1. I've been following your technique for about 8 months now, however I have not seen a significant amount of growth. I don't think my hair has even grown an inch since I've been following your techniques, however I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. So I was wondering if you could please help me out, and what I should change? I also don't have a medical condition that prevents hair growth etc. I wash my hair once a week with cream of nature shampoo, and use your conditioner for 20 minutes..I usually sit under the dryer, but occasionally I don't and I let my hair air dry. I use wild growth oil, profective and your dew as moisturizers I use the carouso steam rollers everyday. I don't use hair brushes. I also don't use protective styles (which I hate), but I"m starting to worry this may be the reason my hair is not growing. I get an affirm relaxer every 3 months. I just recently started taken a women's one a day vitamin and GNC Ultra Norishair (so I haven't been taking vitamins during the entire 8 months) I also don't drink a lot of water. I also notice that quite a bit of my hair comes out when I comb it, and that worries me because when I look at other hair boards/hair sites it seems like they think losing "5 strands a day" is bad...and I'm losing a lot more than that. I try to look to see if there is a white bulb at the end..and sometimes I see them, and sometimes I don't. I also previously e-mailed you about trimming my ends, like I don't feel that it is necessary but I worry because the back of my hair seems thinner than the rest...it's also longer...but I can't help but feel that this may not be good for my hair. Don't get me wrong none of my hair is extremely thin...it's just not as full as the rest of my hair, I was wondering if you ever experienced this during your hair growing process? Also, I don't think any moisturizer is good for my hair..except due..and the occasional oils..but they wear my hair down so much?

Katara, have you had a retouch in the 8 months you have been using this method? If you have your hair is growing but if you see no length, you are breaking as fast as you are growing. Have you had an aphogee treatment to stop your breakage? Are there little tiny hairs all over the sink and on your shoulders when you comb your hair? Are you combing your hair when it is wet? Protective styles aka french rolls, buns, are not necessary as I know they actually dry out the ends of the hair. Forget about the "5 strand/100 strand" junk you hear on other sites as these people are only giving an opinion, not known fact, base your hair breakage problem which is what I think it is, on what I have stated above.

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2. CATHY, I’ve been following the moisture balance program to a "T"but my hair will grow to my shoulder then it starts to break off to almost bald, is it possible a perm could caues this much damage? It's not just my hair but my 16 year old daughter and my 5 yer old daughters hair is growing just fine. The 5 year old doesn't have a perm. I've started using hot oil treatments and fermidol and any conditioner that has protein, do you have any suggestions?

Yes I do have a suggestion, use my products because the stuff that you are using is apparently not anything that is improving the hair. Just using the method is not enough if you dont use good products. I never say USE HOT OIL TREATMENTS AND FERMIDOL AND ANY CONDITIONER THAT HAS PROTEIN. This is obviously where you are going wrong.

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3. I just entered your website and am hopeful that your information is accurate. A few years back, I achieved my greatest hair length ever, but have since lost ground. My success was not as good as yours, but for me it was phenomenal. My success, I believe, was a result of the following: 1) A good hair dresser, using a good relaxer (Mizani). 2) A good deep conditioning (Mizani) after each wash (at least once per week). 3) Good moisturizing leave in conditioner (Dudley PCA) used daily. Not only was my hair longer, it was healthy, bouncy, and full of body. I didn't have to roll or wrap my hair at night and was able to use a curling iron everyday. The reason I lost ground was because I had to change hairdressers because they were not dependable. My new hair dresser would not use Mizani and put color over my relaxer and my hair, for the most part, all fell out. I have since searched for a good hairdresser in the Sacramento area and have been unsuccessful for a variety of reasons: 1) Some won't use Mizani (there may be other good products out there, but none have been proven on my hair) 2) To save on costs, the say the are using Mizani, but aren't. 3) Since this business is so labor intensive, few good business people stay with it because you must put in the hours to make a profit. I'm thinking about buying your book and trying your products, but I am a little skeptical. If you have been achieving these kinds of results since 1989 you can and should be a billionaire!

We have been lied to so much and people are just like yourself, skeptical about trying my method. It usually becomes more true when their friend or family member begin using and they get good results. When their hair attracts attention and they are questioned they remark that it was "Cathy Howse" they used and the skeptic is immediately transformed. As far as your past product choices, they may work at helping you achieve your goal AND they may not.

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4. I don't have the money to get your conditoner right now but I do have some royal braid spray that suppose to be good for braids and natural hair in which I have a relaxer in my hair and that spray leaves my hair sticky after a few days of use. However, I just started washing my hair every three days alone with deep conditioning for 15min. I also realize that all that breaking has left a almost bald patch from the crown-center of my head to the neck. I seems as though everyone has healthier shiny hair but me and I wonder do they moisturizer daily and wash their hair on a regular basis. Why do I have so many problems with my hair?

The conditioner you are using does not have the ingredients that will improve your hair as mine does. If you choose to use something else, perhaps this is the reason you are having the problems you are because your products are inadequate. In order to improve your hair you need to use products that benefit your hair. The reason I created the conditioner is because the products we are given to conditioner do not contain the requirements I found we need for our hair. I realize everybody can not afford my products which is unfortunate because you are stuck with using the normal products that usually provide little orno real benefit. Also stay away from the braids as this could be the reason you have the bald patch on your head.

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5. Do you, have any recommendations as to what products one can use if, for whatever reason, one is not in the position to retrieve your products?

