Chocolate Coils + Dermatologist Visit

Since I got more of a cut, rather than a trim last weekend, I was nervous to wash my hair and wear it curly, but I was too excited to care.  In my last post, I mentioned my current issue with central scarring alopecia.  Well I am happy to report that while I was combing my deep conditioner through my hair last night, I literally only lost a few strands of hair.  Months ago, I was losing clumps of hair, and was honestly scared to wash my hair, let alone come through it.  I attribute the minimized hair loss keeping the faith, the regimen and scalp injections my dermatologist prescribed, and the great trim I got last week.

I had an appointment with my dermatologist this morning.  Nothing good or bad to report.  I received 7 more Kenalog scalp injections.  I am scheduled to go back in June for another round.

My hair is definitely shorter, but my curl pattern is much more defined since I lost the raggedy ends and I love my new rich, chocolate brown color.  The first picture shows the length in the back; you can definitely tell it's shorter.  And hopefully in the second picture you can see the curl definition some.  I am still using the Kinky Curly product line and don't plan on straying from my current routine.

 

This is why I can't keep my hair straight...

So after paying a pretty penny to get my hair blown out + trimmed + colored, I find out that it is supposed to rain for the next few days (I usually check the weather before I make an appointment, but I was so excited that I forgot this time around).  FML.  I woke up this morning determined to get to work not looking like a poof ball, so I did something that I probably shouldn't have done.  I went to work in my pink and green scarf with my hair wrapped underneath *gasp*.  So I made it through my bus and metro ride without seeing someone I know.  But I get into the elevator and of course there is someone from upper management riding up with me... oh well.

I was willing to look a hot mess if it meant saving my hair and best believe that I will be putting my scarf right back on my head when I leave to go home!

I did a damn good job though.  My hair still looks fresh!

 

Time for a blog update!

So even though I am working on a new site, I couldn't resist the temptation to update my blog now!  It was time for a change.  Big changes are still ahead!

Central Cicatricial Alopecia

On February 22, I was diagnosed with central cicatricial alopecia. This type of alopecia is also known as scarring alopecia because inflammation destroys the hair follicle causing a “scarring” below the scalp’s surface. "Central" refers to the area in which the alopecia starts (the center top of the head) and the fact that the alopecia spreads out.  At first, I was devastated – I cried for days. The dermatologist said that the likelihood of my hair growing back was slim but that she would do her best to stop the hair loss from spreading. So my doctor immediately started me on rigorous regimen of creams (some twice a day) and scalp shots (every six weeks).

 


I waited a while to share this because I was still coping with the news.  But now I am in attack mode! :).  I think the hair loss has stopped (for the time being) but I am prayerful that my hair will grow back in the affected areas.


So part of the reason I wanted a darker hair color, was to help my hair to look thicker (because of all the hair I lost at the top/front of my head) and to just give my hair that healthy look that darker hair usually has.  And as I would like to eventually go back to my natural hair color, so dying my hair darker will allow me to grow out my color without the extreme differences in color.


So today, I went to see Nicole and we talked about my situation.  She agreed that going with a darker, richer color would be a good idea and a great change.  She used a demi-permanent chocolate color and I am beyond happy with the results.  She trimmed a LOT of my hair but it looks so healthy and I feel like I have a new head of hair.  Wearing my hair straight is a challenge because I have to hide the thin top section, so I am still not completely comfortable wearing my hair blown out.  I will be sure to keep everyone updated on the situation.

Time for Change

Hi Lovelies.  So a lot has happened since I last updated my blog (sorry for the long overdue post).  I decided where I am going to business school (Go Big Red!), I started packing and am moving in with granny for a few months before the BIG move, and of course I am itching to change my hair.


I made an appointment with Nicole to get a much needed trim (hopefully it doesn't turn into a cut) and a deeper, richer color.  I really want to go with a deep, rich chocolate color.  Not sure if Nicole will opt for a rinse or a permanent color.  I really just want something that I can easily and cheaply maintain on a student budget for the next two years.


Also I did my hair this weekend and I am not liking the way it feels.  I think that I'm going to wash it tonight and try a throwback hair style - dry twist out.  I will post the results!


