5 STEPS TO FASTER HAIR GROWTH

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Erick Howard
5 years ago
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1 * Exclusive Special Report * 5 STEPS TO FASTER HAIR GROWTH Introduction Not long ago, as I was talking on the phone to one of my cousins, the subject of hair growth came up. My cousin is a licensed cosmetologist; she and I could have talked about this for hours and hours, but the kids were getting rowdy and we had to hang up. That conversation stuck with me, though, and I thought and thought about ways to help promote faster growth. As a result of that discussion, what you re about to discover are my 5 steps to faster hair growth! I hope you'll enjoy! Before I get into the 5 steps, though, let s talk about the origin of hair. Our hair actually starts to develop while we re in the womb. In fact, by week 22, a fetus has developed all of its hair follicles. Of the 5 million follicles on the body, a whopping 1 million are located on the head; of that million, 100,000 are located on the scalp. These permanent follicles are the only ones we will ever have; we will not develop any new follicles. Hair has two parts the shaft, which is what we see growing out of the scalp, and the follicle, which is located under the skin, deep within the fatty layer of the scalp. Hair is composed of keratin, a strong protein that is also the major component in nails, teeth and skin. Each hair shaft consists of three layers: 1 P age 1. Medula, the inner most layer

2 Found in thick hairs only 2. Cortex, the middle layer Provides strength, color, and texture 3. Cuticle, the outermost layer Step 1: Choosing The Right Shampoo I read a magazine article a few months ago that talked about how often we should wash our hair. Several different women answered the question, How often do you shampoo? The most shocking answer came from a woman who said once a month! I couldn t believe it! When asked why, she said, When my hair is dirty, it grows faster. This is a huge myth, and I m about to tell you why. I remember different stylists, back in the day, telling me I shouldn t wash my hair too often because it will dry it out. But I have found that one of the best things you can do for your hair is to shampoo every 4 to 5 days. The key is to find a shampoo that's made for your specific hair type, no matter what condition your hair is in. Whether your hair is curly, colored, natural or dry, there are a ton of products designed for your hair type. Also, be sure to choose a high quality product; always remember, you get what you pay for. If you purchase cheap shampoo, you re going to get cheap benefits. Don't be afraid to spend a little more on your shampoo to get the quality you want and your hair needs. Also, when choosing a shampoo, be sure to choose one that's made for Black hair. Black hair is different from Caucasian hair, and while a shampoo that's formulated for Caucasian hair may be great for that hair type, what works for other hair types will not necessarily work for Black hair. 2 P age

3 Take your time and read the labels to ensure you re getting what you re looking for. Here s a breakdown of different types of shampoos and their purposes: Neutralizing Shampoo Neutralizing shampoo is used after a chemical relaxer to stop the chemical action. If you don't use a neutralizing shampoo after a relaxer, the relaxer will continue working until it stops on its own usually in about 24 hours. A neutralizing shampoo should not be used for your regular weekly shampoo unless you have no other shampoo available. Combination Shampoo & Conditioner Shampoo and conditioner combos can be great for your hair, but they won't do the job of a dedicated conditioner. To keep your hair healthy and strong, be sure to use a good conditioner regularly. Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo is my favorite shampoo to use after swimming or removing my braids or weave. Clarifying shampoos are designed to deeply cleanse the hair and simultaneously protect the scalp. They remove excess build-up from oil, grease, dirt, hard water or any other impurities that can harm the scalp and hair. Dandruff Shampoo Dandruff shampoos are made of ingredients that help remove excess oil and dry flakes from the scalp. Dandruff shampoos can be used on a daily basis or temporarily, until the issued is cleared up. Dandruff flakes can be dry or oily, so be sure to choose a shampoo that addresses your specific problem. If you have other issues going on, like psoriasis or any other skin condition that may cause dandruff, be sure to see a dermatologist to treat your condition. 3 P age

Step 2: Choosing The Right Conditioner I was around 11 or 12 when my Mom started letting me do my own hair. Back then, neither of us really knew a lot about hair.

