This is year I am trying as much as possible to keep my hair healthy by practicing healthy hair care techniques. Healthy hair is not limited to just natural hair, I am also talking about straightened and relaxed hair. The key is to do everything in moderation. I have met a lot of people with natural hair who are struggling to establish a proper hair regime. I have decided to share with you guys what works for me, I hope this will be helpful to someone.
- I trim my hair at least once every two months, to avoid split ends which causes damage and break off my hair. I try as much as possible to also use othe split ends treatments out there such as protein treatments to keep those split ends under control.
- Detangling your hair before washing it is very crucial to avoid hair breakage. I detangle my curls by wetting my hair using a mixture of water, conditioner and oils (jojoba, olive, rapeseed, castor oils) then I finger comb my hair starting from the end working my way up through my curly before using a proper wide comb to comb it. Detangling with your fingers before using a brush or a comb can be great for your hair because it helps to get rid of major knots and tangles that a brush or comb can’t easily get through and always finish off by using a proper detangling comb. Proper detangling of your hair will stop breakage, cuticle damaging and split ends
- Pre-shampooing your hair is very important. This is a conditioning treatment that is placed on the hair before you shampoo it. Pre-shampoo treatments coats the strands and forms a protective barrier over the cuticles to keep the hair smooth. It also keeps the harsh detergents in the shampoo from stripping the hair of moisture. Use conditioner and oil of your choice to do this treatment. I normally use a mixture of oils (jojoba, coconut, olive, rapeseed, Amla, and castor oils) If you have two of above oils will also do the job. Apply the oil mixture working your way up then cover your hair with a shower cap and wrap it with a warm towel for 30 minutes -1 hour before washing it.
- Then wash your hair using shampoo and conditioner. I find it very helpful combing my hair under running water as this makes the process easy and helps my hair from excessive breakage. Avoid drying your hair by vigorously rubbing it with a towel as this causes damage and breaks your hair. You can hand dry your hair by squeezing excess water from your hair with your hands or gently using a towel to do this. Apply some leave-in conditioner and detangle with a wide-toothed comb and moisturize it appropriately.
- Other hair tips are keep your hair moisturised all the time. I moisturise my hair when necessary, this means when I feel my hair is dry and it needs moisturising.
- Keep the stress low on the hair follicles, avoid tight buns, braids and pony’s.
- Go easy or avoid products that contain alcohol in setting lotions, gels, hair spray as they dry out your hair leaving it brittle and causes split ends.
- Avoid heat as much as you can especially when you don’t have the heat resistant products/settings to apply on your hair before applying heat. Excessive heat breaks down the keratin bonds which are found in your hair and causes damage and also makes your hair not to retain moisture well.
- Keep your hair protected when going to bed, use a satin bonnet or satin pillowcase as this helps protect your strands from breakage, and also helps stretch the life of your hair style. Avoid cotton pillowcases or bonnets as they tend to suck the moisture out of your hair.
- With these basic principles in mind will foster healthy hair and you should start to see the health of your hair improving. Good luck and don’t for get to let us know how it goes.
