Dear BHI,
My hair is so dry! I just can’t seem to keep my hair moisturized. I don’t want to have so many products in my hair because they will weigh my hair down. But I can’t just use my leave-in without my hair become crazy dry within a few hours. What can I do?
Sincerely, It’s The Sa-Hair-Ra
Dear It’s The Sa-Hair-Ra,
Dry hair is a sure sign of hair that is in distress. To solve the problem permanently you have to start a good hair regimen and learn how to care for your hair properly. Take a look at your regimen and ensure that you have these components: Water based products, a deep conditioning* routine that will put the much needed moisture back into your hair to keep it from being so dry.
Finally make sure you are sealing and protecting your hair and ends weekly, check out this post and this one for more information on how to combat dryness.
Sincerely, BHI
Dear BHI,
My hair falls out after my long term style. I thought my hair was supposed to grow when I don’t touch it? I want to grow my hair, but how can I when it is falling out???
Sincerely, I Keep On Falling…Says My Hair
Dear I Keep On Falling…Says My Hair,
Unless you are catching hand fulls of hair (if so see your doctor), there is nothing to worry about. All of the hair you see in your hands, wide tooth comb*, and on the sink are your shed hairs. I know it’s so easy to panic when you see so much hair come out of your head at once, but remember that 100 hair strands shed per day.
If you have had a long term protective style you will have even more shed hair than you would daily. If your strands that are “falling” out your hair are long with a white bulb on one end, then that’s a shed hair. Continue to take the shed hairs out to keep them from tangling with the hair on your head. If you need more information on shedding, look at this post , this one and this one.
Sincerely, BHI
Ebony Clark says
can you keep hair healthy without trimming it and if yes how? #naturalhair #questions
BlackHairInformation.com says
It is almost impossible to avoid trimming. The ends of your hair are the oldest portions, the environment alone will affect them, so the best way to keep your hair healthy is ensuring that you get rid of unhealthy ends. Ebony Clark
Envymeremy says
I would like to connect with you for info on my two hair line brands..
Siyem says
My hair won’t grow beyond 1″ past my shoulders. In addition to taking the proper amount of supplements, daily proper care, trims, exercise, drinking water, etc. my hair still won’t grow past a certain length. When I comb or brush my hair there is hardly any hair on my brush or comb (or the floor) and when I wash my hair there is hardly any fallen hairs. I wear protective styles daily and my hair isn’t rubbing against my clothes. I’ve visited several dermatologists, etc. and they all have told me that my nutritional intake is, “fine” “perfect”, etc. and then they try and sell me some of their (cortisone) products or injections. My family has a large variety of hair growth (very long, long, medium and short). I seem to have fallen into the medium-short category (in that order). Also, I massage my scalp at least 3-4 times per week and I use essential oils. I keep my hair and scalp clean, etc. No matter what I do (or have done) my hair always remains the same length or appears to be shorter. Also I have a major problem with shrinkage, except for when I moisturize my hair. I have 4 sisters. Their hair growth is as follows: (very long) (long/nearly mid-back length) (APL) (Neck length/only because she hates long hair and keeps cutting it). My hair gets to one length and never goes beyond that point. Any suggestions outside of what I’m already doing? I really would like to break “the barrier” and have a lot more length by this summer. Thanks in advance!
Shaniqua L Leach says
How often are you trimming your hair? Have you ever measured your hair to find out what your monthly growth rate is? You may be cutting your hair too much. Also, how often are you moisturizing? I only ask because you say your hair has high shrinkage except for when it is moisturized, which leads me to think you may not be moisturizing consistently enough for your hair.
Siyem says
It varies, sometimes I trim my hair between 6-8 weeks and sometimes I’ve trimmed it at both shorter and longer intervals and there has been no difference in the growth pattern. I never trim more than a 1/4″ of my hair as it doesn’t need any more than that to be trimmed. So I am hardly cutting it too much. I moisturize my hair every day (sometimes twice per day) and my hair loves it! Also, I drink at least half my weight in water each day. BTW I have measured my hair on a monthly basis and it’s always the same length. I have also had my sister measure it and she gets the same reading. One of my cousins had the same issue so we thought it was just hereditary. For the past 6 months she’s been using a hair supplement and her hair growth actually increased so I’m going to get the name of it and try it to see if it will work for me. Thanks for your questions.
Kim says
Look at one your hair strands, if you cannot SEE split ends, there’s NO reason to trim it. 6-8 weeks is too frequent and completely unnecessary. The 1/2 inch/month growth rate is an average for all races. African hair grows at lower than average rate, then caucasians at average and asians at above average. It’s possible that your trims are out-pacing your growth if it grows at 1/4 inch/month and then you trim off the same amount within 2 months.You may also be underestimating the amount you trim off. I trim my high shrinkage and very coily hair when wet and what I thought was 1/4 inch turned out to be more than 1/2 inch.
Shedding is normal, shrinkage is normal and even some breakage is normal. The only 2 reasons your hair is not retaining length is because of trimming AND/OR breakage. Bottom line, measure with a measuring tape, lay off the scissors for 6 months and if there is no change, and your hair is not breaking off, then…I’ve got nothing. Good luck.
Siyem says
“It varies, sometimes I trim my hair between 6-8 weeks and sometimes I’ve trimmed it at both shorter and longer intervals and there has been no difference….” Let me add that I’ve gone 6 months and even a whole year without trimming my ends, while still taking proper care of my hair. There is no breakage. I’m aware that shedding is normal, but that doesn’t have any thing to do with my length. For my hair, the shedding only (partially) lessens the thickness. Since my initial posting I have gone to see a Trichologist who (after several tests) said that my lack of hair growth has to do with nutritional needs, as opposed to moisturizing or trims. Thanks to all for your opinions. The best choice for me was to see a professional.
Lisa says
How do you know what type of hair you have. I have medium shoulder length hair that is thin, fine and straight. It’s hard to curl and flops quickly. My hair has no chemicals so any type of air will cause it to flop. I’m limited , to how I can style my hair because my hair is so thin. When I wash my hair I have shrinkage but it’s still straight.
Donna Williams says
how to deal with shrinkage on 4c hair that’s natural doing was n go.