4 Step 2: Choosing The Right Conditioner I was around 11 or 12 when my Mom started letting me do my own hair. Back then, neither of us really knew a lot about hair. I remember washing my hair with any shampoo, and I never used a conditioner. I hated my hair during that time. It was always so dry and brittle and so unmanageable. The only time I was able to deal with my hair was after a salon visit. I know now that my dry and brittle hair had a lot to do with not using the right products. Conditioners make the hair soft and manageable, easier to detangle, and shiny. Later on I learned that conditioners are only effective for about 4 or 5 days. This means you should be shampooing and conditioning your hair every 4 to 5 days so that you can build stronger, healthier hair. On the left is a diagram of a magnified hair shaft. You can clearly see that the cuticles are all laying in the same direction. When the cuticles are damaged, they can never be returned to their original state. One thing that can help protect the hair is a high quality conditioner. When used on a regular basis, a high quality conditioner will aid in strengthening the cuticle, adding shine and softness. Choosing the right conditioner is just as important as choosing the right shampoo. You need to find a conditioner that s formulated for your specific hair type and/or texture, as well as one that will help to solve any problem you re experiencing. Quality matters, so use the best conditioner you can afford. 4 P age

5 Step 3: Give Your Hair A Break Not long ago, I was tired of constantly flat-ironing my hair every week, wrapping it up every night, etc. The routine time was extremely time-consuming, and my hair was starting to break around the edges. The way I saw it, my hair was screaming, Give me a break! So I did. I decided to have my hair braided. This was great because I wasn t damaging my hair by applying heat to it, and it was quick and easy to maintain the braids. Braids are not the only way to give your hair a much-needed break; cornrows, kinky twists, or even a weave will do the job as well. Let me explain the benefits of each. Braids Braids, depending on the type, are very versatile and easy to maintain. If you decide to have your hair braided, be sure to do the following to ensure you get maximum growth: 1. Consult with a stylist first to discuss your wants and needs. 2. After your hair is braided, be sure to discuss care and maintenance with your stylist. 3. Use a dry shampoo and leave-in conditioner for the first 2 weeks. 4. Either continue to use the dry shampoo for the entire time you wear the braids, or use your regular shampoo and conditioner (or leave-in conditioner) to ensure the hair is clean and conditioned weekly. 5. Refrain from pulling the hair up into tight ponytails. Pulling the hair up too tightly can cause traction alopecia, or even permanent hair loss. 6. Use a crème-based moisturizer on the scalp every other day to ensure the scalp stays moisturized. 7. Tie the hair up at night with a silk scarf. 5 P age

6 8. Take your braids out in 6 to 8 weeks. Leaving them in longer could cause breakage. Cornrows Cornrows are great if you re going on vacation or just waiting for your next relaxer. We all know what that new growth looks like when we re about 6 weeks post-relaxer. That 2-week wait to get to 8 weeks can be a hot mess! We ve all been there I know I have! Here are a few tips to ensure maximum growth: 1. Always consult with your stylist and let him or her know what type of style you re looking for and why. (For example, working out; 6 weeks post-relaxer, etc.) 2. Be sure to keep that scalp clean and moisturized. Use a dry shampoo on the scalp every other day. Also use a crème-based moisturizer on the scalp to prevent dryness. 3. Be sure to remove your cornrows after 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the size of the cornrows. Leaving them in too long could cause excess build-up and breakage. Kinky Twists Kinky twists are still one of the hottest natural styles around. I love seeing them on other people, but that s one style that doesn t look good on me. In fact, I tried them a few years ago, and they looked so terrible, I removed them the next day! Kinky twists are a great alternative to braids! They last just as long and offer almost the same versatility. Some say they look better with time, so here are a few tips you ll want to keep in mind if you decide to use them to give your hair a break. 1. Consult with a stylist first to discuss your wants and needs. 2. After your hair is twisted, be sure to discuss care and maintenance with your stylist. 6 P age

7 3. Use a dry shampoo and leave-in conditioner. I would not suggest doing a regular shampoo on your hair because it could cause the twists to unravel. 4. Refrain from pulling the hair up into tight ponytails. Pulling the hair up too tightly can cause traction alopecia, or even permanent hair loss. 5. Use a crème-based moisturizer on the scalp every other day to prevent dryness. 6. Tie the hair up at night with a silk scarf. 7. Take the twists out in 6 to 8 weeks. Leaving them in longer could cause breakage. Weaves I love weaves! In fact, I m wearing a full-head sew-in right now and I love it! It s actually the first time I ve ever worn a full-head sew-in, and I must say, I m hooked! My hair needed more than a break; it needed a change. So I decided to keep my hair either braided or in some type of weave. Today there are so many different weaving techniques, including quick weave, bonded weave, partial sew-in weave and full head sewin weave. In order to get the maximum benefits from your weave, you need to take care of it properly. Caring for your weave can be tricky, but if you follow these tips, you ll be good to go. 1. Always consult with your stylist about what you want. 2. Don t leave the salon without a care and maintenance plan specifically designed for the technique used on your hair. 3. Keep the hair wrapped up at night with a silk scarf. 4. No matter what technique is used, have your weave removed by a professional unless you are experienced in removing your own. Proper removal is extremely important for your hair. Do one thing wrong, and this could cost you a chunk or an inch of hair! 7 P age

