Hair Care Directory

What prevents most people from getting as close to perfect as possible? Routine may be the barrier to perfection. Progress becomes a problem when we conclude that there is only one way to attain a goal.

Head shaving, like other human ventures consists of multiple techniques, subjective hints and scientific facts. For this reason, what works for one head shaver, may not work for another. Understand that head shaving is relative.

It is an art that is crafted towards a head shaver’s personal goals. Also, keep in mind that a head shave is different from a facial shave. Your scalp is more sensitive and less weathered than your face.

HEAD SHAVE PREP - To get the best shave possible, heat and hydration must be included in your routine. Turn the heat up and turn on the faucet! Make sure the room you shave in is warm, the razor you shave with is warm, the gel, cream and/or oil you use is warm, the towel you use is warm and your body core temperature is warm. Heat brings blood and natural oils to the surface of your skin. Water relaxes your hair and prepares your skin for the shave, allowing for a better overall shave. Prior to the head shave, fill your shaving cap or mug with warm water and place your razor in it (a heating device such as a crock pot works well also). This allows the transfer of heat from the water to your blade. Keep your strokes short. The build up of cream, oil, water and dirt will make your razor drag instead of “skating” across your head. Dragging will force you to press down on your razor, causing irritation and unsightly bumps on your scalp. If you have sensitive skin you may want apply a pre-shave condiment to prepare your skin and hair. Exfoliating prior to the shave is also strongly suggested

APPLYING THE SHAVING CONDIMENT - Apply your shaving gel or cream with a good shaving brush. Your hands are to big and gawky to get the condiment in between the hairs of your head. The brush also does an excellent job of lifting the hairs on your scalp.

THE HEAD SHAVE - It essential that you use a sharp shaving utensil to shave your head. Dull razors “bother” the skin of your scalp. It is generally accepted that you shave with the grain of hair on your head. [editor’s note: I always shave against the grain of hair on my head. My skin is resistent; nothing causes it to break-out. Test different techniques to see what works for you.] Minimize the number of times you the razors passes over you skin. This can be done by counting the number of strokes
it takes for you to shave your head. Fifty strokes or less is ideal. Using a multi-blade razor is perfect for reducing your stroke quantity.

AFTER THE HEAD SHAVE - When you have completed shaving your head, rinse with cool water. Think of the pores in your skin as doors. Dirt, bacteria oil and other irritants are waiting to invade your skin. Up to this point everything you have done in your head shaving routine has opened your pores. This was required to cut as close to the root of your hair as possible. Now it’s time to shut the pore doors. Rinsing your head in warm water keeps the pores wide open. Cool water cause your skin to react by closing your pores.

Begin rinsing with warm water, gradually decreasing the temperature to about 50 degrees. If you have received any cuts or nicks, seal them with a good astrigent. Avoid anything that contains alcohol or any other skin drying agents, immediately after the shave. Lastly, apply a “non-greasy, clear moisturizer to the scalp. Some head shavers rub a small amount of vitamin E oil onto their scalps to maintain a healthy glow.

Keep your options as open as your pores and the head shaving routine that suites you best will certainly appear.

Curtis T. Bickham
Founder/Owner
Head-Liner.com

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If you’re one of the many vacationers this summer who dread split ends and dried-out hair after a day at the beach or pool, or find that the sun isn’t kind to healthy tresses, or discover that the partial weave doesn’t look as good as in the magazines, there’s a better alternative to hair extensions, minoxidil, and high-priced salons. You may be having a bad hair day because of what you put in your mouth.

Studies by hair loss prevention researchers at MMT Research Inc. found that bad hair days abound when we don’t get enough vitamins or protein. Bad nutrition causes hair loss (androgenic alopecia). In the April 2003 issue of Better Nutrition, zinc, for example, inhibits high levels of DHT, a form of testosterone that is linked to hair loss. Other inhibitors are amino acids such as L-arginine, essential fatty acids such as omega-3 (found in fish), lecithin, B vitamins, lutein, sulfur, iron, and minerals that help your magnificent mane. You can find these hair helpers in:

Beans
Whole grains
Eggs
Salmon
Raw nuts
Flax and pumpkin seeds
Berries
Dark greens

Salmon and greens also provide calcium for your teeth, so you’re helping your hair and teeth. Berries are high in cancer-preventing antioxidants, and dark greens also contain lutein, which halts blindness and cataracts. So when you eat all of the above, you’ll have a great hair day and look like you just had a day at a luxury spa.

