Washing in Braided Sections!

I've read about washing in braided sections last year . It's a method you will may find necessary as the length of your hair and your stretches become longer.  I've incorporated the method into my wash routine over the last month and  whoo, it's a life saver!  This is something I find will benefit you as you get deeper into your stretches, however you may not need it when you have a fresh relaxer.  I've read it works wonders for naturals, I will be trying on my nieces hair next time I wash and braid it for school.

To wash in braided sections just follow these steps:

1. Gently detangle your hair b/4 beginning the process.
2. Part your hair into 4 sections.  Make a part down the middle of your head (from forehead to nape) and another part across the crown (from ear to ear).
3. Optional - If you are going to pre-poo, here's where you would do so, if not skip to step to step 4. Thoroughly apply the product to each section of your hair. (Let it sit w/or w/o heat however you work your pre-poo magic!)
4. Braid each section in a plait style braid.  (Think Celie plaits)
5. While in the shower wet hair thoroughly and apply conditioner to the scalp of each braided section ( I co-wash hence the conditioner but if you use shampoo then do so). Focus on one braided section at a time, using the pads of your fingers, not your nails, to "scrub" your scalp clean.
TIP: I use an applicator bottle to apply the product to scalp.  It makes it so much easier to navigate through the new growth and evenly distribute the product.
6. Rinse thoroughly
7. Unbraid a section, apply your conditioner to that section and then re-braid the section after the product is thoroughly applied.  (Repeat on sections 2-4).  Let your condish sit for as long as you like!
8. Again focusing one section at time, rinse the condish from your hair under running water.  You have 2 options here:
      a) unravel while rinsing and detangle with either a detangling comb or your fingers and rebraid
                                                                            OR
      b) leave the braid in while rinsing and detangle further down -
                ***whichever option you choose you should end back up in your 4 braided sections
9. Towel or t-shirt dry the hair for at least 10 minutes in order to absorb excess water from the hair
10. Unbraid a section, apply your leave in (here is where you would detangle before re-braiding if you didn't do so in step 8) and:
     a) re-braid to airdry
                                                                           OR
     b) proceed with your styling option of choice

That's it! I hope I didn't confused anyone, I tried to make it a simple as possible. Let me know how it works for you!

HHG

Nape Care

One of my biggest issues for MOST of my life has been my nape!  Breakage, dryness, alopecia, slow growth you name it, even at my longest lengths it was always just plain old choppy and never the length of the rest of my hair.  Throughout the years various practices have helped the hair grow and become healthier but right now with my last alopecia flare up it still isn't anywhere near where it should be.

Well if you are a fragile nape sufferer and looking for some great tips in treating and "rebuilding" your nape check out the following article which, imo, has all the basic steps you need to get your nape growing in long and strong!  Thanks to Eryn over at hair2toe for sharing!

http://www.hair2toebeauty.com/2010/03/how-to-grow-your-nape.html

Dr. Ali Syed's New Growth System

I've been looking for a hair care "system" to help battle this alopecia.  I basically wanted to get one complete line for the specific use of thinning/balding and shed hair.  In reading Dr. Ali Syed's blog he's introducing a new system coming soon, that I hope may be the answer to my prayers!

Check out the link below:

http://www.dralisyed.com/2010/06/syntonics-grothentic-anti-thin.html#more