Trina, there are no products like mine on the market. Choosing other products is up to the individual to find. I know what works so I dont scour the market looking for substitutes. Sorry

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6. I've been using your Dew moisturizer for two weeks. I like it, but it's breaking me out! When I spray the moisturizer on my hair some gets on my skin. (I notice red blotches on my forehead). I begin pouring it in my hands and applying it to my hair rather than spraying it. I thought maybe that would help. (I'm determine to use this product)!!! I thought maybe I'll use Dew weekly instead of daily (maybe I won't have a allergic reaction) and Motions or Moisture Max Light as a daily moisturizer. Do you think that's a good idea? In case that don't help do you know of any other products that I can use?

I sounds like something in the product is causing an alergic reaction. Avoiding the Dew and using one of the cremes is probably better for you. The negative side of cremes of course is that they unfortunately have protein in them that makes the hair hard! But it may be your only option.

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7. Just to let you know I have been using your products now for nearly a month. I have to state that the products I was using before yours seemed to be better for my hair (using the advice in your book). I have tried the shampoo for dry/damaged hair but this only made my hair drier. Your conditioner and Dew moisturiser gave me problems with headaches and dizziness!! I may have to discontinue using your products as I'm probably one of the very few that it's not suitable for, ingredients-wise. However, I will continue to use the advice in your book but with other products that I have used prior to yours. I still believe that your haircare maintenance advice will work for me, regardless, as I can see the difference in my hair compared to two months ago.

The menthol in my conditioner is quite strong and that could be causing your problems from the aroma. The approach in the book is still valid as you have discovered. Use what works for you, is what I tell every one who prefers to use things other than I use or recommend. No two persons are the same. The knowledge imparted in the book can not be taken away from you and will last a lifetime!

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8. Hi Cathy, I felt very positive about your reviews I read on your site. I used infusium to wash and condition my hair and the ends were so badly tangled (my hair is perm) , I had to literally pull hair apart to comb through. I lost 3 inches of hair because of that.

I never told you to wash and condition with Infusium. Your hair tangled because of the condition (split hairs all over tangling with other split hairs) Also it could have tangled if washed in the basin and not the shower.

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9. I've been using your hair care system, including the conditioner, for a little over a year now. I'm very pleased with the results. My hair and my daughters' hair has never been healthier. BUT my temples are still thin. VERY thin and I don't know what more to do. I wear my hair naturally and have now for almost two years. I wear my hair in two-stranded twists most of the time, so I'm not putting a lot of stress on my hair with braids or weaves or anything. I don't know what I'm overlooking. It seems I've always had thin hair at my temples, even as a kid (I'm 36 now). But I always had short hair too, but that's changing since I've learned to take care of my hair with the info I received from your book. Do you have any suggestions? What am I not doing?

Barbara, if you have had a problem for as many years as you have stated in your email, and the hair has been gone for many years, the hair cells underneath the scalp are perhaps dead. That is not what we want to hear but it is a fact that if the hair is gone for a long time that the hair cells are not producing. Have you ever worn braids or anything that pulled on the hair for long periods of time? This is what happens when too much stress is put on the hair follicles underneath the scalp. I see many women in my travels who have this problem from wearing braids.

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10. I have been using your growth method for a month now. I do not expect immediate results but I am very concerned about the amount of breakage that I am seeing. Previously my hair was breaking down to the new growth in some areas of my head. Now, I experience less breakage, but it is still more than desired. Most of the breakage occurs when my hair is wet. When I comb it out, I get long strains of hair in my palms. It also breaks considerably when I attempt to comb it out the day after its been washed, although I moisturize it before I comb it and I try to use wide-tooth combs. Since I read your book, I wash my hair twice a week, deep condition with a conditioner with the ingredients you describe, and moisturize twice a day with a lotion moisturizer and your Dew. I have even tried deep conditioning protein treatments and minimized my use of curling irons to twice a week. Please help!

Avoid combing the hair when wet. when hair is wet it is stretched to its tensile length. If the hair is damaged and you pull and tug on the hair it will eventually break somewhere on the hair shaft. If you did not use Aphoghee as your protein treatment then get a bottle of it. Aphogee is what I recommend because I know it works. I had a lady tell me she used another protein treatment and her hair was still breaking. She used Aphogee the next time and it stopped just as I said. Use Aphoghee and it will stop it immediately. Also consider your maintenance product choice. What you think has the ingredients I specified may not.

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11. I've had hair problems all my life. It's very thin and very, very dry. I would go to the hair dresser every week and still my hair would look horrible. Recently, my hair started falling out severely. Actually, my hair always does. It'll start falling out and I'll cut it. It'll grow to a certain length and start falling out again. After reading your book, I realized it's because of lack of moisture. All my life, I marveled at people with long beautiful hair. I have friends that always color their hair, do home relaxers, and constantly curl their hair. Yet, their hair was still stronger and healthier than mine. I always believed that blacks lacked the genes to grow long hair because even without chemicals, we still had short hair. When you said that you did not believe God would allow whites, asians, and hispanics to grow long hair and not blacks, I soon changed my opinion. Even with getting my hair done every week, it was very dry and always dirty. Until your book, I believed I had a dandruff problem, but it was a build up of products, as you said. I've been following your book, using your condition and Dew for less than a week. I can't really tell if it's improving though. On top of the fact that my hair was falling out, I put permanent color in my hair. A couple of weeks after that, I went to get a relaxer. So you can imagine the state my hair is in. I think the stylist was so scared to put my relaxer in because of the breakage and color, she didn't leave it in long enough. Now my hair is an absolute mess. It looks as if I never got a relaxer. I let my hair air dry now, but my ends get very frizzy and hard, even when I use the dome dryer. Any suggestions? I was using IC PM Oil Moisturizer on top of the Dew. It's supposed to give your hair a hot oil treatment at night, but my hair was still hard and frizzy. I straightened my hair with my flat iron to finally get rid of the frizz and hardness. It worked, but the only problem is I have to do this every day for my hair to look half way decent for work. My ends still look horrible because my hair is damaged. After straightening my hair, it's not bouncy and sticks up a lot. I recently discovered an appliance called Caruso Steam Moisturizing Rollers. You put the rollers on the steam and put them in your hair for curls. Although my hair was bouncy, it was very frizzy and hard. Since the roller are sponge, I'll try to wrap my ends with the paper. Do you think that will help? In summation, i want to know how can I stop my hair from being hard and frizzy. Air drying makes my roots curly and my ends hard and frizzy. Please help!!! Also, I would like the names of cremes.

