My Inspiration!

This beautiful black woman went through practically the same thing I'm going through now. It's nice to know I'm not alone :)

Inside-Out: Biotin Supplements for Hair Growth

Biotin, a.k.a vitamin B7 is essential for growth of new hair as it plays a vital role in the hair manufacturing process. It helps the body release growth nutrients from fatty acids.

A biotin deficiency may cause hair loss. Biotin is found in foods like liver and egg yolks. It can also be taken as a supplement. The recommended dosage is 1000mcg (micrograms) per day. Pick up a bottle at your nearest health store or large pharmacy.

Hair 101: The Science of Healthy Hair (2)

Hair growth begins in the skin in a hair follicle and has three phases:

1. Anagen Phase: The Growth Phase

The anagen phase is the longest phase in the cycle, lasting 2-6 years. In this phase, epidermal cells that form the root of the hair continually divide. As they divide, new cells push old cells out, producing the hair shaft. Cell division is facilitated by oxygen, energy and nutrients that are supplied through the bloodstream. For more information, see the post on what hair requires to grow.

About 90% of the hairs on a human head are in the anagen phase at any point in time. Each person has about 100 000 hairs on their head.

2. The Catagen Phase: The Destruction Phase

In this phase, the epidermal cells stop dividing and the production of the proteins found in the hair ceases.

3. The Telogen Phase: The Resting Phase

In this phase, the hair simply remains in the hair follicle but stops growing. The hair can easily be pulled out by washing and combing.

4. The Exogen Phase: The Shedding Phase

In one day, about 50-150 hairs are lost due to the exogen phase. Once the hair is shed, the anagen phase begins, and the cycle continues.

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Hair averages a growth rate of about 0.035cm a day, which is about 1cm a month. This means if a hair grows undisturbed through the anagen phase, it can be as long as 24-72cm.

The Big Chop

Some women choose to cut off all their hair when they start their journey to healthy hair. It is not always practical, and is in fact very scary for some women. So how do you make this all-important decision?

It’s important to closely assess the state of your hair. How badly is it damaged? Do you find lots of small hairs break off after as you comb or brush your hair, or even just from touching it? Is you hair thin, dry and brittle? Are the ends of your hair much thinner than the shaft or the roots? Is your hair over-processed? Do you tend to relax your hair all the way to the tips every time?

If you find that only the ends of your hair are damaged while the roots are fairly healthy, then you can get away with changing your hair regime and having regular trims to remove the damaged ends slowly over time.

If you find that all your hair is badly damaged, from the roots, down the shaft, to the tips, then it would be best to do the big chop. However, if it’s too big a step, you could concentrate on having healthy new hair growth and slowly trimming off your damaged hair. You will therefore not notice any growth in terms of length for some time, but you will certainly have thicker hair growing in, that doesn’t break as much.

Whatever you decide, you must trim your ends at least twice a year. I recommend a trim every 8 weeks when removing damaged hair, then twice a year when the healthy state of the hair has been restored.

Can Ethnic Hair Grow Long?

For decades, black women across the globe have believed the misconception that ethnic black hair cannot grow long. My mission is to change that mindset and show you that it is possible to grow healthy, long hair. My emphasis will always be on health not length. However, when your hair is in a healthy state you can choose to grow it to whatever length you choose. The key to healthy hair is self-education and dedication. In this blog, you will find all the information you’ll need to start your healthy hair journey. Good luck!