News

Why is My Hair not Growing? 0

There is an unhealthy obsession with the length of hair within the natural hair community. The actual health of the hair is sacrificed for length amongst a lot of people with natural hair, most especially type 4 hair. Type 4 hair is kinky and very dry and ranges from type 4a (loosest kinks) - 4c (kinkiest). 

A Guide to Wellness on a Vegan/Plant Based Diet 0

How to Regrow Your Edges Back Naturally - Tips for Repairing Your Thinning Hairline 0

A lot of women will and have experienced thinning of the hair especially around the hairline. The edges of the hair are the most fragile and sensitive part of your head. They need the most attention and care as it is very easy for your edges to get damaged. 

You may be wondering why you have been losing hair around your hairline. This could be caused by a number of things such as; scalp dermatitis/eczema, cancer, thyroid disease, postpartum hair loss, stress, hereditary and so much more. Firstly, it’s important to figure out if the reason your edges are thinning are due to health related issues before you look at other causes. 

If you do not suffer from any health related issues and do not have any scalp condition then you should continue reading as some of the reasons may be the cause of your thinning edges:

1. Wigs
A lot of wig wearers will be shocked by this as this is how a lot of people are able to protect their natural hair under. However the way you wear your wigs can have a massive impact on your edges. If you are a wig wearer you should try and stay away from glue as much as possible as this will rip out your edges especially if you do not take it off properly. It may even cause an allergic reaction, which a lot of people have complained about. You can use alternatives like Wig Fix; which is a soft hypoallergenic silicone headband that offers safer security for your wigs. You should also take breaks from wearing wigs as the wig hairline/band and the weight/length will be causing distress and rubbing on your hairline. 

2. Gels
If you notice your hair thinning around your hairline, you should definitely take a break from gels too. Gels can clog up your scalp by not allowing it to breathe.

3. Tight Hairstyles
This is the most obvious reason for thinning hair. Tight hairstyles can cause a lot of tension on your scalp pulling out hair follicles. It can also lead to alopecia areata which can cause permanent hair loss. So take a break on the high ponytails and try not to consistently braid your hair. 

4. Heat
You should be very careful about the amount of heat you apply on your hair but most especially on your edges. The heat from straighteners and blow dryers can cause serious damage as it will dry out the hair causing it to break. It is okay if your edges do not blow dry straight. If you do not want to completely stop using heat on your hair you can at least reduce the temperature so as to not cause any lasting damage. You should also use the cooling feature on your blow dryer after applying heat. 

Now that you have read through and figured out what may be causing your hair loss, you are probably wondering what you need to do to prevent more hair loss/damage and restore your hair. Don’t worry we have curated some extra tips to aid in your journey to thicker, fuller edges and hair. We have even listed some of our products that will be very helpful for your hair below; 

Tips:

• Make sure your hair is always moisturised. You can do the LOC method (Liquid, Oil and Cream) and make sure you are not neglecting your hairline too, as your edges will really benefit from this. You can use water or any water based product like Riza Hydrating Mist, and any carrier oil of your choice (olive oil or coconut oil) and seal in the moisture with our Moisturizing Avocado and Coconut Hair Butter. You can twist or braid your hair after. This will ensure that the hair is protected.

• In addition ensure you are doing a deep condition regularly. Try to go for deep conditioners that are free of parabens, parfum, silicone and alcohol.

• Massage your hairline and the rest of your scalp regularly with some oils. This will help stimulate blood circulation which is essential for hair growth. You can use castor oil or any essential oils of your choice like; peppermint, lavender, rosemary and tea tree oil, which are very good for stimulating hair growth. Make sure to dilute these oils with any carrier oil. You can even mix it in with some castor oil.

• Treat your hair once in a while as this can boost the strength of your hair and scalp. It can also help with keeping the hair moisturised. The hot oil treatment is very effective for this. It also increases blood flow to your scalp which will help with hair growth. You can contact Riza Beauty to get your hands on the bespoke hot oil treatment by sending us a mail or you can book a consultation on the website.

• A healthy diet that contains proteins, minerals and vitamins will aid with strengthening and hair growth.

• Sleep with a silk or satin scarf/bonnet or pillow case. This is very important as cotton can dry out the hair and the silk and satin will protect the hair and keep the moisture in.

