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As with any other hair regimen, hair extensions have their own dos and don’ts that you should follow to maintain them at their best. Below are some tips on what you should and should not do to your extensions. Some of these tips also apply to natural hair.

Do

• Treat your hair extensions well

Just like your natural hair, extensions will last longer if you treat them well. When styling your extensions, use a good hair brush for brushing your extensions from scalp to ends. Brush and comb them gently, apply and remove them carefully, and utilize enhancement products such as conditioner and hair spray. Always separate the extensions using your fingers to gently remove any tangles, especially in the scalp area.

Before you wash it, be sure to brush then sort your hair well. Gently shampoo the extensions, while taking care to avoid rubbing the extension strands against each other. Thoroughly and immediately dry the extension bonding points. Wrap them in a satin scarf before going to bed. Because certain extensions can be rather expensive, you want to get value for your money by using them as long as possible.

• Make a good choice

Just because extensions are fake, doesn’t mean they should look as such. Unless you are going to a costume party, try and avoid extensions in bold rainbow colors. Where possible, try the extensions on before you buy them. Think about how well they complement your skin tone and lifestyle. Don’t just assume that the wig on the window display mannequin will look just as fabulous on you.

• Express yourself

Go for hair extensions that will reveal your personality to the world. Choose extensions that reflect you or your lifestyle. And once you find the right extensions, be sure to style them in a unique way. It may not be fun bumping into someone wearing the exact same extensions in the exact same style as you.

Don’t

• Neglect your natural hair

Even as you enjoy dressing up your extensions, do not forget that your natural hair is underneath. When you wear, apply and remove the extension, do not be rough with your hair. To respect the extensions but disrespect your natural hair will cause the latter to break off.

• Pretend it’s real

There’s no shame in wearing extensions. Even the ancient Egyptians wore extensions on their hair. The problem only comes in when you pretend that the amazing creation on your head is as a result of good genes. Be honest both with yourself and with everyone else. If someone asks, be upfront, and if they like it, tell them where they can buy them.

• Keep the extensions on too long

With time, all the washing, drying and styling will take its toll on your extensions. A shadow of their former selves, the extensions will take on a worn out appearance. This is when you have to throw them out and avoid embarrassing yourself. While in between extensions, you may wear your natural Afro and look great too.

• Neglect the extensions

For the first month, avoid washing or brushing upside down. This is because the attachments are still new and it could be torn out. Do not rub the extensions to towel dry them, but instead squeeze out the excess water. Avoid using a flat or curling iron at the bond points, and instead begin just below the bond point.

Always aim to protect your natural hair, while fully enjoying your investment by getting your money’s worth. Follow these tips and you should be able to maintain your extensions looking fantastic for longer.

Dreadlocks are a beautiful way of wearing African hair naturally, and there are many ways to style them. The great thing about dreadlocks is that you are able to wear them in a wide variety of hairstyles including buns, Mohawks and up-sweeps.

Be sure to consult a loctician to determine the best dreading method for your hair type. A loctician is a professional hair stylist who is specifically trained to assess, begin, maintain, style, repair and protect dreadlocks throughout your locking journey. Below is a look at some of the common methods of locking African hair today.

Types of Dreadlocks

1. Comb Coils

Comb coils are a beautiful natural style which when left alone can form some great looking dreadlocks. This is usually done by a professional loctician. The hair is neatly parted to the desired size using a small tooth comb and then twisted into sections using a small-toothed comb. Ensure that all coils go in the same direction. The current trend is to use oils and/ or water based products to lubricate the dreads and thereafter clip each one into place before allowing them to dry. While these sections can be very tidy, they tend to unravel more easily than other methods when they get wet.

2. Palm Rolled

Palm rolling is another procedure which is typically carried out by a loctician. To begin, the hair is first sectioned and then rolled between the palms using a gel. This method is the most likely to come undone during the beginning stages and is therefore suitable for thicker afro hair. Have your dreadlocks interlocked if palm rolling becomes inconvenient. When you interlock your hair, you get to enjoy a neater appearance that may last longer than palm rolling.

3. Braids

In this method, you begin by installing small box braids and then let them get fuzzed over. You may then palm roll the braids to look like dreadlocks. The subsequent new growth can thereafter be twisted or palm-rolled into actual dreadlocks. Once the new growth has locked, you may cut off your starter braids. This method is great to use on very soft afro hair that is loosely coiled as it makes for an easy way to acquire dreadlocks.

