Can Hair Vitamins Really Grow Your Hair?

Naturally Curly Hair side view

Long before I started a healthy hair journey, it always seemed like my hair stayed at or above my shoulders.  Out of frustration I decided to search online for a solution.  I was met with several ads for hair growth vitamins.  At the time, it made sense to me that maybe I was lacking nutrition in my diet.  I thought I needed a supplement to help my hair grow.  I quickly ordered a bottle from some company I don’t even remember and waited for them to arrive.

If I knew then what I know now, I might never have even placed the order.  My hair at the time was relaxed (chemically straightened) and color treated.  Both of which were damaging chemical processes.  Combine that with the fact that I used heat daily and you’ve got a trifecta of unhealthy hair practices happening all at once.  After I had zero result from taking the hair growth vitamins I was back to the web to find a solution to why my hair wasn’t growing.

 

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Deep Conditioning with Joico K-Pak Intense Hydrator Conditioner

 

woman with natural hair using conditioner

This post may contain affiliate links which means I will make a commission on any product you buy through those links at NO EXTRA cost to you.

I love watching hair videos on YouTube.  I’m afraid to even think about how many hours I’ve spent doing so.  One thing I’ve noticed that natural hair gurus say over and over is how important it is to deep condition your hair.  After treating my scalp psoriasis recently left my hair damaged and broken, I figured it was time to take some YouTube advice.  I picked up the Joico K-Pak Intense Hydrator conditioner in hopes that it would bring my hair back to it’s former glory.  

My Hair Needed Protein & Moisture

I heard about the Joico K-pak conditioner line before.  I knew it would give my hair a much needed protein boost.  For that I usually reach for my go-to, which is Aphogee’s 2 Minute Reconstructor.  You can watch a demonstration on how I use it here.

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Recovering from Psoriasis: My Hair Journey Setback

Sideview of woman with natural hair
There has been a lot of trial and error throughout my natural hair journey.  I’m currently recovering from psoriasis which I’ve been battling for the past six months.  It left me with unbearably dry itchy skin and my scalp was out of control.  My hair ended up suffering as well since I was forced to cleanse my scalp more often.  This wasn’t my first experience with the condition but this time it came with a vengeance.     

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an auto immune disease that results in inflammation of the skin.  The skin cells rapidly form new skin in patches which have a dry, flakey appearance.  It not only effects my skin but my scalp as well.    A few years ago I wrote a post about how I cleared up my psoriasis with diet and supplements. The condition never truly went away but I was successful at keeping the flare-ups under control.  It turns out that my best chance at healthier skin was to follow some of my own advice.  

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How I Avoid Shrinkage with My Curly Hair Routine

I hate shrinkage.  That seems to be the one thing that I don’t like about my natural hair journey.  My hair loves to shrink up into a tiny afro so I’m always looking for ways to get more hang time.  I used to think that  the hair products I used for my  curly hair routine would give me more length.  Lately though, I’m finding that it has a lot more to do with technique.  

This post may contain affiliate links which means I will make a commission on any product you buy through those links at NO EXTRA cost to you.

My Curly Hair Routine with Less Shrinkage

Whenever I wear my hair curly I usually only use three products.  I always reach for a leave-in conditioner, a moisturizer and a styler.  The only other thing I use is water which I keep in a spray bottle so that I can spritz each section when needed.  Currently my wash and go combo is Aussie Moist conditioner, a Shea Moisture product for, well, moisture and Eco Styler Gel with Argan Oil.  Now, I didn’t specify which Shea Moisture product because I have been getting great results from multiple items in their line.  The Curl n’ Style Milk is a keeper while the Raw Shea Butter Extra Moisture Transitioning Milk and Restorative Conditoner also work for my hair.  Lastly, to combat frizz and give curl definition, I use the hair gel.  Eco Styler gel and I go way back so be sure to check out some of my other posts on this product.

Side view of woman with naturally curly hair
My hair has more “hang time” when I use my new technique when I style my wash and go style.

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A Brief Natural Hair Journey Story

big chop, afro textured hair, natural hair, kinky curly hair
My TWA after the Big Chop in Spring 2009

 

I was on Instagram going through my timeline the other day when I realized how many naturalistas I have met since joining in late 2013.  It occurred to me that I haven’t really talked about the beginnings of my natural hair journey which is now going on eight years.  I honestly can’t get over the fact that I have been natural since the spring of 2009.  Prior to that, I had relaxed hair and didn’t even know there was such a thing as, “going natural.”  So I thought that I would share a brief “natural history” with all of my new readers and followers.

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