Natural hair is not the easier to maintain. It comes with its challenges. Just like every other hair type, natural hair needs tender loving and care. To keep your natural hair healthy and long, the following tips would be needed:
1. Drink plenty of water
Water makes up almost 25% of the weight of a single strand of our hair, so drinking the right amount of water (2.7-3.7 litres) helps strengthen your hair and reduce the occurrence of dandruff. Stop skipping a few cups of water as this could be the reason your hair isn’t as strong as it should be and breaks easily.
2. Use satin bonnets
Satin bonnets are not fashion items, they help prevent split ends. Satin bonnets protect your hair from the dryness caused by friction between your hair and moisture-absorbing materials such as cotton. This reduces breakage, tangles and thinning.
3. Ditch tight hairstyles
Save yourself from constant headaches and damaged scalp that tight hairstyles bring and do a hairdo that your hair would thank you. Loose hairdos would also prevent receding hairlines.
4. Be soft on your edges
Don’t stress your edges or you would have a receding hairline. Whether you use hair gel or an edge controller, be soft on your edges. You shouldn’t apply too much product to your edges.
5. Practise deep-conditioning your hair
It takes a lot of effort to comb dry hair, so deep condition your hair at least every two weeks. To have healthier hair, apply proper protein in form of deep conditioning to moisture balance. This will help keep your hair soft, strong, nourished, and minimize breakage, allowing new growth and length retention.
6. Reduce the use of heat on your hair
Heat damage can make straight hair appear dry and brittle. It can also exaggerate the appearance of split ends and make it harder for your hair to lie flat. To get glossy hair, focus on restoring your hair’s natural proteins.
7. Avoid harsh products
Whenever you go to the beauty store, you should know the kind of products to avoid. These products have ingredients that are not good for your natural hair. They include sodium lauryl sulphate, alcohol, petrolatum, parabens, mineral oil, etc.
8. Change your hairstyles occasionally
Allow your natural hair to breathe. Even though protective styles are great for promoting growth and thickness, when they are carried for long, they result to hair breakage.
9. Moisturise your hair with water
If you want the best form of moisture, as you sip those refreshing cups of water, you should also take some time out at least every month to cover all sections of your hair with water.
10. Use a wide comb for your natural hair
It is advisable to use wide-toothed combs for your natural hair. This kind of comb has enough space between the rows to allow for hair to glide through easily, without breaking off the ends. Wide-tooth combs do a great job of detangling knots, tangles, and separating hair while reducing hair loss and breakage.