How To Naturally Grow Long Natural Hair Fast

Follow these few simple rules and you too can grow long natural hair:

Step 1: Shampooing

Black hair textures tend to be dry, delicate and tangle more easily than non-ethnic hair, and many African Americans avoid washing their hair on a regular basis for fear of stripping hair of all its moisture. Yet bacteria can grow easily on the scalp if it’s not regularly washed. Generally, your hair should be washed every 7 to 10 days and you should never go more than 14 days without washing your hair. In the interim, there are several things you can do to maintain styles and prevent breakage in the process. Choose shampoos that are all natural and free of sulfates, to avoid damaging hair in the washing process. After each wash, follow up with a moisture rich, silicone-free conditioner for at least 5 minutes. While the conditioner is working its magic, make sure you detangle and section your hair off in the shower, to reduce breakage during the styling process.

“There are currently only three known triglycerides that are scientifically proven to penetrate the hair shaft to repair the outer cuticle: Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil and Olive Oil. Hazelnut and Macadamia oil also have the added ability to penetrate the hair cortex and moisturize the inner most layer of the hair called the “medulla.” If you read the ingredients, you cannot go wrong, as long as you look for products containing one of these key ingredients”

Step 2: Styling

If you want to grow long natural hair, you will need to start incorporating protective styles into your routine. So what exactly is a “protective style”? To state it plainly these are styles that protect the ends of your hair. As hair grows out of the scalp, it starts off very thick and strong, but through heat, styling and regular washing, hair can become brittle and dry. The ends are the oldest parts of your hair and need to be treated very carefully. One of the biggest misconceptions about African American hair is that it is tough to grow, but this is far from the truth. As long as your ends are protected, your hair can retain the full ½ inch that grows each month. Browsing the internet, you will notice a lot of sites dedicated to “natural hair styles” such as locks, twists, and braids, but these styles aren’t necessarily for everybody. Not to worry. There are other ways to protect the ends of your hair. For example, instead of tying your hair back with elastics, try pining it up with bobby pins into pretty styles. Hair wraps and roller sets are another great way to protect the ends of your hair, while applying much less heat than conventional blow drying and flat irons. These styles are not only sleek and professional, they allow for maximum protection for the oldest parts of your hair. Don’t be afraid to be creative, just make sure your primary goal is protecting your ends. If you can consistently avoid breakage and split ends, you can grow 3 inches in just 6 months.

Step 3: Maintenance

Growing long natural hair can be really easy and does not have to cost you a fortune. Yet, the key to maintaining long natural hair is the use of products that penetrate the hair shaft and cortex. Most commercial products create a coating that simply sits on top of the follicle, building up over time and leading to breakage; only to be washed away in the shower. They provide no lasting nutrients or vitamins, and often fail to bond to hair. In contrast, products that penetrate the hair shaft and cortex can actually bond to follicles. This prevents hair from drying out after washing, and strengthens hair almost immediately. There are currently only three known triglycerides that are scientifically proven to penetrate the hair shaft to repair the outer cuticle: Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil and Olive Oil. Hazelnut and Macadamia oil also have the added ability to penetrate the hair cortex and moisturize the inner most layer of the hair called the “medulla.” If you read the ingredients, you cannot go wrong, as long as you look for products containing one of above mentioned triglycerides. Ingredients like castor oil, jojoba oil, corn oil, mineral oil, petroleum, water, alcohol or silicone do absolutely nothing to benefit your hair. Sure, it may feel softer or shine more temporarily, but they cannot penetrate the hair shaft.  The Cold Press Shop makes 6 all natural chemical free hair collections, that are guaranteed to penetrate the hair shaft. Just figure out what your needs are and choose a collection that’s right for your hair type.

Remember-

• We can all grow long natural hair
• Shampoo and condition every 7-10 days
• Incorporate protective styles in your routine as often as possible, to protect ends & prevent breakage
• Use all natural products that penetrate the hair shaft or cortex
• For more information or to shop visit The Cold Press Shop. 

