With many of us (myself included) going back to our natural hair texture we find that we have to learn how to treat our hair. I found out personally those regimes that work for relaxed hair certainly does not work for natural hair. So with a lot of research trial and error with products and shampoos I finally learned what works and what doesn’t for my natural hair. Surprisingly there were some things that played a part in hair growth that I never would have considered had I not went natural.
Diet
They say that you are what you eat and your diet definitely plays a part in optimal hair growth. A well balanced diet definitely promotes healthy hair growth. My diet is definitely not the best but I have made some improvements as I continue on my natural hair journey. I have incorporated fruits and vegetables and started drinking more water. I have also vitamin C, zinc, iron, and healthy fats such as omega 3’s and olive oil are also great for hair growth. Drinking lots of water will also help and you should drink at least 8 glasses per day.
Trim your ends
I know that a lot of us like to hold on to those thin or split ends but the truth is we have to let them go! Your ends should be trimmed when needed because split ends accelerate breakage. You should also always trim your ends with hair cutting scissors and never paper cutting scissors. Paper cutting can cause split ends or potentially make existing split ends worse.
Use oils that promote growth
Some oils such as castor oil can actually promote growth. I am a big fan of castor oil because it promotes growth and produces results within weeks of using it. It is good to massage your scalp with castor oil at night to increase blood flow and promote growth. Other natural oils such as olive oil and coconut oil are great for pre-treatments and conditioners. Pre-treating your hair with these oils before shampooing will strengthen your hair to protect it against harsh cleansing agents often found in shampoo.
Wear protective styles
Protective and low manipulation styles are essential for promoting hair growth. Some examples of these types of styles are twist outs, braids, and of course hair extensions. The less you manipulate your hair the better because manipulation often causes breakage. Protective styles are especially good for the winter when hair is prone to dry out more due to the cold weather.
Deep condition and Treat your hair
Natural hair needs moisture, moisture, and more moisture. Deep conditioners are a great way to ensure that each strand is moisturized and weekly for at least 30 minutes. In addition to deep conditioning, protein treatments are also good for hair growth. Protein treatments are good for strengthening hair and should be done every 6 to 8 weeks. I hope that these tips gave some insight on how to treat and grow natural hair. Going natural shouldn’t have to be a struggle and I wish you all happy and healthy hair growth!