The Power of Avocado Oil

Avocado (Persea americana) oil is usually categorized as a vegetable oil, despite the fact that, it is actually a fruit. Avocado trees were originally grown in Central America .  In the 21st century, this fruit was considered to be the "fruit of kings" and thus, meant to be consumed only by the royals. Avocado offers tremendous nutritional advantages, has healing and regenerating properties and therefore, it is regarded as one of the best fruits gifted to us by Mother Nature!

Avocado oil is rich in Vitamin A, B1, B2, D, and high levels of E, which are essentially required for proper hair growth. It also contains amino acids, lecithin, and other essential fatty acids. The oil also acts as a humectant which means that it adds moisture to the hair. Contrary to what is often being posted on hair sites and blogs, avocado oil is not a source of protein. The process of extracting the oil and separating the fats prevents protein from being present.

Despite it's absence of protein, avocado oil is a great way to nourish, moisturize, restores health and great shine to mistreated and dry hair because it has such a high vitamins and essential fatty acid content. It also helps to soothe dry, flaky scalp, stimulates the scalp and acts as a natural bactericidal. Finally, avocado oil is one of the few oils that is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols and vitamins that will absorb into the hair shaft. This protects against and helps "repair" damage and stimulate new hair growth. What more can you ask for?!

How can you be sure you are getting the full benefits of avocado oil? Pure unrefined Avocado oil is deep olive green in colour as it still contains chlorophyll and has a very sweet and a bit nutty aroma, which is thick and heavy in texture and lends a waxy fatty feel to the hair. 

You can benefited from this amazing fruit by simply adding the oil to their favourite intense conditioner, as a hot oil treatment or mashing up a ripe avocado and applying it to the hair as a deep conditioner (see below for more instructions). Overtime you will see an improvement in your hair and its ability to retain moisture.  

Shelf Life: 12 Months.

How to Use:

Hot Oil Treatment:

2-3 tbsp Avocado oil*

2-3 tbsp EVCO*

few drops of beneficial EO  of choice (no more than 4 drops per tbsp)

1) Shampoo hair as usual
2) Gently heat up oil using a double boiling method

3) Apply oil to freshly washed towel dried hair then apply a plastic cap and let sit for 20-30 minutes (additional heat may be applied or simply wrap with a towel)

4) Rinse out and style as usual

Deep Conditioner Enhancer:

2-3 tbsp of your favourite deep conditioner. Ideally, you would like a DC that is as natural as possible (e.g. little to no chemicals) and silicon free.

1) Add 1-3 tsp of avocado oil to conditioner

2) Apply plastic cap and sit under hooded dryer and allow to sit for 20-30 minutes

3) Rinse and style hair as usual

                                 

Source

http://blackgirllonghair.com/2014/02/12-ways-to-use-avocado-oil-on-natural-hair/

http://superfoodprofiles.com/truth-avocado-oil-hair-growth
http://blackgirllonghair.com/2011/10/penetrating-oils-vs-coating-oils-which-are-better/
http://science-yhairblog.blogspot.ca/2013/06/oils-which-ones-soak-in-vs-coat-hair.html

                                 

Reflections of Hair that Use to Be...

So I was very troubled by the fact that in essence I manage to only grow 3 inches of hair since January!!!!!!!! That only works to be approx 1/4 and inch per month ! What is worse is that in the process of growing this hair I didn't manage to hold on the the hair I already had, so my hair is the same length. Needless to say I am and trying to figure out what I am doing wrong? I decided to look over the old journal that I kept over the last year and here are some of the things that stood out to me:

November 2008

• I came up with a few goals
• I was very vague about my routines
• I was using a variety of products, jumping from one to another in an effort to finish them off even if they didn't quite work for me (mistake #1)
• I often ran out and grabbed products just because someone suggested it
• I liked my hair!

December 2008

• I'm still liking my hair, washing it more frequently because I was working out. (mistake #2)
• I was roller setting my hair even though it may have been causing my hair to break just to avoid using the flat iron (which I still ended up using by the way). (mistake #3)
• My hair was beginning to break and my ends were becoming trashed, not sure why.
• I wasn't very knowledgeable about protein vs moisturizing products so I think I was overdoing the protein without really knowing it. (mistake #4)
• I was quite heavy handed with products (hair looks greasy and stiff)
• Never fully eliminated my itchy scalp and I was trying to reach all my mini goals at once.
• I was documenting my progress less frequently.

January 2009

• My hair was still breaking
• Made plans to trim every touch up vs. every other touch up
• Plan on using mild protein once a week
• Came to the realization I was still jumping from product to product but didn't stop not sure why.

February 2009

• I didn't document any of my progress!

March 2009

• My hair in the back completely broke off!
• I was not tracking my progress very much (only two entries!)
• I discovered that pre-pooing one hour before was better for my hair/scalp than overnight
• I began alternating between protein and moisturizing conditioners
• I tried my hand at homemade leave in conditioner (glycerin/rose water)
• I began sealing ends with avocado oil
• I noticed less itchiness on the scalp and less breakage
• I was still using too much heat

April 2009

• I  didn't document my progress.

May 2009

• Debating if I should go natural because my hair was completely destroyed.