Why Keratin And Silicone Are Bad For Your Hair

Silicone and Sulfates

Silicone creates a hydrophobic water-proof coating that is not water soluble, which means you cannot simply rinse it out. While many manufacturers brag about silicone’s ability to block humidity and lock in moisture, after repeated daily use, silicone will build up and create a layer of residue that sits on top of your hair. Over time, this silicone coating begins to block moisture from penetrating the hair cortex, which ultimately dries out the hair shaft and leads to excessive damage. As moisture continues to be blocked by the silicone coating you will see increased split ends, brittle hair, dryness and excessive breakage. Unfortunately, you have to use shampoos that contain Sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate to actually remove silicone, from your hair.

“Sulfates are powerful detergents that cannot be used with keratin protein treatments. Unfortunately, sulfates are the only known way to remove the chemical “silicone,” which is contained in most over the counter hair products. Unless properly removed, silicone will build up over time and lead to breakage.”

Keratin and Shampoo

Sodium laurel sulfate, ammonium lauryl ether sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, cocobetaine, or ammonium lauryl sulfate are all highly toxic, carcinogenic, chemical substances that strip hair of moisture, cause scalp irritation, and may even cause cancer. They are also the key ingredients in the most common over the counter shampoos, and are strictly prohibited for use on keratin treated hair.

Solutions

One of the main reasons why silicone is such a popular ingredient is its resistance to water and humidity. So what’s a girl with a keratin treatment to do? Well there are some great, all natural, humidity resistant products that both repel water and strengthen hair, that are also safe for use with keratin. The key to achieving the same results without the use of silicones is finding products that are oil based and completely free of water. And unlike silicones, when it comes to oil based products, a little goes a very long way. At The Cold Press Shop we offer several collections that are completely free of synthetic silicones, sulfates, silicates, parbens, alcohols, or contaminated water. You can choose from 6 different hair collectionsthat are each designed to treat individual needs and hair types. Make sure you give oil-based products at least a few weeks to work their magic to level overactive oil glands and restore the natural moisture balance of your hair. For more information visit The Cold Press Shop.

Have You Tried Nadia’s Collection By the Cold Press Shop?

Why It Works: Nadia’s Collection is 100% all-natural argan oil that is free of any chemicals, dyes, parabens, silicones and pesticides.Infused with cold pressed argan oil, this nutrient rich hair product is clinically shown to penetrate the hair shaft and repair damage caused by environmental extremes, excessive styling, destructive agents, relaxers and perms. What’s more, this nutrient rich serum is clinically shown to rebuild the cellular membrane, restore damaged proteins, strengthen tresses and tame damaged, unruly hair. This moisture rich conditioning oil is lightweight enough for daily use, and because it’s enriched with nutrients and omega fatty acids, Nadia’s Signature Argan Serum will leave your hair noticeably shinier, fuller, thicker and stronger.

Nadia’s Signature Argan Serum was designed to treat fine, mixed, wavy, frizzy hair types, and is shown to repair weak, delicate, curly or unruly hair. From strengthening strands to reversing thinning, Nadia’s Argan Oil equally protects hair from humidity and environmental extremes to smooth frizz, define curls and maintain styles all day long.

The best part is just how easy Nadia’s Argan Oil is to use. You just smooth dime sized amounts over hair as needed daily to control unruly hair.

The Importance of Penetrating the Hair Shaft

Have you ever found yourself drowning in a sea of hair products wondering why nothing seemed to work as promised? If so, it may be because the ingredients in your hair products aren’t penetrating the shaft of your hair. Did you know that only the following triglycerides have been scientifically proven to penetrate the hair shaft and repair the outer cuticle layer of damaged hair: Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil and Olive Oil; while Hazelnut and Macadamia Oil have the added ability to penetrate the hair cortex and moisturize the inner most layer of the hair, known as the medulla? These nutrient rich oils increase blood flow to the scalp, which in turn repairs damage and stimulates hair growth. Using these specific oils can strengthen tresses over time to transform dry, brittle hair into soft shiny hair.  By comparison, oils like castor oil, jojoba oil, corn oil, mineral oil, and petroleum may coat the hair with oil rich moisture, but cannot penetrate the hair shaft. But what exactly does this mean?