Updated: So once I got home from work, I realized that I already packed my blow dryer.  Soooo with that said, I got really lazy and opted to do absolutely nothing with my hair.  I will post my results from my appointment with Nicole!

Kinky 4a/b girls listen up + My 2 year natural-versary!

I am speaking straight to the kinky, 4a/b lovelies out there!  


While wash and go looks aren't necessarily a reality for us, we can still take advantage of quick, gorgeous styles!  If you haven't already, please try the style I talked about in one of my last posts.  I have managed to shave off an hour of time from my previous wash day routines.  If you aren't a fan of KCC, give it another try and use a TON of Knot Today before you apply any of the KCC (funny story - I went to pick up the 2 bottles of Knot Today I special ordered from Whole Foods.  When I got there, there was another woman cleaning the KC product line out!  She was so excited.  She said that she calls all the time to find out when the shipments come in.  People really love the products.  They are really amazing and all natural.  You can't beat that!) 


Is detangling is tough?  I used to use conditioner to detangle my hair, but once I discovered Knot Today, my life changed (dramatic? indeed).  I use a TON of it and the comb literally glides through my hair.  It is worth every penny.


I am now 2 years into being natural (I totally missed my natural anniversary lol) and I am finally comfortable and really loving my hair.  I used to be upset that I didn't have looser curls, but God gave me my texture and I love it!  Please embrace and work what you got!


Hugs!

Woah! Miss Jessie's at Target!?!?!

Hello Miss Jessie's lovers!  Seems like their product line is hitting select Target locations on March 28.  This is huge and I am so happy for them!  

To check to see if your local Target will carry their product line, click here.

It is 70 degrees and my hair is BIG!

It's beautiful outside and it's days like this that make me want to rock a big, curly fro.  As the months go on, I am getting lazier when it comes to doing my hair.  Last night I wanted to see if I could wash, condition, and style my hair in under an hour... and I did it!  Using only Kinky-Curly (KC) products, I washed my hair and applied Knot Today.  Then I created big twists using KCC and rolled them on flexi rods.  I let my hair dry overnight and untwisted/pulled through each twist this morning.  The result - a big ol' curly fro.  I LOVE IT!!!

KCC is now a staple product!

So the go-to style of the moment is the wet flexi rod set, mainly because it lasts a long time which is perfect since I have been busy/lazy.  I tried the style again using KCC as my "setting lotion" instead of the KC Spiral Spritz.  At first, I wasn't too happy because the curls were hard, but as the week went on, my hair stayed super soft and got really big!  KCC loves moisture and since the area got a lot of rain, that mixed with the humidity/mist really made my hair extremely soft. 


My love for big hair is no secret and I have pretty much done nothing to my hair since I set it over a week ago.  


I can't stop playing with my hair.  I should probably wash it this week.  I just hope that I can achieve the same look and softness.  I am really hoping that this isn't a fluke!


I am going to keep playing around with the KCC line of products to see how I can utilize them for different looks.

New Style Alert!

So I was browsing the internet a few days ago, bored and looking up things about hair, and I came across Tracie Mae on YouTube.  Not only is she hilarious, but she also inspired me to try a style that I have been meaning to do for a while now - a flexi rod set on wet/damp hair.  I also tried Tracie Mae's "budget curly pudding" (as she calls it) recipe: 
1 oz. oil (I used 100% aloe vera oil)
4 oz. unrefinded shea butter
8 oz. IC Fantasia Gel.  


So here is how I did it:

1. Shampoo, (deep) condition, and detangle, as you normally would.
2. Lightly blow your hair dry.  I really only did it for a minute or so, just to get the initial dampness out. (Note: I just redid my hair today and I left my hair wet, I like it better this way.  I kept my hair wet using a mixture of water and aloe vera oil).
3. Take medium sized pieces and apply the "budget curly pudding" mixture to each piece, and set on blue flexi rods. (Note: Today I used KC Spiral Spritz). 
4. Sit under the dryer for at least an hour.
5. Take out the flexi rods and style any way you like!

Here are some pictures from the 4 days I wore this look.  I will have  video blog up of my process in the next couple of days.