What is the difference in breakage, balding, and thinning and what are their causes?

Breakage occurs within the hair strand and is usually caused by over processing, overheated elements, excessive or extreme exposure to heat or cold, stress on the hair, improper diet and exercise, harsh shampoos which can strip ph and oxygen out of the hair follicle. Balding occurs within the hair follicle and is usually caused by stress, weakening of organs, improper diet and intake of vitamins, mineral deficiencies, chemotherapy and other medications like anesthesia. Thinning occurs within the hair strand or the hair shaft and is usually caused by above mentioned factors.

What is alopecia and what causes it?

Alopecia is baldness of the hair which come from damage to the hair follicles. Alopecia is directly related to stress and toxins in the body. The energy associated with gall bladder, lung and kidney is very important as it relates to healthy hair and scalp and if these organs are in an unbalanced or unhealthy state these organs can weaken and the hair can eventually bald. Baldness appears because of excessive consumption of alcohol, sodas and highly acidic drinks and foods, salt, red meat, eggs, cheeses, chickens. Consumption of these incompatible foods and drinks can weaken the gall bladder, lung and kidney and in turn damage the hair follicle and cause hair loss.

What are the best treatments and healings for different scalp conditions?

The reduction of over all stress, diet without red meat and any foods which have hormones in them, eliminate chemical use on the hair or skin, eliminate alcohol consumption, include green leafy vegetables, balanced diet, exercise, and increased water consumption.

What causes fungus on the scalp?

Fungus is usually a communicable parasite or growth which is easily spread through physical contact. For example: steering wheels, combs, gas nozzles, computer key boards, ink pens, money, door handles are all a few of the ways that fungus can spread. Be careful to clean before and after yourself, especially in public and don’t share personal items.

Why do I have such a difficult dandruff problem? Why is it difficult to get rid of?

Most dandruff problems are related specifically to your diet. Address the problem internally and externally through including essential fatty acids in your internal diet and using products with essential fatty acids contents. It is difficult to get rid some cases of dandruff because most of the time we address problems from the outside in and we should actually address hair and scalp problems from the inside out. Instead of attacking the problem with harsh shampoos that strip the ph and heavy grease that clog the pores, address it with hair food and proper nourishment. The hair and scalp needs essential fatty acids, amino acids, natural oils, and ingredients that balance the ph of the scalp. Saniyyah…Naturally! is formulated with the essentials that the hair and scalp need to be healthy and balanced.

What are the best options if I am growing out of a chemical and want to go natural?

The best way to grow out a chemical and go natural is with patience and acceptance of self first. Be patient, it is a process that takes anywhere from 3-18 months depending on the length you want your new growth to be when you go completely natural. Acceptance of self is important because your appearance will change from one that you may be accustomed to. You may at first be uncomfortable especially is you are used to seeing yourself with a chemical or extensions. Accept and be pleased with whom G-d made you at each and every moment of your existence. Know that you are always beautiful. To grow out a chemical, your options include,

• Braids with or without extension – the sky is the limit in terms of style options and the benefit of allowing your hair and scalp to rest. Whoever does your braids, make sure that there is not unnecessary tension on the hairline, hair or scalp. Braids can last up to 3 months with regular shampoos.
• Twist with or without extensions – this style option allows you to wear the latest styles without stress on the hair that can be associated with extension braids. This process also requires a professional to apply twist consistently and properly. You can cut your chemical off and twist your natural hair in a tapered or sculpted style.
• Hair additions of any kind can allow your hair to maintain length, volume, and style while you grow the chemical out. The lacing which you see in the testimonial of singer Kathleen Bertrand, allows you to wear a straight look with your kinky natural hair, sewn in weaves are also an option because your roots are cornrowed which stimulates healthy hair growth, Just make sure your extensions are professionally done to blend textures or it will look rather odd.

What is the benefit of going natural (chemical free)?

You are FREE! Free of scalp burns, free of chemicals absorbing into your scalp and affecting the organs of your body, your overall health improves, hair and skin health look and feel better, free of trying, and I emphasize trying to make your hair do something it is not designed by G-d to do (be straight), free of the mental slavery of changing our genetic makeup to make things easier, prettier, more acceptable. Free to know that you are created beautiful, each strand as it was created is different and perfect, free to spend those hours normally spent in the salon every week or two to do other more productive things. Now your care is at home and once a month in the salon.

What foods and vitamins and herbs can I take to make my hair healthier?

Green leafy vegetables, apples or fruit with little acid, water, protein, hormone-free meats, sea vegetables like kelp, B complex vitamins for stress.

What are the best ingredients to use on my hair to make it soft, healthy and manageable?

Saniyyah…Naturally! These products contains the purest forms of botanicals, herbs, oils, & proteins. They have a good balance of the ingredients that make the hair soft, healthy and manageable. Ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, nettle, amino acids, essential fatty acids, rosemary, sage, lavender, olive oil, grape seed oil, coconut, essential oils. The research has been done on what makes the hair grow in a healthy state, what keeps the pores receptive and open, what strengthens the hair and the ingredients that work best have been skillfully and masterfully incorporated into a full line of hair nourishment. The Saniyyah…Naturally line leaves your hair behaving, strong, and beautiful.

What shouldn’t I use on my hair and skin?

Stay away from products that have any of the following ingredients : Sodium lauryl or laureath sulfate, DEA, MEA, TEA, DMHM Hydantoin & urea, FD & C color pigments, fragrances/perfume, mineral oil, proplyene Glycol and butylene glycol, triclosan, petroleum, mineral oil. Any of these ingredients are harmful and damaging to your hair, internal organs and could cause mild to serious illness. Read the label of everything you put on your hair or skin, and if you see any of these ingredients in them, don’t use them.

