| How to Comb an Afro Posted: 03 Jun 2018 05:00 PM PDT Caring for your afro is easy, as long as you use the right products and treat it with care! Before you style your afro, you want to detangle it properly. It is best to detangle hair when it is wet, and you can apply leave-in conditioner and natural oils to keep your hair hydrated. Comb through your hair in small sections, and twist or braid each section as you go. Once your hair is combed, grab a pick and comb through it from root to tip. Pat down your afro to create a beautifully round shape. With some patience and practice, your afro will look great! EditRemoving Tangles - Detangle your hair when it is wet to avoid damages. Combing your afro when it is dry can be quite damaging to the follicle, and may result in breakage. To protect it as best as you can, comb your hair right after you shower or spray water over your head before you comb.
- Apply leave-in conditioner to your hair. When detangling your afro, you want to keep it as hydrated and moisturized as possible to prevent breakage. For best results, generously apply leave-in conditioner to all of your hair.[1]
- The conditioner acts as a lubricant, so your comb can easily glide through your hair.
- If you do not have a leave-in conditioner, then wet your hair and apply regular conditioner. Use a wide-toothed comb through your hair with the conditioner in. Then, rinse out the conditioner.
- Run a natural oil through your hair to keep it hydrated and healthy. In addition to leave-in conditioner, you can apply a natural oil like coconut, olive, almond, or jojoba oil before you comb your hair. The oil saturates the hair follicle, which acts as a shield against breakage. Rub a quarter-sized amount of oil in your hands, then run it through your hair from root to tip. Use more oil as needed so all of your hair is thoroughly saturated.[2]
- You can experiment with the type of oil you use until you find one you like best.
- In addition, you can combine oils for a perfect hair repairing cocktail.
- Divide your hair into 4-8 sections so it is easier to detangle. Combing your hair 1 section at a time makes the task seem less overwhelming and ensures you detangle all of your hair. To do this, separate your top hair from the back, and section off the remaining hair from left to right. Then, you can continue to separate these sections into smaller, manageable chunks based on the length and thickness of your hair. Secure each section using hair clips.[3]
- You can use plastic hair clamps or duck bill clips, for example.
- Comb through your hair with your fingers to get rid of major tangles. Separate each strand with your fingers to gently get rid of knots before you use a comb. This helps avoid major breakage and damage to your ends.[4]
- Using your fingers to comb your hair makes it easier to use a pick later on.
- Select a wide-tooth pick or comb to separate each strand. After you've combed through your hair with your fingers, run a comb through your hair to untangle it. Comb from root to tip, starting with your first section of hair. Wide-tooth combs or picks work best with afros because they brush through your hair with the least damage possible.[5]
- In addition, using combs help remove stray hairs.
- You may also use a denman brush to separate the strands, but only if the afro has already been detangled with a comb.
- Twist or braid each section after you finish combing it. To keep your hair tangle-free, hold the end of your hair and twist in a clockwise motion. Then, secure the end with a clip or elastic band. Do this after you finish untangling each section of hair, and you can keep your hair out of the way as you untangle the rest as well.[6]
- In addition, you can braid your hair. Divide your hair into 3 sections, and hold the left side with your left hand and the right side with your right hand. Cross the left section over the middle section, then cross the right section over the middle section to make your braid. Then, take the middle section and cross it over the left side. Repeat this until you reach the end of your hair, then secure your braid.[7]
- You may also try a 2 strand twist. Divide the hair into 2 sections and cross the right section over the left section all the way to the end. You may add a hair clip if desired, but it may not be necessary to hold the twist together.
- Repeat for each section of your hair. Once you finish 1 section of hair, unclip another section and start to untangle that 1. Take your time as you comb your hair so you can protect it as much as possible.
- When you finish, you can either create hairstyles like braids or curls instead of an afro, if you'd like.
EditShaping Your Afro - Unclip all of your hair if you are styling a small afro. When styling short afro looks, you can easily pick it all out together. To do this, unclip or untie your hair, and run your fingers through it gently to create your basic shape.