4. Organic/ Neglect

This entails allowing hair to separate and mat as it pleases and is the typical way in which traditional Rastafarians achieve their dreadlocks. When you leave your hair uncombed over a period of several weeks, it will lock on its own. In this method, all you do is wash your hair, shake it and leave it, for the sections to form on their own, without any control or manipulation. As your hair grows, you may separate the dreadlocks into smaller sections, or just leave them to grow into large dreadlocks as desired.

5. Finger Twisting

In this method, sectioned hair is twisted around using beeswax, a gel or just plain oil and water. Groups of new twists are then pinned together to prevent them from unraveling.

6. Sisterlocks

A highly skilled loctician will be aware of this method for locking hair, which involves precision parting grids to form four hundred easily styled dreadlocks. You will require a specialized tool to place the hair strands into a locking formation that is tight. Sisterlocks don’t require the use of any gels or waxes when locking hair.

7. Two-Strand Twists

This method works just as the name suggests – 2 strands of hair are twisted together and kept twisted until they start to lock. Many people use a gel to get this process going. They then twirl the hair at the end around a finger to curl or coil it up.

Top 10 hair care tips for summer

Summertime is the best time for you to visit friends, family and whoever you want to go and see. At times, there won’t be enough time in between swimming and hiking for you to be able to take care of your hairstyle. Fortunately for you, we have compiled the 10 best hair tips to see you through summer with strong real; thick and well-nourished hair. These tips can be used effectively at home and you won’t even need help taking care of your hair. Caring for hair in summer has never been this easy.

     #1 Well-balanced diet

Eating is one of those natural processes. You don’t need to think twice about eating. If the food is there and you have an appetite then it’s certain that you will indulge. Caring for your hairstyle starts in your diet. A healthy and well-balanced diet will not only nourish your body but also your hairstyle, nails, and brain. So don’t be shy to eat your protein, carbs and mineral packed meals as these will help take care of your hairstyle while you take care of summer.

      #2 Apple Cider Vinegar

Using apple cider vinegar to take care of hair is not a new trick. The best apple cider vinegar is the pure form also known as; Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother. Apple cider vinegar is very flexible and can help take care of any hair problem from oily to dry to lusterless hairstyle. You can use your good old laundry soap and apple cider vinegar in place of shampoo. That’s how good it is.

      #3 The Baking Soda miracle working treatment

You never thought that you could be able to use your baking soda outside the kitchen? Well, you can use baking soda to wash the greasiness out of your hair. You need to be careful and mix the baking soda with the right amount of lukewarm water. Too much of it might be bad for your hairstyle, so be careful.

      #4 Olive Oil Treatment

Nothing beats the good old olive when it comes to taking care of hair. The olive oil treatment is best used when your hairstyle is stringy and dry with split ends. It can be used as an everyday solution for your hair, so don’t be shy to buy a bottle for your kitchen and another for your hairstyle.

      #5 Amla hairstyle therapy

In order for you to be able to avoid a dry itchy scalp this summer, you must make an investment and get yourself a bottle of this Ayurvedic herbal oil. Amla oil helps to bring dry hair back to life almost instantly. It can be used straight after washing your hairstyle with Apple cider vinegar or baking soda.

      #6 Egg treatment

Who says eggs are only good for omelets? You can use egg yolk to make a hair mask for your hairstyle this summer. Eggs are rich in protein and your hair needs proteins in order to grow and be naturally healthy, thick and full. Applying this protein factor directly to your hair might sound gross but it will be worth it in the end.

      #7 Honey glaze

After a soulful swimming session, you can rinse the chlorine off your hairstyle and apply honey over your wet hairstyle. The honey will help to protect the hair from further damage and strengthen it from the roots to the tips.

      #8 Almond oil hair strengthener

Almond oil doesn’t only work miracles on your skin but also works wonders on your hairstyle. Almond oil is rich in Vitamins A, B and E. This makes it healthy and pretty useful for hairstyle. There are several uses of almond oil for hair and these include;

• Nourishment for long, healthy hair
• Getting rid of dandruff
• Adds gloss to the hairstyle
• Prevents heat ailments from the heat of dryers, flat irons, and the sun

      #9 Pour beer on your hair for salon smooth hair

Yes, that’s right; a glass of beer can go a long way. After washing your hair, you can untangle it by running your fingers through it and then pour beer on your hair. Leave the beer on for at least 30 minutes. When you wash it off, your hair will be silky smooth, even better than the salon effect.

      #10 Wicked concoction to deal with your sun damaged hair

You can mix apple cider vinegar, egg, honey and olive oil and use as a hair wax after a day out in the sun. Believe you me, this wicked mix will straighten out your hairstyle and nourish it all at once.

