Healthy Hair Chronicles - Starting A Hair Journey

Hey hair friends! I am here to share with you about how I started my hair journey. Starting a healthy hair journey can be very overwhelming and most of all FRUSTRATING. Guess what? I am here to help with some of my experiences! Lets get started girrrrrl!

This picture was taken 4 years into my hair journey. In this picture I was able to reach past midback length. This is the longest length I have achieved ever in lifffffeeeeee.

What is a hair journey? A hair journey is defined by changing old hair habits in order to gain healthy hair. For some people this could be short term or long term. In 2008 I decided to go for a long term goal of making a "hair life" change lol. I am still currently on a hair journey to keep my hair healthy. Within a hair journey it requires a little more love, time and care through a hair routine of treatments and conditioning etc.


Where do I begin with a hair journey? I am lost! In the beginning I asked my myself many questions about my hair. Why is my hair so thin? Why is my hair dry? Why do I have dandruff? Why is my hair breaking off? Why doesn't my hair ever grow past shoulder length? How do I fix this?

This is a comparison photo of how my hair health in high school and my hair state in my current adulthood. Back in high school I did not have the knowledge or techniques to gain full hair health. I used to depend on my hair stylist to care for my hair. I know now that I must have home care also lol.

First! Recognize your the hair issues! What are you doing to your hair? These were some of the things that I noticed wrong with my hair routine and care.

• Over use of heat! Using heat multiple times during the week. This caused breakage and dryness!
• My styling techniques and tools caused breakage! (Small tooth combs, over manipulation!)
• Using terrible hair products! Which causes dryness. etc (Products with alcohol, mineral oil, petroleum)
• Lack of care to my hair! Which caused dryness and breakage. (No deep conditioning, no moisturizing, washing every 2-3weeks, no treatments etc.)
• Relaxing every 6-8 weeks! For me this caused over processing, thinning and breakage
• Did not cover my hair properly EVERY night with a satin/silk scarf! Causes breakage and dryness.
• Not doing the proper home care between salon visits. I would put full responsibility on my hair stylist to give me healthy hair when it should be a team effort.
• Thinning edges caused by pulling my hair back too tight! Caused breakage and thinning around my hairline.

How do I fix my hair? Get your hair knowledge on! Research!
After I recognized what my issues were I then began to research ways to correct my hair health. During the research process it can be very overwhelming in the beginning. Back in 2008 the internet became my best hair friend. I found many helpful hair videos on Youtube on relaxed hair care. I watched so many ladies with beautiful long relaxed hair. I wanted some of thaaaat lol. I found my very first hairspiration Traycee. I watched many of Traycee's healthy hair care videos. From watching Traycee's hair videos I found her healthy hair care forum KISS (http://www.k-i-s-s.biz/). I then began to read all the helpful hair care post on treatments, conditioning, oils, product knowledge, healthy styling and so much more. Hair forums are great places where you can seek help and support from fellow women who have the same hair interest and struggles that you have.

Left photo taken in 2008. My hair was very thin and over processed! The right photo was taken in the summer of 2012.

"I GOOOOT THE KNOWLEEEEDGE!" Now you are done getting your research on. You have now gained some knowledge about all the treatments that you can do and possible products wish to try. What now? I have the knowledge but I am still a little confused.
What do I try first? I am overwhelmed! When it was time for me to actually start my treatments and routine I was very overwhelmed. I did not know what products I wanted to try or even what treatments I wanted to try first. I believe the easiest way to go about it is to start off slow. Try things here and there. Your not going to have a legit routine for a few weeks or even months. During this time it is a trial and error process to find out what works for your hair and what doesn't. When you try a treatment and your hair likes it keep note of it. Keeping track of what your hair likes will help you develop your regimen down the line.

Left photo was taken in 2004 during high school and the right photo was taken in 2010.

Products Products Products! AAAAH! ITS TOO MUCH! In the very beginning you will read and watch a lot of videos about products you wish to try etc. Only try a few things at a time. I wouldn't suggest buying a lot of products because "Cindy Sue" is using them and her hair is long. Only try out products and you have heard good reviews on and that interest you. Will every product work? NOOOOO! Will it take you a little while to find products that work for you? YESSSSSSS! You may even figure out that the products that you already use are great product but you may have been using them incorrectly!

When should I start my hair "Reggie?" Once you feel comfortable about your hair and product knowledge you then can begin creating your regimen. In the beginning is best to start of simple! EXAMPLE: Wash and deep conditioning once a week and moisturizing your hair nightly. Don't overwhelm yourself with too many things because it may be hard to keep up. Through the weeks add things that you feel may be helpful to your hair.

Left photo was taken in 2003 and the right photo was taken early 2013.
How soon should I expect result? My hair is taking too long! In the beginning I got so frustrated with my hair. I felt like it would never get to a certain point. I had set none realistic goals for my hair! Only pay attention to your hair and not how long you "think" it should be based on others hair growth. For me I saw a change in my overall hair health and look before I noticed a length change. It may take a couple of months to notice a great difference. Most of the time other people will notice your hair looking better before you will since you see your hair everyday. My father noticed my hair looking more healthy before I did! LOL


Monitor your progress! How do I know if my reggie this is working? Photograph and date your progress! Take a photo of your hair before your hair journey to compare your hair health during the months to come. I myself used to take photos every two months to see my result. Photos are great because you can track how far you have some and helps you track a new problem area in your hair that needs improvement. You can also use length tee shirts, or judge your growth by your bra strap.

Left photo was taken Sept 2008 when I first started my hair journey! The right photo was taken after a fresh trim Feb. 2013.

Ask your home girl friend! During this process you are going to run into straight confusion lol. Its always good to ask fellow ladies about certain things or even your hairspirations to gain clarity on certain things. We are a hair familyyyyy!
ALLLLLL RIIIIIIIGHT! LOL! That concluuuuudes my post about the baby stages of starting a hair journey! Hopefully you will be able to take a few things away from this post and apply it to your own journey! I will have a video post on my Youtube channel on this topic as well. I want to wish you all a happy hair journey and happy growwwwing! Feel free to email me your questions and concerns on Youtube or leave a comment below! :)