In 2004, Dr. Nicholas Perricone’s bestselling book, THE PERRICONE PROMISE, outlined a diet for hair that differs from the 2003 recommendations. Perricone’s hair diet may seem as much of a fairy tale as Rapunzel. (Remember, though, Rapunzel’s mom wisely decided to eat greens during pregnancy!) Dr. Perricone’s top ten hair superfoods are no secret to health enthusiasts:

Acai berries that contain powerful antioxidants
Allium foodsonions, garlic, leeks, and shallots with powerful bioflavonoids
Barley rich in niacin, which helps hair growth
Wheatgrass, spirulina, and algae that cleanse the hair of toxins and provide essential fatty acids to build hair protein
Buckwheat (eat your pancakes), which Perricone says is richer in vitamins, flavonoids, and minerals than other grains (except barley)
Beans and lentils, for the same reasons as the 2003 study
Hot peppers, which contain capsaicin that stops the pain so you don’t tear your hair out!
Nuts and seeds, which contain essential proteins, phytochemicals and fatty acids to build healthy tresses sand reduce signs of aging
Sproutsthey’re great for a youthful body, including the body in your hair
Yogurt and kefir, which are said to promote longevity and health in people who live in the Caucasus Mountains in Russiaremember Julie Christie’s gorgeous hair in “Doctor Zhivago”?

While you can eat your way to healthy hair, many “hair formula” supplements crowd the market. In general, a multivitamin containing biotin, especially multivitamins for women, will strengthen your hair, skin and nails. Be sure to compare vitamin supplements, and make sure you don’t get an excess of vitamin D, which can lead to cancer as well as too much calcium that your body can’t process. Don’t count on supplements to save your hair.

Also, don’t expect to look like you’ve just stepped out of a hair commercial after changing your diet. You’ll start to see healthier hair three months after you improve your regimen. You can jazz up your beauty routine with juicing, dehydrating, and sprouting. Better nutrition will help color-treated hair maintain its bounce, too. And drinking water is always a great idea. You’re worth it!

Kristin Johnson is health editor for LivingRight.com, your source for
health-improving appliances such as the Blendtec Kitchen Mill Grain Mill and the Green Star Juicer. Visit http://www.livingright.com for health
appliances and ideas on living right.

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Let’s role onlife must go on and the life of your natural hair is in your hand. Take care of your hair with avocado and don’t let it look dull due of incorrect caring. It’s your responsibility for having good looking hair since your appearances is based upon your healthy hair. You probably need good natural hair care products.

But, what does it mean when people said about natural hair care products? Well, hair care products that are advertised “natural” may probably mean free from chemical substance or it may also environmentally friendly products with plant and herbal additives as their substances.

How do you choose natural hair care products? Hmmm.when you purchase hair care products please read the labels and make your own decisions on what level of “natural” ingredients you wish to accept in the hair care products that you use on your hair. This is the most responsible way to select the best products for you.

But there is other way; besides using natural hair care products, you can do some favor for your hair to make it more wonderful here using real natural fruit. This is the hair conditioning treatment using avocado. Check this out:

- Mash one avocado which is recommended for its hydrating benefits and proteins and mix with one-tablespoon lemon juice, one teaspoon of sea salt, and one tablespoon of pure aloe until it becomes a paste.

- Comb through hair with your fingertips.

- Cover hair with a plastic shower cap or bag, and wrap a towel around it to seal in the treatment.

- Leave in for 20-30 minutes and enjoy a great book, CD or even better - just savor the peace and quiet!

- Unwrap you newly conditioned hair. Rinse, shampoo and rinse again for soft, luxurious hair!

Of course there are other fruits you can use for your hair natural treatment. But the step you do is the same like have been described above. You will have good looking hair by the time you check the Internet for more natural hair care products.

Why you need to look for your other natural hair care products at the Internet? Based on some people experiences, Internet is the best place to search for your hair care product. Although you already use fruit such as avocado above, your hair still need more nourishment from hair care products that is available in the Internet.