Best Food for Best Hair

Having the perfect natural hair is possible. It’s not only Brazilian and Malaysian ladies who were blessed with the power to have 100% bouncy and wavy hair. The trick is knowing what to eat, how to eat and how to take care of your natural hair – the correct diet. Your natural hair just needs to be taken care of, fed, cleaned and nourished. If only you care for your hair just as much as you care for your weaves and wigs. The list below has substantial diets for you to start with. Having these as your backbone will not only result in a healthy body but also long and healthy hair and nails.

• Whole food diet

This is the best diet filled with an abundance of low-density fats, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, and protein. A whole food diet means that you will be maximizing your intake of nutrients obtained from natural sources. As a result, you are avoiding preservatives and additives found in processed foods. Following a whole food diet plan means that your meals will consist of fruits, vegetables, nuts as well as animal products like cheese, eggs, salmon, and poultry.  These foods are as close to their natural form as possible and your hair follicles will get all the fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. Your body will have time to digest this food and because it’s not all junk processed food, there is no fat stored up in your belly so you don’t have to worry about putting on weight unnecessarily.

• Protein rich foods

Proteins are the best component of a balanced diet. Proteins are the building block not only for your body but the hair too. Having approximately 25% of proteins with every intake will ensure that there are enough proteins to strengthen your hair from the shaft thereby reducing the rate at which hair breaks off, falls off and develops split ends. The texture and quality of the hair are also strengthened resulting in a lustrous full head. You can get yourself proteins from various foods such as Salmon, shrimp, lean beef, bacon, and eggs.

• Vitamin C

This vitamin is responsible for your hair color and growth. Having a diet that includes vitamin C will increase chances of you having strong thick and beautiful hair without any split ends. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and helps to promote cell growth and reparation of tissue. Hair tissues are repaired by Vitamin C almost instantly if there are any damages from the sun or too much heat. Vitamin C diet includes foods from citrus fruits, brussel sprouts, red papers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

• Minerals

Minerals like Iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc are very essential for the growth, maintenance, reparation and upkeep of healthy and beautiful hair.  Iron helps to carry oxygen to your hair thereby ensuring that your hair has enough oxygen and, therefore, able to properly breathe. You can take iron supplements if eating dark green leafy vegetables and whole grains don’t give you enough iron.  Magnesium is one of the building blocks underlying hair growth. It promotes the growth of strong and healthy hair. Foods rich in magnesium include leafy green vegetables, dairy products, and nuts. Potassium works mostly to transfer nutrients to your hair cells, eating ripe bananas is a great way of getting a healthy supply of potassium. Zinc is the main component in hair protein. It, therefore, promotes hair growth by improving immunity to the hair. Foods rich in zinc include pumpkin and sunflower seeds, legumes, mushrooms and spinach.

Eating right and taking care of your hair will help you keep your hair strong and healthy. In addition to these diets, you need to keep a strong and positive attitude, let your body know that you love yourself just the way you are and you are determined to have great hair. The right attitude will take you far.

Stress and grey hair – fact or fiction

A popular belief is that stress may cause grey human hair. But is that a fact or a fiction? Is it possible that hair turns gray overnight? Many would say it is possible and one of the examples is Marie Antoinette. Supposedly, right before she was guillotined, her hair turned white. While stress may cause certain issues, the questions is, can the stress really change the color of the hair?

In certain age, hair starts to change its color, and in most cases, first white hairs are noticeable in the thirties. Some people may notice a few grey hairs earlier, while some won’t have a single grey hair until they are in the fifties. The question is, is the stress the main reason of premature greying, or is it genetics, or some other reasons?

Why the hair changes its color and becomes grey?

One of the main questions is why the hair changes its color in certain age, and why it becomes grey, or in some cases, completely white. This is something scientists are working on for decades. Before we are born, the hair is white, and it gets its color from the type of pigment, called melanin. There are two pigment shades, light and dark. The light one is called phenomelanin, and the dark one is called eumelanin. The combination of those shades creates different hair colors. Pigment cells, melanocytes, create melanin, and the pigment will be injected into keratin cells that build the hair. In certain age, activity of melanocytes will slow down, and without the pigment, hair turns grey.

Experts say that stress hormones may have the impact on melanocytes, their activities and survival. However, there is still no evidence that hormones of stress have the impact on melanocytes, and that they are the reason why melanocytes fail to deliver the pigment to keratin cells. All that means there is still no evidence or clear link that connects stress and grey or white hair. The conclusion is that stress and grey hair are a fiction.

What are the causes of premature greying?