Stephanie, You never mentioned the UBH conditioner. This seems to be your first problem. The conditioner is actually what improves the hair not the Dew. The conditioner is needed more than the Dew so if you dont have some I would suggest you get a bottle and do your hair. If your hairdresser put a permanent color on your hair that contains ammonia or peroxide that is double processing. I use a permanent color too - Bigen. And it does not contain ammonia or peroxide so I use it immediately after relaxing in the same day and it does not hurt my hair. Your hairdresser did the wrong thing and you should have stopped her after you read my book. No the steam rollers will not help you need to improve the hair with UBH conditioner first then you can expect a different result (better result too).

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12. I noticed that your website mentioned no personal hair consulting, so I hope this question does not clash with your request. I have been using your products for 6 months now and I feel like my hair growth has come to a halt. I follow the process as always but do not know what I am doing wrong. Secondly, I notice that when it is almost time for my retouch (which I do every 8-10 weeks) my hair starts to shed more than usual. Is this normal?

Yes more BREAKAGE (this is NOT shedding) does happen when it gets closer to your retouch. Read my News page as I just updated how I prevent this from happening the longer I stretch my retouch.

Anyone is welcome to send me an email about their hair concerns. Emails allow me the time to answer when I have time. Lately individuals want to call my office and tie my phone lines up asking too many personal questions about their hair and its care. Regretfully my resources are not to be used for personal hair consulting as I cant provide this service for EVERBODY. It is a poor use of MY time.

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13. I have strands of hair that have a tiny knot close to the ends of the strand. It looks like my hair curls back on itself and ties itself into a sailors knot. There is no way to loosen or untie these knots. Sometimes one strand has two knots. Have you ever seen this condition? If so, can you explain what causes it, and if I should be concerned about preventing it?

I sounds like your hair is tangling by something you are doing. Do you comb your hair when wet? Not even when you apply the conditioner. If your hair is damaged and the hair shaft is open, it can tangle easily. I do hope you have read the book to help you eliminate things you could be causing.

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14. I love the scalp treatment/therapy that I get from the ultra conditioner. However, I recently confirmed that the coconut oil in it and some other products that I recently purchased aggravate my skin... I gave up the dew long ago because of this but thought the coconut oil being so far down on the ingredient list in the ultra conditioner would not be less of an issue. Since the purchase, I have had an excessive bout with blackheads and acne...especially on my back, side of my face, neck, and forehead. I conceded and went to the dermatologist and he confirmed that the coconut oil in some of my favorite products were causing the problem. I took them all in there. I recently purchased a creme hair dress that contains coconut oil in it (I didn't notice) and shea butter that I love also. I've stopped using all the products since then and my acne & blackheads have begun to clear. I'm still trying to rid myself of the scars though. I don't want to stop using your product. You were right when you said that it's hard to find a conditioner comparable for our hair. I hope by contacting my favorites' manufacturers that there is a resolution. I was wondering if you could possibly use a different base in the conditioner or make an ultra conditioner 2 without coconut oil? I've switched to a body lotion that contains it and haven't had any problems. My doctor also gave me a list of other things to stay away from. Including isopropyl myristrate...as in the Always Leave In Conditioner, mineral oil and cocoa butter. You may find this also to be true in your research. I know this may be an unusal request. Hope you understand. I am just trying to figure out how I can continue with my favorite products without looking like a spotted leopard.

Angela, I wish there was an answer for all these type of questions but there just is not. When you are a small manufacturer you have to work within budgets dictated by your finances and currently our budgets will not allow us to create different versions of our products. If we get into developing products such as these we will have to invest in testing which is just not possible for us right now. You can still use the techniques with products that you have found that dont exacerbate your skin condition.

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15. I have been using your products for 7 months now. I stopped using the conditioner and spray for 2 weeks. The reason I stopped was because my hair is shedding. It was shedding a little before the products, but it seemed to have worsen. I used Kera Kare shampoo acid base. Gently wash one time.That is when I see strings of hair on my back, I did not think too much about it. Then I would comb my wet hair with a wide tooth comb and hair is all in the comb. I would then apply the condtioner to my hair.I would spread it all over the hair and the ends.Strings of hair will be in my hands. I deep condition for 20 mins. I washed it out real good and I would still have hair on my back.I blot it dry with a towel and spray the dew, comb into a ponytail. I would have more strands of hair in the comb. I have a white bulb at the end of each hair. I read in your book about the difference between breakage and shedding. Is this shedding much natural? How can I get long hair if it is shedding so much? My stylist suggested to get a low cut(Halle Berry) to control the shedding.If it continues to shed the way that it is doing I will be bald. I thought that I could be using the conditioner wrong.

Andrea, I would suggest you get some Aphogee (the best protein treatment out there from Sally's) put it on your hair after you shampoo and let it dry hard. This should stop your breakage immediately - also stop combing your hair when it is wet. Wet hair, if you have ever noticed is the longest, which is called the tensile length. when you comb wet hair you stretch it past that longest length and damaged hair will snap, which appears to be happening to you. You dont need the HB cut.