- Pick out your hair in sections if you have longer hair. If your hair is longer than or so, you may find it easier to pick out your hair in smaller sections. To do this, simply leave your hair in its twist or braid and pick 1 section at a time. Start in the back and work your way towards the front to keep your shape consistent. [8]
- Apply shea butter to your hair if you want to prevent breakage. If you have longer hair, you may want to apply another conditioning product before you pick out your hair. This keeps the follicle protected as you create your hairstyle. Scoop up a quarter-sized amount of shea butter, and rub it between both of your palms. Then, run your hands on either side of your hair to evenly coat it.[9]
- You can also run your fingers through your hair to get it in between each section.
- Place your pick at your scalp to lift your hair at the roots. When picking your hair, you want to lift the hair starting at the root. This will elongate the hair. Insert the pick into your hairline as close to your roots as you can.[10]
- Remove your pick from your hair when you get to the ends. It is important to avoid damaging the ends of your hair. To prevent this, move the pick out of your afro when you reach the end of your hair, rather than pulling it all the way through.[11]
- This also provides ample definition and volume, so you can get the best shape possible.
- Continue picking the top, back, and both sides of your head. For short hairstyles, start at the top of your head and work your way around both sides. If you are picking your hair in sections, it can be helpful to work your way from back to front. Repeat the same movements across all of your hair to create the shape of your afro.
- Pat the ends of your hair with your hands to round off your shape. After you've picked through all of your hair, pat the outside of your hair gently to create your shape and hide stray pieces of hair. Move your hands back and forth repetitively to shape all sides of your afro. You can start at the top and work your way around from either side. Don't forget to pat the back![12]
- Pat down the same area multiple times if that helps create your perfect shaped fro.
- Look for any areas that are not uniform with the rest. Inspect your afro in the mirror, and make sure your shape is perfect. If there are any spots that are not even with the rest, run your pick through your hair and pat it back down.[13]
- Continue this until you are satisfied with the look of your afro!
EditThings You'll Need - Leave-in conditioner
- Natural oil
- Wide-toothed comb
- Clips or elastic ties
EditRelated wikiHows - After you comb through your hair, dust off your shoulders and face. Afros shed a lot!
- If you don't want to pick your hair after you comb through it, wrap it in a silk scarf before you go to bed. This protects your hair as your sleep, and it also keeps it tangle-free.
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Start an Organic Garden Posted: 03 Jun 2018 09:00 AM PDT Organic gardeners grow healthy, high-quality foods and flowers without using any synthetic chemicals. Organic methods are healthier, better for the environment and wildlife, and are less expensive because there are no chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides to buy. All of this is accomplished by working with nature, instead of against it. Best of all, you can be an organic gardener with only a few square feet of sunny space for your garden. Done right, established organic gardens can be easy to maintain. EditCreating Your Garden Site - Get started early. Get a jump on your gardening effort at any time of year by choosing a site for the garden, buying containers for a container garden, planting seedlings, building garden boxes, and making compost for your garden.
- Choose a small site for your organic garden. Think small, especially at first. Find a spot in your yard that gets at least 6 hours of sun a day.[1] A well-maintained garden can furnish all of the fresh vegetables that one person will eat.
- Even a window box or a few containers can be a starter garden.
- Think about using your lawn as a garden. A pristine lawn is a lot of work and, depending on your climate, may require a lot of fertilizer and water to keep green. It's also a mono-culture that is difficult to maintain. At the very least, consider letting clover and other plants in, and don't panic if a few weeds spring up. Consider planting something besides lawn or making your lawn smaller, especially in arid climates.
- Consider a container garden. Try growing in pots, boxes, or buckets on a patio. Even growing herbs in one of your south-facing windows to garnish your favorite dishes and soups is great fun.[2]
- Even if you don't have a sunny backyard or patio, you may be able to grow parsley, mints, garlic/green onions, chives, or even small tomatoes this way.
