I have been hearing ALOT of talk lately about ceramides. At first I thought, they were just abother "craze" or something and didn't pay the "talk" any attention but, after further research, ceramides are actually quite beneficial to our hair. I was also shocked when I found out that I had been using ceramides for years now!


Here are some excerpts from an article written on Associated Content By Audrey Sivasothy:


What are Ceramides?


"Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids (or fatty materials) found in the hair fiber or naturally in the skin. According to Butler and Poucher, ceramides molecules that "bind the cuticle cells to the cortex and Ceramides naturally exist within the hair fiber, sandwiched in a region between the cuticle and cortex called the cell membrane complex (CMC). Here along with the proteins in the CMC, they regulate the flow of materials in and out of the cortex. Because they essentially bind the cuticle cells to the cortical cells, ceramides help keep our hair from falling apart! Ceramides are also believed to play a role in the hair's transition from "live cells" within the follicle and beneath the skin's surface, to the dead, keratinized hair shafts that we see."

"Ceramides are needed as a part of any basic moisture and protein conditioning plan to restore the hair's health."

"Heat users will find that ceramide-rich products greatly improve the condition and appearance of heat-abused hair. Those who dabble in hair color will also find that their colors deposit more evenly when the hair has been conditioned with ceramide-rich products prior to the service. Ceramides have also been shown to protect the hair against ultraviolet radiation from outside sun exposure. While ceramides do offer a protective effect in these situations, exposure to heat, hair coloring, and the sun do reduce the hair's ceramide stores. Therefore regular conditioning is needed to replace reduced ceramide levels in the hair."

"Ceramides can help your hair hold on to its protein and moisture for longer periods of time so that the need for regular conditioning sessions is somewhat reduced, but they cannot replace moisture or protein in a regimen."

Here is a link to the references she links to at the bottom of the article: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2745257/ceramides_remedy_for_dry_damaged_hair_pg4.html?cat=69

Here are some oils that contain ceramides and at what percentage:


Safflower oil 78%
Grape seed oil 73%
Poppyseed oil 70%
Sunflower oil 68%
Hemp oil 60%
Corn oil 59%
Wheat germ oil 55%
Cottonseed oil 54%
Soybean oil 51%
Walnut oil 51%
Sesame oil 45%
Rice bran oil 39%
Pistachio oil 32.7%
Peanut oil 32% [17]
Canola oil 21%
Egg yolk 16%
Linseed oil 15%
Lard 10%
Olive oil 10%
Palm oil 10%
Cocoa butter 3%
Macadamia oil 2%
Butter 2%
Coconut oil 2%

SOURCE

I already use wheat germ oil in my Deep Conditioner and I also use Safflower Oil in my Apricot Mango  and Grape Seed Oil in my Shea Avodcado Butters that I use to seal my hair weekly.  I will say my hair does have more shine when I Deep Condition and I so notice my hair does tend to be smooth. Some have complained of ceramide build-up, this is something I don't experience and I always shampoo. 

Do you use ceramides? Will you start using ceramides?

For Your Body & Hair Butters Visit:DIY Hair Care Products

As a follow-up to my previous post on What I've Learned About Toddler Hair Care I talk about different techniques I use and now I'm going to tell what tools I have to have in order to get her hair done quick and keep her styles cute!

This is my head but, an example of the type of headbands I use. $1 for Dollar Tree.

Accessories- I always have headbands and bows on hand. They make frizzy puffs look so cute! I just brush her edges down a little and put on a headband. Quick simple and only takes 3 minutes. For frizzy twists or ponytails, I take all the twist and pull them into a bun and apply a big cute bow to her ponytail.

Spray Bottle- I always dampen her hair with water before I apply any butters or leave-ins. This makes her hair easier to manage.

Ponytail Holders- Ouchless ponytail holders are heaven-sent. They come out easily, I just slip them out.They also seem to help keep her hair neater than rubber bands.

Leave-In- Sometimes I just use water and Apricot Mango Butter and sometimes I use a Leave-In under that.  If you want the style to last a few days, a creamy leave in is a must, so get one that adds moisture and has a small amount of hold.

Denman Brush- I rarely comb her hair with a comb because she seems to feel the snags more than when I use my Denman brush. The Denman also seems to get the tangles out quicker. Some people worry about splits ends and damage from using a Denamn brush, I haven't experienced any and neither has my daughter, her hair is in the middle of her back so it's not slowing up her growth.

Hope this helps you all! These tools are all I use most days, I don't get fancy with beads and all that, I keep it simple and quick.

What tools do you use for your toddler's hair care?

For Your Body & Hair Butters Visit: DIY Hair Care Products 




For Your Body & Hair Butters Visit:DIY Hair Care Products

I will admit I do get annoyed when someone says "I don't have time to go natural!" or "I don't have time to take care of my hair like you!". I'm always like "huh?".

You have to MAKE time to take care of yourself, yes your hair is a part of yourself. The same way you make time (or should make time) to shower and brush your teeth, you need to take care of your hair too.

As with all things in life, you have to find a routine that works for you. Okay so if deep conditioning 3 times a week is not possible for you, well then try deep conditioning once a week, just to give you an example. Also, I have read that 15-20 minutes is long enough to deep condition with or without heat.

Here is what I do. Every Friday I wash and condition my hair, I will deep condition if I feel I need too. Lately, I haven't really needed to deep condition. Detangling for me is a breeze because I wear my hair in twists throughout the week so my hair is stretched and easier to detangle.All in all it takes me about 90 minutes to do my hair from wash to style, once a week.

Throughout the week I conditioner wash in twists or braids and let them air dry. This takes me about 2 mins. in the shower to do and if I do it at night I just let it dry overnight and unravel in the morning or before I leave the house if I want to wear a twist or braid-out.

I cringe when some people tell me they can't remember the last time they washed their hair! Would you not wash if your body was stinky and sweaty? So why let your scalp get smelly and stinky?

Just remember there is always a way to Keep.It.Simple. Find a way that works for you and stick with it, your hair will thank you!!