What is the best way to achieve a straight look with natural hair without harsh chemicals or pressing?

Lacing is probably the best way to achieve a straight look without chemically processing or straightening your hair (see Kathleen Bertrand in Testimonials). It allows your natural hair to rest, gives a beautiful look, low maintainence, and offers versatility in styling.

Should I press my hair to get it straight?

There are different positions on this question. My answer is yes, with conditions. I personally don’t like the way the hair resist going kinky once it has been pressed/straightened. Pressing can be a lot better for natural hair than chemicals it you are prepared to maintain straight hair for a period of time. I have seen that, once the hair is pressed, it takes a while, a couple of months or visits to the salon for the hair to completely revert to the natural curl. If done properly, it can be beneficial and very healthy for your natural hair. Junnah’s Beauty Salon and Mosaic Salon are reputable salons who care for the hair and do excellent work with pressing.

What options do I have if I want to go natural but need to always look neat and professional?

My recommendation would be:

• braids with undetectable additions of extension,
• any natural hair style with or without extension - extensions tend to give you a neater look with less maintainence for a longer period of time,
• extension locks if you prefer locks,
• strand by strand weave if you like a undetectable hair look.

What can I do to grow and maintain healthy hair and scalp?

Eat a well balanced diet, get 6-8 hrs of sleep per day, drink lots of water and very little juice, no soft drinks, decaffeinated or no coffee, no alcohol, use products that stimulate healthy hair growth, comb gently, massage the scalp daily, use clean and well sanitized tools on your hair.

I like styling my hair at home and having natural hair seems easier to style and maintain, what do I need a professional for?

There are some things that go on with your hair or scalp that you cannot see, you may not be able to identify, and you may not be able to effectively do anything about. A professional can analyze your scalp even in routine grooming, shampooing and styling to identify ring worm, psoriasis, difficult scalp conditions, hypertension effects, alopecia, breakage and thinning, split ends, excessive dryness, the list goes on and on. Most conditions require professional care and treatment. Would you try to represent yourself in court, or pull your own teeth? Your hair needs the same expert care. Many salons stay abreast of the latest techniques with hair and fashion, keep your look updated, neat and professional. Taking care of our hair is the way we bond as a people, a positive salon atmosphere can keep you not only looking good, but you can feel good, have pleasant and very positive experiences with the salon as a nucleus. I know as a natural hair and extension master, I stay in stitches with all of the characters that come through Crowning Glory/Easy Braids, a lot of valuable info is learned from all of the great minds that share so much, I know exactly what’s going on in the community from being in the salon. See free class schedule on web-site. Having the same person work on your hair allows that person to know your hair even the things you cannot see or know. They can develop what works best for you, they use products and treatments specific for your needs.

Besides, your friends, family and co-workers will make it clear to you when you need to take a break from doing your own hair. You need a professional when:

• Your co-workers say “ that’s an interesting style, but what are the ends doing? You need a professional.
• Your husband says “Honey, here is some money, get your hair done! You need a professional.
• Your hair looks like it hurts – You need a professional.
• You can see completely through the ends of you hair – You need a professional.
• You wear a afro puff for more than 2 weeks – You need a professional.
• Your parts look like you parted them with your thumb (with no fingernail) – You need a professional.
• You have more hair on the pillow and counter tops than on your head – You been needed a professional.
• You use anything you can find on your head – You need a professional.
• You have more than three things going on your head at the same time and its hard to figure out what is really going on – You need a professional.
• You have draids – braids that are dreading – You need a professional.
• You don’t feel cute and your friends agree with you and make suggestions of how you can look better – You need a professional.
• People just stare at your hair and make no comment (the stare may be accompanied with a slight frown or an obvious frown) – You need a professional.
• If you have to knock flakes out off you hair and shoulder – You need a professional and better products.

What is the difference/benefit of using natural products versus synthetic products on my hair?

For health sake and Natural hair needs natural products. I feel and see a healthier head of hair by using all natural products that are healthy for my hair. My hair feels better, responds better, smells fresher for a extended period of time, & all natural products don’t clog the pores if used properly like synthetic products will. The closer we stay to nature, the better our overall health is. Natural products fit perfectly in maintaining natural hair. Its like using gasoline in your automobile as opposed lighter fluid. Check out the list of ingredients of what not to use and what these synthetic ingredients do to your hair, how they affect your health and the answer is very obvious.

There are some natural products I’ve heard that causes damage to the hair and should not be used, what are they?

Bees wax should under no circumstances be used on the hair it clogs the pores and stunts healthy hair growth. Shea butter should be used with caution, sometimes, it can cause a build-up on the hair, It is not harmful, it can just cause a build-up. I recommend using it only under circumstances when it is as a conditioner and is being rinsed out after application. Hair can only accept of the like. Like a car it is accustomed to running off of gasoline, if you put lighter fluid in it, it would not run properly or at all.

How can I get rid of build-up in my locks?

There are some treatments that natural hair salons can do to gently remove build-up. Stay away from products that clog and build-up like petroleum, shea butter unless being rinsed out, beeswax, & mineral oil. In Saniyyah..Naturally, we have several processes using all natural products that will remove build-up without damaging the texture and content of you locks. It takes at least fifteen minutes and as much as a couple of hours depending on how severe your condition is.