- Black hair is often dry and brittle by nature. Hot styling tools only add to hair breakage and damage problems by overheating and pulling the already inflexible hair strands. The added heat turns any water in the hair into steam, causing it to evaporate. Of course, it also doesn't help that appliances are also often too hot for healthy use, with tools often smoking upon contact. For emergency styling tool use, keep the appliance at its lowest possible setting and prime the hair with a good heat protectant before starting the styling process.
- Black hair doesn't require daily washing, and actually benefits from a bit of natural oil build-up. Many black women can go for a week without washing hair with no ill effects. Use a moisture-rich shampoo and conditioner for cleansing; wash twice, but don't over-wash to the point of squeaky strands. If the scalp feels dirty or itchy between washes, use a dry shampoo or scalp freshening spray from a beauty supply store. Cover hair with a swim or shower cap to avoid extra blow drying between washes.
- Black hair grows best if it's not exposed to repeated trauma. One source of this is sleep. Normal cotton pillowcases pull and tangle hair, resulting in an increased number of broken strands and less growth. To remedy this, use a satin pillowcase, or cover the head with a scarf before going to sleep. Further help hair growth by using hair styling barrettes that won't break hair. Use thick, coated rubber bands without metal pieces, soft ponytail holders and ball-point bobby pins. Styles that keep ends hidden from exposure are best, since they help to avoid growth-stopping split ends.
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For black hair growth, relaxers and bleach jobs are a huge no-no. Relaxers are incredibly corrosive chemicals that cause trauma to the hair shaft and scalp. Hair may come out temporarily soft and straight, but it ends up drier and less healthy in the long run. Bleaching is also very hard on hair, causing split ends, dehydration and damage. One application of these chemicals is all it takes to stop good hair growth in its tracks.
Since many black women do relax their hair and grow it long, there are ways to help the process along. Make sure to use a deep conditioning treatment every week for at least 15 minutes, and smooth a moisturizing cream onto the hair every day. Hot oil treatments are also good for repairing and mitigating further relaxer damage. - A good diet is prime for strong hair growth. Foods rich in lean protein give the hair follicles good raw material to work with and help to maximize the hair growth cycle to its fullest. Lots of processed foods and fats, meanwhile, do little to help hair grow any better. Smoking is also a hair killer, since the chemicals enter the hair from both inside and outside. To have the healthiest, longest, most productive hair growth cycle, it's imperative to put fresh food into your body.
Comments
qtie said
on 9/24/2009 I am loving this article! 5*
I personally do not recommend hot plates or any other associated styling tools that requires high temperature. on natural black hair.