Natural DHT Blocker

What is DHT? 
In short, testosterone converts to DHT with the aid of the enzyme Type II 5-alpha reductase, which is held in a hair follicle's oil glands. Scientists now believe that it's not the amount of circulating testosterone that's the problem but the level of DHT binding to receptors in scalp follicles. DHT shrinks hair follicles, making it impossible for healthy hair to survive.  The hormonal process of testosterone converting to DHT, which then harms hair follicles, happens in both men and women. Under normal conditions, women have a minute fraction of the level of testosterone that men have, but even a lower level can cause DHT- triggered hair loss in women.
http://www.americanhairloss.org/women_hair_loss/causes_of_hair_loss.asp

How does DHT effect hair growth?

• When DHT reaches the hair follicles and dermal papilla, it prevents proteins, vitamins and minerals from providing the needed nourishment to sustain life in the hair of these follicles.
• The hair follicles reproduce at a slower rate and shortens the growing phase of the hair follicles or lengthens its resting stage.
• DHT is responsible for shrinking hair follicle with which the hair follicle gets smaller and finer.  This is how DHT is responsible for about 95% of hair loss. The men or women who lose more hair are those who are genetically pre-disposed in producing more DHT than others.
• DHT tends to create a wax like substance around the hair roots; the accumulation of DHT in the hair follicles and roots that gives rise to male and female pattern hair loss.

Now that we know what dht is; let's find out how to block them.  Come on DHT blocker's.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/68082.php

 Natural DHT Blockers

There is Type 1 5-alpha reductase and Type 2 5-alpha reductase.  Type 2 is the hair killer.  There are two forms of 5a-reductase, and type I is the enzyme in higher amounts around the body, but it is the type II enzyme, which is thought to be responsible for most of the DHT formed in the hair follicle.  Some studies show that both type 1 and 2 have negative effects on hair growth. 

Green Tea
Green tea is a natural dht blocker that many are using successfully to solve hair growth problems.  An infusion that's made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush, which are rushed from the field to the processing plant as soon as they are plucked. There the leaves are steamed or pan-fired immediately to prevent them from fermenting. These unfermented tea leaves contain large amounts of catechins, which are powerful disease fighters and potent antioxidants. And green tea is the only natural source of large amounts of catechins (substances found in green tea which have powerful antioxidant and disease-fighting properties. They belong to the flavonoid family which, in turn, belongs to the larger family of the polyphenols.).
Researchers from Seoul National University College of Medicine in Korea decided to try to find out. For a study published in Phytomedicine in 2006, they measured the effects of green tea’s EGCg on the growth of human hair follicles in a test-tube environment.1 They also looked at what happened when EGCg was applied to dermal papilla cells (DPCs), cells that live in the hair follicle itself and play a key part in hair growth.  EGCg not only stimulated the growth of DPCs in both test tube cultures and the human scalp, it also promoted the growth of the hair follicles. The researchers concluded that EGCg stimulates human hair growth by increasing DPC proliferation and slowing the rate of cell-programmed death.  In my opinion, Green Tea looks like an effective natural DHT blocker.
http://www.greentealibrary.com/Green%20Tea%20&%20Hair%20Growth%20-%20Article.htm

Other Benefits of Green Tea

• May prevent alzheimers
• May extend your years of life
• May prevent certain cancers (lung, breast, colon etc)
• May increase cardiovascular health
• May prevent tooth decay
• May regulate sugar and stop diabetes
• May help with obesity
• No known sides effects (except for not being able to sleep due to caffeine)

There are studies that prove some of the above benefits.

Check out LADY STORE for green tea and other dht blockers.  Click here.

2009 Progress Pictures

I started my hair journey in May 2009.  I learned a lot about my hair.  I found that I need a protein treatment one time a week because of my relaxed tresses and I need plenty of moisture.  It seems that if I spray my hair with a good moisturizing spray to dampen my hair, seal with oil and lastly protective styles; my hair grows with little breakage.  I did have some shedding issues but I dont think I will be able to avoid that.  It's apart of the cycle of life.  Oh yeah, shampooing with a moisturizing shampoo and deep conditioning after two times a week is the best for my hair.

My goals for 2010 is to stick to what I know and add some thickness to my hair.  So far I know that biotin and horsetail contribute to hair thickness.  So I will be researching how to thicken up my hair.  Well as much as possible.

Full Body Detox Completed

I began my full body detox on November 20, 2009.  This continued for 10 days.  What was I thinking?  I did this during the holidays.  Why do I make things hard form myself?  Especially since my aunt made the good macaroni and cheese.  With three kind of cheeses.  Whoa.  But I stayed away from the macaroni and chees, cornbread and dressing.  But I ate some good turkey, orange glazed cornish hens, collard greens (with smoked turkyey not pork) and fresh green beans.

I didn't do so good on the exercising.  I was suppose to exercise three times a week.  That didnt happen.  I exercised one time during these ten days.  I was just too busy.  But Im not giving up on the exercise.  I have to get some muscle.  I really want the nice six pack, toned arms and legs, and toned buttocks.  Oh, by the way when I went on a exercising fit back in June 2009; I had a surge of hair growth.  So I am back to the drawing board on the exercise thing.  Here we go......