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16. I just wanted to share a chuckle with you, I participate on a Hair Forum "Long Hair Care Forum" Well from time to time "Cathy Howse" comes up and of course there are mixed reviews but some of the negative things people say are so stupid. Anyway, I am always advocating you and they said that I must be a "spy" for you. I think it's funny that people will do and say anything, rather than to give people the recognition that they are due. I'm a pastor's wife so I'm so used to this. Well This young lady came to me at church in the bathroom and she said "Miss your hair is so pretty and long what do you do or has it always been long" I told her the story of the evil hearted hairdresser that cut 6 inches off my hair and how I found your book, conditioner and dew I asked if she heard of you and she said no. It's surprising to hear that so many people have not heard. Well I ordered more dew the other day and the Lord put on my heart to give her my book, now for me that was like asking Abraham to slay Issac, I'm like my book?!?!? LOL Well I have personal ties to that book so, when I ordered my dew I ordered her a book. So she can have her own brand new copy. Sometimes we don't like to share with others we want to keep good things to ourselves, (not tell our secrets) but you really need to be exposed as much as possible, so everytime someone asks, I tell them UBH and give them the site address. Word of mouth is it.

Back to the forum, this woman said well, "I would never use her stuff, because of her attitude when answering questions." I said well that's kinda like not buying toothpaste to prove a point, You NEED the toothpaste, the toothpaste does'nt need YOU. I think I got people kinda hot over there.. Oh well. I'm glad that I gave it try, amid all the negative comments. Sorry, did'nt mean to write a book here."I'd also like to comment about some of the negative remarks I've read about your hair care techniques. I enjoy reading books about black history makers -- King, Tubman, Robinson, Dubois --the list goes on and on. The one thing all of these great men and women had in common was people who would tear them down. So please just ignore the haters and keep on stepping up. Thanks for putting in the hard work on behalf of sisters every where and I wish you much continued success."

God needed a big mouth messenger who is not afraid of a billion dollar industry of crooks! I am guided by my creator and I will die defending the cause and right of the black women who want to wear their own hair!!!! Thank you for helping continue spread the word. You know we were warned that the truth will fall on deaf ears. Many years later this lady will look back and realize you had the truth!

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17. I am so excited to read about your products, and I am going to order your book, conditioner and the moisturizer. I have a question that maybe you can answer. I wear my hair natural, because I cannot wear a perm. Each time I put a perm on my hair it falls out. The only products that has helped my hair grow was a curly perm, but after using it for several months, it starts to break again. I have a disease called Sarcoid, according to my doctor it acts the opposite of Aids and builds up my immune system. I have been suffering from this for approximately 20 years and my hair started breaking around that time. I was wondering when I start using your products and my hair starts to grow if there is a perm that I can use on my hair that is mild or if there is something that I can straighten my hair with. I miss my long hair and once it starts to really grow I know it will become unruly.

Karen the breaking may or may not be caused by your medical condition and I suggest that it is how you are caring for your hair. After you read my book you should be able to diagnose what you are perhaps doing wrong. If it is growing and simply breaking you need products that improve your hair (my products will do). Also the relaxer issue may I suggest is because you did not know how to care for your hair when you had one. My book details the care for relaxed hair. Affirm Fiberguard relaxer can be mixed mild, normal or resistant. That is the only relaxer I use or recommend

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18. Hi Cathy, I received your hair products this past Friday. I always go to the Salon on Saturdays and was so anxious to get started with the deep conditioner that I did not read the back of the bottle until after I had the beautician apply it to my hair. Of course I am concerned because clearly it states on the first sentence not to use this product if you have not read the book. It does not appear at this point that it created any problem for my hair but I'm sure the book would explain the tangling I felt under the dryer. I stopped off at the Book store and ordered your book this morning, however, I would like to verify with you that using this product without reading the book first won't create a problem for me.

Gerry, there is no problem with using the product without the book. The product contains ingredients (protein) that can make the hair hard (purposely). The book tells you why the ingredients are in the products. As far as the tangling, when the hairshaft swells open by the heat, if the cuticle is in a damaged condition, the open cuticle catchs on other hair causing it to tangle. You can use a creme rinse to eliminate this or pick up a hair polish like Volumizer by Jheri Rhedding or Relax serum corrector by John Freida which are cuticle smoothers.

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19. I wrote to you a while back about washing my hair with water that has been said to be the worst because it is desalinated and your response made sense to me, not to blame our problems on the environment. Since then I have gone full out in following your hair tips and quite frankly I have seen results that I didn't expect so soon. Most of my friends have noticed that my hair has improved and lengthened. Thank you for that. The only thing I still suffer from is dry hair after a deep conditioning with ubh conditioner, don't get me wrong I love it and I always use dew to moisturise, but I find that I need to use a little bit of creme to make my hair softer. What is your opinion about this? Though very expensive for me to ship your products to the middle east, I shall try as long as I can because I care very much about my hair. Thank you cathy and congratulations for being on 'who's who'.

Mercy, thank you for your excellent testimony! Try using the lotion creme after you condition your hair. I use it to help soften and smooth my hair cuticle. Thanks for helping spread the word too!!

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20. Last nite I used the conditioner I had a problem I have never had before-the white residues would not rinse off! It was like the residue was stuck in my rrots (regrowth). I tried all, hot, warm, cold water, even shampooing all over again. That white conditioner residue didnt go away. Now I am afraid to use the conditioner next time! What is going on?

