Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I am reminded of good food again. One of my favorite veggies, okra, has inspired me to share some healthy hair tips about growing hair. New hair requires more TLC than many clients realize.
Many of you may enjoy eating various recipes of okra but may not know how the plant begins its birth. A young okra plant has very fragile roots. In addition, its stem is easily broken. If you hold it too roughly, the stem may even snap. An okra grower must nurture each plant with the proper balance of good soil and moisture until it gets strong.
New hair is very similar to a new okra plant and must be handled gently. I find that many clients expect new hair to sustain more abuse than it should in the earliest stages of growth. Often clients get anxious for new hair to grow in full and strong. Unfortunately, you can’t rush the process of growth.
Here are a few tips that should help you avoid putting too much stress on new hair as it grows, especially when you are undergoing a hair loss treatment program:
Tip 1: Try a sulfate-free shampoo. You can find a lot of experts championing the cause of sulfate-free shampoos on the Internet right now. While I believe shampoos with sulfate (found in many bath soaps, conditioners, and shampoos) are fine for strong adult hair, sulfate-free shampoos are my preferred option when a client is focused on hair regrowth and has hair loss. Sulfate, which serves as a strong cleansing agent to remove dirt and oils, is typically too strong for fragile hair. Often, I will use a sulfate shampoo to remove dirt and then follow up with a sulfate-free shampoo to complete. Hair that is fine or color-treated hair may also respond better to sulfate-free shampoos.
Tip 2: Avoid using a lot of heavy products on new hair. New hair cannot take the build-up of hair product residue that stronger hair can. 
Using a lot of sprays and gels disrupts the natural skin shedding pattern. In addition to the heavy use of styling products, engaging in practices like a “conditioning wash” on a regular basis is no-no. Despite the fact that you may read many women posting in hair forums about it, I think that this is a bad idea as a Trichologist. Applying a conditioner without washing your hair is the equivalent of applying deodorant without taking a bath first. Yes, you may think that you smell better. However, you are not really giving the skin (or hair in this case) what it needs.
Tip 3: Keep your scalp clean. Dead skin cells often accumulate on the scalp and make it hard for the hair to grow. By looking under a microscope, I have observed hair growing sideways under the skin of clients. So, the hair IS growing but can’t penetrate the scalp. A clean scalp really is the key to having a healthy head of hair. I recommend all my clients get their scalp “refreshed” every 3 months to eliminate the build up of product residue and unclog pores. Releasing the impurities and waste from the scalp is kind of equivalent of a facial but for the scalp.
So, for Thanksgiving, be thankful for the farmers who take the time to harvest all the delightful vegetables that you can enjoy with your family. Remember, if you tend to your hair in the same fashion, you should be on the road to a healthy head of hair.
Don’t forget about our November promotion to win a Healthy Hair Salon gift basket.
Jackie Creeks