- buckets can be easily converted to gardening containers by adding a layer of pebbles to the bottom and drilling 3 or 4 holes on the bottom for drainage.[3]
EditMaking Organic Soil - Make a compost pile. Compost is the main ingredient for developing rich organic soil. You can use almost any kind of organic material to make compost that will enrich your soil, but the best things to start with are usually right there in your garden:[4]
- Fallen leaves
- Weeds (preferably before they go to seed)
- Grass clippings
- Old fruit and vegetable trimmings
- Don't use anything containing oil, fat, meat, grease, feces, dairy, or wood chips.[5]
- Test the pH of your soil. Test the pH of your soil by buying pH test strips from a garden store. Stir a handful of soil with lukewarm distilled water until it's the consistency of a milkshake, then dip the pH test strip in. Hold it there for 20-30 seconds, then compare the strip to the test kit's key.
- The pH (acidity versus alkalinity) of your soil should be somewhere between 5.5 to 7.0 for plants to thrive.[6]
- If your soil is too acidic (below 5.5), buy dolomite or quick lime to add to the soil, then retest.
- If your soil is too alkaline (above 7.0), add more organic matter, like peat moss or compost, then test the soil again.
- Measure your soil's drainage. Dig a hole in your garden or container wide. Fill the hole with water and wait 24 hours. Then, fill the hole with water again and measure how fast the water drops with a tape measure. The ideal rate is per hour.[7]
- Adding a few cups of compost or peat moss will help soil that drains too fast and soil that drains too slow.
- For a less scientific test, moisten your soil and grab a handful of it. The soil should hold together, but fall apart when you poke it with a finger. If your soil holds its shape or falls apart without a poke, add more organic matter (compost or peat moss) to improve its drainage.
- Add organic soil from your compost heap. The key to organic agriculture is great soil. Add as much organic material to your soil as you can, preferably from your compost heap. Soil that has been built up with plenty of organic matter is good for your garden for a lot of reasons:[8]
- It will nourish your plants without chemical fertilizers.
- It is easier to get shovels into—and weeds out of—enriched soil that isn't packed hard.
- It is softer, so plant roots can penetrate more easily and deeply.
- It will help water and air spend the right amount of time in contact with roots. Clay soils can be heavy and will stay wet for a long time. Sandy soils can drain water too quickly. Compost mitigates both conditions.
EditPlanting and Maintaining Your Garden - Choose plants for your organic garden. Think about what you like to eat and how often you want to eat it. Plants like tomatoes, peppers, and squash will keep producing all year long, while vegetables like carrots and corn will only produce once. Buy seedlings from a garden store or farmer's market.[9]
- Be sure to buy seedlings that haven't bloomed yet, and make sure to ask if they've been treated with chemicals. To be a true organic garden, your plants should be completely free of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
- Plant your seedlings in full sun after the last frost. Plant seedlings into your organic, compost-rich soil and set them in areas where they'll receive full sun: at least 6 hours a day.[10]
- Plant thickly to prevent weed growth. Companion plantings can fill in spaces in vegetable gardens, too, and will help you make the most of a small space. Spaces that are planted thickly enough will discourage weeds from growing between plants that you want.
- Mulch areas around plants deep. Organic mulches, including bark, wood chips, and grass clippings, gradually break down and enrich the soil.[11]
- In the meantime, they control weeds, help to moderate soil temperatures, and slow evaporation, meaning that you can water less.
- Water your garden in the morning. Water in the morning, when the temperature is cool and there's less risk of evaporation, which will deprive your plants of water.
- Watering in the evening isn't ideal, as it keeps your plants wet overnight and encourages mildew. It's still preferable to watering in the middle of the day, though.[12]
- Weed your garden every few weeks. Regularly taking off the green portions of weeds will deprive them of the nourishment they need to continue growing. Weeds are any plant you don't want growing in an area, and may include invasive ornamental or productive plants, such as ivy and mint.[13]
- Use a hoe and keep it sharp. Try a Dutch hoe or scuffle hoe instead of a conventional gooseneck style hoe. Hoe each area frequently enough to keep green weeds down.
- Hand weed to remove the roots of perennial weeds that grow back. Also hand weed carefully around established plants, to avoid uprooting the plants you want.
- Try heat to control weeds in cracks, in the form of steam, a heat gun, boiling water, or even a small blowtorch, carefully applied.
- Attract helpful creatures by adding seeds, compost, or flowers. Many creatures can help your garden. Arrange the conditions of your garden to encourage them by:
- Putting out seed for birds[14]
- Adding compost to your soil to attract worms[15]
- Planting alyssum, sunflowers, lemon balm, and parsley to invite beneficial insects[16]
- The key to pest and weed control is to act early and often and keep them from becoming a problem.
