African black soap for hair: insights? Advice? Experience?

Hi LHC members! I'm still on my no poo quest and I'm curious about African black soap. I've heard people use african black soap to wash their hair. I'd like to try Alaffia Liquid African Black Soap (Unscented) or Inesscents Liquid African Black Soap (Unscented). Has anyone tried it? Any pros/cons? How should I use it (dilute, add oils, etc)? Any opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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Do you need oils on shaved or close hair cut?

Member Join DateSep 2011Age32Posts51

I have been keeping my hair real short, but I'm not just growing it out. It's almost bald, but I have tiny hairs popping up. lol. I'm African American, so I don't know if that changes things or not, but do I really need to put anything on my scalp at this stage? I know some ppl say to oil it. Right now, I'm using a sulfur mix (castor oil, argan oil, and grapeseed oil, and sulfur). I want my hair to grow that's why I'm using it. Should I wait to use it until my hair is long enough or does it matter. I don't want to do anything to inhibit my growth. TIA

I really don't think it would be needed now.
Your hair is SO short that your natural oil, that your scalp produces, is enough.

Are you using the sulfur mix as a treatment or do you keep it on your scalp until you wash/for days maybe?
I don't know if it would inhibit your growth if you'd keep it on for days. It might really help. It might indeed inhibit growth. Everyone is different.
But I think I would use it as a treatment only (like 3 times a week for a few hours).

Member Join DateSep 2011Age32Posts51

I really don't think it would be needed now.
Your hair is SO short that your natural oil, that your scalp produces, is enough.

Are you using the sulfur mix as a treatment or do you keep it on your scalp until you wash/for days maybe?
I don't know if it would inhibit your growth if you'd keep it on for days. It might really help. It might indeed inhibit growth. Everyone is different.
But I think I would use it as a treatment only (like 3 times a week for a few hours).

Thanks, Kiwiwi. Yes, I keep the sulfur on until wash days. My hair is growing nicely, but I don't want to oil my scalp down, if I don't need it. I'm still learning all about natural oils. So, thanks for the information. Any other information will be accepted.

You might consider allowing sebum production to regulate naturally. Since your hair is so short, this would be an ideal time to begin a product-free routine. You'll see what your hair is really like and discover its natural beauty.

It depends on what benefit you are looking for from the oil. Your hair won't need the oils yet as they are mostly for protection and being very short your sebum would be enough. However as you are using an oil with sulphur in it i assume you are looking for scalp benefits and to encourage growth. For that i'd say oiling it now is a great idea.

One of the benefits of having short hair is your natural sebum moisturises your hair as nature intended, with longer hair it needs a little help by using other oils as the sebum finds it harder to reach the ends. Your own sebum will not only moisturise but will also protect your hair from envionmental damage plus its free!

Enjoy your hair whilst its fairly cheap to maintain, your hair is probably way healthier than a lot of us longer hairs, hair, even oils which are close to human sebum will never make up for the real deal.

As long as you treat it kindly; minimum heat ect your hair should grow to be a healthy future long hair!

Member Join DateSep 2011Age32Posts51

Chloe, yes, I was using the sulfur as a growth aide, but I'm going to just going to keep my scalp naked and take the ladies advice and just let my natural sebum moisturize my hair or scalp.

Oil can be used to moisturise the length of the hair OR to assist with growth. The massaging of the oils into your scalp is most beneficial as a growth stimulant (increasing blood flow and nutrient uptake) and castor oil is great as an antibacterial and antifungal on your hair follicle which is still there regardless of the length of your hair shaft. So I'd "go for it" with those oils!

Last edited by Allychan; Yesterday at 11:51 PM. Reason: forgot something

You might consider allowing sebum production to regulate naturally. Since your hair is so short, this would be an ideal time to begin a product-free routine. You'll see what your hair is really like and discover its natural beauty.I second this! Ohh and I am trying really hard not to get jealous right now I started my hair journey with damaged hair, but WOW - I could only imagine how incredible it would have been to start fresh, from scratch!

Good luck to you! I am sure your hair will look fantastic

The sun is the same in a relative way

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cones

hi im sure this has been answered a thousand times, but i cant seem to find the articles section..

i have been using no cones condish in my co washing and it has been nice...my hair is past waist now when before i could only grow it to bsl, yesterday i used a coney condish and i must say i miss the silkyness i get from cones...so why where cones bad again? was it they build up and you have to clarify every so often and they coat the hair and hide damage?

