Many women with afro textured hair believe or have been told that their hair just doesn't grow. Not only is this statement false, it couldn't be more wrong. Afro textured hair grows at the same rate as any other hair type.
The statement, "growing longer hair" is misleading. Lots of hair product companies have made millions with its claims of growing your hair. The fact is, your hair is growing and unless a product is of prescription strength and can chemically alter your hair's properties, it cannot "grow" your hair. Because afro textured hair tends to be both dry and brittle, the hair breaks off before it ever reaches its length potential. So, your goal isn't to "grow" your hair, it is to retain the hair that you have on your head.
The ends of your hair are the oldest and most brittle part of your hair and therefore need the most protection. Whether your hair is natural or chemically straightened, you need to protect your ends and maintain and overall healthy hair regimen in order to reach your full length potential.
Everyone's hair is different and because of this, products that one person uses may not work for you and vice-versa, however, the regimen that you should follow is pretty much the same for everyone. If you have afro textured hair, the following regimen is key to retaining hair length:
Hair Regimen (to be done in this order)
- Wash
- Condition
- Moisturize
- Seal
- Protect
This regimen must be done in this order and here's why: If you place oils on your hair prior to moisturizing, the oils will have sealed the moisturizer out and made it difficult or even impossible for your hair to get the moisture it needs. This is imperative since lack of moisture is the leading cause of breakage in afro type hair.
First you must wash your hair to remove pore clogging, product buildup on your scalp. Concentrate more on the scalp with cleansing your hair and wash your actual hair sparingly. Some people co-wash(wash hair using conditioner), I do not do this often. You have to do what works best for you hair type. I recommend washing your hair at least once a week, but don't go longer than 10 days.
Next, condition your hair. I deep condition my hair weekly. I sit under a dryer with a plastic cap over my hair for about 20 minutes. It's not necessary to stay under a dryer for an hour or a whole day with conditioner on your hair. After about 20 minutes, your hair has absorbed as much of the benefits from the conditioner that it can. After rinsing your conditioner with lukewarm to cool water, use and old t-shirt instead of a towel to blot your hair dry. While your hair is still damp, add a leave in moisturizing conditioner. Depending upon your hair type, you may need a water based moisturizer or cream moisturizer. Just make sure that the product is a "moisturizer" and not just an oil.
After you've applied your leave in moisturizing conditioner, you can now seal the moisturizer in with a light oil of your choice. Last but not least, when styling your hair, use styles that require little or no heat. Additionally, wear styles where your ends are not exposed. Try styles like buns, twist-outs, braids, twists, or even tucked away in a wrap. This prevents the ends from drying out and breaking off. I moisturize and seal my hair daily, and sometimes twice a day depending on the weather. I'll spritz with a water-based moisturizer and seal with a little shea butter in the morning and at night before bed.
*Tip: You have to adopt a regimen and follow it. Products you put in your hair are NOT remedies and will not make your hair manageable after one or two uses. Products are "fixes" for the hair and have to be used continuously in order to reap a continuous benefit. Along with adopting a healthy hair regimen, a healthy diet is additionally essential to obtaining healthy hair. If you feel your hair breakage is excessive and is due to a possible medical issue, check with your doctor.
Products I use:
Washing
Shea Moisture - Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo
Creme of Nature - Kiwi and Citrus Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo
Ion - Clarifying shampoo (use once a month only)
Deep Condition
Giovanni - Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner
Bioalge - Hydratherapie Conditioning Balm
Aubrey Organics - White Camellia Ultra Smoothing Conditioner
Moisturize
Jane Carter Solution - Revitalizing Leave In Conditioner (water based)
Kinky Curly - Knot Today
Shea Moiture - Coconut and Hibiscus Hold and Shine Moisture Mist
Shea Moiture - Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
Seal
Shea Butter
Castor Oil
Coconut Oil
Avocado Oil
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