Buildups can occur with conditioning products. Get a clarifying shampoo and wash your hair with it to remove the build up.

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21. I am still experiencing breakage. I've used a protein treatment for two weeks every time I wash my hair which is every 3 days along with your conditioner, Dew and a moisturizer and the breakage hasn't stopped. They are long strands so I know it's not dry ends!

Did you use Aphogee reconstructor as your protein treatment or some other brand? Just because the bottle says "reconstructor" does not mean it is. Several customers have stated this same fact only to find they had chosen "another" brand that did not do the trick. Remember I only recommend products that I find actually work. Choosing something else, you do so at your own risk. Do the Aphogee once a week (letting it dry hard on your hair) not every time you wash until the breakage stops. What is the other moisturizer you are using besides Dew? Is your hair hard after using the creme (I assume you are using a creme). Did you just get a retouch or are you due for a retouch? Do you have color or highlights etc? These could all contribute to your problems.

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22. I need your help!!! I have read and followed your book to the tea, except last week I decided since my hair was in such healthy shape I could put a permanent color in it. I put Clairol Permanent color for Black hair. I even used your conditioner, but I noticed that my hair was rough even after the conditioner and very dry even though I tried to mositurize it. I seen breakage in the comb

Natoya, I am assuming the product you used contained ammonia and that you have relaxed hair? This is a very bad mistake. Can you fix it? Not if the hair bonds in the hair have been broken which is usually the case when you double process. You can try protein reconstructor (Aphogee) as it MAY help but it is not certain. Please reread my book because this is something you should NEVER do after reading it.

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23. I just want to say thanks for writing your book. It seems like I am continuing to do your treatment. I wash my hair sometimes everyday or 2 twice to once a week with motions shampoo and conditioning products. I deep condition with your conditioner or motions CPR repair and set my hair with roller under a medium setting dome dryer. Then I use motions light creme moisturizer. However it seems like my hair isn't growing any. Could using the dryer every time I wash instead of letting it air dry bother it? Also I relax my own hair, could I have over-relaxed it and my hair is growing but unnoticeably breaking off ( it has been slightly thinner sense I haven't gotten it relaxed professionally in the past 6-8months) I am somewhat tired of relaxed hair and chemicals. I am thinking about going natural but I don't want to cut off all my hair and start again. I know when hair grows the area where the new growth and relaxed is very vulnerable. How can I use the moisture system to not break off my currently relaxed hair and grow out my natural hair to a desirable length?

I noticed you purchased an 8 oz bottle of conditioner in February of 2002 year. If you have extended that bottle to now, you are not using it correctly. You MUST deep condition with my conditioner at least 1X per week. The other products you are using do not provide the same benefits as my product which IMPROVES your dry hair condition to help stop the breakage and stimulate the hair cells to produce more hair.

You would be having problems with the dryer daily only if it is a blowdryer. Not using the conditioner regularly is what I see as your biggest problem. Your hair is breaking because the products you are using provide NO real benefit for your hair like my conditioner. If you are getting a retouch, your hair is growing but breaking as fast as it is growing. Use my deep conditoner regularly. Stop using the other products which provide no real benefit.

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24. Before buying your book I made the terrible mistake of using permanant hair color. My hair is relaxed, how long should I wait before getting another retouch? The strands of my hair are very brittle, before they were very elastic and strong. Will my hair always be this color and condition?

Stop the breakage first - then treat the hair with protein to strengthen it. The permanent color will be a problem until it is gone in most cases especially when you put the relaxer on it. When you color and use a relaxer ensure you use a product that does not contain peroxide or ammonia. Use Bigen - that is what I use. The only problem with colors that dont use peroxide or ammonia is you will not be able to lighten the hair color. Lightening has to strip the color and then a lighter color is put on. The condition of your hair depends on how you take care of it. You can improve the condition by applying my hair care methods and products.

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25. What am I doing wrong? My hair use to grow at a very fast rate. I wash it and style it myself once every week or two weeks. I also add hair extension with glue.

I can tell you what you are doing wrong - you are using hair glue!!! Get rid of the glue and any fake hair as this is very abusive to the hair and is destroying your hair while you are trying to grow it. It is not the system that is wrong and causing you less than favorable results, it is what YOU are doing to your hair that is hindering your progress!

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26. When I use your conditioner, my hair sheds a lot, but it's growing quite well, is that normal?) In the book, you mentioned that every living thing must get rid of waste.

Are you combing your hair when it is wet? The conditioner contains protein so it should not cause breaking or sheding. Try to identify other things you could be doing because it can not be caused by the conditioner. Also if you still experience breakage try a protein treatment. I use and recommend Apoghee. The hair cells are what must get rid of waste and the hair you shed is not the waste I am talking about. The hair sheds from the scalp (remember the little white bulb) If you do not see the white bulb, your hair is not shedding. Once the hair goes through the natural life cycle, then it is pushed out from the root, thus the reason you see the white bulb or the "root." After this happens, a new hair begins producing in its place. Waste would be produced from the hair cells "eating" for lack of a better term and "expelling" just as we do when we eat. It is not "expelling" the hair. The expelling occurs underneath the scalp. Every cell in the body does this not just hair cells.