8 5. Never leave your weave in longer than the allotted time (usually 2 to 8 weeks, depending on the technique). Giving your hair a break is a sure-fire way to promote hair growth, as long as you properly care for your hair while it s in the style you choose. Follow the tips above, and your hair will thank you! Step 4: If You Must Relax Do It Right There s been a lot of buzz lately about going natural versus chemically relaxing the hair. In my eyes, everybody s hair is beautiful, natural or relaxed. It s up to you to embrace your hair and be happy and excited about it whether it s relaxed or natural. I ve done both, and I m satisfied both ways. In the past, I ve made the mistake of over-processing and underprocessing my hair. I know what you re thinking: Underprocessing? But yes, it is definitely possible to under-process your hair. If you choose to wear your hair relaxed, do it the right way by following these tips: 1. If you have virgin hair (hair that s never been chemically relaxed), I highly recommend going to a trained professional to get your hair relaxed. Failure to use proper relaxing techniques can definitely result in hair loss. 2. Your hair is constantly growing. In fact, it grows anywhere from ¼ to ½ inch per month. Once you start to relax your hair, unless you decide to go natural, you must get your hair retouched every 6 to 8 weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows. Not doing so will cause the hair to break at the line of demarcation, where the chemically relaxed hair meets with the newly grown hair that hasn t been chemically processed. 3. Be sure only your new growth is relaxed in your touch-up. If you re putting in your own relaxers, you need to be sure you 8 P age

9 don't pull the relaxer to the ends of your hair. That hair has already been relaxed, and putting the relaxer on it again will cause over-processing and possibly breakage. 4. Don t be afraid to shampoo and condition your hair every 4 to 5 days with quality shampoos and conditioners. 5. Always ensure you re on the same page with your stylist when it comes to products and your relaxed hair. The two of you should be communicating about what types of products you re using so you can agree about what you ll do at home and what he or she will do in the salon. Following these steps for relaxing my hair has changed my hair for the better, and I m sure it will do the same for yours! Step 5: The Power of Vitamins Since I started hitting the gym, I ve also gotten into supplements. I truly believe supplements can aid in your health as well as the health of your hair! A few years ago, I remember being in my best friend s dorm room. I found some pre-natal vitamins in her cabinet while I was being nosy, looking for something else. I immediately asked her if she was pregnant! She laughed and explained to me that she had been taking the vitamins to help her hair grow, but she stopped taking them because they weren t working. After that conversation, I started doing research about which vitamins promote hair growth, and here s what I came up with: Biotin: Biotin is crucial for hair growth. Studies show that people who were low in biotin experienced slower hair and nail growth than people who had normal levels of biotin. This is a main ingredient I used when creating AfriGrowth60 with Dr. Koniver. 9 P age

10 Amino Acids: Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, which our hair follicles require in constant supply for optimal growth. Inositol: This nutrient helps to strengthen the hair by helping the hair follicles retain moisture. Choline: Choline is taken into the body in small amounts; however, you need more for hair growth because choline works in conjunction with inositol to promote hair growth. These are just a few of many nutrients I found that help promote long, healthy hair. For years I ve wondered why my hair would only get to a certain length, and then the growth would slow down. This boggled my mind for a long time, until I started to research hair growth. Centuries ago, people were able to get their vitamins naturally from their food. But now, with all of the hormones, pesticides, insecticides, dyes and who-knows-what-else that have been injected into our foods, and so many important nutrients processed out of our foods, how can we possibly get all the nutrients we need from the food we eat? For years I ve been on a quest to find a hair growth vitamin formulated specifically for African American women. When I couldn t find one, I decided to create my own, with the help of Dr Craig Koniver. The result is AfriGrowth60. Check it out start your free trial today! 10 P age

11 I truly hope you enjoyed this special report. If you have any questions at all, feel free to us. 11 P age

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