Gather around children; I have a story to tell.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful Nigerian queen. Along with being beautiful, she also had golden hair which increased the wealth of the kingdom as the length of her hair grew. The queen would snip her hair every three months and give it to the citizens of the kingdom. Everyone loved the generous queen and her amazing, golden tresses.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful Nigerian queen. Along with being beautiful, she also had golden hair which increased the wealth of the kingdom as the length of her hair grew. The queen would snip her hair every three months and give it to the citizens of the kingdom. Everyone loved the generous queen and her amazing, golden tresses.
Meanwhile in a kingdom not too far away, an evil and greedy king heard of the queen's magical, golden mane. He was so envious of the wealth of her kingdom that he ordered bandits to steal some of her golden locs for himself. The bandits complied and traveled to the kingdom every month to cut some of the queen's hair while she was sleeping. Over time, poverty in the kingdom increased. Since there was not enough gold to equally distribute to the kingdom, violence threatened the city. The brave and noble queen knew she had to do something so she devised a plan.The queen ordered a wall to be built around the kingdom and knights on duty around the clock. She was ready for them this time!
A month later, the bandits appeared to do their usual dirty work. Unfortunately, they were attacked by the knights at the city's entrance and fled back to the evil king. The king admitted defeat and the kingdom was saved thanks to the wise queen.
And everyone lived happily. Ever. After.
The End.
I hope by now you realize that the queen was myself, the three month trims were my trimming schedule, and the bandits were breakage! In tribute to my one and a half year natural journey (May 20th), I decided to embark on a growth challenge. If you read my Natural Hair Journey, you would know that my hair length has been stagnant for the last nine months. I equate this to dryness, wearing my hair out all the time, and constant manipulation. Just a few months ago, I eradicated my old hair regimen and adopted a Curly Girl friendly regimen. And if some of you are asking if this made my hair grow quicker- no, it did not. The Curly Girl Method I believe helped me begin to retain the length I had because my hair was getting constantly moisturized. I know many of you are antsy for me to tell you the secret but trust me; this is important. With this new regimen, I was able to adequately see progress so it was time to take it to the next step.
A month later, the bandits appeared to do their usual dirty work. Unfortunately, they were attacked by the knights at the city's entrance and fled back to the evil king. The king admitted defeat and the kingdom was saved thanks to the wise queen.
And everyone lived happily. Ever. After.
The End.
I hope by now you realize that the queen was myself, the three month trims were my trimming schedule, and the bandits were breakage! In tribute to my one and a half year natural journey (May 20th), I decided to embark on a growth challenge. If you read my Natural Hair Journey, you would know that my hair length has been stagnant for the last nine months. I equate this to dryness, wearing my hair out all the time, and constant manipulation. Just a few months ago, I eradicated my old hair regimen and adopted a Curly Girl friendly regimen. And if some of you are asking if this made my hair grow quicker- no, it did not. The Curly Girl Method I believe helped me begin to retain the length I had because my hair was getting constantly moisturized. I know many of you are antsy for me to tell you the secret but trust me; this is important. With this new regimen, I was able to adequately see progress so it was time to take it to the next step.
A month and a half ago while researching about moisturization, I stumbled on an article entitled Does the “Greenhouse Effect” Really Increase Hair Growth? on my favorite natural hair blog- Black Girl with Long Hair. In short, the Greenhouse Effect creates a tropical environment for your scalp to thrive in. One applies oil to the length of one's hair (not the scalp), don a plastic cap then layer with satin caps or a winter hat. This causes the scalp to rise in temperature and stimulate sebum production. Now originally I didn't do this for the "increase in growth rate;" I did it for the moisturizing benefits and the fact it was Curly Girl friendly.
How is this different from baggying?
For some of the more advanced naturals, one might question if this is equivalent to baggying. No, it is not. Baggying focuses on the retaining and moisturizing the ends of one's hair while the greenhouse method focuses on the scalp.
How is this different from baggying?
For some of the more advanced naturals, one might question if this is equivalent to baggying. No, it is not. Baggying focuses on the retaining and moisturizing the ends of one's hair while the greenhouse method focuses on the scalp.
I did this for about a week or so before I decided might as well go full plunge on a growth challenge. Also, I had made a commitment to myself that I was going to reach armpit length (and grow back my edges) by the end of the summer no matter what. It's funny where determination will get you.