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27. My name is Gwen. I am pure african from the Southern part of Africa. I only write to you because I am desperate. Where I am staying is very hot and dry. I hate my hair. It is thin, dry and coarse. It never really grows. It breaks easily. I can't even relax it, because it is so thin. I braid my hair most of the time, but sometimes I just want to treat my hair without having to braid it. Even the braiding doesn't help to let it grow much. I am so fed up with my hair I don't know what to do. As I went through your photos I realized that your web site is definitely not for me. Your hair was a thousand times longer than mine ever grew. I don't believe that my hair can ever grow like that. I only write to you because you did research on dry hair types. Actually, the truth is I hope you can tell me something positive about my hair. Please Cathy, I am desperate

I am a believer that your problems are caused by what you dont know about your hair. My hair is only long because I now know what is appropriate hair care for African Americans. I always wanted my hair to be better too. Before you say that this is not for you, please do yourself 1 favor, buy the book. It will open your eyes! It tells you how to take care of a dry hair type. Dry hair is dry hair and the moisture balance in the book will eliminate dry hair if you follow the system. The book is worth the $15.00 investment. If nothing more, your eyes will be immediately opened!

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28. I ordered your book and liked it. Today I sent for your conditioner and DEW. I keep having the same problem with my hair now that I started having years ago. If you can find time to give some advice please don't hesitate. I prefer straight styles. I like the versitility. I wore my hair natural until the 80's. I started with the famous curl. I noticed that my hair was getting thin at the top after a few years but growing like crazy. So I got a relaxer and my stylist assured me it would be fine because she would use a mild one. And that this would be better because rolling it tight to get the curly pattern was making it thin. Within months I had lost all my hair. I had to go with weaves for a few years. I became attached to fake hair but my hair grew back. Again I got a relaxer. Within months it was all gone again. The breakage started the same way. At the top, then down the back of my head about 3 inches. This would be about 4 inches across too. I cut it down again and wore wigs. When it started to grow back it was thick and nice like it always grew in. I went to braids. After 14 months and all new hair I got another relaxer. This was about 5 weeks ago. The first application did not smooth my hair. It seemed more like a texturizer, The stylist said she did not understand it. After the third week I went to a new shop and got a corrective relaxer. My hair is starting to break like before. What could this be from? I am confused. I go to the salon once a week. I use no heat at home, I use Isoplus castor oil. But no matter how much I use by the next day I have to use more. The hair around the breakage is long enough and thick enough to cover it, but at this rate,I will have to cut it off and fake it again if I can't get it under control soon. I am frustrated. My stylist says hang in there and continue to get treatments. Why won't the breaking stop? What am I missing here? I am tired of going bald. With your experience and knowledge do you have any suggestions? Not on medication, sometimes I roll at night (plastic rollers with fasteners) sometimes wrap but always sleep in silk scarf. Please respond.

Doris, having read my book should have opened your eyes to what you are doing wrong. Briefly, when you went from a curl to a relaxer (which the ignorant hairdresser should have known better) the hair was destroyed. You can not change from one chemical to another chemical. You lost your hair because of a decision you made based on the ignorance of a "professional"

The choice to get another relaxer after about 3 weeks is okay IF - your hair is in good condition and you are using the SAME chemical. Very often hairdressers will switch products on you and you know even know it. Unless you pay attention, you will continue to be a victim to their mistakes. Check to see if she is using a neutralizer after your relaxer too because I know from experience that sometimes they dont!

At this point, if your hair is breaking severely, I would recommend an Aphogee protein treatment. You can get it at Sally's. Put it on after washing and let it dry (hard on your hair) Rinse it out and apply my conditioner (for the oils to soften) deep condition for 20 minutes, rinse out and apply the Dew. Do not comb your hair while it is wet and be careful handling it until the condition improves. The protein treatment should immediately halt your breakage. Get rid of the castor oil as it has no benefit to your hair and the conditioner will give you a hot oil treatment each time you deep condition.

Are you wrapping end papers on the sponge rollers? If I had to choose between sponge rollers and wrap styles, I would definitely choose the wrap because I hate sleeping on rollers and I personally do not like them. Doris, I would expect that if you have finished reading my book you would be more knowledgeable about your hair and know what you did wrong and why you still have these problems. Please re-read it as much of this is covered in the book.

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29. I'm sorry to bombard you with all of these questions, but I feel you're the god of growing black hair I was wondering if it is possible to over moisturize and if there was anything you'd recommended for someone who is growing out their relaxer? I would also like to say thank you so much for opening my eyes about brushing hair. You are truly an inspiration. If I hadn't surfed the web and stumbled on your website my hair would be two inches long. I was so frustrated I wanted to cut it and because you were so honest and convincing about your hair growth I decided to take a chance. I'm so glad I did because it's been 5 months and my hair is getting thicker and the texture is soft and very manageable. You are a true angel.

It is not a problem asking me questions. Although I may not be able to answer all your questions, I welcome them. Some times if I am real busy it may take a few weeks to respond but I will give you any information I have.

For our overly dry hair I dont think there is anything called over moisturing. As far as growing out of a relaxer - it is very difficult to switch from one style to another without some breakage. How much breakage you get depends on you and how you take care of the hair between the weakest point of the hair - the new growth and the relaxed hair. If it were me, I would probably wash my hair the same, moisturize with a spray because cremes wont get at the hair closet to the scalp which is where you must concentrate your efforts. Twist appear to be a great style for growing out of relaxers because you dont handle it a lot much like braids. I would go with twist because I hate braids. Also if you wish to continue straightening the new growth Dew works excellent after washing and drying your hair, use the curling iron straightening technique I talk about in the book it straightens the hair and softens which softness is certainly going to help stop breakage. Great questions! Hope this helps and Thank you for your wonderful compliments!