If you want to turn your hair around, you must use products that repair the cuticle and cortex of your hair follicles by penetrating the hair shaft

Each follicle or hair “shaft” is made up of distinct individual layers that affect the natural state of your hair.  The first layer of the hair shaft is called the “cuticle.” This outer most layer is extremely susceptible to damage from heat, residue, build up, daily styling, dying and processing. The second layer is known as the “cortex,” and this inner-most layer is highly susceptible to damage and abuse as well. Without penetrating the outer cuticle, it can be very difficult to strengthen and repair the inner cortex. So if you want to turn your hair around, you must use products that repair the cuticle and cortex of your hair follicles by penetrating the hair shaft.

By reversing cellular damage to hair, you can immediately begin to stimulate growth. Readily using products fortified with shaft penetrating oils is one of the best ways to promote regular hair growth. The collections at The Cold Press Shop are all natural and made only of cold pressed organic oils that are guaranteed to penetrate the hair shaft and cortex. Rub a little on your ends or spray it directly to the root every day, and your hair will be noticeably softer, shinier and stronger. Just figure out what your needs are and choose a collection that’s right for your hair type.

 

Know What’s In Your Child’s Hair Products: Choosing the Best Organic Hair Products For Children.

By now, you’re probably familiar with the many cancer causing chemicals found in hair products, but did you know these same chemicals are often found in children’s hair products? Baby products aside, if you browse the children’s section of the hair aisle in most drug stores, you will discover products riddled with as many chemicals as are often contained in their adult counterparts. From phthalates hidden in fragrances, to shampoos filled with sulfates, children’s hair products are rarely safe despite being designated for younger clientele. While most children actually require little to no conventional hair products or styling aids, children of mixed ethnicity and those with black heritage often suffer from dryness that leads to breakage and stunted growth. So what’s a parent to do?

Begin by shopping for organic, chemical-free products like natural oils that stimulate the hair shaft and coat delicate follicles. Unlike chemical laden children’s products, natural products moisturize hair longer, so that a little goes a long way and hair stays hydrated longer. What’s more, due to their high absorption levels, shaft penetrating oils won’t leave behind any reside or film, so you can extend shampooing cycles to once or twice a week.

In conjunction with using chemical free, organic hair products, protective styles such as braids and up-dos, also keep delicate hair tucked away, which serves to reduce breakage and retain moisture so hair will stay shiny and healthy.

In choosing the best oil for your child’s hair, consider your child’s needs. If their growth is stunted or hair feels dry, avocado oil is wonderful for moisturizing strands and stimulating growth. For frizzy hair try coconut oil, which nourishes and moisturizes dry hair, while making protective styles stay put. Hazelnut oil is great for taming unruly curls and mending split ends, while Macadamia Oil will help to make their hair lay flat and stay sleek, with added moisture and shine.

At the end of the day, it is the responsibility of parents to review the ingredients contained in the hair products they use on their children to ensure they are void of toxic chemicals and cancer causing agents. Remember, only you can protect your family from toxic chemicals that are in their hair products. So take the time to invest in the same quality hair products for your children as you would for yourself.

Click SHOP to browse our selection of wonderful chemical and phthalate free hair products     for you and your child.

What’s My Hair Type and What Natural Oils Will Benefit My Hair?

Whether it’s course, kinky, curly or straight, knowing your hair type can help you determine how best to treat your hair. In general, hair is first divided into 4 main categories with type 1 hair being straight, type 2 wavy, type 3 curly and type 4 kinky; then subdivided into 3 categories as follows:

Type 1A Hair is very fine and thin with a soft, straight texture that tends to be oily and rarely breaks

Type 1B Hair is straight with a medium texture that is often rich in volume and body, but is difficult to curl

Type 1C Hair is very thick, but bone straight, and is also difficult to curl

Type 2A Hair is slightly wavy but very thin, and is often delicate, fine and oily

Type 2B Hair is soft and wavy and has a medium texture with an S curl-pattern, but is sometimes frizzy or dry.

