3. You see thinning hair and or breakage – Not the breakage you may notice when first going natural as you adapt to scab hair and the line of demarcation. I mean “out of the blue” breakage or thinning hair that is occurring from recent events.
Maybe you are wearing your added hair (braids, wigs*, ponytails, weaves) too tight or too often and your hair is suffering as a result.
Maybe you are wearing headbands* too often and they are rubbing against your edges. Take note and figure it out because it will only get worse before it gets better.
4. You don’t know what to do with your hair – Stuck in a hair rut? It happens and it can be a good time to step out of your comfort zone and try new styles. You may always part your hair down the middle and unless you want a permanent part you should try styles that require a different part or lose the part all together.
Check out our hairstyles category for hairstyle tutorials, our gallery for styling inspiration or YouTube for even more tutorials. Try new products if your old ones are not giving you the results they did in the past. It’s OK to try something new.
5. Your hair stays dry and/or frizzy- Never get used to dry hair. It’s not normal and you may need to incorporate new products or routines to combat the dryness. Are you sealing your hair? Are you using deep conditioners regularly? Are you over-using protein conditioners (once a month is normal) or are you using too much heat too often?
Maybe your porosity level changed and you are not eating healthy or drinking enough water? All of these things contribute to how your hair looks and feels, taking care of yourself is very important for healthy hair.
Finally, if all else fails consult a doctor because it could be a medical condition that needs attention. Listen to your hair, pick up on the clues and remember this is a journey and not a race.
What about locs?
I’m planning on getting locs..
It’s definitely important to listen to your hair! I would add that if you can’t figure out what’s going on with your hair that you might want to see a trusted stylist. My stylist knows my hair well so she’s often able to pinpoint what’s going on with my hair (Like a dentist who knows you haven’t been flossing regularly). I went to see her on one visit and she was able to determine that I wasn’t detangling my hair properly. So, she went over (again!) how to gently detangle my hair at home. I’ve really found it helpful to seek the advice of a licensed stylist from time to time.