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30. I am writing you this note because I have been doing the right thing with my hair for several months now (4 months to be exact) and I am seeing more breakage than normal lately. I feel that my hair has reached its capacity and it is now regressing. What I mean is that my hair has reached its full length and now it is starting to break unduly. I am doing the same things I did to get it to this length, which is approx. 9 inches. But no matter what I do, it continues to break. I need a solution. What am I doing wrong? I am washing 2 times a week, I do hot oil treatments once a week, I use your conditioner each time I wash, I am not blow-drying it, I am only washing once, and I condition for 1/2 hour each time. I am not brushing it, I am not perming but every 3 months.

I would recommend you pick up a reconstructor (Sally's Beauty Supply carries Aphogee) wash your hair and instead of using the conditioner, put this on, let it dry hard then wash it out and moisturize. I would do this for the next few times you wash your hair or until you notice the breakage has stopped. (You will need to soften your hair with oils so I recommend doing this on the weekend.) My conditioner is for regular maintenence. Often it may not have enough protein in it to strengthen the hair if for some reason it is damaged (perhaps you do not think it is but it can be). Occasionally I too have to use a protein reconstructor if I am getting more than normal breakage.

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31. My name is LaVetta and I was checking out Cathy Howse's web site about black hair growth. I am really skeptical that is why I am writing to see if this really works! I am ready to give it a try but I am wondering why the book is necessary in addition to the product? Well, if you would be so kind as to respond ASAP I would greatly appreciate it. I just thought I'd send my congratulations to you for printing all sorts of questions whether good or bad. I am yet to be convinced that I need to buy your book but I do think that you are right in saying that wanakee's method is ......in a polite way..... dodgy. I really am not convinced by any photos in her site or yours. I would love to see photos of people who have achieved long hair. It would go a long way to proving your credibility..

Every body wants a quick fix by just buying the products but the truth of the matter is what if you get these products and dump them on your head and have changed nothing about they way you took care of your hair yesterday? Guess what - you can expect the same result tomorrow. You must break tradition first, because if tradition worked, we would already have long hair!! If you dont want to purchase it get it from your local library. Most have a copy. Reading the book, your eyes will be opened. Check out Cathy's Cybersuccesses Photo Gallery (coming soon under testimonials) as we now have "others" pictures!!

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32. My name is Lindsay and I have currently been using your method for 5 months. Before using your method I cut my hair and it has grown back to it's normal length already! I do have one question: One side of my hair grows faster than the other. I've been told it's because I sleep on one side of my head is this true, and how may I even out the length on both sides?

I dont know exactly what is causing your hair to grow faster on one side as opposed to the other but, there is no truth to sleeping on one side of the head retarding growth in that area unless you are causing some sort of friction to the hair while you sleep. You might try sleeping in a scarf or night cap to see if this helps that side.

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33. Thanks for the recommendation. I will use the reconstructor until my breakage stops. I just thought that once a person's hair reaches it's potential growth, then it stops growing and starts to break. My hair has never been longer than it is right now, so I assumed that it could never grow any longer. But hopefully I am wrong. According to the science books, a person's hair length and thickness is determined at birth, therefore no matter what you do, it will not grow any longer than that. Thanks for taking the time to respond to my worries and I am definitely going to send you some before and after pictures.

I think that what the science books said is "broadly" true. Everybody has a natural life cycle. The average growth rate is 6" per year. Some peoples rate may be 3 whereas others may be 12 but the average is 6" per year. If you have never had your hair at its longest length how do you know how long it will grow? I have never had hair this long in my life so I am trying to see just how long it will get. Hair on the legs does not grow 5-6" because of the makeup of its DNA however, your hair on your hair is capable of growing much longer. (this is what they might have been eluding to in the science books too) Please dont assume that this is it not for you because once you stop the breakage with the reconstructor, your hair will continue to reach its maximum length - it still remains to be seen if the length you have now is you maximum.

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34. For the past 4 or 5 years I've been having a problem with my hair growing. It will grow to a certain length and then stop but the most confusing part is that I have very coarse thick hair and when it gets longer than the "Limit" it grows very thin and stringy looking. Almost as if my hair looks like long fingers spread out in the back of my head. I was told all kinds of things from my, "hair just won't grow" to "I must have a nerve in the back of my head" all the way to it being, "my diet". I am currently wear braids now and have been for about a month because I figured if I were to get braids I could gain the original strength back in my hair. I have been taking care of it to my knowledge, keeping it moisturized and condition with an Infusium leave in moisturizing conditioner. If you can give some tips on what might be wrong or what I'm doing wrong that would be great.

It is apparent you need to read my book. Protein may alleviate your thin hair that needs strength and I talk about that in the book. The comments others are making about your hair are out of ignorance. Get a copy of my book and you should be able to identify you own hair problems and be able to correct them. Infusium is not one of the moisturizers I recommend because protein should not be used in the moisturizing stage.

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35. I have been deep conditioning 1x a week and moisturizing it everyday. This makes the second time I have deep conditioned my hair, but my hair still feels gritty and dry during the air-drying process no matter how much moisturizer I put in my hair. I know you stated in your book that putting a large amount of moisturizer in one setting is not necessary. I still have some breakage. What am I doing wrong?

Have you tried a protein treatment? If your breakage is still too much you maybe need a stronger treatment for a while until you own hair gets stronger. Then moisturize heavily after a protein treatment. You might also want to get a hair polish. A hair polish is a cuticle smoother! Also your choice of conditioner may not be what your hair needs.

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36. I was wondering how much Dew do I need to use. As I am use to wearing my hair in a wrap and sometime I can get away with not using the curling iron. However when I use the dew I have to use the curling iron, to press my hair back out. Is this okay or maybe I am using too much. Some of my hair wavy and the rest have straight ends, and that does not look good. If all of my hair was to be somewhat wavy then I would be okay with it...but it is not What do you recommend that I should do? My hair is not taking to well to the change I have noticed a lot more breakage since I started your regiment. Most of the techniques I was already using, the no brush wasn't one of them. Would it be okay to use the type of brush that doesn't pull the hair for my wrapping, because I really don't notice losing any hair with the type of brush I was using...again please advise.

