A PERSONAL MESSAGE ON GOING

ALL Natural

First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your decision to make a commitment not only to natural hair but locked hair that is in its natural state and meshed together to form single networks of tightly intertwined hair.

Also let me explain that the decision to grow locks is a process that takes a lot of patience and proper nourishment to accomplish the look that you desire in a locked style.  Natural Hair Specialists stress the need to eat properly, drink plenty of water and exercise because your hair is an extension of your inner being and requires you to be well inside as well as out.

For the best results, Diane Carol Bailey, Author of Natural Hair Care and Braiding suggests a mutli-vitamin that contains the following:  vitamins A, B complex, B2 (riboflavin), B12, biotin, bioflavinoids, C, D, E, K, choline, folic acid, niacin, paba, pantothenic acid and cysteine.  Essential fatty acids such as vegetable and plant oils including evening primrose, flaxseed oil, and fish oil such as cod liver oil.  Minerals that are good include calcium, copper, fluorine, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, beta carotene, potassium, selenium, silica, sodium, sulfur and zinc.  A wide range of vegetables are required.  Asparagus, beans, lentils, and sprouts, dark leafy green vegetables (kale,collards), avacados, beets, broccoli, garlic, okra, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, red and green peppers, sea vegetables, kelp, spinach, sweet potatoes, squash tomatoes and turnips.  Nuts, Grains and Seeds are also essential to proper hair health.  Alfalfa, almonds, brown rice and cereals, flaxseeds, millet, mushrooms, oat brans, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, soybeans and products, sunflower seeds, wheat brans, wheat germ, and cereal.  Of course Fruits are great as well.  Apples, apricots, bananas, berries, cranberries, cherries, dates, figs, prunes, grapefruit, red grapes, lemons, papaya, plums, peaches, pears, oranges, raisins, tangerines, varieties of melons, mangos and kiwi.  Last but not least, Water and plenty of it.

Once you have cultivated your locks, you will need to care for them in between re-tightening and grooming by your loctician.  Do not use heavy cream rinses, conditioners, heavy gels or pomades; they tend to leave a film on the hair that doesn't allow proper shampooing to cleanse the scalp.  As a result, the hair doesn't get clean and the film attracts dust and particles from the environment into your hair that becomes embedded and is very hard to get out.  Do not use Dandruff Shampoo on locked hair as it strips too much of the hairs natural oil (sebum) from the scalp causing extreme dandruff.  If these kinds of products are used, an acidic lemon rinse can be used to loosen any debris left in the scalp. Herbal or organic shampoos offer the best alternative to commercial shampoo products.  Try to use a Castile based soap or African Black soap as these do not have harsh chemical agents for foaming.  A good Castile brand is Dr. Bonners Peppermint soap.  It is found in any GNC or health food store.

Sincerely,

Kendra

Good Luck on your journey.

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