How to Grow Long Healthy Hair (For African Americans)

If you are looking to grow long, healthy hair, you must start with good habits. Here are a few habits that can turn short, damaged hair into long, healthy hair.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hair Wrap
• Good Hair Care Products
• A Good Beautician

1. TRIM, TRIM, TRIM: Although it seems counterproductive, trimming your dead ends from your hair every 6-8 weeks or after you get a relaxer, is ideal in order to grow long healthy hair. While normal shedding and some breakage does occur, excessive breakage at the ends of the hair will cause the hair to become shorter or stay at the same length. Split ends continue to split all the way up the hair shaft until it eventually breaks off. Do you wonder why your hair grows to a certain length (usually shoulder length) and never grows any farther? Because the hair splits up the shaft and then breaks off where there is less strain, less friction, and less heat damage. Trimming will keep split ends from moving up and causes the hair to continue to grow from the root.

2. REDUCE FRICTION: The ends of your hair rub against things all day. Whether it is your shirt collar or your cotton pillow, your ends are usually rubbing against something throughout the day. The best way to reduce friction is to either pin or wrap the hair up when the hair doesn't need to be out or by changing the material that it rubs against. Replace your cotton pillow cases, which create horrible friction for your hair and also absorbs all the moisture from your hair, with satin pillow cases. The smooth texture of a satin pillow will reduce the rough friction on your hair and does not absorb the oil from your hair as cotton pillow cases do. You can find satin pillow cases in your local Walmart, department store, and hair supply stores. Oil your hair at night with Kemi oil, olive oil, or oil sheen to reduce friction.

3. WRAP IT UP AND FORGET IT: Wrapping your hair is not only a great way to reduce friction and stress on your hair, it also keeps the ends of your hair from splitting, gives your hair a "rest", protects your hair from indoor and outdoor environmental factors (dry indoor heat, humidity) and keeps oil from rubbing off the hair shaft. For many years I never understood the importance of wrapping my hair, but I find that this is one of best things you can do for your hair. A satin hair wrap is the most effective and a hair wrap that secures tightly around the hair to keep the hair from moving. If you are like me and wait until the end of the day when you are too tired to wrap your hair, try setting an alarm on your cellphone to remind you to wrap your hair as soon as you get home from work or school. If you are not planning to go anywhere for the rest of the day, there is no need to have your hair out. Wrapping your hair works best when the hair is relaxed and dry.

4. NO HEAT: If you can wear your hair without curling it, do so as much as possible. Find styles that are easy to wear that do not require curling such as an updo with a claw clip or a pony tail that is not wrapped too tight. If you are wrapping your hair, you will not need to add heat in the morning because wrapping your hair causes a natural curve to your hair that allows you to comb it down and style it without curlers. The less heat, the less your ends will dry out. If you must use curlers or flat irons, make sure you buy a thermal protection spray that can be applied before you curl your hair.

5. WATER AND VITAMINS: Water and vitamins which are absorbed into the root of the hair will help your hair shaft stay healthy. A daily supplement and your daily recommended intake of water will keep your hair moisturized and healthy.

6. GOOD PRODUCTS: Hair Care products containing panthenol and keratin are great for your hair. Products containing proteins, olive oil, and shea butter are also good for your hair. I personally use Kemi Oil and Profectiv Anti-Breakage cream for my hair. If you are prone to dandruff, try using tea tree oil on your scalp. Do not over oil your scalp. It clogs your hair follicle and pores and slows down hair growth. Instead lightly oil the scalp every other day and use antibreakage products on the shaft and ends daily. Do not use hair glue in your hair when using a weave. Sew ins are much healthier for your hair. By keeping the ends trimmed, moisturized, and wrapped, you will see a big difference in the quality and length of your hair.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult a licensed beautician to find out what type of products to use and to find out which type of relaxer is best for your hair.

[EarthMother]

on 9/28/2009 Wonderful Article. After years of having relaxer issues and too much heat to my hair I am finally following these steps and my hair is so healthy now. Smile!