Type 2C Hair is thick and wavy with a courser texture and S curl-pattern that also has a tendency to frizz

Type 3 A Hair is soft yet very curly, and tends to be fine in texture

Type 3 B Hair is extremely thick and curly with lots of volume, and is very full

Type 3 C Hair has a thick course texture with a tightly woven defined curl pattern

Type 4 A Hair is very wiry, tightly coiled and fragile, but feels soft to the touch and has a defined kinky S pattern

Type 4 B Hair is often wiry and dry with a z shaped curl pattern and course texture 

Type 4 C Hair is the driest and coarsest hair texture with little to no defined curl pattern and is the most delicate type of hair

Once you have determined your hair type, you can then explore various treatment options that suit your natural texture. Whether your hair type is wavy, kinky, tight or lose, curlier textures tend to be drier because it is difficult for oil to travel from the glands in your scalp, to the ends of your hair. When hair is straight, oil can travel easily along each strand to reach the ends of your hair. However, when it comes to curly hair, oil must travel through a maze of twists and turns in order to moisturize the entire strand, making ends feel brittle, split, and break more easily. Supplementing your hair with natural oils is one of the best ways to restore hair and prevent breakage, regardless of hair type. 

For Hair Types 2A, 2B, 3A & 3B: Try Hazelnut Oil. Rich in Vitamin E and other bonding proteins that penetrate the hair cortex, this lightweight hair can turn dull, limp strands to into thick voluminous hair, without weighing it down. Due to its natural ability to penetrate the hair cuticle, hair will become noticeably healthier with each use. To apply, rub a couple of drops of oil between the palms of your hand until warm, and spread evenly over hair working from the tip to the root. Do this nightly before shampoos or twice a week as needed, for thicker, fuller more vibrant hair.

For Hair Types 2C and 3B: Try Macadamia Oil. This medium-weight oil mimics the feel of silicone and can help eliminate frizz, while penetrating the cortex to define curls and repair damaged strands. Apply a few drops daily working from tip to root to distribute evenly, for softer, shinier hair.

For Hair Type 3C: Try Coconut Oil. If you love the look of gelled hair but hate that sticky residue it often leaves behind, then coconut oil will work wonders with daily use. Solid below 76 degrees and liquid above, this versatile oil can define curls and moisturize thirsty strands to leave you with touchable soft, frizz free hair.

For Hair Types 4A, AB & 4C: Try Avocado Oil. Loaded with healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, this nutrient rich oil has been clinically shown to penetrate the hair cuticle and rebuild fibers from the inside out, while moisturizing even the driest of strands. Spread generously over the hair and scalp daily as needed, to prevent breakage and stimulate growth. Over time, hair will become stronger and break less; allowing you to retain length and grow longer hair.

Click SHOP to Browse Our Collection of Natural Cold Pressed Hair Oils So You Can Find The Perfect Oil For Your Hair Type.

Easy One Step Solution Guaranteed To Moisturize Low Porosity Natural Hair

Getting moisture into Low porosity natural hair is a real problem for women who use poor methods for moisturizing their hair. Hair that isn’t porous has an inability to get moisture and retain moisture. The result of low moisture hair is dry, brittle, unruly hair with ugly split ends. Fortunately, this is a problem that has an easy solution.

Ava’s Collection from the Cold Press Shop offers an easy one step solution that is guaranteed to get moisture into and to retain moisture in low porosity hair.  Applying the benefits of cold pressed avocado oil, Ava’s Collection reduces dryness in individual hair strands and  is scientifically proven to penetrate even low porosity hair. More importantly, Ava’s cold pressed avocado oil is a natural, chemical free product that does not leave a coating or residue buildup on the hair.

Most  Common Methods Used To Moisturize Hair Have Built In Failure for Various Reasons. Lets review some of them.

