Thinning edges? Give these a try

Many thanks to Nia Phoenix for helping me with my thinning edges.  Here are some recipes she shared with me which I now share with you:

Rosemary Oil

Rosemary herb in olive oil massaged into scalp. Use olive oil based on head size. Approx 2 tbsp and a piece of rosemary herb. Allow it to mix well before applying.

This is what I'm using at the moment.  I used rosemary essential oil since I already had some.

Bayberry Tea

Make a strong bayberry tea and rub it in well at night. Wash off in the morning thoroughly and apply again, possibly add a few drops of lavender oil.

I haven't been about to find this in stores and online it's about $15 so this recipe is on hold for now.

Pre-Wash

1 tbsp jojoba oil, 3 drops rosemary oil,3 drops lavender oil, 1 drop lemon balm and 1 drop atlas cedar wood oil. Mix with wooden or plastic utensil not aluminum. Massage mix into scalp, leave on for 30 minutes. Wash hair, adding 1 drop of rosemary oil to each shampoo application. As a final rinse, add 1 drop each of lavender oil and rosemary oil to a quart of cool water and pour over your head.

I don't have any lemon balm at the moment, but this will get a try eventually.  Hopefully.

If you try one, let me know how it worked for you.

Daily Moisturizer

I originally selected this recipe because it is for hair growth. When I actually got around to making it though, I was interested in using it as a daily moisturizer so I didn't bother buying carrot or argan oil.

3/4 cup of coconut oil
2 tbsp jojoba oil
1/4 cup of olive oil

The original recipe called for 1 tablespoon of carrot or argan oil.

When the ingredients were combined, I had enough for three 2 ounce bottles.  The coconut oil causes the mixture to solidify, but if the room is warm or your rub it your hands first, it spreads easily.

As part of my test of how long I can go without washing my hair, I've been applying the oil at least once daily.  It's been 12 days since I washed it, but you couldn't tell by looking at my scalp. : )

Loc Butter Take 2

So the first run at making the loc butter didn't go so well.  I decided to make some tweeks to the recipe:

2 tbsp shea butter
1 tbsp mango butter
1/2 tbsp coconut oil

I melted those in the double boiler on medium.  Then I added:

1 tsp sweet almond oil
1 tsp jojoba oil
1 tsp avocado oil

I poured the mixture into a glass bowl and mixed it on low for a few minutes before adding:

5 drops lavender
10 drops of tea tree oil

I alternated between mixing and freezing the mixture until it whipped up like a thick lotion.  On the last run in the freezer, it ended up solid so I think I should have quite while I was ahead. I whipped it one more time before putting it into the old shea butter container.

Tomorrow, I'll do my hair and see how it works out.

Follow up: I left the ACV rinse in my hair for 3 hours then rinsed it out with warm water. After washing with a shampoo concentrate, I retwisted my hair. I was being lazy so some of it dried before I got to it. I palm rolled the locs this time. Then I sat under the dryer for an hour.  I'm pretty sure I was under there for too long, but I wanted to make sure that it was fully dry.  I didn't get the same shine I got from the shealoe recipe, but I'll try tweeking the recipe later.

Loc Butter Take 1

The shealoe was okay, but I think I'll pass on further use until I find or come up with a different recipe.  I found a loc butter recipe and I'm trying it out today.  Using my newly purchased double boiler, I melted:

2 tbsp shea butter
2 tbsp mango butter
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp liquid lanolin
1 tsp sweet almond oil
1 tsp jojoba oil
1 tsp avocado oil
10 drops ylang-ylang oil
10 drops lavender essential oil (my personal touch)

I poured the mix into a cleaned out hair grease jar and let it cool.  It did not solidify so this "butter" is more of an oil.

This is a 4 oz jar.  It was filled, but I poured some out into two other jars.

I washed my hair this morning and rubbed a mixture of  liquid lanolin, avocado oil, and tea tree oil onto my scalp. To add some moisture back, I applied aloe vera gel to my hair section by section before starting in on the "butter."  I put the "butter" to my finger tips and retwisted my roots.  After clipping them down, I finger (instead of palm) rolled the rest of the loc.

The plan is to spread this batch over three uses before tweeking it:
1. Use aloe vera gel to "wet" hair
2. Retwist right after washing
3. Retwist dry

Initial reaction:  Not sure that my hair is at the point where finger rolling works.  At least not when done dry with an oil.  The roots look good, but the rest of the loc is a bit puffy and dull looking.  My scalp does feel good.  If all else fails, this may be the moisturizing product I've been looking for. Based on how this came out, there is no need to do #3.

5 days in: My scalp is not happy.  It looks moisturized, but it is flaking.  Actually peeling is more like it.  I've been adding avocado oil, but it doesn't seem to be making it through.  I think the lanolin was a bad move.

Verdict: Take 1 was a fail.

Tweeks to come:  More shea butter, some tea tree oil, no lanolin

The Why

A Listing of Ingredients in the Recipes Provided and the Purpose They Serve:

*My scalp is extremely dry and I suffer from seborrheic dermatitis so most of my recipes are geared toward scalp relief.*

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) - the benefits go on, but I'm concentrating on the aspects that matter to me.

• Balance pH of scalp
• Thicken hair
• Remove dead skin cells
• Aid with itchy scalp and dandruff
• Give hair body and luster
• Hair cleanse
• Remove buildup and residue
• Close cuticles

Shea Butter

• Moisturizes
• Adds luster to hair - Truth,  I made some shealoe to twist my hair, and there was a definite difference.
• Treats dry scalp - hmm, undecided

Aloe Vera Gel

• Contains enzymes which stimulate hair growth
• Reduces dandruff
• Can be used to tighten locs
• Drys out scalp (helping to give that dread look?) so be sure to mix with oil before applying to retain moisture

Olive Oil

• Moisturizes
• Improve strength and elasticity
• Natural conditioner - adds shine and makes hair soft
• Helps with split ends

Mango Butter

• Relieves itchy skin
• Moisturizes and smooth rough skin
• Treats eczema and dermatitis

Coconut Oil

• Conditions
• Helps regrow damaged hair
• Dandruff relief
• Helps retain moisture
• Contains fatty acids which are anti-dandruff agents

Liquid  Lanolin

• Moisturizes
• Helps heal chapped skin (winter is coming)

Sweet Almond Oil

• Protein source
• Contains Vitamin E
• Shiny hair
• Conditions
• Carrier oil

Jojoba Oil

• Relieve dryness
• Mend split ends
• Smooth frizziness
• Conditions
• Antibacterial
• Cleanse scalp
• Protect hair when swimming
• Prevent thinning hair
• Natural sheen

Avocado Oil

• Carrier oil
• Contains proteins, vitamins A, D, E and B6, magnesium, copper, iron, amino acids and folic acid
• Natural sunscreen

Ylang Ylang Oil

• Hair re-growth
• Conditions
• Anti-seborrhoeic
• Balances oily and dry skin

 Wheat Germ Oil

• Increases lost moisture to the hair while adding shine, strength, and softness.  
• Helps keep the hair cuticle closed and free of breakage.
• Tends to build up on scalp.  Hmm
• Of note: It has a "nutty" scent which I am not a fan of

Honey

• Moisturizer
• Low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide which had lightening properties

Glycerin

• Attracts moisture (from the air or you)

Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO)

• Moisturize, thicken, strengthen and increase hair growth