- You can use almost any kind of organic material to make compost that will enrich your soil, but try to avoid materials that have been treated with chemicals, like grass clippings which have been sprayed with herbicides and pesticides.
- You can also add leaves and grass clippings directly to your garden as a weed-suppressing mulch, which will enrich the soil.
- Make your planting beds small enough that you can reach the whole thing without stepping on your plants.
- Aphids (tiny soft-bodied crawling insects that multiply in the spring and early summer) can be removed from your plants with a strong stream of water.
- Try the square foot gardening method! You can grow more with less space, you don't need to worry very much about soil, and it reduces weeds.
- Organic gardening differs from conventional gardening because it does not rely on synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Instead, it relies on healthy soil, careful variety selection, and physical barriers (such as mulch and hand-removal of insects.)
- You don't really need compost bins or tumblers; just pile up your material and wait for it to decompose. If you want to speed things up, "turn" the pile every once in a while to mix it up and incorporate air.
- If insects attack your plants, the best way to control them is to pick them off by hand. Practice crop rotation, permaculture methods and companion planting. These systems can greatly reduce pests, and in some cases render them non-existent.
- Try IPM (Integrated Pest Management); it's an effective way of handling pests. http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/factsheets/ipm.htm
- Don't ever use bark mulch. It might look good, but it robs nitrogen from the soil as it rots, and will keep almost anything from growing well. It also attracts termites.
- Don't use the following for your compost pile, even if it's organic:
- No meat, flesh, bones or fat of any kind.
- No oil or grease.
- Avoid large amounts of watery fruits or vegetables such as tomatoes, oranges, cucumbers, melons, prepared foods, etc. (press, drain, to dry them some if you want to use them).
- No feces (poop) from any animal that eats meat, especially from dogs or cats (people too).
- If your house ever had lead paint, lead might be in the soil. Lead leaches out of weathered paint for many years and remains in the soil. Never plant fruit, veggies, herbs, or fruit-bearing trees in the soil next to your house if you know—or suspect—that it was painted with lead-based paint.[17]
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| How to Remove the Redness of a Pimple Posted: 03 Jun 2018 01:00 AM PDT Everyone gets pimples and zits that can cause irritation and redness. The redness of a pimple is an inflammatory response, not a scar. Inflammation actually helps our tissues regenerate and is a normal part of our body's healing response, but it can be annoying when that inflammation is plastered over our face for the whole world to see. Luckily, there are home methods that can decrease or hide the inflammatory redness until your pimple heals. EditUsing Quick Home Treatments - Ice the pimple to relieve inflammation. Wrap a few ice cubes in a thin, clean cloth and apply directly to the zit. Hold the ice pack in place for 5-10 minutes at a time, repeating throughout the day as necessary. Allow your skin to rest for at least 2 hours before repeating the icing process, though, to avoid any potential damage.[1]
- Make sure not to put too much pressure on your skin. Too much pressure can cause the pimple to break, causing even more redness and spreading bacteria.
- Put a cucumber on the pimple. Cucumbers are naturally cooling, and they have mild astringent properties that may help minimize swelling and redness. Cut off a thin slice of cucumber and put it over your pimple for 5-10 minutes.[2]
- To get the best effect, use a cucumber straight out of the refrigerator. A cold cucumber is going to deal with inflammation better than a warm cucumber.
- Make an aspirin mask to reduce redness. Mix together 4-5 crushed uncoated aspirin with a little water to form a paste. Apply to the inflamed area gently with a cotton swab and rinse off once dry.[3]
- Do not try an aspirin mask if you have an allergy to the medication, if you are taking potentially interactive medication, or if you have a health condition that also prevents you from ingesting aspirin.