I just started incorporating my vitamins back into my daily regimen.  I will be discussing the vitamins I am taking and why for the next few articles.  Vitamins and supplements are important to take in order to have optimal health.  Especially if your diet is lacking in certain areas.  Since foods are processed, most of Americans diets are lacking in proper nutrition.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and you really gave thanks for your loved ones.

Full Body Detox

I was talking to some friends today about the importance of cleansing the body.   I was compelled to do a full body detox to keep liver, kidneys, intestines and skin clean by forcing toxins out.   End result should be feeling lighter, better skin, better circulation and energy. 

Full body detox is suggested to be done one time a year.  I will begin by fasting for 2 days.  Then limiting sugar and saturated fats.  Will eat vegetable, fruits, bean, nuts, fish and occassionally poultry.  Drink 10 glasses of water, in which I already do.  I will detox for 10 days starting 11/21/09.  After the cleansing I will try to maintain my healthy eating habits.  I will be stopping vitamins during this ten days.   Last, incorporating aerobics 3 times a week.

To help with this full body detox, I am using Ultimate Cleanse.  I used it a couple of years ago and it worked fine for me.  Its a two part program. 

Part I - Multi-Herb™. Contains 29 powerful cleansing herbs that target 29 specific body parts (Milk Thistle for the liver, Red Clover for the heart, plus 26 more!) to stimulate the cleansing and release of toxins and poisons trapped in the body from poor dietary habits and environmental pollutants.


Part II - Multi-Fiber™. Contains a blend of 13 fibers and herbs that stimulate bile and promote peristaltic action (producing 2-3 bowel movements per day), while sweeping, toning, and cleansing the digestive and eliminative system.


Ultimate Cleanse Claim:
The End Benefit: You'll fell lighter, better, more energetic, and healthier! You may notice enhanced digestion, better elimination, healthier hair, skin & nails, brighter eyes, increased mental clarity, heightened enthusiasm and vitality, and much more. Cleansing your internal body is like giving yourself an "internal tune-up"! Every body part seems to work better!


There is a host of ingredients listed.  You can go to http://www.ultimatecleanse.net/ to get the ingredient.
There aren't any chemicals added. 

There are so many other full body detox products out there such as Master Cleanse. You know the one Beyonce claims to have used to lose weight.  But my goal is not weight loss but to put my body in a healthier state.  I'll report back in ten days on how this went.

Please do your full research on how to cleanse your body.  Plus ask a physician if you have any questions or concerns.  People tend to just jump on band wagons and harm themselves.

Amla Oil

Amla Oil is made from Amla fruit mostly grown in India.  Other names for this fruit are Indian Gooseberry, Emblic myrobalan, Amla, Amalaki.  The Amla fruit is reputed to have the highest content of vitamin C of any natural occurring substances in nature. Organic amla is almost good for everyone on a regular basis. Indian Research shows that 8.75 mg of natural vitamin C complex from Amla is equivalent to 100mg of the most commonly used synthetic vitamin C. Amla prossesses the highest level of heat and storage stable vitamin C known to man.

Some benefits are:

• The edible fruit tissue of Amla contains protein concentration 3-fold and ascorbic acid concentration 160-fold than those of apples. This fruit also contains considerably higher concentration of most minerals and amino acids than apples.
• Amla juice has twenty times more vitamin C than orange juice.
• Amla is used as cosmetic in India. It is an accepted hair tonic in traditional recipes for enriching hair growth and pigmentation.
• Amla Oil enriches hair growth and pigmentation. It prevents premature graying of hair, dandruff, increases the strength of hair follicles (and thus preventing hair-fall). Customarily, a small amount of Amla oil is applied to the hair after washing. This not only brings forth a rich, natural shine and soft texture to the hair, but also helps rejuvenate hairs that are dull and damaged. It also prevents split hair ends.
• Application of Amla oil over the scalp has a cooling effect. As such, it keeps the mind cool and promotes sound sleep.
• Amla oil along with various other formulations such as herbs like Brahmi, Shikakai and Reetha are very beneficial for mind, hair and body.
• Amla oil is useful for increasing memory

Amla fruit is also eaten to keep the body in health, increase memory and build up immune system support.

There are various brands of Amla oil.  Two of the consistent brand names are Dabur and Hesh.  I came across Garrysun.com and liked the ingredients in his Amla oil and decided to give it a try.
Ingredients for Garrysun Amla Oil:
Amalaki fruit (Emblica officinalis)
Brahmi leaf (Bacopa monnieri)
Ela seed (Elettaria cardamomum)
Gulab petal (Rosa Centifolia)
Kapoor Kachri rhizome (Hedichium spicatum)
Bhringraj whole plant (Eclipta alba)
Musta rhizome (Cyperus rotundus)
Natural sesame oil as base

Brahmi - Cools the scalp and induces sound sleep, Controls dandruff,  Makes hair long, dark, Dense & lustrous, Strengthens hair roots

Bhringraj  - Bhringraj Hair Oil helps to strengthen the hair, gives natural shine to the hair and works well against dandruff by providing health to the scalp, helps prevent hair loss,  helps premature graying of hair, stop hair thinning.

