Growing natural hair is a trend among black women. If you’re reading this, you must be considering following the trend. As a beginner, you must learn how to take care of natural hair. Whether you’re transitioning from permed hair or starting afresh, there are important routines you must follow to achieve that shiny, glowing, healthy hair.
It’s also possible not to grow your natural hair successfully even if you’ve been doing it for years. It is very frustrating that your hair breaks a lot instead of growing. The reason is usually not far fetched. You’re not doing it right. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. By the time you’re done reading this article, you will be able to learn how to effectively take care of your natural hair.
Natural hair tips for beginners
Here are the seven tips to take care of your natural hair as a beginner:
Moisturize your hair
Our African hair is prone to dryness and brittleness. That is why it should be moisturized all the time. It is not even expensive. Just apply water. Water is for natural as air is for breathing. Deep conditioning is another way of moisturizing your hair. Start the habit of deep conditioning your hair every two or three weeks to make it soft. The third method of moisturizing your hair is to apply a conditioner during washing. Air conditioning is great too as it doesn’t need to be washed off and prevents pollution and sunbeams.
Use hair oils
Hair oils are very effective in taking care of natural hair. Avocado oil, coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil are great hair food for your natural hair. Here are tips on how to effectively apply them:
- Apply avocado oil for 10-15 minutes to moisture your hair.
- If you use coconut oil, apply and leave it overnight to get the natural sunscreen effect.
- Massage olive oil into your hair and leave for 20-30 minutes before washing off.
- Apply almond oil for one or two hours or leave it overnight.
- Mix tea tree oil with your favourite shampoo and apply it to regrow your hair during washing.
- Apply jojoba oil to fix split ends.
- Use castor oil once a week to make your hair soft and stimulate your natural hair growth.
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Trim your hair as often as possible
Trimming your hair every 3-4 months can stimulate hair growth. It is very necessary as dry ends slow down natural hair growth.
Take necessary vitamins to improve hair growth
You can take supplements and vitamins to grow your hair faster and healthier. Here are excellent vitamins you can take:
- Vitamin A: Improves hair elasticity and prevents hair dryness.
- Vitamin B1: Strengthens hair and improves its colour.
- Vitamin B2: Prevents your hair from becoming dry.
- Vitamin B3: Provides your hair with rich colour and eliminates the colour’s dullness.
- Vitamin B6: Eliminates hair loss and stimulates growth.
- Vitamin B7: Helps to keep your hair healthy.
- Vitamin B9: Restores and strengthens your hair.
- Vitamin B10: Prevents early grey hair.
- Vitamin B12: Prevents hair loss and enhances hair growth.
- Vitamin C: Improves blood circulation and accelerates hair growth.
- Vitamin D: Stimulates hair growth and nourishes hair follicles and the scalp.
- Vitamin E: Makes hair silky and shiny.
Protect the tips of your hair
The tips of your hair are the most fragile parts of your natural hair. They get the least amount of natural oil and can quickly get damaged. Leaving them loose all the time will expose them to injuries. So it is advisable to always tie the ends with a hairpin.
Cover your hair to avoid damage from the sun
Use a shawl or baseball hat to cover your hair to prevent damage from exposure to sunlight and dirt. You can also cover your hair overnight to allow it to soak up all the natural oils and moisturizers. Note that you mustn’t cover your hair all the time but when necessary.
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Eat healthy foods
Food is life, and eating healthy will help grow your natural hair and improve your overall well-being. Make a habit of eating healthy foods, not just junk. Eat carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and fats in the appropriate amounts to take care of your hair and body.
How to take care of natural hair at home
- Use sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfate-free shampoos help retain the natural moisture in your hair and provide a healthy shine.
- Spray water on your hair as often as possible. Fill a spray bottle with water and apply it to your hair.
- Apply Aloe Vera juice to your hair. It will help balance the pH level of your hair and fight dandruff. Mix water and Aloe Vera and apply the solution to spritz your hair every morning and night.
- Trim your hair every 3 – 4 months or more.
- Detangle your hair before washing. You can do that by applying conditioner or water and using your fingers to detangle before applying shampoo.
- Cover your head with the plastic bag straight after moisturizing to trap in heat, which re-activates the moisturizer and promotes hair growth. Covering our hair also restores dehydrated split ends.
- Deep condition dry and damaged hair. You can also use honey and coconut oil. Coconut oil binds to the hair and helps to reduce keratin loss. Honey is a humectant, so it helps to impart moisture retention. Mix the two ingredients in a pot and heat them over a stove or gas to blend perfectly. Allow to cool and apply to your hair. Cover with a shower cap for 20 minutes and rinse off with warm water.
- Always finish shampooing your hair by rinsing it with cold water. Cold water rinse helps close the pores on your scalp and seal your cuticles, which keeps your hair shiny and healthy.
- Massage your scalp. The gentle pressure and light motions increase circulation and amplify the number of red blood cells, which helps to promote hair growth and rejuvenation.
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How to take care of virgin hair in Nigeria
- Know your hair type.
- Wash your hair only when it is necessary. It shouldn’t be more than once a week.
- Put your hair in a bun, braids, or other styles that protect the ends from breaking.
- Deep condition your hair often.
- Spritz your hair with water mixed with other essential oils.
- Use hair oils daily. The hair oils have already been explained above.
- Don’t use a hairdryer. Allow your hair to dry on its own.
- Take vitamins and supplements (already explained above).
- Massage your scalp.
- Eat healthy.
- Sleep well.
- Cover your hair or use a satin fabric pillowcase before you sleep.
- Make protective hairstyling.
How to maintain natural hair without plaiting
Before shampooing your hair, detangle it with conditioner and your fingers to avoid breakage. Go for a simple bun or two-strand twists for a protective hairstyle. Trimming is also important.
How to take care of short natural hair
- Moisturize. This is an easy time to “wash and go.”
- Cover your hair with satin or silk before going to sleep.
- Style your short hair with ribbons, buttons, hats, scarfs etc.
- Use natural hair products that work for you. This is the time to experiment with them as your hair is still growing.
- Do protein treatments every six weeks.
How to keep natural hair soft
- Choose hair products specifically for your hair type.
- Don’t wash your hair every day.
- Always apply conditioner during washing.
- Apply oil to your hair regularly.
- Use hair masks during hair treatments.
- Don’t wash your hair with hot water. Use cold water instead.
- Rinse off shampoo and conditioner with cold water.
- Heat hot oil and massage your hair.
- Limit hot styling tools like dryers and hot combs or straighteners.
- Cover your hair with scarves or caps when you go outdoors.
- Eat healthy foods.
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