- Try a yogurt and honey mask to soothe inflammation. Mix together equal parts plain, full-fat yogurt and honey. Apply a thin layer of the mask to any inflamed areas on your face. Let the mask sit for 10-15 minutes before washing it off with warm water.[4]
- Apply a hot washcloth or a warm compress to the zit. While ice can temporarily reduce redness, a warm compress works to reduce long-lasting inflammation. It can also open up your pores, allowing the sebum and bacteria to exit through the head of the zit. Hold a warm compress over the pimple for 10-15 minutes at a time. Reapply the compress up to 4 times throughout the day to help clear your pimple.[5]
- To make your own warm compress, soak a washcloth in water that is hot, but not too hot to touch. If you just steeped some tea, you could even use the teabag.
- Follow your warm compress with a gentle face wash. Washing your face will help remove some of the oil and bacteria that was drawn out by the warm compress.
- You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil or lavender oil to the compress to help reduce inflammation.
- Apply a green concealer to quickly mask the redness. If you're in a rush to reduce the redness around a pimple, apply a small amount of a green concealer directly to the zit. Blend it out with a clean makeup sponge or brush, and set it with a very thin layer of translucent powder. The green will neutralize the red discoloration.[6]
- Green concealer won't perfectly match most skin tones. You will need to apply a bit of foundation or concealer that matches your skin tone over the green.
- Concealer can cover the redness of a pimple, but it will not be able to mask any bumps or rises in the skin due to a zit. Some concealers, though, have salicylic acid in them to help gradually combat acne.
- Hide the pimple with clothing or accessories. While clothes and accessories don't actually get rid of the redness, they do make it less visible. If the pimple is on your body, cover it with a piece of clothing. If it is on your face, try using an accessory like sunglasses to hide it.
- If you have long hair, you may also try to style that in a way that covers up your zit.
EditUsing Medicated Treatments - Apply a spot treatment that has salicylic acid. You can find over-the-counter spot treatments with salicylic acid at most pharmacies and drug stores. Apply the spot treatment directly to your pimple. The acid will start to dry up the oils and sebum in the area, reducing some of the zit's overall redness.[7]
- Spot treatments will take several hours to several days to completely heal the pimple, but they can start to reduce redness quickly.
- Dab on an acne cream that contains benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria in pimples. Since the bacteria also cause the redness, these creams help reduce the redness, as well.[8]
- Read the acne cream packaging to look for one that contains benzoyl peroxide.
- Use eye drops as a spot treatment. Eye drops that contain tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride are formulated to help get rid of redness. That same ingredient can help reduce some of the redness commonly associated with acne. Apply a few drops to a cotton swab and dab that on your pimple to get the most targeted treatment.[9]
- Alternately, freeze a cotton swab that's been soaked in eye drop solution overnight. Apply it gently to the pimple. The cold will suppress the inflammation.
- Eye drops won't help treat the pimple itself. They will just reduce some of the redness for a little while.
- Use an over-the-counter redness reduction product. Many drug stores and pharmacies carry redness relief creams and other topical treatments. These can target mild to moderate redness and reduce discoloration in as little as 12 hours. You may want to ask a pharmacist which product is right for you, especially if you have sensitive skin or are using any other topical treatments.[10]
- Common products used to combat redness include Rhofade and Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Night Cream.
- Try hydrocortisone cream for a temporary reduction in redness. Although hydrocortisone cream is typically used for itching, it can also help reduce redness. Dab a small amount of the cream directly onto your pimple.
- You can buy 1% hydrocortisone cream over-the-counter at most drug stores.[11]
- Use a clay mask to dry up zits. Combine 2-3 tablespoons of powdered clay with enough water to form a spreadable paste. Apply a thin layer of the mask to your face and let it dry fully before rinsing it off with warm water. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the paste before application to amp up its acne-fighting powers.[12]
- You can get powdered clay from most pharmacies, drug stores, and health food stores, as well as online.
- Alternatively, you could use a pre-mixed clay mask, which you can find in the bath section of your local department store or in a beauty supply or drug store.
EditPreventing Breakouts - See a dermatologist if you get repeated breakouts. You could get breakouts for reasons ranging from internal hormones to external environmental factors. If you're struggling to control those factors on your own, talk to a dermatologist. They can help you develop a holistic acne treatment plan that may include diet and lifestyle changes, a new or enhanced skincare routine, and/or acne medication.[13]
- A doctor is the only one who can get you prescription-strength medication if over-the-counter treatments and home remedies aren't helping with your acne.