I have used cones for years and never clarified,it makes my hip length hair slippery so it doesn't tangle,I have never had any sort of problem with it.

Cones are not a bad thing for hair, sure you need to clarify a little more often but they are brilliant at protecting the hair. I go by the rule, if it makes my hair feel and look nice its worth using! Enjoy your cones guilt free, my hair loves them too!

It's an individual thing. Some people find that cones weight their hair down making it limp and harder to manage. Some people find that their hair is more tangle-prone with cones. not using cones made my hair tangle to the point where it was ripping itself from my scalp. There's nothing inherently evil about cones, just make sure to watch for build-up and clarify when necessary. I never wash without them. It's the only thing that keeps my classic length baby-fine hair manageable.

Lady Elphame of the New Snow Steed in the Order of the Long Haired Knights
Starting Today

yay thanks for all your answers..i really love my hair when its coney..its all smooth, shiny and silky..it doesnt tangle or have any adverse affects.....can you use oil with cones? i like mineral and jojoba oil

Member Join DateFeb 2010Posts2,189

For some people, it's a texture thing (being weighed down, limp, even tangly or plastic feeling), others its a buildup thing and they don't want to clarify too often.

My hair is far more voluminous on a no-cone routine and it holds a curl better without cones. However, I've gone back to cones for the time being and I haven't had a bad hair day since! Yes, my hair is a bit flatter than it would be without the cones, but it's not a terrible look for me since my hair is moderately thick to begin with. I hardly ever have to clarify and my hair doesn't have the heavy, weighed down feeling. I think this largely has to do with finding the right products. Pantene conditioners weighed my hair down like crazy, which I kinda liked, but it could get to be a bit much. My holy grail combination is an Herbal Essences conditioner (tousel me softly or totally twisted) and then Aveda Universal Styling Creme as a leave-in on sopping wet hair. Twist to dry or damp bun.

As a side note, I thought my hair hated protein too, but it turns out that it was also a matter of finding the right product. My Herbal Essences conditioners have protein in them, but they are fantastic conditioners!

So long story short, cones aren't bad at all, but not all cones are created equal. Like any beauty routine, it involves some trial and error and shopping. You might want to watch out for using cones as CO since it goes right on your scalp, but I think you'd notice if your scalp were reacting poorly. To be fair, I did CO for a while without cones and my shedding increased dramatically, so it didn't matter if I used cones or not on my scalp, it was just a no-go for me.

I thought my hair was very happy with sulfates until i started the CG method and am sulfate/cone free. Turns out my hair Loves it. Just play around with it and see what you like!

For me, since I only was once a week, the silkiness fades and my ends become crisp. And since I don't use sulfates there is the issue of buildup.

*SL APL BSL MBL WL HIP BCL?*No more bleach Starting March 2012 No Trims since Sep 2011

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Has anyone ever used the Wen hair care system?

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Adverts for hair products

I just saw the advert for elnet (no idea on spelling) heat protection products. There was smoke or steam or something coming from the hair they were styling!
At the end it says "worth it" on her heals. I sat there thinking no, not at all worth it. I think her hair was backcombed as well and since it's Cheryl Cole she probably has extensions (from what I've seen most long haired celebs have them).

So, what are the best and worst hair product adverts you have seen? Which ones made you cringe the most and did any of them make you want to buy the product?

I apologise if this is in the wrong place, I wasn't sure where to post the thread.

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"Did you do that yourself?"

OKAY so I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this but I wanted see if other long haired ladddiiess experience the same stuff.
I work at a grocery store and every single day, no matter what I do with my hair, people ask me if I did it myself. They are always amazed.

Examples:

Hair in a loose french braid...

"Did you do that yourself?"

Hair in a bun with a hair stick...

"Did you do that yourself? Is that stick holding all your hair up?"

The best was when I wore a waterfall braid to work and costumers were physically grabbing me and spinning me around to show their shopping companions.

Among my fellow cashiers I have been dubbed The Braid Master. I think they're under the impression that woodland creatures fly in my window in the morning and attend to this stuff upon my scalp.