About The Author: Loraine Lesley is editor for some Website concerning women. She wants to help women to look beautiful, that’s why she offers practical articles and tips on Skin Care, Hair Care, and more. To discover her advice, visit http://www.myskincareonline.com and http://www.myhaircareguide.com

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Be warned! Your daily beauty regime could be taking years off of your life. Most (99%) personal care products have not been safety tested. Your health may even be damaged due to the daily mixing of many different types of toxins in and on the body. On average, each of us uses 9 personal care products a day, containing a total of 126 different ingredients. When these chemicals are absorbed into the body, they can be stored in fatty tissue or organs (ie the liver, kidney, reproductive organs and brain). Medical research has proven that fragrances can trigger asthma; the detergents in shampoos can damage eye tissue; and that hair-dye chemicals can cause bladder cancer and lymphoma. If these problems had been linked to pharmaceutical drugs, the products would have been taken off of the market. However, since the cosmetics industry is largely self-governing, products containing potentially harmful substances remain in use and on sale. If you think that it can’t be that bad, then you need to consider what goes into some of the most popular toiletries.

Olay Regenerist claims to instantly improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. But what they don’t tell you is that in order to work, the product needs to be well absorbed, so it uses penetration enhancers which actually drive toxins deeper into your skin. This in turn leads to hormone disruptions, carcinogenic effects and skin irritation.

Clairol Herbal Essences Shampoo For Dry/Damaged Hair claims to provide you with a totally organic experience. But what they don’t tell you is that it also contains 4 potentially cancer-causing dyes, as well as synthetic fragrances that are known neurotoxins and skin irritants. This product can also permanently damage eye tissue, cause breast cancer, and chemicals that also cause the damaging chemicals to penetrate more deeply into skin and bloodstream.

Johnson’s Baby Soft Wash claims to be best for you and your baby. But what it doesn’t tell you is that it also contains skin and eye irritants and hormone disrupters. Since children’s skin is thinner and more absorbent than adults’, it provides a less effective barrier to these chemical toxins. Furthermore, you only get the mere impression of smoothness since there’s nothing in this product that actually smooths your skin.

Calvin Klein’s Eternity, as well as numerous other perfumes, contain the same neurotoxic solvents that are found in glues and adhesives, as well as the same volatile chemicals that are common in garages and factories. Perfumes also contain known neurotoxins, allergens, irritants and/or hormone disrupters.

Colgate Total claims to provide you with 12-hour fresh breath and antibacterial protection. But what it doesn’t tell you is that it also contains irritating detergents which can cause sore gums and mouth ulcers. It also contains abrasives which can erode tooth enamel. There are also carcinogens, and chemicals that can produce chloroform gas, which is easily absorbed into the skin or inhaled and can cause depression, liver problems and cancer.

Gillette Mach 3 Shaving Gel contains skin irritants, 3 potential carcinogens and 3 central nervous system toxins or pollutants.

Clairol Nice ‘N Easy claims to provide natural-looking color with complete grey coverage. But what they don’t tell you is that it can cause allergic reactions and has carcinogenic effects. In fact, intensive longer-term use is associated with breast, ovarian and bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple meyeloma and rheumatoid arthritis.

Clearasil 3-in-1 Deep Cleaning Wash has been clinically proven to help fight acne. But what they don’t tell you is that the product is capable of removing the skin’s natural oils. It also contains 2 potential carcinogens and that it can also consistently lead to skin problems.

Listerine Teeth And Gum Defense claims to kill the germs that cause plaque and bad breath. But what it doesn’t tell you is that it is 21.6% alcohol and thatq alcohol dries and changes the pH of the mouth and throat and long-term use of alcohol-containing mouthwashes increases the risk of mouth and throat cancers. Listerine also contains ingredients that are poisonous if swollen, are known carcinogenics, and can alter the basic flora of the mouth and may cause dermatitis.