For now, there is no link between stress and grey hair. What may cause premature greying? Here are some of the causes:

• Genetics – people whose parents have grey hair earlier in life, for instance their thirties, are more prone to it. It means they are most likely notice first grey hairs in that same age.
• Poor nutrition – many different studies shown how poor nutrition may have a huge impact on the scalp, and quality of hair, and even its color. Lack of protein, vitamins and minerals may lead to premature greying.
• Smoking –due to smoking, pigmentation capacity may be decreased, which lead to premature greying.

How to avoid premature greying?

Premature greying can be avoided with some natural remedies, such as:

• Indian gooseberry – it should be included in the diet, or it can be applied as a paste on the scalp
• Coconut oil and curry leaves – boiled mixture of curry leaves and coconut oil applied on the scalp may prevent premature greying
• Almond oil and lemon juice – another excellent combination that should be applied on the hair

How to hide grey hair?

While there is no evidence that stress may cause premature greying, noticing first grey hairs may be pretty stressful, especially for women. There are a couple of methods that ladies may use in order to cover grey hair. Which method to select mainly depends on how grey the hair is.

• Bobby pins and headbands – if you noticed only a couple of greys, you can hide them with bobby pins or a headband.
• Curling – another method that may help you to hide grey hair is curling, but in this case, you should go with the non-heating method, because heat may damage your hair, and cause breaking of the hair.
• Weave lace front wigs – another excellent option are these wigs. In most cases, they are made from virgin human remy hair. The best thing about these kind of wigs is the fact no one will actually notice that you are wearing one.
• Brazilian Hair extensions – this is probably the best way to cover the greys that are bothering you. Quality hair extensions are made from human hair that may be 100 % Brazilian for instance. Brazilian hair is considered to be the most flexible, and soft. When choosing extensions, make sure their color is the same color as your strands. Extensions will cover the greys, they will make your hair thick, and they will also add volume.

Common scalp problems

The scalp is a skin area with high rate of sebum production, as well as the high follicular density. There are many different conditions which are scalp related ones. People have a genetic predisposition for many problems, and some issues are caused by the infection, or poor nutrition. Many issues lead to skin rash, and also hair loss. Scalp problems are common, and people of all ages may experience such issues. When it comes to physical appearance, hair plays a huge role, which is why any hair or issues are causing discomfort, and they also have a huge impact on self-esteem.

Dandruff

Dandruffis also known as seborrheic dermatitis,is certainly one of the most common problems that many people experience. White flakes are very embarrassing, because they are noticeable on the clothes, or in the dark hair. The cause of the issue is an excess of the dead cells of the skin, which are shed from the scalp. The problem usually occurs when the skin is irritated, or very dry. Many studies have confirmed dandruff is a very common in people with psoriasis, eczema and fungal infections. While the problem is frustrating, it can be easily controlled. When choosing a dandruff shampoo, make sure it contains at least one of the following ingredients:

• Selenium sulfide
• Coal tar
• Zinc pyrithione
• Ketoconazole
• Salicylic acid.

Cradle cap

Cradle cap is a form of dandruff, but it does not affect adults, it affects infants. Little, yellow, and greasy crusts or scales may form on the scalp. This is a very common condition among infects. In most cases, it will clear up after some period of time. This problem does not require any kind of special treatment. For prevention, experts recommend gentle washing of the baby’s scalp and hair. Olive oil or baby oil can soften the scales.

Psoriasis

This skin condition may occur basically anywhere on the body, including scalp. The problem is caused when the immune system attacks the cells of the skin by mistake, in which case dead skin cells will appear on the scalp, forming crusted and thick scales. This problem becomes extremely sore or itchy. Psoriasis is treated by ointments and creams, vitamin D, and different kinds of shampoo that contain salicylic acid.

Ringworm

Another common problem is ringworm. It is the infection that cause rash, and it may cause patches of hair loss. This problem is common among children, but adults can be affected as well. Unlike some other scalp conditions, this one can spread if individuals share combs, towels, clothing, hats, etc. It is also possible to catch this common scalp issue from a dog or a cat, but that rarely happens. Ringworm is treated by medications, and entire treatment usually lasts up to 3 weeks. One of the most important things is that person that has ringworm does not share personal items, such as towels, hats, combs, clothing or else, because it may spread the infection to other people.

Head lice

Head lice also known as Pediculosiscapitis, is the infestation of the hair and scalp. Millions of people all around the globe have this scalp problem. Head lice is a common problem among children, but it is also an issue that adults can experience. This condition can be treated with shampoos that contain ingredients such as phenothrin, lindane, natural phythrins and others.

