Healthy Hair 101

So, you’ve decided to take care of your hair, but have no clue where to start. Here are some important steps to take

        I.            The most important step is to create a hair regime of some sort and there are various steps to it.

a.       Prepooing- Yep! I know it may sound odd to you. Prepooing is what you do in preparation of a shampoo. It involves placing an oil such as coconut oil or grapeseed oil OR using oil and a conditioner on the length of your hair and then placing a shower cap on top and using your body heat to steam. You can do this for as long as you like. Some people tend to prepoo overnight or for 30minutes to an hour. It prevents your shampoo from over stripping your hair of the much required moisture.

b.      Shampooing or Cleansing your scalp – I like to call it cleansing your scalp because that is really what shampooing ought to be about. The right procedure for washing your hair depends on it’s length. If you have long hair, you will need to section your hair to prevent it from tangling whilst you wash and its advisable to wash your hair in it’s natural direction – falling to the back. It’s best to keep it simple at the beginning and start with a moisturizing shampoo and then later, when you get to understand your hair better and its needs, use a protein shampoo. Aim to wash your hair at least once a week but no less than once in two weeks. Remember, your scalp needs to be clean for growth to occur.

c.       Deep Conditioning- This is the most important thing you can do for your hair. It improves elasticity, moisture, color and overall health of your hair.  Aim to keep conditioner using heat (from a steamer or dryer) for at least 30 minutes to an hour. I tend to deep condition with every wash and I swear it helps, especially when stretching relaxers.

d.      Use a leave in conditioner – Using a leave in is very important in attaining healthy hair as it helps enhance the conditioning your hair has received. They also contain ingredients that aid in detangling hair and keep hair moisturized and hydrated.

e.      Oils- Oils are just as well important in sealing in the moisture you have received from the whole process of treating your hair. There are so many oils to use depending on your needs. Most people tend to prefer to use coconut oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil and avocado oil.

2.       Avoid using Direct heat – This is one of the first lessons I learnt when trying to grow my hair. As much as I love to see my hair bone straight, direct heat is an enemy to African hair. It can cause a complete setback to your hair journey so it’s advisable to limit your use to occasionally and always use a heat protectant before using a flat iron or blow dryer. A lot of people have attained length and then lose it by flat ironing hair everyday.

3.       Always comb your hair with a wide tooth comb – Also important is how you comb your hair. Using the wrong kind of comb can lead to breakage and even loss of hair from the roots. It is best to use a seamless comb so your hair does not snag on it. I use ther Hercules sagemann combs and yes, its quite pricey but my hair thanks me for it. Finger detangle your hair first to remove shed hair before combing and always listen to your hair. Some people tend to comb their hair under the shower easily, whilst some have to use a detangler first on dry hair before combing. Do what works for your hair.

4.       Stretching relaxers- If you have relaxed hair like I do, learn to stretch your relaxer usage. Relaxing is the use of chemicals to straighten our hair.  This process of straightening tends to damage and weaken our hair. Now, imagine if you are relaxing your hair every four weeks once you see some growth. You’d be subjecting your hair to overlapping and this leads to over processed hair which in turn causes breakage…..and yet you wonder why you’ve never gained significant growth with your hair? Since I learnt how to stretch my relaxer, my hair has grown by inches despite me trimming.

5.       Practice protective styling – Protective styling refers to styling the hair in a way that protects the ends of the hair from rubbing, splitting or being damaged by elements. To protect your hair from drying out, rubbing on your cotton clothes, its best to carry your hair in protective styles such as buns, ponytails, cornrows, braids and even weaves (fixed the right way). Remember though not to abandon your hair. You should always moisturize it and seal everyday or as your hair needs may be.

6.       Avoid tight hair styles – Tight hairstyles can cause unnecessary stress to your hair and scalp. Aside from causing wounds or sores, tight hair can cause breakage and make your hair weak, eventually leading to traction alopecia.

7.       Don’t forget to moisturize and seal the ends of your hair. The ends of your hair are the oldest parts of your hair, therefore the weakest. You need to moisturize them daily in order to prevent them from drying out and breaking.

8.       Always protect your hair whilst you sleep with either a satin or silk scarf.  This ensures that moisture is retained and friction with your head and cotton pillow does not cause breakage or damage to your hair.

9.       Most importantly in your hair journey, learn to be PATIENT! Rome wasn’t built in a day and you cannot expect your unhealthy, damaged hair to suddenly become healthy. It will take a proper assessment of your hair, good hair practices and time to achieve both health and length. Find out all you can about growing healthy black hair, read hair books and go to hair blogs and you tube vlogs that have a good reputation to learn various techniques.

 

Goodluck!!!!!!