How to Promote Growth to African American/Black Hair
Your hair is beautiful, whether it is currently in a "teeny weenie Afro," or falling past your shoulders. But if you wish to grow your hair longer, there are some basic but often overlooked techniques of caring for your hair that will promote growth and minimize breakage. If you are happy with your current length and just need to take better care of your hair, the same techniques will benefit you as well. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizing shampoo
- Moisturizing conditioner
- Deep conditioner
- Leave-in-conditioner
- Water-based hair moisturizer
- Wide-toothed comb
- Satin scarf or cap
Instructions
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Use shampoos and conditioners that moisturize your hair. The naturally dry nature of black hair requires that it be constantly nourished with moisture in able to thrive.
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Perform a deep-conditioning treatment on your hair at least twice a month. These kinds of treatments go beyond conditioners that you apply and wash out within minutes. Deep conditioners, which include hot oil treatments, are designed to sit on your hair for an extended period of time. Most use heat to seep into the shaft of each hair.
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Learn how to properly detangle your hair. A great deal of hair breakage and loss can occur when you are detangling your hair. It is best to perform this task when your hair is damp and has been sprayed with a leave-in-conditioner or light water-based hair moisturizer. Use a wide-toothed comb to slowly and gently remove tangles. Comb out the ends of your hair and then move toward the roots.
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Avoid hairstyles that create stress on your hair. Constant manipulation from brushing and combing elaborate styles can cause breakage. Consider braids, a weave, or simple style like ponytails that don't require ongoing stress to your hair.
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Apply chemicals properly. Relaxers do not have to automatically result in hair breakage, and your hair can grow while it is relaxed. The problems with relaxers occur when the relaxer is left on too long in an attempt to get "bone straight" hair. If your hair comes out extremely straight, it is because it has been completely stripped by the chemicals. It will then be very dry, unhealthy and extremely prone to breakage. The other main relaxer mistake that women make is overlapping relaxer on hair that was previously straightened. You only need to apply the solution to new growth.
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Avoid relaxing too often. It is best to work with a professional hairdresser to oversee and maintain the health of your relaxed hair. Your stylist will be able to assess when it is time to relax your new growth and when other methods of straightening are a better alternative.
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Use heat appliances sparingly. Excessive heat on a daily basis is not healthy for your hair. If you are attempting to grow out your hair, replace some of your flat-iron use by using wrapping lotion on your hair and keeping it straight that way. Replace curling irons with using rollers at night. The less heat you use on your hair, the healthier it will be.
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Protect your hair at night. If your hair is constantly rubbing against your bedding as you sleep, you can incur breakage while you are sleeping. Braid, roll or wrap your hair, or place it in a loose ponytail when going to bed. Cover your hair with a satin scarf or sleep cap to prevent the friction that causes breakage.
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References
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