I use amla oil for the pre poo process only. But it can be used to apply to hair during your styling process.
Amla oil has significantly changed the condition of my hair and it has been a growth aid for me.  This was the first item in my hair care mission and my pre poo mix has increased my growth by 1/4 inch. 

The draw back is that this product is expensive.  I bought (2) 16oz bottles at $27.90 each.  On the other hand, I use 3-4 oz at a time in my pre poo mix and the mix lasts for approx. 3 months.  I am still using the first bottle and I bought this in April or May.  Also another thing is that this Amla oil doesnt smell so nice.  That's another reason whty I pre poo with it and do not this amla oil during the styling process.

Resources:
Garrysun.com
Amlaoil.com
Liveherbals.com
Longhaircareforum.com

Miconazole Nitrate (MN) For Hair Growth?

Ok. So, for the last year, maybe longer than that, I have heard a lot about women applying miconazole nitrate to their scalp to encourage hair growth.  Do you know where you get this substance from? You get it from products like Monistat and Neosporin AF. Whaaat?! That's what I said too. Vagistat is used to control skin fungus around the vagina area. (Why am I embarassed to say that. LOL) Neosporin AF is more commonly used for athletes foot. This is an underground treatment women use that is all the rave on hair care forums. I have seen progress picture after progress picture showing amazing hair growth.  Along with giving the hair some thickness. There isn't any experimental proof besides what women have reported on their own accounts at various hair forums.  Also FDA has not approved it for hair growth.  Some swear that using miconazole nitrate will grow your hair faster.  MN use on the scalp is said to have began when women have reported seeing hair growth on the vagina area with the use of this antifungal medicine and someone decided to put it on their scalp.


The theory is that nitrates provide needed oxygen to hair follicules and therefore encourages hair growth. A common side effects is headache. The underground advice that the extra oxygen supply to the scalp causes headache. Who knows. But the advice is to add oils to it.

I have some friends who use MN without any side effects.  I will have to admit their hair is pretty long.  I told them I would give it a try.  Their usual formula is add a full tube of 1.59 2% MN Cream in an empty old jar, some castor oil, grape seed oil, rosemary and peppermint essential oils.  Their mix consists of mostly MN cream.  The funniest part is buying the MN discreetly because you dont want anyone thinking you have something wrong with your lady area. (Doh!)

I do not normally grease my scalp.  But from time to time for 4 weeks at a time I will apply a mixture of castor oil, grapeseed oil and emu oil to my scalp.  Now this works for me.  I do get some added length but most of all thickness.   These oils are noncomogenic (won't clog pores).   So for a little experiment I will mix 3 oz of Jamaican Black Castor oil, 1 oz emu oil, 1 oz of grape seed oil, 1/2 oz of 2% miconazole nitrate cream.  So 5 1/2 oz altogether.  I am using the Target Brand.   I am going to apply to my scalp only 2 times a week.  I am officially starting this on 10/27/2009.  I will end when the mixture is finished.

Now I know I might not see the drastic results that other women will see because of my watered down version.  But this is a mix that I am comfortable with.  This is a one time thing.  I will not return to this no matter what the results show.  Right now I receive 3/4 to 1 inch of growth per month.  I will show you progress pictures of the results when mixture is finished.

Don't you use this unless you have done your own research or asked a physician.  Don't go telling people I told you to try this now.  If you have tried this or had success with other growth aids, leave a comment and let me know how it turned out for you.

My Mission To Grow My Hair And Have Healthy Skin

I started this blog as a means to keep track and journal my hair and skin regimens, obstacles, victories, progress and products. 

Here's a little about myself.  I have always wanted midback-length healthy hair but could not get past shoulder length.  When I did get to shoulder length; I did not like the health of my hair. I have 4b relaxed hair.  My sides are my obstacle for now.  It's the same story for my skin.  I want healthy skin with very few blemishes.

This year I started on my hair and skin mission.  I actually started in May.  I learned that I was totally ignorant about haircare and my skin.  When I started doing just a few simple things, I realized that my hair grows fast.  It grows but can I keep the growth?  That's the big question.  Can I get it to grow healthy? I say, "Yes, Yes Yes!"  I'm gonna go past dreaming and do it.

Basically, I am just like you.  I am on a mission to be Rapunzel and to have skin like a model. Well maybe not that long and I'm too short to be a model but there is a lot of women who dream about long hair and healthy skin.  For me midback length would be long enough.  I also want healthy skin.  I am focusing on my face and legs.

I invite you to watch me grow healthy long hair, obtain healthy skin and most important get the wisdom and knowledge; which cant ever be taken from me.  Hey! Take on the mission with me.  Some may not want long hair but whatever length of hair you have; it should be healthy.

Now, I know it may not be easy, but I'm in this to win.