As salaamu alaikum & Hello ladies, In a few posts back I shared how am on a journey in re-educating myself about the growth of natural hair and how to make this journey one of success in proper care of my hair as in which products are good for my hair and which one's are not.
I visit a you tube favorite of mines from time to time ms kimmay tube http://www.youtube.com/user/kimmaytube she is great aaaand knows her stuff. But guess how...research...research...research and education....education...education ! I have learned that pH balance in hair care products ( natural hair care products for myself) is veeeeery important to have strong , healthy hair and once having that strong healthy hair we must learn/know exactly how to take PROPER care of it.
A lot of the great hair care products may not be as good for our hair as we may think ...some of these products are way to strong and high in pH for our hair to thrive correctly, which will lead to weak, damaged and very unhealthy hair.
This weekend ...I purchased a few things to get me started in the right direction one of them being pH balance strips... you can purchase here http://www.luvnaturals.com/ in which I can test my hair care products in making sure that they are at a safe pH balance. Our natural pH balance of our hair is 4.5-5.5..... products that test 4.5-7 is a safe range for our hair. Anything higher or lower will probably eat away at our hairs surface or alter the bond that gives our hair shape & strength.
I have also learned that BAKING SODA WASH'S are NOT SAFE FOR OUR HAIR. NEITHER IS LEMON JUICE RINSES. THE PH LEVEL IS JUST TO HARSH FOR OUR HAIR....NOT GOOD....NOT GOOD...NOT GOOD!!!
ACV rinses are best when diluted to a pH of about 4.0.....so needless to say I will be testing alll of my current hair products ( not solids...that cant be done) and all that are out of a safe pH range will be trashed. Everything from shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, curly magic....everything ( lol)
So, I will be keeping you guys posted on that ! Now , on to the books I purchased....."grow it" ..."Ultra black hair growth 2" ....were highly recommended , after reading these books I will share with you ladies my opinion.
"Textured Tresses" had mixed reviews....this one I was fortunate enough to be given this book by the lovely "ChocolateOrchid" http://chocolateorchid.blogspot.com/ check her out here... where she offers lots of beneficial information on eating healthy as well as natural hair care tips and ideas..in fact it was through her that I was introduced to the highly reviewed Afroveda natural hair care line.
So , Yes....I plan to be doing a whole lot of reading and sincerely trying to re -educated my self in the way of NATURAL hair care. I am a licensed hairstylist here in NJ...however, the care of chemically treated hair is very different then the care of natural hair. So, this is why I say re-educate myself....and I can't wait!!
My, children are out of school for the summer for 1 month until we start summer school for a month ...then have another brief break until the official school year will re-start in Sept. So, I have plenty of time to sit back and enjoy my books ( smiles) . I will keep you guys posted.
Until then ...happy growing...Take care...and .....
ENJOY!!!!
10 comments:
"BAKING SODA WASH'S are NOT SAFE FOR OUR HAIR. NEITHER IS LEMON JUICE RINSES. THE PH LEVEL IS JUST TO HARSH FOR OUR HAIR....NOT GOOD....NOT GOOD...NOT GOOD!!!"
Preach sister...lol.Seriously, a lot of natural do not know about the Baking Soda. About six months ago, I had a horrific experience with Baking soda to the point that I had to cut my hair.
@ Tinuke...lol, lol, lol...I know because to be totally honest with you until visiting kimmay on you tube and I think a few other naturals .
I really....didn't think it was bad. Also... thank you for all you provide as well on your great blog...because after visiting ( so glad I did, lol) I have learned so much there as well ...annnnd you have also really encourage me to really began and take the health of natural hair ...let's say ...a bit more serious.
So, thank you for that !!!( smiles)
Thank you for this post. I've always felt that baking soda "clarifying" and apple cider vinegar rinses are too harsh for our hair, yet so many naturals live by them.
I've been told you just have to make sure you moisturize super well afterward, but to me that's like getting a sunburn and THEN putting on the sunblock...the danage is already done!
It looks like you have a lot of good reading ahead! I'm glad you picked up Chicoro's book. It's the only one of the 3 that I haven't read yet. Please keep us posted ;-)
As salaamu alaikum,
My mother used to wash her hair with baking soda but she had a much finer texture of hair from me, she was a type 2. I however, never saw any favorable results when I used bs for my hair (type 3 and 4). It cleaned my hair well but made it hard and brittle too. I love to wash my hair with diluted acv it really works well in my opinion.
I cannot wait to hear you share what you'll gain from those books.
@ Slipstitches...Na'am your ummi had beautiful hair....very soft , fine and would lay done ( naturally ) like no other.
Baking soda really is a BIG no, no for us naturals and even relaxed.
Just think about what its used for ...cleaning drains, etc, etc, etc.
Na'am...AVC is good...I use it as well infused with a few herbs.
Yes, I will keep you posted on the books.
Take care.
@ Nappy headed black girl... you are very welcome....I really stand by this and believe this wholeheartly...baking soda for our hair natural or relaxed is a huge NO, NO .
The AVC is ok ...but it is better if it is at a 4.0 pH level.
Yes...indeed I do and you know, I really enjoy reading... I have 1 or 2 more that I may buy... once I'm completely done with these...maybe, but I thinking that these 3 thus far may be fillied with tons of beneficial info. I will be sure to keep you posted.
Thanks so very much for stopping by, its always a pleasure to hear from you.
Take care.
Sorry for chiming in so late on this article. I've seen a lot of sisters on the net say great things about baking soda washes but I have never tried it for myself. I didnt think they were a good thing or a bad thing, I just never thought to try it for myself. Now I'm glad of it.
I just ordered the pH test strips from Kimmay's store and believe me, I'm gonna test everything before I use it.
@ Lucky...oh no please , dont worry about when you comment...comments are always welcomed here!
I have in fact used baking soda on my hair myself as well as my oldest daughters hair, but, It was always something about them once using it I didn't like....and , thankfully now I know what it is.
The pH strips are the "bomb" ( excuse me, lol) but, they really are ...Lol , I tested every last of my products that were in my current regimen and thankfully , The only one that was waaaay to high was my shampoo.
keep me posted on your results when your pH strips arrive. Take care.
Really it is a great blog. Lot of useful information. thanks to the great share.
@Hair Fall...Thank's! :)
Thanks for stopping by, take care
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