months. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium (TE). This happens due to changes in the growth cycle of hair, when a large number of hair go into the resting phase (telogen) at the same time. I myself have experienced postpartum hair loss on two occasions.

The treatment for effluvium will vary by trigger

• When TE trigger is short-term due to something like surgery, the best response is to patiently  wait for the follicles to recover on their own.
• For ongoing TE issues, isolate the cause and remove it. For instance, if stress is the problem, stress reduction is the best treatment and prevention. If a dietary deficiency appears on a blood test, try supplements and a change in diet. If it is a deficiency in thyroid hormones, this can be treated with hormone supplements.
• If a specific cause can not be determined, there are some professional treatment options. Most dermatologists prescribe minoxidil, a direct hair growth stimulator. This can work well for some, but if the underlying cause is still present, then minoxidil must be continued to block redevelopment of TE. The best medicine is figuring out the cause and addressing it directly.

Androgenic Alopecia 

Sometimes called male pattern baldness, this may happen to women as well. If there is general thinning of the hair over the entire scalp, extensive hair loss at the crown with the hairline at the front intact, this may be female pattern baldness. As hair thinning occurs, the scalp becomes progressively more visible. The hair loss rarely progresses to total or near total baldness. Thinning may start in your 20s but may not become noticeable until your 40s or later because the pace is gradual.

The most common treatment for male or female pattern baldness is minoxidil.

Traction Alopecia

Traction Alopecia is hair loss due to pressure and pulling on the hair because of particular hairstyles causing small, localized areas of hair loss. I have a bald spot that has never grown back due to a bad set of cornrows in college.

You can prevent this by avoiding very tight longterm hair styles and treating areas immediately with a growth oil like rosemary or some other healing hair oil with massage to try and stimulate the area.

Overprocessing and Cuticle Stripping

The most common cause  of physical hair damage is overprocessing. Perming, straightening, bleaching, and dyeing the hair all involve harsh chemicals that can significantly affect the integrity of hair fiber. Using these cosmetic approaches too frequently or inappropriately can lead to irreversible damage to the hair fiber. The more hair fiber is damaged by these processes the weaker it will be and the more likely it will break off. Severe chemical processing can so significantly damage to the hair fiber that the fiber at the root is severely weakened it causes the hair to break off at the skin surface. This result is a diffuse "alopecia".

Damage due to overprocessing is difficult to treat. The best approach may be to cut off as much damaged hair as possible, avoid further chemical processing, be gentle with your hair and wait for new, undamaged hair to grow in. There are cosmetic treatments to help "glue" damaged hair proteins back together, they only work for a short time and have to be reapplied regularly and end result is never as good as the original and undamaged hair.

Infections

There are a number of infections that could cause hair loss, here are some common ones:

• Fungal infections like ring worm (tinea capitis), which can occur anywhere on the body and cause temporary hair loss and is usuallty treated with an antibiotic
• Folliculitis or  a focal inflammation of hair follicles that looks like acne with little rings of inflammation surrounding the opening of a hair follicle. This can be caused by oils and greases applied to the skin that clog up the hair follicles, but folliculitis is usually due to a bacterial infection. It can be treated by antibiotics or a change in products.
• Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition, but it can also involve temporary hair loss if the dermatitis is located on the scalp or other haired skin areas. The dermatitis looks scaly and at times oily, inflamed skin that can be itchy or even painful to touch. The most common treatments are anti-dandruff shampoos.

Shedding
Everyone sheds hair and you may see more hair shed at certain times of the year. Studies show that humans, at least in Northern Europe away from the equator, shed more hair in the fall and to a lesser extent in the spring.

This temporary increase in the number of telogen hair follicles and shed hair is probably due to changes in hormones in response to changes in daylight exposure. Studies in mink and other mammals show that daylight exposure significantly alters prolactin levels and that prolactin has a significant effect on molting. As with mink and other mammals, humans probably have much the same molting response. So hair loss can be temporary and seasonal without cause for worry.

There are many hair loss trigger, but the first steps of treatment and prevention is to analyze our lives, health and physical treatment of our hair.

• Wednesday, December 02, 2015
• hair care

Types of Hair Loss & Ways to Remedy

I've had my own battles with hair loss in the past. I installed my sisterlocks immediately after having my first  kid and before the onset of postpartum hair loss. The professional caring for my hair at the time did not advise me through this very difficult season and it took me a long time to figure out what was happening and why.

Postpartum Hair Loss

Since then, and with a great deal of personal research, I learned that my initial hair loss culprit was a mix of hormones and traction alopecia and eventually breakage due to weak spots formed during my hormonal loss periods.

The first step at preventing or stopping excessive and abnormal hair loss is identifying the culprit. Below you will find the more applicable forms of hair loss, please note this will not encompass when medical/environmental trigger but are the more common forms.