How many of you have heard of Hairfinity or Manetabolism vitamins? Well if you haven't, the results are amazing! Although I was really tempted to go and purchase it, I had to do my research first. A quick scan of the ingredients and they both comprise mostly of MSM and biotin. Since I knew I could get both at my neighborhood supermarket, I did thorough research on both of them (it should be noted that I am NOT a pill person). Although I found good reviews on hair growth with MSM, I couldn't help but to be turned off by the side effects- nausea, diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, headache, insomnia, itching, or worsening of allergy symptoms. Woah. I was not about to risk my life for some damn hair. Uh uh, oh no ma'am! So MSM was definitely out the window for me. On the other hand, I found many good reviews about biotin. One of the best things about it is that one cannot overdose on biotin even in large doses. I'm serious. Look it up for yourself. Moreover, the extra biotin that your body does not need is extracted through urine. Another good thing about biotin is that there are no side effects besides the rare occasion of acne breakouts. Since I have relatively nice skin that isn't acne prone, I decided to give it a try. So along with the greenhouse effect method, I also incorporated 5000mcg of biotin to my diet everyday (I missed two days).
Note: Since companies don't sell biotin pass 5000mcg, I advise you not to take more than that in a day.
How many of you have heard of Hairfinity or Manetabolism vitamins? Well if you haven't, the results are amazing! Although I was really tempted to go and purchase it, I had to do my research first. A quick scan of the ingredients and they both comprise mostly of MSM and biotin. Since I knew I could get both at my neighborhood supermarket, I did thorough research on both of them (it should be noted that I am NOT a pill person). Although I found good reviews on hair growth with MSM, I couldn't help but to be turned off by the side effects- nausea, diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, headache, insomnia, itching, or worsening of allergy symptoms. Woah. I was not about to risk my life for some damn hair. Uh uh, oh no ma'am! So MSM was definitely out the window for me. On the other hand, I found many good reviews about biotin. One of the best things about it is that one cannot overdose on biotin even in large doses. I'm serious. Look it up for yourself. Moreover, the extra biotin that your body does not need is extracted through urine. Another good thing about biotin is that there are no side effects besides the rare occasion of acne breakouts. Since I have relatively nice skin that isn't acne prone, I decided to give it a try. So along with the greenhouse effect method, I also incorporated 5000mcg of biotin to my diet everyday (I missed two days).
Note: Since companies don't sell biotin pass 5000mcg, I advise you not to take more than that in a day.
Now if you guys think I stopped there... No, I didn't!
Even though the Greenhouse Effect Method is suppose to increase your growth rate (keep in mind hair grows at half an inch a month), I still was not satisfied. I revisited the Inversion Method last week as well. Now if you are pregnant or not healthy, PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS METHOD. Had to make that extremely clear because I don't want any wahala oo. Anywho, this method involves having your head inverted for a total of four minutes everyday for a week. After the four minutes are up, one massages their head with oil (preferably with an essential oil) to stimulate their scalp and then off to bed. I did this by hanging my head over the side of my bed while I played a song that was around four minutes long. After that, I massaged my scalp with some tea tree oil, prepared my hair for greenhousing, then off to bed. Unfortunately, I only did this for five days (not including today).
Note: It is not recommended to do this method more than one week in a month. The body will get use to the constant flow of blood resulting in immunity.
Yes my friends. Those were the lengths I went through to get my hair finally to armpit length(APL). I will adopt this growth regimen for a while and see where it takes me. Next stop- boob length! :D ~
Even though the Greenhouse Effect Method is suppose to increase your growth rate (keep in mind hair grows at half an inch a month), I still was not satisfied. I revisited the Inversion Method last week as well. Now if you are pregnant or not healthy, PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS METHOD. Had to make that extremely clear because I don't want any wahala oo. Anywho, this method involves having your head inverted for a total of four minutes everyday for a week. After the four minutes are up, one massages their head with oil (preferably with an essential oil) to stimulate their scalp and then off to bed. I did this by hanging my head over the side of my bed while I played a song that was around four minutes long. After that, I massaged my scalp with some tea tree oil, prepared my hair for greenhousing, then off to bed. Unfortunately, I only did this for five days (not including today).
Note: It is not recommended to do this method more than one week in a month. The body will get use to the constant flow of blood resulting in immunity.
Yes my friends. Those were the lengths I went through to get my hair finally to armpit length(APL). I will adopt this growth regimen for a while and see where it takes me. Next stop- boob length! :D ~