Long hair is awesome and most people wish to have it, but not every black person can get hair that flows down to their backs except for weaves of course.
The tips below will help with ways to get that long hair you have always wanted.
1. Use the right shampoo.
Generally, African American hair is brittle and damages easily. Most shampoos on the market are brutal due to their harsh ingredients which is no good for any kind of hair, especially African hair. You therefore need to be extra careful about which shampoo you are using.
A rule of thumb is to stick to sulphate-free shampoos. Sulphates are known to make your hair frizzy and dry out. This is especially bad for African American hair which is already brittle enough. The extra harshness is something you should avoid at all cost.
Additionally, look for shampoos with organic oils. These oils are great at protecting hair from dryness and leave your strands feeling supple and soft. Some of the best oils to look for in shampoos include jojoba oil and argan oil. Make sure they are organic oils.
- Use a conditioner after every wash.
As much as you try to prevent it, washing your hair will still wash away some of its natural oils. Leaving it like that risks breakage and split ends. The best way to get it back in shape is using a conditioner. It helps restore oils and moisture to your hair as well as nourish it. After using a conditioner, your hair should feel softer. When you are shopping for a conditioner buy one designed specifically for dry or African hair.
- Moisturize your hair.
One of the best things you can do to your hair is keep it moisturized. Having adequate moisture encourages fast growth and protects hair from breakage and split ends. Additionally it keeps the hair looking bright and feeling soft. Before you can even start considering store-bought moisturizes make sure that you are already moisturizing the natural way; drinking enough water. When it comes to moisturizing from the outside, try to do it every day. This ensures that your hair is always adequately hydrated. Some of the best ingredients for black hair moisturizers include olive oil, coconut oil, grape seed oil, and pure shea butter.
- Protect your hair ends.
Every three to four months you should trim your hair. This gets rid of any split ends allowing your hair to continue growing properly without further damage. When trimming, you only need to cut about a 1/2 inch maybe a bit more depending on your hair.
To keep your ends in great condition, use protective hairstyles such as bans and not-so-tight braids. Letting hair fall freely exposes the ends to damage. At night wrap the hair in a silk scarf or sleep on a satin pillow. These little changes help a lot.
5. Air Dry your hair.
After washing your hair, the best way to dry it is by rubbing it gently with a towel or letting it air-dry. Try to avoid using a blow dryer as the excess heat will weaken and damage your hair. If for any reason you have to use your blow dryer, use the coolest setting. You can also wrap the hair in a silk scarf and leave it to dry through the night.
