Split Ends: What causes them? Part 1

Well, since I am fighting a losing battle with split ends, I decided to do a little research. We all know that before we can FIX a problem we have to first identify the problem and what is causing it.

Since my last trim, I have been depressed so I have kept my hair in a protective bun 90% of the time. I did wear a puff twice. ONLY twice. I sleep in a satin cap and on a satin pillow case. What could be causing my hair trauma?!

Readind online, I have found the following reasons to be the most common causes of split ends:

Excessive use of hot styling tools (irons, hot curlers, blow dryers, hot combs).
Overuse of chemical treatments (relaxers, perms, hair color).
Use of inferior styling tools that rip or snag hair (cheap synthetic brushes or combs, brush rollers, etc.,).
Environmental damage from heat, cold, wind and other climate issues.
Lack of routine maintenance such as regular trimming.
Improper detangling techniques.
Overwashing.
Use of inferior hair care products.
Excessive use of styling products such as gels, waxes and sprays.
Trimming with inferior scissors.

(the above courtesy of hairboutique.com)

After reading this, I have narrowed down the cause of my damage to either:

Too much washing/manipulating my hair. Maybe the daily conditioner washes are just a bit much.

Improper detangling. Perhaps I am doing it wrong.

Use of styling tools. Could my beloved Denman be doing more harm than good?


What am I going to do about it?
Well for startes I am going to get my hair straightened tomorrow. I plan to wear my hair straight 98% of the time. This will eliminate the need of the Denman and detangling as well as daily conditioner washes. My only concern is how to prevent reversion while working out.

Stay tuned for updates.

B Complex Supplement : A Closer Look

I have been fully natural for about 9 months now. I have used herbal supplements to aid in my hair care regimen. Over the course of my hair journey( relaxed, natural, and texturized) I have taken the following vitamins:
Biotin
MSM
Vegatel Silica
Horsetail (considering starting back)
Evening Primrose Oil

I am sure there are more, but those are the most memorable. Recently, I added B Complex to my vitamin regime. I currently take:
MSM Powder (when I feel like it)
Biotin 7500mcg
B Complex

I only started taking the B Complex because of the Vitamin C that it contains. I needed the vitamin C to aid in the absorption of the biotin and MSM. I was even more willing to purchase it when I saw that it also contained MORE biotin and panothenic acid(thickness). So I decided to do a little research to see what the benefits of B Complex are.

I learned that B Complex is simply a mixture of B Vitamins. Some of the benefits of B Complex are

- increased energy
- breakdown of fats and proteins
- muscle tone in stomach
- Clear skin and youthful looks
- essential for healthy hair, skin, and nails

Sounds like a winner to me! I know that with the help of my B Complex I see GREAT results with my MSM and Biotin.

Pantene Relaxed and Natural Breakage Defense Mask Deep Conditioning

Pantene Relaxed and Natural makes one of the BEST deep conditioning treatments. When I first chopped back in May, I had a tough time because of how dry my hair was. When natural hair gets dry, it is a frizzy birds nest that is very hard to work with. Well I hit the hairboards and started reading. I read allot about Pantene's Mask so I decided to give it a try. I fell in LOVE. This stuff has my hair moisturized and feeling like butter. I deep condition with it once a week.

Well, some of you know that all good things do not last forever. Rumor has it that this product has been discontinued! I have started purchasing every jar that I lay my eyes on these days. For those of you that have not been as fortunate...here are a few Amazon sellers that have the product available. One of them even sells 3 jars at once for 14.94! That's great being that I just paid 6 bucks for my last jar! At any rate...stock up and get moisturized curlies!

To go green or not..... Hmmmm

I am no stranger to growth aids. Whether they are topical or internal, it is nothing for me to try a new growth aid. Well lately I have been SUPER lazy on the growth aid tip. My OCT sits in my linen closet, my powdered MSM sits in the drawer at work, and the biotin and B Complex is taken every other day. Well, the other day I was talking to a hair pal, and she shared her success with Chlorella. Listening her speak about it, I felt that ole familiar PJ tug deep down. So what did I do? I hop on the net and get to researching. A few things about Chlorella caught my eye:

1. Aids in lowering High Blook Pressure
2. Suppresses your appetite (causing you to lose weight)
3. Detoxes your body, therefore your skin benefits
4. HAIR growth! LOL

There were countless other benefits that I will post as time goes on...but for now. Let's focus on those. I will be starting my Chlorella experiment Sunday. I am contemplating adding a sea vitamin to the mix for Maximum results. So I will be back Sunday with the start the "Chlorella" Chronicles and my starting pic. I don't plan to straighten so it will be a shrunken wet pic with one piece stretched. LOL

Toodles!