4 Natural Hair Length Retention Tips

When it comes to hair growth and the rate that it grows, honestly – there isn’t much you can do about it.

However, there are things that you can do something about.

So, instead of focusing on what you can’t control, let’s discuss what you can control. Let’s discuss 3 things (that you can control) that can alter your growth cycle and prevent you from retaining length.

If you work to ensure that these elements, which can alter your growth cycle or hinder length retention, are at their best, you will be one-step closer to your goal of longer hair.

To begin, you must understand that everyone’s hair growing cycle and hair shedding cycle is different. At any given time, your hair follicles can be in the growth, resting or shedding phase.

Image how your hair would look if all of your hair follicles went into the shedding phase at the same time? This would be disastrous.

Aren’t you glad that each hair follicle has its own cycle?

Tip #1: A poor diet can be the death of healthy hair. The hair may become brittle, thin and eventually break off due to malnourishment. This malnourishment can be result of not eating enough or eating too much of one thing and not enough of the other.

Eating and maintaining a balance diet is essential to a healthier you and healthier hair. The part of your hair that is beneath your scalp benefits most from your well-balanced diet. So invest in quality food for your hair as well as quality hair products.

Tip #2: A poor hair care routine will not stunt your hair growth, because your hair grows from underneath the scalp; but you will have a hard time retaining even the smallest amount of length. On the surface, it may appear that your hair is not growing, but we know that the hair follicles are in a constant state of growth.

The commitment for consistency will be your biggest ally as you work through the details of your routine. You have to ask yourself, how often will I cleanse my hair? What type(s) of conditioner does my hair need? How often will I moisturize with water? Which styles do I need to wear to retain length or for my hair to reach its full potential?

The basis of a simple natural hair regimen will answer the aforementioned questions.

Tip #3: Prescription drugs are necessary for the survival of some. However, did you know that some prescription drugs cause hair loss? A medicine of this type has the ability to alter your growth phase and send it straight to the shedding phase or prevent growth all together.

This can easily go undetected if external factors are more apparent.

If you find that you cannot simply pin point the cause of low length retention or excessive shedding, research your prescription medicines to see if they cause drug induced hair loss and talk to your doctor about alternatives – if appropriate.

Tip #4: Even if everything else is in order, poor hair handling will cause problems for your hair growth goals. Unlike relaxed hair, a comb cannot be taken from root to tip. The coils, angles and bends in black natural hair will prevent it.

So instead of trying to force your hair to tap out and submit, adjusting your mindset about how to handle black natural hair is better.

You have to learn how to handle your hair now that you are natural.

Gently comb the ends of your hair to help reduce tangled ends. Be mindful of the things that you put on your hair.

A few bonus tips:

• As winter approaches, invest in satin scarves that can be worn underneath hats.
• Consider retiring your afro in the cooler months for a more protective style, that will help to better maintain healthy ends.
• Consider placing a satin cap on your car’s headrest. This will help keep the ends of your hair from rubbing or snagging as you sit in the car.

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Related posts:

1. 7 Tips to Improve Your Natural Hair Journey
2. Stress: The Silent Killer of Natural Hair
3. Hair Food for Healthy Natural Hair