PSORIASIS AND Alopecia are two conditions which affects African Caribbean hair more than any other minority group and the quest for remedies are always on the minds of those women who suffer more from the ailments.

Well finally help might be at hand. Tayshan, a south London-based technician, has developed a product line called Earth Elixir Haircare which not only relieves the symptoms, but actually reverses hair loss and restores the thickness and texture of your hair after a few treatments.

Tayshan was forced to develop her own all-natural haircare products because the prescribed over the counter treatment did not work for Afro hair. Here she tells her story.

“Three years ago the psoriasis on my scalp flared up really, really badly and I used to itch it in my sleep to the point it got infected and was seeping and bleeding. 

“I started doing certain hairstyles to try and cover up the bad patches but that then resulted in me getting traction alopecia and having bald patches covering my hair which was already in bad condition due to chemical and heat damage as well as using hair products full of ingredients that aren’t suitable. 

“After going to the doctors on countless occasions and being given various steroid creams, shampoos and told to wash my hair thrice a day and being told my hair wouldn’t grow back, I gave up! 

“The doctors had no understanding of Afro hair and wasn’t listening to me when I was saying that I couldn’t use certain products in my hair as it would dry it out. This was the beginning of what has now become Earth Elixir Haircare. 

“Three things pushed me to start making these products. 

“First was the need for something completely natural for myself which I wasn’t able to find. Secondly, I had just completed my degree in Forensic Science, in which I had quite thoroughly studied hair as well as the knowledge I had of Ayurveda. 

“Thirdly, after finding out I was pregnant with my second child who was a girl and wanting to be able to have products I was comfortable using on her hair and scalp. I really wanted her to grow up enjoying her hair, embracing its natural texture, knowing how to look after it and having products she could trust. 

“So I got in the kitchen and began creating my all-natural products. My bald patches started disappearing and my hair started thriving like never before. The growth, thickness, condition and shine were incredible so I started sharing the products with family and friends who also got amazing results. 

“I was convinced to start this as a business and did so just after my now five-month old was born. Many people told me that it would be impossible to do with three children, two of which are under two years. However, every day the business is thriving and the feedback has been incredible. 

“Our produces are completely natural, organic, unrefined and all plant based. They do not even contain preservatives, hence the need to add a liquid to some items. I wanted the products to remain the same as the ones that worked for me at the very beginning. I wanted it to be as if you have made them fresh in your very own kitchen but without the time, effort and mess that comes with it.

“This has now become a family business with me and my husband and even our children get involved. All of our products have been made with waves, curls, coils and kinks at the forefront of our mind, rather than a last minute addition to label a product as inclusive,” Tayshan said. 

Earth Elixir Haircare products are natural, organic and entirely vegan, they include an Ayurvedic hair oil, a shea, mango and chebe whip and a leave-in hair “tea” set. Tayshan hopes her products can give other black and mixed-race women healthier hair and help improve their confidence.