Most times you will hear us mention the importance of using your fingers to detangle your hair and even if you have to use a comb, just make sure you get enough of the knots out first using your fingers before following up with the wide tooth comb*.
See this Back To Basics article on proper combing technique for natural hair.
4. Daily manipulation – This might mean, co washing and slicking your hair back into a ponytail every morning, or twisting and braiding nightly for the perfect set the next day.
Your hair strands are fragile, even in their natural state because that is the natural state of very curly hair, so manipulating it often can cause breakage which affects your length retention ultimately.
The most ideal way to style your hair is once a week and maintain the style for five – seven days without having to re-style. We understand that this method might not be for everyone, but cutting down on the parting, combing and twisting/braiding your hair will ultimately be very beneficial to the inches you are trying to gain.
5. Insufficient conditioning – Have you ever wondered why conditioning your hair is so important? Well we are here to tell you that conditioning is a key factor to length retention because when you condition your hair especially with a formula that has great slip, it prevents your hair from tangling and matting, the very thing that encourages breakage.
Water based conditioners hydrate the strands allowing your hair to avoid the dryness which makes your hair prone to friction and breakage. Protein conditioners strengthen the hair strand and keep it from degenerating to the point of the strand disappearing like a thief in the night. With that said if you use conditioner, try to use enough to coat all your strands and for sufficient periods of time.
Most of us in the hair care game prefer huge bottles of conditioner because we know how beneficial it is to keeping our hair hydrated and intact enough to stay long and healthy. Those small cutesie brand specific 8 to 10 oz bottles that we might get from newly opened all natural stores may have the best ingredients but they are barely enough for a single use on our thick natural tresses.
If you cannot afford to spend the money to get enough of that conditioner to cover your thick hair then try to get economical with your purchases and buy the drugstore brands that do the same thing with a lot more product in the bottle.
If your hair is not as thick or you have fine low density strands, you might be able to get away with smaller bottles of conditioner just as long as all of your hair benefits from the same treatment.
I think doing what is best for your hair is best. I have been natural for 1yr 8 months. I found that twist outs work best for my fine hair it prevents it from getting knots.
AWESOME ADVICE! THANK U SO MUCH
I get so shear happy. Thin uneven ends is my weakness. going to try and reduce trimming to once pr yr. getting no where w/length bc, I keep chopping it off.
I had my barber clip my ends in September between 1 st and 5th. And then again on my birthday which is in March. That’s it. Iif i see knots i clip those too.
I do the majority of this stuff sadly, but my hair is still growing healthy.
it ok =) it very nice by the way …very creative =)
Karamel Edwards checkout her blog. Gave me great advice! I’ll post pictures of what I use, where I was and where I am now.
Thank you so much for this incredible article!
Thank you!!!!
Good info.. this statement could have been number 6 “Note that this is very different from over elastic hair that is a result of too much conditioning. Do not condition your hair to the point of it feeling like mush because if it’s too elastic that will cause breakage too. – See more at: https://blackhairinformation.com/by-type/natural-hair/5-mistakes-costing-naturals-length/4/#sthash.LkZtwIQ7.dpuf ” A lot of women still don’t understand about over conditioning and how it too can cause breakage.
I probably need to see a dermatologist, BUT I’m already having another part of body checked via the gynaecologist and now the gastroenterologist; so I can’t take anymore specialists right now. The thousands of dollars are starting to add up and if I didn’t pray on a regular basis, I would’ve broken down already. It also helps that I have at least two family members there for support as well.
At the moment, whenever my scalp flakes I return to Remedi’s medicated shampoo and Hollywood Beauty medicated hair grease to eliminate the little buggers. And when my hair starts to look a bit ratty, I condition it with beer and give it a trim. Although it may be the painkillers I’m downing that frigging with my hair and scalp, and chances are when my gynaecological issues get sorted out so would the health of my scalp and hair. But I can’t concentrate on them now.
I wash and rinse my hair with black green tea only. I jave also been advised to wash my hair w black tea also. This is for shedding hair.
Natural for 10 years. It takes much patience thru trial and error.
These totally apply to us relaxed girls too. Even the uncontrolled shrinkage where new growth is concerned. Great post Emily.
Abbi of BelowtheWaist
WOOW!”Jolie”!!!
can i apply protein and conditioner at the same time
Nice article! Very interesting. Your post caught my attention. I had a great time reading your this. Keep posting!
Great post! Embracing my shrinkage is a big no no for me not because I am ashamed of my kinky textured hair but because my hair would be a tangled mess. I also try not manipulate my hair too much, protective styles are my best friend. Finger detangling works very well for me, I can’t remember the last time I used a comb.
Its hrad for me not to use my comb. I keep my hair in boxbraids (my own hair) during the winter. I wrap my hair with a headwrap to protect it. I wash ny hair while its braided. I take out one braid at a time to tighten it again untill the summer time.
Love article ehich i could read more on this topic.
Thanks for this article, i wish it was longer.