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Vinegar rinses can do wonders! The acidity from the vinegar helps take away built up gook stuck to the hair such as those nasty forms of silicones found in many shampoos and conditioners today, helps breaks down excess oils, and also helps remove extra glycerin from the hair that can leave hair “waxy” feeling for those that use the more natural approach of soap shampoo bars. It can also actually help condition hair by gently smoothing the hair shaft making it less prone to breakage and giving it a nice shiny appearance

Either apple cider vinegar or white vinegar will do, but many seem to prefer the apple cider. Simply take a clean empty squeeze bottle or cup and dilute with water. After shampooing your hair, evenly distribute this mixture throughout your hair while rubbing it in to make sure all the hair is covered, paying special attention to the areas closer to the scalp. (Be careful not to get any in your eyes- it will sting!) You can leave this on for just a few minutes and then give your hair one more light rinse. Easy peasy! If you still use regular store bought shampoos this regimen can work wonders using vinegar rinses even once every other week, but you can do this as often as necessary. Those that use shampoo bars may use it more often- I, personally, use nothing but shampoo bars and take advantage of vinegar rinses after every wash with excellent results

As for how much to dilute the vinegar mix, I’ve seen and tried all sorts of combinations. Some say to only use a tablespoon of vinegar to about one quart of water, and I’ve seen all the way up to 1 part vinegar and 3 part water mixes recommended. I think it’s really dependant on what hair type you have and what your normal hair care regimen consists of. Your best bet is to take into consideration what length your hair is to make sure you have enough liquid to fully saturate your hair and start with a tablespoon or two of vinegar. You could experiment from there until you find what your hair likes best. Sometimes I like to be creative with it and substitute water for other liquids such as juices, teas, or milks for the added nutritional benefits that it can give to your hair. The sky is the limit- have fun with it! And yes, we know vinegar does stink! However, the smell of the vinegar fades as is dries- usually taking other bad odors with it. Sometimes adding just a few drops of essential oils to your vinegar rinse can help

Another thing you could do is infuse the vinegar with different herbs or spices such as calendula petals, chamomile, lavender buds, rosemary, parsley, rose hips, etc- many times it will help deal with the temporary smell from the vinegar and all the ones I just mentioned are even excellent for encouraging hair growth. To infuse your vinegar, just take a large clean empty jar and fill to about two inches from the top with the herbs, flowers, or spices of your choice. I tend to prefer materials that have already been dried - using fresh herbs or flowers introduces moisture into the mix and could possibly start growing some unwelcomed ickiness into your mix! Then pour your vinegar into the jar approximately to about once inch from the top of the jar- the less air you have in there also discourages mold or other bacterial growth. Considering the acidity of the vinegar this is all highly unlikely, but it’s always better to take the safer route! Store your jar in a dark place, preferably a warm spot, for about 4 to 8 weeks. Try to shake up the jar once a day, or at least as often as you can remember. When her time is up you can use anything from a strainer to cheesecloth to strain the herbs or other materials out of your infused vinegar and voil

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Most hair loss sufferers seek solutions from Western medicine or turn to remedies derived from local traditions. Some experts however argue that the ayurvedic system of medicine has much to offer in dealing with hair loss conditions.

Ayurveda is the traditional system of medicine practiced in India and Sri Lanka. It is a complete approach to health care designed to promote a way of life rather than an occasional treatment. As a holistic system of medicine ayurveda focuses on our uniqueness and takes into account our mental attitude, lifestyle and spirit which should not be treated in isolation from each other.

According to ayurveda, the following principles are beneficial to healthy and plentiful hair:

- The scalp must be kept cool, so protection from sun and washing in cold or lukewarm water are paramount.

- Sound nutrition is key, so a hair-friendly diet should emphasize proteins, iron, zinc, sulfur, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-Complex and essential fatty acids.

- Use should be made of hair analysis to ascertain toxicity levels and nutritional deficiencies.

- Oils, for example sesame and coconut, should be applied to the scalp to nourish, lubricate and strengthen the roots. This will also improve circulation to the head.

You can find out more about alternative hair loss treatments by visiting the site listed below.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the http://www.myhairlossadvisor.com website that provides information and guidance to those suffering from premature hair loss. Please go to Hair Loss Solutions to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

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Hair care is an important part of looking good and feeling good, both inside and out. There are an endless number of hair care products that promise to shape up, curl, straighten, moisturize and rejuvenate, but what is the best way to maintain healthy hair? Here are 10 tips to get you started.

