Things You'll Need:
- Patience
- Time
- Vitamins
- A good shampoo and conditioner or moisturizer
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Step 1
I tried putting permanent relaxers in my hair and realized that I was doing more damage then good. While there are some mild no lye relaxers that will help make African American hair manageable and soft, over a certain period of time relaxers have harsh chemicals that are very damaging to the hair and stunt the growth.
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Step 2
Find a stylist in your area that specializes in styling African American natural hair. Even if you aren't quite prepared to go with a natural style such as locks or braids, choose a style that doesn't require a relaxer.
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Step 3
Depending on the texture of your hair you may need to have your stylist use a flat iron or hot comb to straighten it. However, do not put heat in your hair on a daily basis. Once it has been straightened use a daily leave in conditioner that has natural products such as vitamin E, almond, and aloe vera. Wrap your hair using a soft bristle brush and put on a silk scarf to preserve the hair. Make sure you wrap your hair and wear the scarf over your head at night and anytime you get in the shower or take a bath.
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Step 4
Wash and condition your hair on a weekly basis. If you're wearing a curly style instead of a wrap style, use rollers instead of a curling iron. Keeping heat out of your hair will stop it from getting split ends.
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Step 5
Make sure you go to the "natural" hair stylist on a frequent basis so that he or she can trim split ends and put a natural deep conditioner in your hair that will keep your hair healthy.
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Step 6
Drink plenty of water, take a multi-vitamin that includes vitamin E. Drink Green Tea or antioxidant herbal tea which will help take the toxins out of your body. What you eat and drink has an affect on your hair.