June to October 2009

• I decided to put extensions in my hair (twist)
• I completely neglected my hair in the process (mistake #5)
• I wasn't documenting progress
• Itchy dry scalp is back

Products that just didn't work for me:

• Mizani Relaxer
• Mizani Hydrafuse (irritated the hell out of my scalp, cause scabs and flaking, but really moisturized my hair)
• Avocado oil (refined/cosmetic grade) seems to dry out my scalp unless mixed with jojoba oil
• AO Island Naturals stripped my hair, but seemed tolerable when I added oil
• Nothing with petroleum (but that shouldn't be a surprise)
• Shea butter on my scalp (made it itch initially)
• Protectiv Healthy Ends (too heavy and greasy)

Products that were just okay for me:

• AO Honeysucke Rose (not as moisturizing as I hoped)
• Safflower oil (made a little stiff if use too much)

Products that did work for me:

• Henna followed by a deep moisturizing conditioner and oils made my hair feel soft and strong
• AOGPB
• Jojoba was a God send to my hair
• Protectiv Break Free
• CON (green bottle), but my hairdresser advised against this product
• Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner

So there you have it...how I destroyed my hair. I think by reflecting on what I was and wasn't doing over the last year has help me understand a little bit more about my hair, and has helped me push that nagging idea out of my head that I just won't have long beautiful hair. It will also keep me focused and remind me of why I need to stick to my routine once I've figured that out. Also I need to make sure I am eating the right types of food, because seriously, even if I was racking a flat iron through it everyday that shouldn't have had an impact on how much hair was coming out of my head. I mean only a 1/4 inch of growth a month! That isn't right at all. I may need to complete another challenge.

                                 

Castor Oil Challenge: Week Two

Day 7 (Nov 1, 2009)

So I was reviewing the challenge guidelines on HI and I'm not allowed to use any other growth aids. I guess it's a good thing I found that other bottle of JBCO, because the smell on the first one was killing me ! I'm not sure if using EO is allowed, but I feel I have to. So note to any of follower hoping to replicate my experiment--please see Week One for more details. 


Day 8 (Nov 2, 2009)
So my scalp was itching a little bit--a little too much for my liking, but nothing too serious. I applied some more Castor oil with my EO blend.

Day 9 (Nov 3, 2009) 
So I had some itching prior to going to bed, and a bit this morning, but nothing too serious. 

Day 10 (Nov 4, 2009)
Scabs and itching.... so I applied some more Castor oil with my EO blend in the evening to see if that would alleviate the issue. Okay, so I'm clearly not following my own guidelines, but technically I'm not breaking any rules either. Apparently as long as I am not using any other growth aids--(still not sure if EOs counts) and I use castor oil a minimum of two times a week, then I am within the guidelines set by Sunshyne.  As an aside, I think the scabbing is occurring because I am allergic to the castor oil. It looks like I may need to blend it with jojoba oil, but I am hearing great things about avocado oil ...

Day 11 (Nov 5, 2009)

Less itching today YAY!

Day 12 (Nov 6, 2009)
 Itching is becoming less noticeable. I notices a few scabs, but hair seems really moisturized! I don't even notice the smell anymore.

Day 13 (Nov 7, 2009)
No itching ! Happy day, happy day, ooooh happy day! It's wash day tomorrow, but I had to make some quick modifications (e.g. wash today instead) due to the fact that it is my birthday in a few days and I have plans with a few people tomorrow. There was some shedding, not too much though. I was very close to skipping my henna until next wash day, but I promised myself that I'd stick with my routine---trying to work for SL here. So here I am sitting with henna in my hair, will wash it out soon (2.5 hours later). I'll see how it works after I wash it out. 

                                 

Relaxer Day

So I got a relaxer today, and I must say I was little disappointed with my progress. I know I shouldn't be too surprised because I have been neglecting my hair big time, which was why I started this blog in the first place . However, I sort of hoped I would see some progress in terms of growth. Alas, there was none! I've posted a picture of my hair below.

As usual, once I returned from the hairdresser I re-washed my hair with Motions neutralizing shampoo, a practice I adopted a few years ago.I will usually let the lather from the shampoo sit on my hair while I take a shower. I do this because I really don't want to take any chances with the relaxer, as many scalp disorders (namely baldness) can occur when the relaxer is not washed out properly. Any woman that self-relaxes her hair will tell you that you need to wash your hair at least 3 times, in which the last wash is done for a minimum of 5 minute to truly neutralize the relaxer. Now ladies, when was the last time a hairdresser neutralized your hair for 5 minutes? Time it and see, I'll bet you it's under 45 seconds! Your probably asking "well why don't I just tell my hairdresser to wash my hair for a longer period of time?" Eh, I'm a control freak and just like to play it safe.

Following my shampoo I proceed with a deep conditioner, utilizing a recipe I got from my girl Sunshyne over at HI, which I use to replenish the lost moisture and proteins that was stripped from my hair during the relaxing process and the multiple washes. For this I applied:

2 tbsp Aphogee Keratin 2 min reconstructor

3 tsp avocado oil

3 tsp castor oil

3 tsp coconut oil

I am going to have to modify this recipe a bit. I found it way too "soupy" with the oil to conditioner ratio way too high. I will update the changes I plan to make.

Following this process I noticed that my scalp didn't feel as tight (irritated) and my hair felt strong. Shoulder-length here I come!

ETA: New post relaxer treatment recipe

3 tbsp Aphogee Keratin 2 min reconstructor

1 tsp avocado oil

1 tsp castor oil

1 tsp coconut oil