If you notice split ends, have them trimmed. This will result in healthier hair and a better overall appearance. A trim is relatively inexpensive and should only take a matter of minutes at the local salon.

Use a low to medium heat on your hair dryer. Extreme heat can dry out the hair and cause the frizzies.

Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, which is not only bad for your skin, but can dry out your hair as well.

Many people suffer from dandruff. If you are one of the many, avoid scratching or rubbing the head as this will promote flaking. Instead, use a shampoo and/or conditioner that is especially designed to treat dandruff and eliminate flaking.

If you have thin hair, add a volumizing shampoo for added body. If you have thick hair, using a healthy shine shampoo will bring out the additional beauty.

Avoid harsh hair care products, which can dry out or damage the hair. In some cases, individuals have even experienced hair loss in using certain at-home perm and/or coloring treatment products. If you want to have this type of treatment done, have it done at the salon.

In choosing a salon, make sure that you opt for one that has been in business for awhile and has a clean, professional workspace.

Ask friends for referrals. If they have used a certain hair care product, which coincides with one that you are searching for, inquire about their experience. The same is true with salons, which are often best recommended by friends and family.

When brushing your hair, use soft strokes rather than those swiped in a hurry. A part of quality hair care is, just as the name implies, caring for your hair.

When using styling products, make sure that they do not overheat prior to using them on your hair. Extreme heat can and will damage the hair, not to mention the discomfort of a burn resulting from an overheated styling product.

The information contained in this article is to be used for reference only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional hair care advice. Anyone who notices a concerning condition, relating to their hair, should consult a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

To find out more about hair care, please visit our website at http://www.haircareguide.info It contains tons of free hair care articles, resources and tips.

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Prologue and Rationale

Dandruff refers to the flaking scalp, which falls like snow flakes and sometimes settles on one’s shoulders, face, eyebrows and clothes. In the case of excessive formation of scales on the scalp there is irritating condition associated with bacteria. Dandruff is generally believed to be infections that can spread by the use of common towels, combs, soaps and hairbrushes. There are two types of dandruff:

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You may be amazed to discover that some of the common ingredients found in everyday personal care products are known to be potential carcinogens. Read the warning labels!

It has been a widely held belief that our skin protects us, like a barrier, against potentially harmful chemicals that we would not ordinarily eat or drink. At the same time, medical science has found a much more efficient delivery system for pharmaceutical products in “the patch,” which is now used for everything from weight loss to smoking cessation to insulin.

Obviously, the skin is not as “solid” as we had imagined.

So we read the list of ingredients on the shampoo label, and we find things like propylene glycol, and sodium laurel (or laureth) sulfate. In the chemical world, these are industrial antifreeze and engine degreaser. On top of our skin, they are irritants. Inside our bodies, they are free radicals and cellular mutagens.

Sodium laurel sulfate is used because it is cheap, it creates mountains of foamy suds, and when salt is added it thickens up into that “rich” consistency we have been taught to expect and even admire. However, sodium laurel sulfate has been documented (see the Wall Street Journal, 11-1-88) to cause improper eye development in children, and cataracts in all ages; penetration into the brain, heart, and liver; nitrate absorption equal to eating an entire pound of bacon! (Nitrates are known carcinogens.) Yet, almost 20 years later, this ingredient is still found in nearly every cleansing product on the market.

By the way, the salt (yes, regular table salt) that is added to thicken it up is extremely drying to the skin.

SLS stays in the body and brain for five days. So if you wash your hair more often than once a week, you have a constant level of this chemical in your eyes, brain, organs, body, at all times. SLS is found in baby shampoos and body wash and toothpaste, including many so-called “natural” brands. Read the labels for yourself!

Propylene glycol is found in many beauty creams, cleansers, and makeup, as well as children’s products, such as baby wipes. A clinical review published in 1991 by the America Academy of Dermatologists, Inc., showed that propylene glycol has been found to cause contact dermatitis (skin irritation), kidney damage, and liver abnormalities; it inhibits skin cell growth and damages cell membranes.

Propylene glycol is used because it is cheap and available. Its purpose in personal care products is to retain moisture content: for example, it keeps shaving cream from drying out. It works by drawing moisture to itself, either from the surrounding air (in high humidity) or, once applied to the body, from the lower layers of skin. So although it gives a surface feel of moistness, it is in reality drying the skin from the inside out.

