What Season Of The Year Is Most Ideal For Hair Growth?
Whether it was in a class in school or you did your own research because you were curious, you probably heard that everyone grows somewhere between ÂŒâ and Âœâ of hair every month. This means that, unless there is some sort of health condition going on, if your hair seems stagnant or stunted, itâs not because your hair isnât growing; itâs that it isnât retaining length. In other words, the issue isnât really about whatâs happening at the roots; itâs more about how the shaft and ends are being maintained.
Now that doesnât take away from the fact that genetics do determine things like the rate that someoneâs hair grows, along with its texture and color. It also should go on record that the three stages of hair growth (anagen, catagen, and telogen) can somewhat vary per person too. All Iâm saying is thinking that your hair wonât grow âjust becauseâ is not rooted in science. You definitely can obtain inches with some knowledge, consistent (accurate) maintenance, and TLC.
Speaking of random hair insights, hereâs something that you may not have ever known before. Were you aware of the fact that there is a particular time of the year when your hair has the most potential for growth? Thatâs what weâre gonna delve into today. And the dope thing about it is (hint, hint) itâs a season that you donât have to wait for.
Summerâs Got You As Far As Length Is Concerned
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So, this is the time of year to get serious about gaining some inches. There are a few theories for why summer seems to be the case. For instance, July and August are reportedly the months when your tresses are thicker because your body knows that your scalp needs the most protection from the sun during that time (our bodies never cease to be amazing!).
Aside from that, it also makes sense that inches would excel during the summertime because more heat increases blood circulation, which brings nutrients to your hair follicles so that your strands not only grow faster but stronger.
Another huge perk with the summer season is the amount of vitamin D that both you as well as your locks are able to receive whenever you spend time in the great outdoors. That can be a win on a few levels, considering the fact that a lot of us (meaning Black women) are naturally vitamin D deficient, which can lead to health issues like fatigue, muscle weakness, joint problems, bones that arenât strong, and mood swings. As far as your hair goes, a lack of vitamin D is connected to hair loss, including scarring alopecia and less production of new hair follicles.
Finally, another unsung reason why your hair tends to thrive more during the summer season is that a lot of us tend to either leave our hair in more protective styles (which results in less hair manipulation) and/or we donât have as many things like hats and other accessories on our hair (or even wearing clothes that our ends can snag on) that can lead to extra friction that could ultimately weaken our strands or cause breakage.
So yeah, if the summer season is your favorite time of the year anyway, youâre not alone â apparently, your hair is thrilled about it too!
How to Maximize the Potential of This Season to Gain Inches
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Now that youâve got some solid science-based reasons for why summer is the ideal time to get some extra hair growth in, what are some things that you can do to maximize this seasonâs potential? Iâve got a few (proven) suggestions:
Stay hydrated. Since we sweat more in the summer, we definitely need to up our water intake. Some health experts say that means drinking up to half of our weight in fluids on a daily basis. No, not soda â stick with water (even if itâs sparkling or mineral), iced herbal tea, or infused water.
Consume fatty acids. Something that helps to add moisture to your tresses from the inside out while also improving your hairâs thickness and speed of growth is fatty acids. So, if your hair tends to be naturally on the drier side anyway, either take an omega-3 supplement or consume more foods that contain fatty acids. Some that top the list include olive oil, walnuts, eggs, avocados, sunflower oil, salmon, and fortified orange juice.
Let up on (permanent) hair color. The two main reasons why permanent hair color has a tendency to be so damaging is that not only does the ammonia lift your cuticles while the peroxide breaks down your hairâs natural pigment, but both chemicals are also extremely drying. Thatâs why, no matter what time of year it is, itâs also a good idea to amp up your deep conditioning methods (honestly, itâs best to get your hair professionally colored if you want to avoid as much damage as possible).
However, being that the heat can dry your hair out too, laying off permanent hair color altogether is really your best bet, especially since there are temporary options like semi-permanent and demi-permanent hair color as well as henna and hair color wax.
Apply sunscreen to your hair. Your hair can end up experiencing UV damage just like any other part of you â and when your locks are sun damaged, it becomes weaker and loses pigment. Thatâs why you can never go wrong with looking for hair products that provide sun protection. Allure has a list of 13 here. Prevention has 13 for your scalp here.
If youâre going to be outside for a long time, put on a hat. According to the American Cancer Society, sun rays are their strongest between 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., which means thatâs when you should take the most precautions when it comes to the sun. This includes wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and a straw hat if you can; this will not only protect your face from UV rays but your hair as well.
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Youâve got until the end of September to take advantage of all that the summer season has to offer as far as your hair is concerned. SoâŠwhat are you waiting for? Get out into the sun and stimulate some serious hair growth, girl!
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Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
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ÂThis article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In ShamblesÂ
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his fatherâa topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a âfamily radical healing coach,â played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapistâs eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesnât go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest â his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
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The Common Denominator Is You. So, Why Do You Keep Choosing The Wrong Men?