• Just leave your hair alone! Too much manipulation can cause a lot of pulling on the scalp and breakage of the hair. Try not to comb too harshly and be very careful of the type of brushes you use around the perimeter of your hair.

• Lastly, you should formulate a hair care routine that works for you with the incorporation of the aforementioned tips. This will allow you to be consistent as nothing will work if you are not consistent. Hair growth is a working progress and takes time so remember to be patient and not to be too hard on yourself. You can document the process to keep track of how far you have come with your hair growth/restoration journey.

Natural Remedies For Eczema and Dermatitis 0

I’ve noticed that a lot of people are not familiar with the condition that is eczema and some that are aware of this condition do not know it is something that can affect the scalp and the health of the hair. A good number of hair stylists and hairdressers would just assume your hair is dirty or not washed properly. 

Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease that causes the skin (and scalp) to be dry, flaky, itchy and red. It is not contagious and can be as a result of allergies, autoimmune disorders and even asthma. It is a life long disease that has no cure. 

I have been dealing with eczema from my childhood into my adulthood and recently started developing eczema patches on my scalp. Doctors would usually prescribe a steroid cream to treat  eczema but I was always wary about continuously applying it on my scalp and wondered if there are other milder ways to manage the patches on my scalp. So of course I did some research and found out there are indeed natural remedies to help with the irritation;

Research has shown that essential oils can help reduce itching and flare ups.

Tea tree oil:

As tea tree oil has anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties, it is a very efficient way of managing eczema/dermatitis flare ups on your scalp. It works the best when diluted with water or used in conjunction with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or olive oil. You can put a few drops (about 8) in a spray bottle with water or olive oil and directly spray onto the flare ups on your scalp. It will help relieve the irritation and heal the patches. 

Lavender oil:

Lavender oil works both as an antiseptic and also has anti-fungal and anti-flammatory properties.  This makes it a very good natural remedy for eczema/dermatitis. It cleanses the skin and subsides irritation on the skin caused by eczema. You can add two drops into your carrier oil/water or even mix it with tea tree oil along with a carrier oil. 

Patchouli oil:

Studies have shown that patchouli oil has an anti-flammatory effect. This may help suppress the eczema/dermatitis flare up you have on your skin/scalp. 

Some other essential oils that may help relieve eczema/dermatitis on the hair and skin are; primrose oil, peppermint oil, jojoba oil and borage oil

Aloe Vera:

Aloe Vera has been proven to be effective for eczema. It has anti-flammatory properties which will help soothe the scalp. 

Apple cider vinegar:

Beauty gurus swear by Apple cider vinegar rinse due to its antimicrobial properties that may help tame an irritation or flare up caused by eczema and dermatitis. Studies have shown that it is  effective in getting rid of build up and subside severe symptoms of eczema on the scalp. It will also restore the pH balance of your hair. You should always dilute apple cider vinegar when doing a hair rinse. 

*Note: with the essential oils you should always dilute them with a carrier oil such as; olive oil or   with water. You should also do a patch test on the less sensitive part of your skin as they work differently for each individual.

Why Tea Tree Oil is Heaven Sent 0

Tea tree oil is one of the most versatile essential oils, which comes from the leaves of a small tree that can be found in Australia called the Melaleuca alternifolia. It is an antiseptic that has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. It has become very popular in a lot of households and within the beauty industry. Tea tree oil offers various uses such as;

1. Acne
Tea tree oil can be used to get rid of spots and acne. It is a staple for my skincare routine and has been extremely helpful with treating spots on my face. 

2. Post-hair removal care
If you wax or shave, tea tree oil is a good way to soothe and treat your skin post hair removal. It is really good at tackling ingrown hairs and bumps. 

3. Anti-fungal 
If you suffer from nail fungus, tea tree oil may be used to help with the appearance of your nails. Research has shown that it is an effective natural remedy in treating nail fungus. From my experience tea tree oil is one of the best oils used to treat nail fungus plus it cost less and goes a longer way. It may also be useful in treating athlete’s foot. 

4. Anti-bacterial 
The native Australians have used this oil to treat skin conditions and wounds for hundreds of years due to its antiseptic anti-bacterial properties. It is really good in disinfecting and healing minor cuts and wounds. 