Scalp issues and hair loss

Hair loss is a problem many people face in certain age. For women, hair loss is an extremely traumatic experience that affects self-esteem. In order to cover up the hair loss, women choose hair extensions made from virgin human remy hair or weave lace front wigs¸ depending on the percentage of hair loss. Extensions and wigs can be made from 100% Brazilian hair, or it may come from Peruvian or Malaysian donors.

Causes of hair loss are different, from genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalance to scalp infections. Scalp infections should be properly treated, because if they are not, they may cause hair loss. After the proper treatment of the infection, hair will start to grow normally again.

Many different studies have shown that poor nutrition may cause scalp issues as well as hair loss, especially a deficiency in protein, certain vitamins and minerals. For that reason, proper nutrition rich in protein, vitamins and minerals is very important.

To keep the scalp and hair healthy, it is significant to carefully choose shampoos, and other hair care products. The best is to use chemical and alcohol free products that are gentle to the scalp and hair.

Nutrients needed for healthy hair

While many people think that the secret of healthy hair is only in the properly selected products, scientists have proven how important the nutrition is. Choosing gentle hair product, such as shampoos and air conditioners is beneficial for sure, so is avoiding of heat styling tools. That way, the hair won’t be dry, and it won’t break. However, if you want to have healthy, shiny, thick and beautiful hair, you should focus on your diet first. Many studies have shown that poor diet, and lack of certain nutrients leads to hair loss, which is why paying attention to the diet is extremely important.

In the hair extension industry, hair is gathered from donors that may be Peruvian, Malaysian or from other countries. However, hair will be gathered only from those whose hair is healthy, and shiny. When it comes to virgin human remy hair, it means the hair was not chemically processed in any way. People who have such a hair didn’t use dye or bleach, but they also paid attention to the nutrients.

Protein

Hair is made of protein, and for that particular reason, nutrients rich in proteins, are very important. In case you didn’t include nutrients with enough protein, you may experience many different issues, including hair loss. There are many weight loss diets with the focus on low protein intake. If you were on such a diet lately, you may notice that your hair looks different. Instead, make sure to eat enough protein every day. You should eat:

• Fish
• Chicken
• Dairy products
• Eggs
• Turkey
• Nuts
• Legumes

Vitamin A

Vitamin a helps the body to create sebum, which is very important for hair, because it is actually the natural conditioner. If you want to have healthy scalp, sebum is vital. The sources of vitamin A are yellow and orange colored vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and carrots. Also, include animal products in your diet, because they are also rich in vitamin A.

Vitamin C

Another vitamin extremely important for healthy hair is vitamin C, because it plays a significant role in production of collagen. The sources of this vitamin are:

• Sweet potatoes
• Oranges
• Lemons
• Papaya
• Blueberries
• Kiwi
• Broccoli
• Guava

Vitamin D

Many studies have shown that intake of vitamin D is very beneficial, because it stimulates the hair to grow. Your body can produce more vitamin D if you are exposed to the sun. However, sun may harm your skin, and if you are exposed to the sun for too long, it may also damage your hair. Only a few foods actually contain this vitamin, which is why 1,000 IU supplement daily will do the trick.

Vitamin E

As you may notice, vitamins are significant, and vitamin E is no exception from that rule. Nuts are an excellent source of Vitamin E, which is why they should be included in the diet.

Omega-3 fatty acids

These acids provide the oils needed to keep the hair and scalp hydrated. Sources of omega-3 are walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sardines, herring, trout, and avocado.

Selenium and zinc

Minerals must be taken into account. Studies point out how important minerals are, because due to deficiency in minerals, hair may become dry. If you do not take enough minerals, it may also lead to hair loss. Selenium and zinc are especially important. Make sure to include eggs, beef and oysters in your diet.

Biotin

A deficiency of biotin leads to hair loss, and due to lack of it, hair may become breakable. What you should include in your diet is foods rich in biotin, such as yeast, soy flour, liver, whole grains and egg yolk.

Use nutrients for natural treatments

While feeding your body from the inside with the above listed nutrients is very important, you can also treat your hair from the outside. You can mix an avocado, and the egg yolk, with a bit of honey. When you prepare the mask, you should massage it into the hair when it’s clean and wet. After about half and hour, rinse the hair.

Natural treatments and masks are an option for those who wear weave lace front wigs or 100 % Brazilian extensions. Because these wigs and extensions are made from human hair, you may apply the mask, and treat and maintain them same as you treat your natural hair.

Conclusion

Proper diet, and intake of healthy nutrients rich in protein, minerals, biotin, and different vitamins will completely change the look of your hair. It will not just be healthy, it will also be thick, soft, and gorgeous.