Everywhere you go, there you are. Itâs one of those popular sayings (kind of like âIt is what it isâ) that I find myself using a lot, especially when Iâm in sessions with my clients. Why? Well, itâs kind of likean article that I once read that pretty much said our culture likes to play the toxic game of blaming other people because itâs an easy way to deflect from personal accountability (check out âWhat It Actually Means To 'Hold Yourself Accountable'â). So true, so true,
Well, another way of saying âeverywhere you go, there you areâ is using the math term âcommon denominatorâ â and today, what weâre going to attempt to tackle is, why is it that some of us, if we stepped back a moment to take a very real and honest assessment of our dating life, do we always end up with the same kind of guy? One who really isnât the best for us; sometimes, not even close.
Before getting into some questions that I think can help you get to the answer, let me just say that this is definitely one of the kinds of pieces that may step on at least your pinky toe before itâs all said and done. At the same time, although this might not be the most comfortable of reads, keep in mind what the late poet, singer, and publisher Tuli Kupferberg once said, âWhen patterns are broken, new worlds emerge.â
And so, if when it comes to the caliber of men youâve dated, what youâve been doing is revealing that your pattern is not really working for your ultimate good, spend a bit of time trying to unpack just why that could be the case â why, at the end of the day, you truly are the common denominator in it all.
How Self-Aware Are You?
GiphyAbout five years ago, I penned an article for the site entitled âThese Are The Things Self-Aware People Do Daily.â You know, of all of the things to be in this life, prioritizing self-awareness is king because self-aware people do things like hold themselves accountable, know their strengths and weaknesses, identify their triggers, have good boundaries, self-reflect, pay attention to their own âblind spotsâ â and they can â eh hem â take feedback and constructive criticism pretty well.
That last one? If youâre constantly in a hamster wheel or even a cul-de-sac when it comes to men, be honest with yourself: did your family, friends, hell, even your co-workers warn you about some of the guys you dated, and you found yourself either defending, deflecting or getting offended? Yeah, self-aware people donât get down like that because they would rather have peace and be wrong than act like they are always right and remain in chaos.
So yeah, if youâre always in some foolishness or even in relationships that are simply a counterproductive waste of time, pondering how self-aware you actually are is a really good place to start. Self-reflect. Know your weaknesses. Listen to what others have to say about your tendencies. All of this can do you a whole lot of good.
How Humble Are You?
GiphySociety is a wild place, boy. The reason why I say that is because, while itâs out here acting like humility is a bad thing, Scripture says, âBy humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.â (Proverbs 22:4) And why is humility such a vital spiritual attribute? Because, when youâre humble â youâre grateful; youâre teachable; youâre open to seeing things outside of your own perspective; youâre compassionate and empathetic; youâre flexible; youâre forgiving, and youâre able to release your ego so that you can accept what you need over what you want.
What you need over what you want. Chile, if that doesnât keep some people in cyclic stuff, I honestly donât know what does. Thereâs a client that I have right now who only contacts me when sheâs basically blown up her life because she constantly gets caught up in a manâs looks and bedroom performance. When I tell her that she needs to stop making that #1 and #2 of things to look for in a relationship, she âuh-huh'sâ me and then does what she wants to do anyway â only for it to end up wreaking all sorts of havocâŠagain.
Itâs another message for another time about how some of us could stand to look within to see if wanting a fine man above all else is more about validating some deep-rooted insecurities that we have about our own looks (ouch). For now, Iâll just say that if your ego is out here telling you that looks and sexual performance should trump things like character and consistency, it is LYING to you. If you chose to heed the humble side of yourself, you would know that.
And this actually brings me to my next question.
How Stuck Are You in Your âTypeâ?
GiphyThe reason why I wrote âAccording To Experts, We All Have A âTypeââ back in the day is because itâs true â pretty much all of us have a type which is pretty much a preference; thereâs absolutely nothing wrong with that either. At the same time, Iâm advising, from very up close and personal experience, that itâs a good idea to spend some time pondering âthe origin storyâ of where your type came from.
Me? Iâm always gonna be down for a very tall, hella chocolate, basketball (or soccer) build Black man. However, Iâm a sexual abuse survivor and my molester looked a lot like that, so during the healing process of what he did to me, I had to factor in his influence. Plus, my first love also fits the physical mold and he definitely had quite an impact on my life. SoâŠsee what I mean? My type didnât just come out of nowhere. Yes, sometimes your type may have some trauma or drama attached to it. And yes, that might be really uncomfortable to think about; still, that doesnât mean itâs not true.
Now my late fiancĂ©? He was right at about 6â and, complexion-wise, he was lighter than I am. He treated me better than most of the men of my past, though â and even though he definitely pursued me for a while to get me to consider us beyond being friends, because I took a risk outside of my type, I learned what it was like to be loved in a healthy way. And what that did for me was it taught me to remain open outside of my standard type. I still like a tall-ass Godiva man, chile (and donât let him have a beard and be in a tailored suit!). I donât limit myself to that package, though. To do so would be severely limiting â potentially tragic even.
How Healed Are You?
