once again, thanks everyone for the positive feedback! anyone who has ever posted pics knows how good it feels to get so much support and love from others who share the same goal!
rabiaElaine, i'm sure you are just as committed as i am. believe me, it has not taken much from me. the less i do, the more progress i make. so i try to consistently do very little... seriously!!
here is the regime that i've been using for the last couple of years:
• Adrienne's Regime •
In my opinion, these are the two most important rules to achieving your goals:
1. Find the products that are right for your hair, and stop switching to other stuff when someone recommends things.
2. Leave your hair alone as much as possible. This was more important than the first for me. I used to blow dry and curl my hair twice a week. After I got braids and did nothing, that's when it grew. They're not for everybody, but if you can sport them, I highly recommend it.
My hair policy is "less is more"... less manipulation... less heat... less product switching... I put different stuff on my hair depending on how I’m wearing it. So I’ll list it separately. Basically, I’ve been washing my hair once a week. If my scalp is itching bad, I’ll either rinse and condition or wash again depending on why it's itching (dandruff vs. sweaty). I wear my hair up 90% of the time. I think this has helped keep my ends from thinning too much.
UPDO:
- Wash with prescription-strength Nizoral and KeraCare Hydrating Detangling shampoos. I let the Nizoral sit for at least five minutes because I have psoriasis. Then I use the KeraCare Hydrating Detangling shampoo.
- Condition with KeraCare Humecto Cream conditioner. Every other week, I do a protein conditioning with Aubrey GPB.
- Apply Elasta QP Recovery and finger comb. Then apply a mixture of 1/2 World of Curls Activator and 1/2 Let's Jam gel and smooth down for ponytail.
- For the bun: I put Vaseline on my ends, and braid the hair. I tuck it under, wrap a baggie over it. Then I cover it with a cut-off stocking. I put the drawstring ponytail over the stocking and put two scrunchies around it.
- At night, i take off the ponytail and wrap my head with silk or satin scarf.
DOWN:
- Wash and condition same as above
- Apply Elasta QP Recovery and finger comb. Then I work a small amount of Breakthru Heat Style Protecting Foam through my hair. I blow dry on a medium setting. Then I curl or flat iron on 7 or 8 setting. I usually roll it as I go to get the hair out of my way. After I’m finished curling, and before I comb it, I ALWAYS spray some kind of sheen on (right now, it's KeraCare) and rub Avon Dry Ends Serum through it. Both of these products prevent breakage from static. The Avon stuff also smells great! I sometimes use Kiehl’s Crème with Silk Groom in place of either of the other products. I always use two of them though. Lol!
- I wrap my hair every night, and use the Caruso rollers in the morning. I LOVE those things! I put both the KeraCare sheen and Avon Serum on before I comb it in the morning.
TRIMS:
- Never on a schedule, only when needed
RELAXER:
- Affirm Lye every 4 months
VITAMIN REGIME:
here are the vitamins i take and why:
- Central-Vite Multi Vitamin with Antioxidants (1/day)
• overall health
- Kal Super Silica Plus, 400mg (1/day)
• hair growth rate, nail health
- Country Life Biotin, 5mg (1/day)
• hair growth rate, psoriasis, nail health
- TriMedica MSM, 1000mg (1/day)
• hair health, allergies, joint health
- Vitamin Shoppe Evening Primrose Oil, 1300mg (1/day)
• EFA, psoriasis, cholesterol
- Nature's Bounty Combo Vitamin C & E (1/day)
• C (500mg): antioxidant, boosts immune system, aids vitamin absorption
• E (400IU): antioxidant, boost immune system
- Vitamin Shoppe Pantothenic Acid/B5 (3/day)
• hair thickness, growth rate, acne
I take all of the supplements at once first thing in the morning with my protein shake. I haven't experienced any discomfort from doing it this way. Oh, I do this with the exception of the B5, which I do a split dosage of. I take two in the morning, and one at night. I think everything that I take benefits my body in other ways in addition to my hair.
. Girl in no time you will be at waist length. You are really an inspiration to us relaxed heads. Keep up the good work and happy hair growing
