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Many curlies who are transitioning have concerns about how much their hair is growing or not growing. This growth is extremely important, as is evidenced by those who keep natural hair journals and do weekly length checks; but don’t stress about length. If you take care of your curls, they will grow! Curlies who have done a big chop may be even more impatient as they attempt to get used to wearing a short style (if this is you, take a look at these styles“>. As a result, Virgin Hair Fertilizer has gained popularity among naturals who are in the midst of a transition or dealing with hair loss.
Keep in mind that the rate at which a person’s hair grows and its thickness are generally a result of genetics, assuming that the hair is healthy; so there are no guaranteed methods to stimulating hair growth. But that doesn’t mean that hair fertilizer may not have benefits for some curlies. Is it worth the money and does it actually work? If so, what should you know before trying this product?
What is it?
Hair fertilizer is typically used as a scalp moisturizer, meant to be applied directly to the scalp to encourage hair growth. When you open a box of Virgin Hair Fertilizer, you’ll find a tube of somewhat thick hair cream. Some say it reminds them of petroleum jelly (probably because that’s one of its main ingredients”>, only it’s a little “lighter” than Vaseline.
It has a strong odor of menthol, peppermint oil, and other herbs, but if you leave it in overnight, the smell is better by morning. The peppermint oil is the most likely culprit in the reported “tingly” feeling on the scalp some curlies say they feel when using it. The use of peppermint essential oil can have some major benefits for the hair and scalp.
The other active ingredients include lanolin, a popular cosmetic moisturizing ingredient found on the skin of sheep, and “fragrance.” According to Dr. Kari Williams, petroleum jelly can “provide a temporary shine or give the appearance that flakes have disappeared, but in reality the grease can clog hair follicles, accumulate on the scalp, and plaster flakes to the scalp, only making the existing scalp condition worse.”
Will it work?
There have been some very mixed reviews as to whether or not this product does what it claims to do. Some of our CurlTalk curlies swear by it while other curlies say they can’t really tell a difference for one reason or another; either their hair grows nicely in the first place or they’re wearing a sew-in while transitioning and will have to wait a couple of months. It is worth noting that some reviewers on Amazon indicated troubling side effects and possible allergic reactions, resulting in hair loss.
Like many products, it appears that this is another try-it-for-yourself-and-see product because the curly community’s results are wide and varied. If your scalp has been sensitive in the past, this may not be a product worth trying for you. Those who do use the product recommend that you should purchase the product with the red cap only, as the yellow cap is considered to be a “knock-off.”
How do I use it?
Since Virgin Hair Fertilizer is meant to stimulate hair growth and condition the scalp, you’ll want to massage it into your hair, roots, and scalp daily. You can even apply it if you’re protecting your hair with a sew-in during transitioning.
Where can I find it?
The company that makes Virgin Hair Fertilizer is based in Nigeria, but the product is available at Walmart and online at retailers such as Amazon.
Have you tried Virgin Hair Fertilizer with positive results? If you haven’t tried it, are you willing to try it for yourself and see if it works for you? If you’re interested in other growth products, consider these options.
