How to Increase Black Hair Growth Naturally

Styles that require frequent manipulation of the hair should be worn sparingly.

Hair grows at an average of one-half inch per month, and your genes play a large role in how long and thick your hair will grow. However, your health and the way you treat your hair can strengthen your hair and prevent breakage. Black hair is especially fragile, and the breakage can make it seem like it's not growing, when it's actually breaking faster than it can grow. A hair care regimen designed to keep your hair supple won't change your hair overnight, but it is an investment in hair that is soft, resilient and glowing with health.

Things You'll Need

• Journal
• Moisturizing shampoo
• Conditioner
• Hair moisturizer
• Wide-toothed comb or pick
• Deep Conditioner

Instructions

1. Keep a record of your diet. Add protein-rich or iron-rich foods to your diet if you aren't getting the minimum recommended amount. Protein and iron deficiencies can lead to hair loss and discourage growth.

2. Reduce or eliminate heat styling and chemical processing. Styling your hair with heat and chemical processing weakens your hair.

3. Shampoo your hair with a gentle moisturizing shampoo no more than twice a week.

4. Moisturize your hair while damp with an oil-based moisturizer. Remove tangles gently with a wide-toothed comb or pick. Use a deep conditioner at least once a month.

5. Choose styles that are gentle to the hair, and don't pull your hair tightly. Eliminate styling tools or ornaments that "grab" the hair, such as hook-and-loop rollers or barrettes that get easily tangled in the hair.

6. Get your hair trimmed regularly to remove damaged ends. Damaged ends are fragile and prone to breaking.

7. You should notice improvement in your hair's health in a few months. You will retain more of your hair, instead of losing it due to breakage.

Tips & Warnings

• See a health professional if you experience increased hair loss. Some hair loss stems from medical conditions that require professional diagnosis and treatment.

• Protein-based conditioners can leave hair stronger but drier. Follow up protein treatments with an oil-based moisturizer.

• Many topical products claim to increase hair growth. Some are good moisturizers or protein conditioners, but unless it is a medication designed to treat thinning hair, don't expect it to do much more than other conditioners or moisturizers.

• This is not an overnight thing. You must work on it. Also, not everyone can grow hair down to the back, we all have our own sort of limit. I hope this helps.

References

• University of Maryland Medical Center: Hair Loss - Overview
• National Institutes of Health: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Iron
• USDA: How Much Food From the Protein Foods Group is Needed Daily?
• "Good Hair: For Colored Girls Who've Considered Weaves When the Chemicals Became Too Ruff"; Lonnice Brittenum Bonner; 1994
• Treasured Locks: Black Hair Care Tips, Style and FAQs
• Long Healthy Hair Advisor: Getting Healthy Relaxed Hair

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Hair Liberty
• Nappturality
• Black Girl with Long Hair