GiphyâHealedâ is a word that comes up A LOT in the social media space. When it comes to relationships, specifically, itâs important to ask yourself if you are healed from your past because, if you arenât, you very well could be reliving it over and overâŠand over again, whether you realize it (or choose to accept it) or not.
Just so that weâre all on the same page, the word âhealâ means things like healthy, sound, and whole. Synonyms for the word include improve, restore, mend, soothe, and rehabilitate. Signs that you have healed from past hurts of a relationship (or a series of relationships) include you donât think of them with anger or bitterness; you can see the silver linings from the experience; youâve forgiven them for things that they did wrong (or that simply hurt you â and no, thatâs not always one and the same), and you donât pick (or avoid) other people to be in your life solely based on what someone else did to you.
What I mean by that last one is an unhealed woman may say something like, âI donât want to do [such and such] for a first date. Thatâs what my ex liked to do.â The new guy isnât him, so why does he have to be beholden to your past? Or, âI donât trust men who wonât let me go through their phone. Thatâs how I found out my ex was cheating.â You know, for all of the women who like to play a non-animated form ofInspector Gadget (the real ones know), they sure donât want their phones inspected as much as they like to do all of the inspecting. SMDH. Anyway, I donât go through phones. For what? I donât pay the bill and Iâm not anyoneâs parent. And so, your next guy not preferring it either? That doesnât automatically mean that heâs up to no good â he may just want his boundaries respected. An unhealed person may not accept that. A healed one tends to, though.
And how can being unhealed play a direct role in you choosing the same guys over and over again? Itâs weird because, sometimes you will go back to whatâs familiar to you â because the new guy is such a risk, youâd prefer to âstick to the devil you knowâ than take a chance on someone who rolls very differently. Itâs a cryptic way of remaining the common denominator in your dating dynamics. Oh, but it happens all of the time, chile.
What Makes a Man WRONG for You? Specifically?
GiphyOkay, with a lot of the inner work out of the way, how do you even come to the conclusion that someone (or several people) is wrong for you? Because you know what? Once youâve done some real healing (and serious maturing), you can oftentimes find yourself accepting the fact that just because someone may not be right for you, that doesnât automatically or necessarily make them a bad person. No, not at all.
Although the word âwrongâ can mean that something or someone isnât morally right, wrong also means things like erroneous, not suitable or appropriate, not in accordance with certain requirements, or â and please catch it â out of order (which sometimes consists of the right thing happening at the wrong time). So, if it does seem like you keep choosing (because it is always a choice; that is also where accountability comes in) men who arenât appropriate, arenât in accordance with your needs or standards, or who arenât what you need at the time â why is that? Is it rooted in fear? Impatience? Settling? What?
I have had enough clients go through this to know that itâs not good enough to be abstract about someone being âwrongâ for you. You need to set aside one weekend, get some wine and a fresh journal, and really get into what wrong looks like. For instance, if you keep lowering your standards (which is the wrong thing to do, by definition), why is that? Because no matter how wrong the guy may ultimately turn out to be, what you have to be willing to accept is â again â you chose him. Why do you choose whatâs wrong? Because, more times than not, some red (or at least orange) flags were waving long before the relationship came crashing down; oftentimes, they reveal themselves within the first couple of dates. You just chose to ignore them.
One more.
Do You Know a Good Man When You See One? You Sure?
GiphyAs we close all of this out, when you get a chance, please check out âQuestion: Is The Man In Your Life Good 'TO' You? Good 'FOR' You? Or...Both?â Learning the difference between âtoâ and âforâ took my own relational processing to an entirely new and freeing level. And you know what? Back to the healing point, another way to know that youâve healed is you donât generalize men. Meaning, that if youâre out here declaring that there arenât any good ones, thatâs not true; youâre just jaded (I mean, itâs the truth), and that head and energy space is affecting your judgment and perspective.
That said, if youâre constantly selecting the wrong men, ask yourself if you even know what a good man looks like (cue India.Arieâs âGood Manâ). Again, by definition, good means things like morally excellent, right, kind, friendly, benevolent, educated, financially sound (not rich, stable and responsibleâŠgoodness), genuine, reliable, dependable, responsible, attractive, warm, intimate â satisfactory to the purpose (yes, thatâs a literal definition).
For a man to be good for you, you need to know what purpose he is to serve at this particular point in your life because if, for example, all men seem to do, in your eyes, is use you for sex, why are you prioritizing sex over an emotional connection if the latter is the purpose that you seek right now? A lot of women can stop being the common denominator when it comes to choosing the wrong man if they 1) become the good that they seek and 2) do not betray the purpose behind why they even desire a relationship in the first place.
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I know. When things arenât going your way when it comes to matters of the heart, it can be easy to always say itâs the manâs fault. If thereâs a pattern, though, please be a bit more self-reflective than that.
Once you do, youâd be amazed by how much about you shifts â to where the wrong guys canât even get close to you, in the way that they used to, anymore.
Because you cease to be the âcommon denominatorâ you once were.
And how wonderful is that?
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