Natural Hair Chronicles - Hair Loss Recovery

During pregnancy, like most women, my hair grew and thicken over the many months.  Supported by a healthy diet and pre-natal vitamins, my hair is always healthiest during pregnancy.

With the many benefits of pregnancy and childbirth, there are of course some things that aren't so great.  One of these things is the post-partum hair shedding.  I won't get into all the science and medical jargon in explaining the why and the how this happens.  

I'll just say my edges went from this in March...

to this by the end of May.

Typically, the natural shedding process doesn't begin until 2-3 months after giving birth, as your hormones start getting back to normal levels.  However, nursing staved off the process for me for a few weeks.

But when it did begin, it was relentless in the dramatic effect it had on my edges.  I have to say that with all the other necessary distractions and shift in focus that comes with being a mother and adding another child to our family, the change in my hair seemed to happen overnight.  I did notice a significant increase in the number of strands that collected in my comb and my fingers as I cared for my hair, but the final results, I never saw coming.

So now what?...

I doubled down on my hair care regimen.

First, I needed to directly address the issue of my edges.  After some research, I purchased a product recommended by Felicia of Loving Your Hair with Natural Care. 

*Organic Root Stimulator's Fertilizing Serum Herbal Scalp Formula

(This particular product is for natural hair textures, braids, and weaves.  

The Fertilizing Temple Balm is for relaxed, blow-dried, or pressed hair.)

 

Initially (first 2 weeks), I used the fertilizing serum along my edges twice a day.  After this initial period, I made sure to include the serum treatment in my standard hair regimen at least twice a week before bedtime.

In addition to my standard regimen, I upped my deep conditioning sessions from once a month to twice a month. Since my time is limited, I've forgone making my own conditioning mix and now using the Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque, as well as the shampoo and conditioner in the product line.  I've used these products in the past when I was "newly natural" and got great results.  

 

My hair steamer is still packed away since we just moved into our new home in June. But I stumbled upon the Hair Therapy Wrap I got a couple years ago.  It's the perfect fit for my demanding schedule.  I can continue multitasking and getting things done while treating my hair.  The results don't quite equal that as compared to steaming my hair, but something is better than nothing.

With my hair separated into six sections (2 front, 2 middle, 2 back), I saturate my hair with the Deep Treatment Masque, detangle each section with a wide-tooth comb and modified Denman brush, and then twist each section. 

I heat the head wrap up in the microwave for 2 minutes and put on a plastic cap before securing the wrap on my head.

 

I sport my fancy head gear for 45 minutes to an hour.  Hop in the shower. Shampoo, condition, and rinse each section. With my hair still damp, I apply my favorite leave-in conditioner and seal with a bit of my shea butter/coconut oil mix.

If I feel like it, a couple hours before bed, I set my hair in twists in preparation for a fresh twistout in the morning.

This has been my routine over the past six weeks and my hair has responded and rebounded quickly.  Check out the difference in my edges...

I'm so pleased with the results.  I'll provide another update as my hairline recovers.

Latifah

Natural Hair Chronicles - "Making It Work"

 

Living In Color and Loving My Hair!!!

 

At the beginning of my natural hair journey, like many, I turned to the Internet and YouTube for inspiration and support in making the transition.  The wealth of information was astounding.  I don't know why I didn't think to do this before my first attempt was a failure.  Thanks to YouTubers and natural hair enthusiasts like Naptural85, NaturalChica, and others, I finally have the knowledge, tools and confidence required to care for and grow health hair naturally.

Like I shared in Welcome to Our World, I tend to always put myself in a position where I'm juggling/multitasking to the limit.  Case in point, within the last year alone, I've had to juggle finishing my doctorate degree, buying a home (which is still in the renovation process), pregnancy, a pre-tween son, a toddler who's determined to test the limits of the "Terrible Twos," and a host of other everyday life issues. 

Needless to say, all these 'round the clock responsibilities greatly dictate my hair care routine.  Like most women, much of my time is spent taking care of the needs of others; leaving little time for myself.  This is especially the case for my hair.


So, for the past several months, I've been determined to find a hair care routine that fits into my hectic schedule without sacrificing the quality and effectiveness of the care and the health of my hair.


Now, I have my standard go-to ingredients for my homemade products....

Shea butter, coconut oil, castor oil, EVOO, argan oil, jojoba oil, and a host of other natural and essential oils have given my hair so much life.

For the essential everyday moisture my hair requires - WATER!!! and to seal in the moisture, a homemade coconut oil & shea butter mixture

When time permits, I add a few additional ingredients to my bottle.  But as long as I get my water in (at least twice a day), I'm good.



Teaching my daughters how to care for their own hair in its natural state is also a priority for me.  So whenever I'm moisturizing and sealing, I chase her down and do the same with her hair.  She's starting to get use to the routine. Sometimes we have to play a game of "Cat and Mouse."

Twisty Curly

A natural hair care must have - Satin scarf or bonnet

Doing it her way.

Embracing my natural hair in all its kinky curly glory has inspired a whole new layer to my overall style.  I'm in love with color and take every opportunity to build on variety in my hair accessories color palette.  From hair pins to scarves to headbands, accessorizing is so much fun for me, Mama, Ya, and my girls.

Shop 'til we drop

Still need more color

  

    

It's been fun learning new techniques and trying out new styles and accessories.  My everyday wear hair and my favorite style is the two-strand twistout. I love it because easy and flexible when it comes to styling.  Plus, I've perfected a "Just Gotta Get It Done" version of the style on the days when time is not on my side.

My hair twin.

Color Splash

But when time does permit, when the stars are aligned in my favor, I relish in pampering myself with a weekly hair steamer session.  It does so much for my hair.  It enhances deep conditioning and infuses my hair with moisture resulting in softer, more manageable hair. 

One of the best purchases and investments for my hair care.

Freshly steamed!!! Critical for my hair's recovery from post-partum hair loss around my edges.

And this is why a steaming session is a rarity in my weekly routine.  Gotta love 'em.

Just stay calm. Mama's almost done.

Now the juggling act.

Thank you for your patience.

In all our Kinky Curly Fabulous Glory!

Latifah