5 Dangerous Hair Practices That Cause Major Damage

There are so many great YouTube tutorial vids out there, but beware... Most of the persons doing tutorials ARE NOT hair experts. They are the experts to THEIR hair. Keep in mind what works for some does NOT work for all.

I was watching the viral video with the young lady who was doing a hair curling tutorial and she burnt off her hair. She was calmly talking and the smoke was sizzling as she continued to talk. When she pulled the curling iron away her curled hair was still attached to it! Oh, the horror!! Surprisingly enough.. I did the SAME thing to my bangs when I had relaxed hair. Burnt hair IS NOT a good look!!

I've decided to count down the top hair practices that can cause hair loss in some individuals. In fact, I have had personal experiences with many of these dangerous practices. It is my hope by sharing that someone will take precaution and not lose handfuls of hair.

TOP 5 DANGEROUS HAIR PRACTICES

#1. Using products that cause your scalp to burn. A little tingle is not dangerous but if you feel flames starting then that is a BAD sign. Wash your hair and scalp IMMEDIATELY and rinse it well. A few years ago I used a product by Dr. Miracle that caused the burn and I thought it was working. Instead, I ended up with red, irritated bald spots in the area where it was applied. I understand and recognize that some people love these products, but I'm sharing MY experience. Someone else might find that a specific natural oil causes and irritation.

#2. Using hair tools that rip the hair out and cause broken hairs. Combs that have close together teeth and hard brushes are a definite NO. While I don't totally finger detangle, I will say that when using combs and brushes, I am EXTRA careful. Wide tooth combs are way better than the combs with the close together teeth. Detangling brushes like the Tangle Teezer are great but can cause further damage on fine hair. Don't pull snarles. Take your time and detangle from the ends up.

#3. Using products with heavy dyes and fragrances. Some people are not sensitive to dyes and fragrances. But, then there are those of us who have to use products with no dye or fragrance. How does this cause hair loss? Skin allergies translate to scalp allergies. If it irritates your skin then it will irritate your scalp. I've had to return or throw away MANY products because the dyes caused sores and lesions on my scalp. I didn't understand the culprit until my dermatologist told me that I am allergic to dyes. While a product may seem enticing, I pass if it has dye in it.

#4. Using hair accessories that have metal pieces. Now this hair practice is particularly damaging. You find a beautiful hair accessory and you look forward to wearing it. So, you wear it in your hair then go to take it out. Chunks of hair come out with it. Why? Because the metal piece gets caught on some of your hair. Be CAREFUL. A pretty accessory IS NOT worth hair loss.

#5. Manipulating hair TOO tight to achieve a style. You want to achieve a high hair bun, two strand twists, or fake pony and you brush, brush, brush then pull it SO tight that your eyes are stretched. You've achieved the hair style, but your edges are thinning and other parts of your hair are breaking off. Was it worth it? I've learned the hard way that forcing my hair into certain styles takes a toll on hair length retention. Some styles just AREN'T going to happen until my hair grows a little. While some styles may NEVER happen. I've accepted that fact and I've moved on.

What are some dangerous hair practices that you feel stunt hair growth and/or cause hair loss?

World Class Hair Regimens: Building an International Regimen-Part 1

Hair regimens are so fun to build and even moreso when you incorporate hair tips from other cultures! Why are international hair regimens SO effective? They contain tried and true methods for hair growth. These hair growth aids have been used for centuries to grow and maintain voluminous locs.

When I was newly natural I became so interested in finding out how different cultures grew and maintained LONG, beautiful hair. From the lengthy black tresses of the Polynesian, Samoan, and Aborigine people to the gorgeous braids and locs of Carribean and African people, I wanted to know how various people successfully retained hair length. Was it a magical elixer? My curiosity led me to make connections and similarities amongst cultures.

#1. Gentle cleansing removes build up from the scalp and establishes an environment conducive to growth. The plain, old country folk of the U.S. know that there are many uses for apple cidar vinegar including cleansing the scalp. An apple cidar vinegar rinse also balances the PH level on the scalp. The Native American people used the Yucca plant for cleansing. Yucca is known for its natural ability to soap up. Also, yucca is famous for aiding in growth. Shea Moisture Yucca & Baobab soap provides gentle cleansing and aids in thickening the hair. It has a light sense and creamy white pearlescent color.

#2. Oiling the hair and scalp provides antibacterial protection and it seals in moisture. The Aryvedic oil treatments of India provide great benefits for sealing in moisture. Even if you can't afford the more exotic oils, coconut oil has amazing penetrating properties and benefits. Essential oil, such as tea tree has been used by the Aborigine for centures as an antifungal treatment. Jamaicans and Haitians both use castor oil for the hair and skin to keep it moisturized and free of problems. In fact, castor oil is known to produce healthy hair and heal skin conditions. For added benefit try Jamaican Black Castor oil with coconut or lavender oils. You might even blend your own oils to boost the benefits.

#3. The food of champions helps hair to grow long and strong. It is no secret that exotic diets provide the nutrition essential to health and gorgeous hair. Our hair is like a billboard for what is going on inside of our bodies. Exotic spices, consummable oils, fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent for establishing and maintaining good health. The delicious pineapple used in many dishes contains bromeide, a chemical that helps flush your system of excess water.Spicy foods, such as those that contain curry kick up flavor and helps to satiate you.

Readers, what parts of your regimen is borrowed from other cultures?

Lessons from the Hairball & Beyond!

Looking back on my hair journey I can truly say that I have learned from my challenges AND milestones. It is important to not only learn from your mistakes, but also your successes. Just the other day I was styling my hair and I noticed how it is longer and thicker. I also noticed that I don't have as many split ends as I used to have earlier in my hair journey. Finally, it occurred to me that I don't use as much product to style my hair even though it is longer. So, what changed?

Lesson #1. Consistency
I noticed that even if I skipped one day if moisture then my hair would not have a major setback. But, if I had a full week of consistent moisture and sealing, then by the next month my hair was in GREAT shape. This concept is similar to diet and exercise. If you have an off day then get back up and keep going.

Lesson #2. Perseverence
When I look back at my hair journey and even now as I continue on growing my hair out, I have persevered. If you have suffered from a scalp condition and/ or hair loss like me, then you'd understand that you must NEVER stop trying. The proof is in the curl. I kept trying to improve my hair and scalp. As a result, my scalp is significantly better and my hair is growing well.

Lesson #3. Responsibility
I've learned that my hair journey is MY responsibility and no one else's. Thanks to blogger, Golden Blaze at goldenblaze.blogspot.com, for reminding me to trust my own instincts. Products and techniques are not cookie cutter, so I must discover what works best on my hair. This means reading ingredients and researching to determine if it is something that I should invest in.

Lesson #4. Appreciation
I keep photos of my hair in different stages to celebrate my milestones. I can see a visual of when my hair reached past my nose; chin; and now to my chest. It is a reminder to be grateful for every inch of healthy hair on my head. I remember when I could barely get my hair into twists and there were bald spots that I hid with scarves. I'm SO appreciative of my hair becoming healthier and longer.

Lesson #5. Acceptance. So what if my hair doesn't curl the same way another natural's does! So what if my hair isn't as thick or long as someone else's. My hair type is a part of my DNA and it is what makes me unique. It makes me proud of my ancestry and the glorious function of my Afro textured hair. THIS hair is amazing and it allows me to go from curly fro to picked out fro, picked out fro to twists, twists to twist outs, twist outs to blowouts, blow outs to flat ironed. I mean, the possibilities are endless. I accept my unique and versatile hair.

Readers, what great lessons are you learning along the way in your hair journey?