Propylene glycol is used in the production of varnishes; the Material Safety Data Sheet states that through skin contact it causes liver and kidney damage. Is it in your body lotion? Read the labels!

Other ingredients of concern include coal tar, a known carcinogen used in shampoos to prevent scalp itching; PEG and nitrosamines which are both easily absorbed and are known carcinogens; PAH in petrolatum (petroleum jelly) which is a probable carcinogen; ethylene oxide which is usually found with PEG and is a probable carcinogen.

There are actually over 10,500 ingredients available for use in cosmetics and personal care products, and nearly 90% of them have NOT been evaluated for safety by the FDA or other governmental groups. Independent research has uncovered substantial data in the area of harmful ingredients and toxins, and some of the research goes back to the Cold War when Russia was looking for a way to “subdue” America for an easy takeover (the chemical to be used was fluoride).

So, what is a person to do? As the public is growing in awareness of the problem, thanks to more and more news articles (such as the June 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times mention of MIT (linked to nerve damage in lab tests) in some hair care products), a few health conscious companies are going to become very well known in the near future. Some of the companies specialize in a certain few products, mostly cosmetics and skin care, but only one has the broad range including skin care, cosmetics, dental, hair, household, pets, plants, as well as nutritional supplements of all types: antioxidants, Noni, trace minerals, weight loss, muscle building, anti-aging, and more.

Neways International manufactures a tremendously wide range of safe products all without the use of harmful ingredients or toxins. It is the only company of its kind in the world. The mission is to produce the safest, most effective consumer products in the world without the use of harmful ingredients or toxins, and to improve the health, wealth, and happiness of people around the world.

Neways has helped hundreds of thousands of Independent Distributors in over 23 countries to achieve financial independence, greater freedom, and improved health. Even if you decide to simply be a consumer only, the safest alternatives available are with Neways International.

Charlotte Colby is an Executive Level Independent Distributor with Neways. She has had a lifelong interest in health and nutrition, and currently seeks to educate the public about the dangers of harmful ingredients and toxins in common everyday personal care products and cosmetics. http://www.ineways.com/healthshop

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Looking for a more natural approach to hair care? Here are
some tips to help your hair look and feel its best.

1. Avoid shampoos that contain sodium laurel sulfate, or
sodium laureth sulfate. These chemicals are synthetic
detergents that are used in dishwashing liquid and other
cleansers. They are valued because they lather well, but
they are very harsh, and can dry out your hair. Instead, look
for shampoos made with decyl glucose, or decyl glucoside,
which are much gentler.

2. Give yourself a hot oil treatment to deep condition your
hair. Warm oil penetrates the hair shaft making the hair
more flexible and giving it shine. This can also help to
prevent split ends which result from dry hair.

3. Eat right and consider taking vitamin and mineral
supplements to encourage healthy hair. Several vitamins
and minerals have been shown to help hair growth and
condition including biotin, vitamin E, vitamin B, vitamin C
and MSM.

4. If you are an African American, or if you have extra curly
hair, avoid brushing your hair. Use a wide toothed comb, or
your fingers to work with your hair. Brushes can destroy
African American or extra curly hair by shearing it out of the
scalp.

5. Look for essential oils, herbs and vegetable oils in your
hair care products. Essential oils such as rosemary,
ylang-ylang and west indian bay help to stimulate hair
growth. Lavender and tea tree and naturally antiseptic and
help to fight dandruff. Vegetable oils such as soybean oil,
safflower oil and corn oil are moisturizing and conditioning
to the hair shaft.

6. Avoid sleeping in hair accessories such as barrettes,
scrunchies, head bands, etc. This can lead to hair damage.

7. Massage your scalp to help stimulate hair growth.
Massaging helps stimulate hair growth by increasing the
blood flow to the scalp. This nourishes the hair roots and
helps to stimulate the hair growth process.

8. If your hair ends are damaged, give yourself a trim every
so often to remove damage.

Ololade Franklin publishes Making Good Scents(TM), a
newsletter for people who make their own bath and body
care products. For information about Making Good
Scents(TM) visit http://www.MakingGoodScents.com

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