Types of Hair Loss and Ways to Remedy or Prevent

Hair Breakage

Hair loss that occurs along the hair shaft and not the root. This can be cause by dryness, friction, hair styles, excessive handling, or using the wrong styling tools. 

You can prevent and remedy breakage by self-assessing your routine and discontinue or change your hair care routine. Consider doing a protein treatment, changing the way you moisturize, and your hairstyle of choice.

Quick Tips

• Cleanse like a boss
• Try a DIY protein treatment (see below)
• Upgrade your conditioner
• Use a quality moisturizer when necessary
• Seal in moisture
• Drink more water

For sisterlocks

• I keep my locs clean
• Avoid hairstyles that induce breakage
• After washing, I seal with a light oil (avocado)

Effluviums

Temporary hair loss may occur weeks or even months after an episode of  stress like childbirth, fever, severe illness, stress or sudden weight loss, which decreases gradually in a few months. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium (TE). This happens due to changes in the growth cycle of hair, when a large number of hair go into the resting phase (telogen) at the same time. I myself have experienced postpartum hair loss on two occasions.

The treatment for effluvium will vary by trigger

• When TE trigger is short-term due to something like surgery, the best response is to patiently  wait for the follicles to recover on their own.
• For ongoing TE issues, isolate the cause and remove it. For instance, if stress is the problem, stress reduction is the best treatment and prevention. If a dietary deficiency appears on a blood test, try supplements and a change in diet. If it is a deficiency in thyroid hormones, this can be treated with hormone supplements.
• If a specific cause can not be determined, there are some professional treatment options. Most dermatologists prescribe minoxidil, a direct hair growth stimulator. This can work well for some, but if the underlying cause is still present, then minoxidil must be continued to block redevelopment of TE. The best medicine is figuring out the cause and addressing it directly.

Androgenic Alopecia 

Sometimes called male pattern baldness, this may happen to women as well. If there is general thinning of the hair over the entire scalp, extensive hair loss at the crown with the hairline at the front intact, this may be female pattern baldness. As hair thinning occurs, the scalp becomes progressively more visible. The hair loss rarely progresses to total or near total baldness. Thinning may start in your 20s but may not become noticeable until your 40s or later because the pace is gradual.

The most common treatment for male or female pattern baldness is minoxidil.

Traction Alopecia

Traction Alopecia is hair loss due to pressure and pulling on the hair because of particular hairstyles causing small, localized areas of hair loss. I have a bald spot that has never grown back due to a bad set of cornrows in college.

You can prevent this by avoiding very tight longterm hair styles and treating areas immediately with a growth oil like rosemary or some other healing hair oil with massage to try and stimulate the area.

Overprocessing and Cuticle Stripping

The most common cause  of physical hair damage is overprocessing. Perming, straightening, bleaching, and dyeing the hair all involve harsh chemicals that can significantly affect the integrity of hair fiber. Using these cosmetic approaches too frequently or inappropriately can lead to irreversible damage to the hair fiber. The more hair fiber is damaged by these processes the weaker it will be and the more likely it will break off. Severe chemical processing can so significantly damage to the hair fiber that the fiber at the root is severely weakened it causes the hair to break off at the skin surface. This result is a diffuse "alopecia".

Damage due to overprocessing is difficult to treat. The best approach may be to cut off as much damaged hair as possible, avoid further chemical processing, be gentle with your hair and wait for new, undamaged hair to grow in. There are cosmetic treatments to help "glue" damaged hair proteins back together, they only work for a short time and have to be reapplied regularly and end result is never as good as the original and undamaged hair.

Infections

There are a number of infections that could cause hair loss, here are some common ones:

• Fungal infections like ring worm (tinea capitis), which can occur anywhere on the body and cause temporary hair loss and is usuallty treated with an antibiotic
• Folliculitis or  a focal inflammation of hair follicles that looks like acne with little rings of inflammation surrounding the opening of a hair follicle. This can be caused by oils and greases applied to the skin that clog up the hair follicles, but folliculitis is usually due to a bacterial infection. It can be treated by antibiotics or a change in products.
• Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition, but it can also involve temporary hair loss if the dermatitis is located on the scalp or other haired skin areas. The dermatitis looks scaly and at times oily, inflamed skin that can be itchy or even painful to touch. The most common treatments are anti-dandruff shampoos.

Shedding
Everyone sheds hair and you may see more hair shed at certain times of the year. Studies show that humans, at least in Northern Europe away from the equator, shed more hair in the fall and to a lesser extent in the spring.

This temporary increase in the number of telogen hair follicles and shed hair is probably due to changes in hormones in response to changes in daylight exposure. Studies in mink and other mammals show that daylight exposure significantly alters prolactin levels and that prolactin has a significant effect on molting. As with mink and other mammals, humans probably have much the same molting response. So hair loss can be temporary and seasonal without cause for worry.

There are many hair loss trigger, but the first steps of treatment and prevention is to analyze our lives, health and physical treatment of our hair.

Read more