- Wash your face daily with a quality face wash. Washing your face every day helps remove the dead skin, sebum, and bacteria that promotes acne. Look for a face wash that is formulated for acne-prone skin. Your dermatologist or doctor can help you with recommendations for the right wash for you.[14]
- Aim to wash your face 1-2 times a day. If you wear makeup, one of those times should be at the end of the day to remove your makeup. Try not to wash too much, since overwashing can actually encourage acne.
- Don't scrub too hard or use a rough-surfaced implement like a loofah or washcloth to wash your face. Your hands or a face brush will work great. When drying your face, gently pat dry with a towel.
- Use a toner after cleansing. Apply the toner to a cotton pad, then wipe it over your face. The toner will remove any excess dirt or makeup that remains on your skin and balance your skin's pH. Toner also tightens your pores.
- You can find toner at a drug store or beauty supply store.
- Moisturize your face daily. After washing your face, you should apply a moisturizing cream, gel, or lotion. This helps replenish the natural moisture that was stripped away when you washed your face. Even if you have oily or acne-prone skin, a moisturizer can help reduce the amount of oil and sebum your face produces, and reduce your breakouts.[15]
- There's no shortage of different moisturizers on the market, so finding the one for you might take a little experimenting. Look for a moisturizer that is formulated for your skin type (oily, combination, etc.) to get the best results.
- If you have acne-prone skin, look for a non-comedogenic moisturizer. It will be specifically formulated to ensure it doesn't block your pores.
- Keep your skin hydrated. A moisturizer will help keep your skin hydrated, but there's more you can do. Some of the most effective steps are preventative care, including limiting your exposure to cold or dry air, avoiding extended contact with hot or chlorinated water, and avoiding skin care products that contain alcohol. You should also make sure you are getting plenty of water inside and outside.[16]
- Many doctors recommend drinking at least 3 liters (13 cups) of water per day for men, and 2.2 liters (9 cups) of water per day for women.[17]
- Use facial mists throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated from the outside. If you are in a consistently dry area, you may even want to use a humidifier to keep your skin happy.
- Ensure that your body is getting proper vitamins. While research is still ongoing, some studies suggest that certain vitamins can help fight against inflammation and encourage healthier skin.[18] Common vitamins that are said to promote healthy skin include:
- Vitamin A. Vitamin A is an antioxidant, meaning it helps limit damaging molecules called free radicals. These can harm skin cells and hasten signs of aging. Foods rich in vitamin A include carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, squash, apricots, and cantaloupe.[19]
- Vitamin C. Vitamin C is instrumental in producing collagen, the building block of skin. Studies also suggest that it has some anti-inflammatory benefits. Foods rich in vitamin C include guava, citrus fruits, kale, broccoli, kiwi, and strawberries.[20]
- Exfoliate every week. Exfoliating is the process of removing the old, dead skin cells from the outermost layer of your skin. Exfoliating 1-2 times a week removes the dead cells that end up in zits, and helps promote cellular turnover to keep your skin bright and healthy.[21]
- You should exfoliate after you cleanse your skin but before you apply toner.
- Both mechanical exfoliants, such as facial scrubs, and chemical exfoliants, such as enzyme wipes, are widely available. If you have acne-prone, sensitive, or aging skin, though, you should opt for a chemical exfoliant since scrubs could irritate and even damage your skin.
- If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you may want to exfoliate as often as 2-3 times per week.
- Dermatologists don't recommend using toothpaste to dry up pimples. This old home remedy may actually irritate your skin and make things worse.
- Additionally, while lemon juice is a common home remedy for pimples, it can burn the skin, promote scarring and discoloration, and increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun.
- Avoid popping pimples if possible.
- If you really need to pop a pimple, wash your hands well. Then use a tissue to pop the pimple. Afterward, put a dab of antiseptic cream on the spot to remove bacteria.
- Hydrocolloid bandages can empty out popped pimples.
- Mix a couple of drops of tea tree oil in face masks or moisturizers. It helps dry out the pimple.
- Popping pimples may result in scarring. It can also spread any dirt, oils, and bacteria trapped in the pimple, which may encourage new zits.
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