1. Multi-Steps and Multi-Product Solutions—besides tiring, simply doesn’t work. Many of the products used in multi-products, multi-step solutions actually damage the hair strand. Aloe Vera, for example clogs the cuticle, while heavy oils and creams cannot penetrate the hair shaft. Sitting on the hair, these heavy oils and creams actually create a barrier that does not let moisture in.

2. Putting Moisturizing Products On Hair While Hair Is Wet—simply doesn’t work. It is similar to  putting moisturizer on your face while your face is wet. The moisturizer is simply diluted and doesn’t penetrate your skin or your hair. It can only ineffectively sit on the face or hair and fade into dryness when the wetness evaporates.

3. Applying Hot Moisture Using A Hair Steamer— by definition is problematic. The rules of this method suggest sitting under a hair steamer for up to 30 minutes. But heat in the long run damages the hair and is definitely not good for hair that is naturally dry with difficulty in being moisturized.

4. Covering Your Hair With A Bag Or Plastic Wrap–while sleeping or during the day to build up water vapor inside the bag may sound good to the uninformed, but..do we need we say more?

Obviously, the best way to get moisture into your hair is to use a product that is easy to use, that penetrates the hair strands, and does not sit on or clog the hair and hair follicles,

Ava’s Avocado Collection is special because its unique properties are proven to penetrate the hair shaft. Currently, only three triglycerides have been scientifically proven to penetrate the hair shaft without coating or residue build up. Ava’s Cold Pressed Avocado Oil is one of those three triglycerides.

Do your low porosity hair a favor. Stop using cheap or expensive commercial products that use cheap fillers under various names like cetyl alcohol, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, heat processed vegetable oil, petroleum jelly, mineral oil, water,color additives, formaldehyde, propylparaben, and silicone just to name a few.

All of the products offered in the Cold Press Shop  6 Collections of beauty products are natural, cold pressed, and they work.

Common Misconceptions About Black Hair

Black Hair Has The Same Texture

One of the biggest misconceptions about Black hair is that it is mostly kinky and course in texture. This is just not the case. Generally speaking ethnic hair is soft, but tends to grow more slowly, contain less water, and break more easily than non-ethnic hair. Yet, Black people come in various shades and colors, and our is no different. Some black women will find that their hair is long, but thin or fine, and lacks body and volume. Other black women have hair that is full of volume with a luxurious curl pattern, but find their hair is often dry, brittle, or breaks easily. Whether you’re natural or relaxed, rock a fro or roller set, you must recognize that the way you maintain and treat your hair will affect the texture and strength of your hair.

Black Hair is Difficult to Style

Believing that Black hair is created equal often leads to the misconception that because a product is geared toward ethnic men and women, the product will automatically work for all ethnic hair types. But as you probably already know this is simply not the case. When shopping, you should look for products that are designed to treat the texture and needs of your hair. Doing so will make it much easier to tame and style your hair. To enhance curl patterns, use products that mimic sebum, the oil you naturally produce on your hair and scalp. To impart luster and shine to otherwise dry dull hair, use only those products that penetrate the hair shaft. To create volume and fullness, try using products that penetrate the hair cortex.

Black Hair Cannot Be Washed Every Day

Due to the fact that ethnic hair tends to be dry, delicate and tangle easily, many Black men and women avoid washing their hair on a regular basis for fear of stripping the hair of all its moisture. However, this misconception could not be further from the truth because bacteria can grow easily on the scalp if it’s not regularly washed. While hair should be washed every 7 to 10 days, you should never go more than 14 days without washing your hair. In the interim, there are several things you can do to maintain styles and prevent breakage in the process. You should avoid products that fail to penetrate the hair shaft and cortex. Most commercial products create a coating that simply sits on top of the follicle and build up, which leads to drying and breakage over time. In contrast, products that penetrate the hair shaft and cortex can actually bond to the follicle, so moisture and nutrients remain on the hair even after it’s washed. This prevents hair from drying out and shedding after washing.