K-Y Jelly... Not Just For Sexing!

So when I say I JUST saw a post about this, I literally JUST saw a post about using K-Y as a hair moisturizer.  I ran right over here to talk blog about it!

Now, I know I already talked about using Monistat on hair and I said thought I had seen it all.  Apparently, I was so WRONG.  (If you didn't read that post about the Monistat, click --> My Scalp Has A Yeast Infection) Some people are literally using any and everything for growth and moisturizing their tresses.  My question is why?

Is hair growth THAT important that you want to resort to usage of Monistat?  Is your hair THAT parched that you have to use lubrication?  Hmm, probably better off using mineral oil... at least it seals in moisture.  (Disclaimer: I do NOT support the usage of mineral oil... I was just being a bit sarcastic.  Please, please, please think of what you are putting in our body.  Know that the stuff noted above will seep into your hair shaft and scalp and travel throughout your body.   Are oils, water, butters and other products geared towards hair NOT enough?

Anyways, just ranting for a bit.  To each their own.  As always - keep it kinky!

Hair's A Secret: Strong Enough For A Man, But pH Balance For My Hair?

When you think of pH, the first thing that may come to mind is that old Secret commercial where they claimed that their deodorant is strong enough for a man but pH balanced for a woman.  Aside from thinking deodorant, you should think HAIR!! Yep, hair!

What is pH?  pH is the "potential of hydrogen," or the measure of how acidic or basic (alkaline) a solution or substance is.  pH levels range from 0 - 14. 

There is a scale that one can use to determine how acidic or alkaline/basic a given substance is.  If the pH is measured at 7, such as in distilled water, it is neutral. If it goes above 7, like for bleaches and detergents, it is considered basic or alkaline. If the pH is measured below 7, like for vinegar and lemon juice, it is considered acidic.  The pH on the hair and scalp is usually about 4.5 - 5.

How does pH affect hair?  pH affects the health of your hair.  As such, you need to be mindful of the products that you use on your hair.  Some people may use baking soda to raise their pH level.  The use of apple cider vinegar (ACV) may help hair to be more resilient, smoother and stronger.  If using baking soda on your scalp, you need to understand that it has a high pH level (and isn't natural).

In order to clean the build-up that is on hair and scalp, shampoo has to be acidic.  Shampoos can range from a pH of 4/4.5 to around 8.5.  Permanent hair dyes contain alkaline chemicals such as ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, which can penetrate hair strands to their cores, or the cortexes. As a result, the production of melanin, which is responsible for your natural hair color is affected. Because permanent hair coloring can be highly basic and may have corrosive properties on hair, it is not always a recommended option for people who want to maintain healthy and strong tresses.  (Man I wish I knew this before I died my hair!  Next time I will try some henna...)  Perms have a pH of 11 - 14, while texturizers may be in the range of
8 - 11.

Should I care about my hair/scalp's pH level?  Yes as it helps to keep bacteria and fungi off of our scalp.


I found the following summary on a reply about pH levels of hair:

~pH 2.0: hard; smooth; not resilient; breaks easily
~pH 6.0: not as hard; smooth; very resilient; resists breaking
~pH 10.0: rough; not very resilient; tends to break easily
~pH 12.0: very rough; not resilient; tends to break very easily

As read on other sites, pH for hair is generally good at a level of 4.5 - 5.5.  Products with a pH level of 4.5 - 7 is noted to be good for our hair.

As per information that I gathered from YouTube vlogger, Kimmay:

~ACV is safe when diluted to 4 pH,
~aloe vera juice is 4 and good for a leave in conditioner or water bottle spritz,
~after wetting hair, use an acidifier within the pH range of 4 - 6 to close the cuticle (4 - 5 may be more effective), and
~the safe range for washing hair is a 4 - 7 pH (no harm done).

If you want to test the pH of products that you use, the plastic strips are better to use than the paper strips.  the pH strip can be pricey and they do very when it comes to the level of pH testing (basically, not all strips go to 14). 

Given the above and Kimmay's awesome hair growth, I may try to consider pH and my hair a bit more.  What about you?  What are your thoughts?

My Scalp Has A Yeast Infection!!

OK, so maybe the title was just to grab your attention...  My hair doesn't have a yeast infection and neither does my scalp, but does that mean I shouldn't use the product below?

 

Hmm, I'm guessing not!  However, there are some women out there that believe that the active ingredient, Miconazole Nitrate, is the answer to hair growth,  I know, I know, weird right?!?

Now, when I thought I had heard every tip possible to grow natural hair, I run into this information.  Normally I'm an optimistic, willing to try some things at least once; however, I cannot say that my product junkie-ism will allow me to go to the nearest pharmacy and buy a box of the above.  And after buying said product, proceed to open it, put it on my scalp and go on my merry way.  Nope, can't do it, won't do it!

I read that mixing your yeast infection cream with an oil and applying it frequently to your scalp will help in hair growth.  I've also read that the same regimen will also cause headaches in some.  (I guess that's the stimulation helping with the hair growth).

They say don't knock something until you try it but err uh ummm... I am knocking, pushing down and stomping the idea of using yeast infection cream on my scalp.  I think I would rather stick to Castor and other oils that aid in healthy hair growth.

Is this 'insane in the membrane?'  Are we as a people that obsessed with hair growth that we would go to such heights (or lows rather) to achieve hair length?  What do you think?