Let's talk: Hair Relaxed or Natural

There are a lot of persons who begin their process to healthy hair, often thinking that there are miracle products which will help their hair to grow long and luscious. There is no miracle product or drug which will make your hair grow overnight. Consistency is King. For you me or anyone to grow long and healthy hair it takes a conscious, consistent effort.

Trim: A healthy hair journey begins with a starting point. This starting point for anyone relaxed or natural is a trim. A trim is between 1/4 -1/2 inch of  hair. Depending on overall hair damage, there might be a need to trim more hair off. Split ends cannot be saved or salvaged, they need to be cut off, in order to save the rest of the hair shaft. 

Products: There is no need to buy the entire store, STOP IT. You need a clarifying shampoo, a moisturizing shampoo, a protein treatment, a moisturizing treatment, a moisturizer and an oil/serum (to use as a sealant).

Water: water is essential to hydrate your body and helps to carry the nutrients around your body via the blood stream, since your hair feeds from your blood. Be sure to steer away from hidden sugars in drinks (sodas, soft drinks, flavored water) Plain water is best for hydration. 

Food: A good staple diet, can help aid hair growth. Be sure to steer away from hidden sugars in food such as sugary biscuits and  sugary yogurts. Plain Greek style/Natural set yogurt is the best for someone who is looking to improve their overall health ie hair and skin. 

Method: A CONSISTENT effort is needed in the process of aiding hair growth. There is no overnight remedy  Moisturizing and sealing hair must be a consistent effort. I am not saying that you should moisturize and seal every day. Everyone's hair is different, and as the old saying goes DIFFERENT strokes for different folks. I moisturize and seal my hair twice a week in the summer and 3 times a week in the winter. This works for me. 

Protective Styling: This is where you style your hair in ways which keeps your ends protected, ie buns/rolls/updos/plaits. 

Low Manipulation: Avoid excessive combing/brushing of the hair. Personally unless I am heading to work/a social event. I do not comb my hair unless it is to moisturize and seal, 90% of the time my hair is tucked away. 

Exercise: Exercise is good for overall health and can help to aid hair growth. PLEASE NOTE I am NOT saying that if you go to the gym this month, NEXT month you will be like Rapunzel, with long flowing locks. 

Nighttime: When caring for ones hair at night a Silk scarf is best, Silk Bonnet or a Silk wrap. These can be purchased at any place which sells good hair products. Covering ones hair is important to protect during the night, but if you are covering with a cotton scarf or a stocking foot, that is doing more damage than help. INVEST in a Silk wrap or a Silk pillowcase. 

Relaxer: Everyone is not an 8 week girl ie sometimes one does not need to have a relaxer every 8 week as regulation. If you have been keeping up with REGULAR and CONSISTENT hair treatments, you might be able to stretch your relaxers out til 10 or 12 weeks even longer depending on hair texture and growth pattern. **There are some people who may need a 6 week touch up, but again this depends on hair growth pattern and texture.**