I have a natural afro that grows out, not down. I started trying to grow my hair out late 2018 – early 2019 but I had a major set back because of hair breakage. I’ve cut my hair short again and I’m starting over. Now I can see if the hair growth hacks I’ve learned about like MSM, rosemary, and castor oil create luscious locks in a short amount of time as widely attested.

I learned about MSM from Youtube. It is a sulfur-containing compound supplement used for hair and skin. It is sold typically in a crystal powdered form and dissolved in hot water or as a pill. In crystal powdered form it is recommended that you add vitamin C powder to prevent headaches and improve the taste. Honestly, the taste is horrible no matter what. I tried different combinations suggested online like drinking it with orange juice and that mixture made it taste worse!

I also tried drinking it with a little Ginger Ale and this made it taste better in my opinion. Now I’m just drinking it twice a day as a shot. I dissolve one teaspoon and 1/2 of it in hot water with one teaspoon of vitamin C powder. I’ve read that it’s best to find a pure crystal version of MSM because some companies sell it with additives to give you less product in pill form.

The MSM I purchased is from Amazon – “Gold Standard Organic Sulfur Crystals 2lb – 99.9% Pure MSM Crystals – Largest Granular Flakes Available.”

My mom taught me that most women use rosemary in their hair in Panama for quicker hair growth. I also know my naturally dry hair responds well to castor oil and regular deep treatments. Knowing this, I created a new weekly routine, every week I deep condition with castor oil and then I set my hair with rollers using rosemary water ( rosemary boiled in water and cooled) with Aveda Damage Remedy.

The Plague of Cheap Shampoos and Conditioners, Rice Water, & Products that Work

My hair does not respond well to cheap products. I’ve tried to cut corners when I was natural and now with relaxed hair as well but to no avail. I love the brand Aveda because my hair responds well to it.

I plan to continue to invest in the Aveda Rosemary Mint and Damage Remedy lines from here on out. I’ve returned to using ORS Hair mayonnaise as a deep treatment and it continues to make my hair extremely soft. I used ORS Hair mayonnaise throughout college and can vouch that it does make natural hair 4C soft and frizz-free. An added perk is that it is also affordable typically costing around $7 to 9 dollars.

I tried rice water in the past but I feel like the fermenting process is too messy, smelly, and time-consuming. Also, too much protein is detrimental to hair growth. My routine to take MSM twice a day, morning and night, and weekly deep treatments ending with a roller set with rosemary water and Damage Remedy is faster and cleaner.

Hair Vitamins, A Fail and A Win

Optimal Solutions Extra Strength Hair Skin and Nails Dietary Supplement Softgels did not work for me. I feel like the supplements made my hair fall out. I’m unsure if it was only the supplements or stress as well but as soon as I started using it my hair came out in clumps. I remember reading one other review from a lady with relaxed hair stating her hair fell out in clumps too, perhaps this supplement does not work well with relaxed hair. Regardless, I will never use it again.

I believe using the wrong supplement for me along with visits to a salon that was not working for my hair created massive breakage. I’ve since switched over to MSM as my supplement of choice. I also started to use Glow Inner Beauty Powder this winter 2019/2020 for my skin but I noticed it helped with overall health. I now have strong hair again. My hair feels thicker and normal, and my skin remains clear.

Hair after first relaxer, before damage from vitamins and salon visits

early 2019

MSM, Rosemary, Aveda Damage Remedy, Castor Oil

At this point, I will stick to a weekly deep treatment routine and update my blog on MSM progress in two to three months. I will stop using MSM in three months and take a break because the body builds tolerance and stops responding at that time frame. I’m excited to update you on the results! Frankly, I’m just happy my hair feels like me again and I know my regimen will work.

The hair journey continues…. ❤

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