Top 5 Tips for Healthy Hair Growth

Of all the concerns and questions that have hit my Facebook inbox, hair growth has got to be at the top of the list. “My hair doesn’t grow” or “my hair isn’t growing fast enough” are common sentiments among newer naturals. Welp, I’m no expert but I’ve definitely learned a few things in my almost four years of… naturalness.

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The truth is, your hair is always growing… it is! BUT there may some things stopping your hair from reaching its full potential. Let’s get to it, shall we?

• Feed Your Hair! Healthy hair starts from within! The first thing I ask people who are concerned about hair growth is “how is your diet?” Eating your fruits and veggies and drinking plenty of water will help your hair to thrive, feeding those follicles the nutrients they need for optimal health. Taking a daily multi-vitamin is also a great way to give your body whatever it may be lacking in order to assist in healthy hair growth.
• Keep Your Hair & Scalp Clean. A healthy, clean environment is needed for hair to flourish. Buildup on the scalp can virtually stunt growth simply because of dirty, clogged pores/follicles. Washing routines and frequency will differ from person to person based on different factors like how much product you use, how much you sweat, etc. Here’s how I get it done.
• MOISTURIZE! Due to the makeup of naturally curly or kinky hair, it’s naturally prone to dryness. What often happens is that our hair breaks just as fast as it grows and therefore appears to be stuck at one length. Hair that is properly moisturized is less likely to break or split at the ends which means you’ll retain what you grow. To seal in the moisture, I apply a leave-in conditioner to my freshly washed (and still slightly damp) hair, then a butter or an oil paying special attention to the ends-the oldest part of the hair. I discuss this simple process further here.
• Minimize Heat. Some of you have probably sworn off heat altogether and then some, like me, enjoy the occasional blow-out. Too much heat too often can lead to dry, brittle hair which can mean breakage. If you must use heat, be gentle. Use the low or medium setting on your blow dryer and use a heat protectant. I like to use grapeseed or avocado oil for my blow-outs because of their high smoke points.
• Wear Protective Styles to Aid in Retention. A protective style is one that requires little to no manipulation and helps protect the hair, especially your ends, from the unnecessary damage that constant combing, brushing or finger twirling (can you say Hand-In-Hair Disease?!) may cause. They DO NOT make your hair grow but simply help you retain the hair you do grow. Anything from an effortless chignon/bun to a set of stylish cornrows will do. Simply put-make it so that you leave your hair alone! You’ll thank me later. Want more? Take a look at this!

Here’s the moral of the story girlies: instead of being so overly concerned about the length of your hair, focus on its health. Growth and length will come!