You are using too much Dew if you are getting frizzy hair. Using your brush to obtain a style IS okay - using it to perform maintenance is wrong. Continue doing your wrap style but cut back on the Dew, use only a mist - don't wet your hair with it. If you find a creme is better by all means use a creme. You just must use one or the other to keep moisture constantly going into your hair. 

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37. I perm or should I say put a relaxer on my hair every 4 to 6wks (I use African Pride). I probably should at least get it professionally relaxed. I wash it after that, maybe once or twice before my next perm. Since I've moved to Dallas, the heat has destroyed my hair and began to turn it colors, so I loved my jet black hair, so now I have to keep it dyed, which I hate.

Dallas is not turning your hair colors it is the neutralizer in the relaxer that does that. You will need to get my book to discover how when and why of washing the hair.

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38. Hi, I have stored your sight as one of my favorites. I keep looking at it trying to find some type of discrepancy. It seems legit. I have ordered a book that I will read as a precursor to your product. I really want my hair to grow. At one time it was, and I do not know what happened. I am currently wearing braids while pregnant. Is it safe to use these products while I am pregnant or wait until after to see more results.

Glenda, we have been lied to so much about our hair. I knew that had to change because God did not say that only white women, Indian woman and Asian women can have long hair and not black women. I actually researched hair care for us like it has never been researched before because I wanted to know the truth. The top of the industry is not concerned about growing your hair when they can sell you $1,000's and $1,000's of dollars of "FAKE" hair. They make more money off that. Plus because they dont have our hair they really didnt care to experiment with it and just gave us the same products they use for themselves which do not work. My products because I know the requirements for our hair actually improve our hair.

It is no scam. It has been around for over 15 years (over the last 5 years, the internet made it popular) and others are even trying to copy my success. They know I have done something to make us have hair but they dont quite know everything I have done because to make it real, so many hidden components make it where it cant be copied. It is truly the only proven black hair growth system in the world! My research is being noted by professors around the world. The hair care industry doesnt care much for me because they say I am taking money out of their pockets teaching you how to care for your hair. You know what, if they had been able to help me grow my hair I would not have embarked on finding something that really worked. Tradition obviously has not worked for use and that is all they offered. No thanks, I knew I had to choose a different path than theirs.

Having traveled the country this past year (my hair is always down at shows because I want sistahs to be able to run their fingers in if they choose to see there are no strings or glue, just my real hair. Other scam artist at these shows, say they have our hair care answers but wear extenstions and long braids that can deceive. They continue to scam us because we spend 3-4X more per capita on our hair than any race of people because we are always looking for that one thing that is going to make it grow. But many sisters are not falling for it now. We are smarter and do more investigating.

Braids are not a recommend style but sisters continue to wear them only to have their hair pulled out clear back to their ears, because of them. Many sistahs use my products with braids and notice the hair closest to the scalp gets thicker because the products can get to the exposed hair but the hair covered in fake hair is thin as it has not been treated. The products must get to the hair to really help make it stronger and keep it from breaking.

These products will have no affect on your unborn child and the prenatal vitamins you are taking will increase your success. This is not a scam, it is the truth about our hair. You've tried everything else, why not give this a try? Read my book, it will open your eyes.

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39. I was searching around for products that would moisturize my hair and I stumbled upon your website. I have read the testimonies and I have done a little research myself on the ingredients in your product and I see that you are REALLY telling the truth. However, I would like to read your book and get your products, but I am in Canada. I don't know what to do....I read somewhere where you said the book could be ordered through my local library. If your respond to this e-mail, then I know that you are not like the other people who are just trying to become a millionaire off of people like me. Please respond.

Aeryka, Let me say that I am in NO way like the "others" out there proclaiming they can help our hair when they dont even know our hair. The others are gimmicks my method is based on facts. I spent years researching and writing before I developed a single product. I also only develop products if the industry is lacking in ones we need. I am not sure what you read that said you can get it from the local library but it was not that the library can get it for you to purchase they only supply books to check out and read (I think). You would have to get it from Amazon.com, my website or Barnes and Noble if you want your own copy. I really recommend you have your own copy because it is the most comprehensive black hair care manual available and you will need to refer to it frequently.

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40. I am writing to confide in you concerning my hair discrepancy. I have been following your methodology since July 1999. My hair is growing; however, my scalp and hair go through stages of soreness and breakage. When my scalp becomes sore, I experience breakage of hair in those areas. I have searched for an answer as to why this occurs. The sore and breakage occurs in the crown of my head, temple, side burns and near the back of my neck. It always breaks off in the same areas. I do sleep in medium size rollers every other night. Of course after deep conditioning and washing my hair, I roll the hair on large rollers and let the hair air dry. I remove the rollers the next morning.

I am desperate and need some guidance on what’s causing the soreness of my scalp which leds to hair breakage. I must say the methodology that you give requires that you spend a lot of time with your hair. I use the following products: (Professional applied) Bantu Relaxer(Regular), CPR Motion (Deep conditioner), Bonner Brothers Oil Moisturizer, and Jojoba Oil.

I have to ask that you ask these questions to the product manufactures of the products you choose to use. They may have something in them that you are allergic to. I do not use these products so therefore I can not tell you it they are causing the problems or not. Wash your hair more would be my only solution for this problem when my scalp itches more close to a retouch.

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