YUP. Any funny stories of amazed friends, family, or others?

Yup, same here. My hair is really not long, I'm about an inch from BSL, but I put it up every day (my own little challenge until the new year :-) ).
Every time I try something a little more complicated than a standard bun, I get these remarks. Even with a simple braid, so you can imagine when I try crown braids, or updo's that are a little bite more complicated.

I work for an airline, and the flight attendants are required to keep their hair together when it's longer than shoulderlength. Some girls do have gorgeous long hair, but most keep it in a very simple ponytail all the time. If you need to get up for work at 2am, I don't blame them
But every now and then, someone shows up with a gorgeous braid or fantastic updo, and then we happily exchange tips and tricks.

Yup, same here. My hair is really not long, I'm about an inch from BSL, but I put it up every day (my own little challenge until the new year :-) ).
Every time I try something a little more complicated than a standard bun, I get these remarks. Even with a simple braid, so you can imagine when I try crown braids, or updo's that are a little bite more complicated.

I work for an airline, and the flight attendants are required to keep their hair together when it's longer than shoulderlength. Some girls do have gorgeous long hair, but most keep it in a very simple ponytail all the time. If you need to get up for work at 2am, I don't blame them
But every now and then, someone shows up with a gorgeous braid or fantastic updo, and then we happily exchange tips and tricks.

I also work for an airline and I agree with everything you said!

It's already started, and my hair barely brushes shoulder! Ear-to-ear headband braid, Gibson tuck, victory rolls... The receptionist at the doctor's office and lady at the deli counter always comment on my hair. --I'm a housewife.
I love the creativity I have with "longer" hair--I know it's not long, but after 15+ years with a pixie, it's as long as I've ever had it!

I'm excited about the new hairstyles I'll be able to twist it into as it gets longer!

Hennaheaded

15yrs w/super-cute pixie~shaggy awkwardness~APL~tripping over it!

The only time I've been asked that was this summer when I went to work with a crown braid. But they all asked that very same question

shoulder - apl - BSL - waist
Boycott shampoo! Demand the real poo!

I work with horses so I always wear my hair in an english braid, nothing else will fit under my riding hat. I always get asked if I braid my own hair, quickly followed by 'how do you do that?' No one seems to believe that I can braid hair so long all by myself.

I don't do braids but often, when my hair is in a chignon, I'm asked "How long did it take you to style your hair?"

Lady Rose of the Angels in the Order Of The Long Haired Knights

New Member Join DateApr 2012Posts16

I also get the 'did you do that yourself?' quite often from my students. I usually say, 'No, my mom flew over 18 hours from the US this morning to do it...what do you think?' From the younger students I can understand (the first few times they ask), my mom or dad did my hair for school for me up to a certain age, and sometimes as a child it was hard to imagine ever being able to do some of the things my mom did with my hair as a kid, but the ones who are in high school should know by now that I don't have a teleporter so my mom can get to me Saturday morning before I go to work, nor do I wake up super early and go to a salon every day to get my hair done.

I get that too when someone sees me with my hair in a bun. Its a plain bun but it thrills people.

I miss my long hair.

I wouldn't mind a flock of hairstyling birds attending to my morning needs. Without their own brand of birdie conditioner. My routine is definitely not that natural.

I nearly never get asked if I did it myself or how it was done. Once in a blue moon I get "How long is your hair?", but that's about it. Alas! I must be "that weird guy with the bun".

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ACV for dry scalp?

I have had a really dry scalp for about a month now. It isn't really flaky, just dry on the scalp area. I usually will oil my hair, and use castor oil on the scalp twice a week. I have tried to oil it again, but that didn't help. I read online that ACV might help, any opinions? Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

aloe vera gel might help dear, have you tried coconut oil hot oil treatment also?

I used to have a terribly flaky scalp until I started rinsing with AVC every wash. It is worth a try. I will also oil my scalp with a light oil if it gets too dry and itchy, especially in the winter. I usually add a few drops of rosemary EOl to whatever oil I am using to help with shedding. I often to a mix of argan, castor and camellia on my scalp. After oiling, I always CO as that seems to remove the excess oil better than shampooing.

Enjoying my hair at this length and every length hereafter...

I am who I am. If I were any more me, I would have to be someone else.

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