Hair Overview and Growth Tips

Hair Overview

Hair has several functions:

  1. protects us from UV radiation and this helps to prevent skin cancers on the scalp
  2. keeps our scalp warm  
  3. produces sebum (natural oil substance)

Hair Cycle

The hair cycle is divided into 4 phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), telogen (rest), and exogen (shedding).

  • Hair from the scalp sheds ~100 to 200 follicles/day and grows about 1 cm/month, or 15 cm/year.

 


Hair Growth Tips

  1. Daily Scalp massages for 4 mins a day have been shown to increase hair thicken and growth by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles
  2. Try topical growth boosters: such as DCC Rosemary growth oil or see a board certified cosmetic dermatologist about Plasma Rich Platelet therapy. Both of these treatments have been shown to promote hair growth in humans!
  3. Reduce inflammation: by limiting how much you style your hair, tight hairstyles, controlling health conditions like diabetes, IBD.
  4. Work with your doctor to regulate your hormones (thyroid hormone, testosterone, estrogen, etc.).
  5. REDUCE bad stress in your life: via exercise, yoga, dancing, meditation, prayer, crochet, walking, hiking, etc. Whatever brings you peace without ingesting toxins (alcohol, THC, etc.).
  6. Ask your doctor for nutritional recommendations/ to see a dietitian to correct nutritional deficiency.
  7. IMPROVE your sleep quality. Talk to your doctor about medication and non-medication treatment option.
  8. If you take medications, ask you doctor if there are side effects on hair growth. 

 

References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499948/ 
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9917549/

Images: 

  1. https://www.fresnohair.com/blog/growth-cycle
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9917549/ 

2024 Hair Care Regimen Tips

Protective style (NO longer than 4-5weeks!!!!) 

  • NO hair extension/weave/yarn added to your natural hair ‼️ These extensions stress and damage the hair by pulling, weighing down, drying, thinning, and irritating your hair.
  • Cornrows (sewin or wig)
  • Natural twist
  • Bob butterfly locs (extensions wrapped over your natural twist/braids)
  • Buns (natural hair) 

“Daily” / several times a week hair care 

1.Moisturize scalp / braids (under sewin)

  • DCC rosemary grower oil 
  • DCC Fenugreek mist + caffeine 
  • DCC Leave in conditioner

2.~4 mins SCALP MASSAGE 💆🏽‍♀️ 

3. Take multivitamin (if needed)

Weekly Wash day routine 

1. Shampoo with DCC shampoo or H&S

2. DCC Deep co (30-60mins) 

  • Under dryer if possible

3. DCC Leave in conditioner and oil 

  • Under dryer if possible  15-20 mins

“BiMonthly” Take down protective style 

- Clarification and Rehydation treatments 

1. BEFORE take down, moisturizer hair with rice milk, leave in conditioner, or fenugreek mist

Pre poo options:

  • DCC Onion elixir 
  • AVC + Baking soda rinses 
  • Tea rinse, rice water, 

2. Shampoo with DCC shampoo or H&S

3. Aztec clay mask 10-30 mins 

  • Aztec Clay 10 tbs 
  • Apple cider vinegar 6 tbs 
  • Olive oil 2tbs
  • Warm H2O 2tbs 

4. DCC Deep co +/- egg (30mins) 

  • Under hooded dryer/heat cap if possible 

5. DCC Leave in conditioner or Rice milk, and oil 

  • Under hooded dryer/heat cap if possible for 15 mins 

6. Stretch hair (braids or Blow dry on med-Low heat)

7. Let HAIR BREATH for 1 week while in Bun or loose

End of year Silk press process 

  • Take down braids w/ DCC deep Co or leave in 
  • DCC onion elixir pre poo
  • DCC Shampoo 1-2x
  • Aztec clay mask
  • DCC Deep co
  • Lightly apply DCC Oil to hair shaft as a heat protectant (too much/over-saturation can lead to stringy hair)
  • BLOW dry with comb or concentrator attachment
  • Silk press to 390-450 degrees (one pass ideally)