Studies have shown that it also has some antiviral properties. Tea tree oil can be used as;

• A hand sanitizer
• As a general cleaning agent
• To kill germs that cause colds and flus. 

5. Anti-inflammatory
If you suffer from a skin condition such as dermatitis, psoriasis or eczema, tea tree oil may help to relieve flare ups, irritation and severity of symptoms.

It is a very good way of loosening dandruff and scale from the scalp and can help soothe inflammation and irritation caused by insect bites. 

6. Insect repellent 
Studies showed that tea tree oil is more effective than DEET a common ingredient found in insect repellents. If you're a lover of the outdoors, go camping or live in a tropical country this should be in your cupboard!

7. Mouthwash
People have noted that tea tree oil was quite effective in treating bacterial infection of the gum and mouth and getting rid of dental plaque. It should always be diluted and never ingested. 

There are so many other great uses of tea tree oil and it is important to note that the potency and the amount used varies for each of its uses. Though it is generally safe for use it may cause irritation for a few. 

What are you still waiting for? Head over to our site to get your heaven sent bottle of tea tree oil! 
https://rizabeauty.com/products/tea-tree-essential-oil-melaleuca-alternifolia-australia?_pos=1&_sid=c9dc5a22f&_ss=r

Hair, Skin, Wellness: My COVID 19 Lockdown Routine and Tips 1

Shortly after my return from the UK and Dubai, the first two weeks lockdown was initiated. Loads of thoughts filled my head, but the unique one that stood out was the need to stock up food items including water, fruits and vegetables. Once that was achieved, my next target was my hair and skin - this would be the best time to take proper care of both as they had been neglected due to the hustle and bustle of running a business. 

Frustrated about the current situation and the likely possibility of an extension of the lockdown, I decided to make the best of it and develop a self care routine. Below is my daily and weekly activities for happiness and good health.

Hair care: 

• I wash and condition once a week and every 2 weeks I do a deep condition. It’s also important to moisture and seal post hair wash. You can do the LOC (Liquid, Oil and Cream) method which is basically a good method to moisturise and seal the hair. 
• I can either use water or a water based product (e.g mist/leave-in conditioner), use a sealant such as an essential oil or any oil of your preference (e.g olive oil) and a cream/butter to keep the moisture in which will aid in hydration of the hair. My choice of products are Riza Hydrating Mist, Avocado Oil and Coconut Hair Butter.
• I make sure to braid/plait my hair after this as it will keep my ends protected from breakage. Please note that the LOC method can be done twice a week or when you think your hair is dry and in need of some extra moisture. 

Skin and Face care: 

• I shower daily and moisturise after with the Riza Super Moisturising Body Oil. 
• I use our bespoke Aloe Vera soap free wash to gently cleanse my face and then apply Vitamin C for that extra glow! You can check your local beauty stores or pharmacies for Vitamin C but I got mine from Holland and Barrett. 

Wellness:

• I exercise daily for about 30-45 minutes. This is really good for blood circulation, increasing energy levels and for improving the function of the lungs, which is important right now as coronavirus attacks the lungs and immune system. 
• A healthy diet with loads of fruits and vegetables are also good in keeping the immune system strong. If you have trouble with eating vegetables and fruits you can always blend them into a smoothie. I really love to make a fruity smoothie. You can make a spinach & blueberry smoothie to incorporate both vegetables and fruits in your diet. There are lots of iron and antioxidants in this delicious combination which is  extremely beneficial to the function of the body. 
• I take vitamins and supplements (like Wellwoman Plus vitabiotics and Vitamin D3) to further boost my immune system alongside drinking hot water with lemon and honey. 
• Freshly grated ginger can be added to the hot lemon water. Ginger contains chemical compounds that can lower risks of infections. Lemon is a very good source of vitamin c and can improve ones skin quality and aids digestion. Honey used to sweeten the hot water lemon also has its own beneficial properties. It has been recommended as an effective natural alternative to cough syrup by the WHO. 
• Oh yes ... Stay hydrated! A healthy balanced diet & supplements will be useless without drinking enough water daily (2 litres per day is recommended).

Lastly and most importantly, Riza Natural Oils & Remedies will advise that you:

• Practice social distancing 
• Carry and use hand sanitizer always (at least 60% concentration of alcohol)
• Wear a face mask when out 
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
• Adhere to CDC guidelines.