I might as well warn you that some of what you will see here are unorthodox and might not be for the faint of heart ( 🙂 okay so I might be yanking your chain with that last bit.
Still, in essence, some of it may seem to go against the grain but with reason. Check ‘em out!
1. Stock Your Hair with Goodness On Wash Day
Okay, so I can pretty much see the looks on your faces and most of you look perplexed with a “huh?” here or there. Stock my hair? You mean with avocados and stuff? Ahaha, no, what I mean is that you should make sure that your wash day counts.
Your hair should be very well conditioned and moisturized so that you can reduce the number of times that you will have to moisturize your hair throughout the week. Doing a thorough deep conditioning* and following the LOC method works perfectly in this case.
2. Wash Infrequently
Yes, YES, I said it. Now when I say wash infrequently I’m not saying that you should wash your hair every 2 months or anything (even though for some people, washing every 2 months is a norm).
What I’m saying is that if you are washing your hair, let’s say every 3 days, then try increasing the time between washes to weekly instead or if you are washing your hair every week and still feel like it is too much manipulation then try washing your hair every 2 weeks.
This can play a big part in reducing mechanical damage and you may be surprised to learn that there are plenty of women with super long hair that wash just once monthly.
3. Daily Moisturizing Is Not Necessary
Okay, first no you are not seeing things and second I’m not crazy. Although one of the sacred rules of healthy hair is daily moisturizing, I dare say that in most cases it is actually not necessary.
This is definitely something that should be based on how your hair feels, how you style it and it’s porosity levels and not something that you feel that you should do just because it is deemed a healthy hair practice.
The frequency with which you choose to moisturize can range from every other day to once weekly to reduce manipulation, and depending on the condition and needs of your hair you can still have lush moisture filled hair without moisturizing daily. Also by doing the LOC method mentioned previously, you will find that your hair simply doesn’t need to be moisturized daily.
Remember now, there is such a thing as over moisturizing which constitutes mechanical damage, so if you are religiously giving your hair more than what it needs on a daily basis, you are aiding mechanical damage.
Ruthelle Dzifa-Dzidzi Ruth I says
i Needed this!!thanks
Yvonne says
This was such a helpful article in my examining my regime to assist me in obtaining more length.
Mia Eubanks says
Just got a regimen down.
Prince PapiChulo says
Do yourselves a favour go to A Dominican Salon they do hair the natural and best way
Chelsea Crouch says
and let them burn my scalp beyond repair? no thanks
Janay Mitchell says
& all the heat they use dries out your hair, lets not forget **HEAT DAMAGE**
TToles says
Good info!
Angela Cochrane Palmer says
Thanks for the tips
Monica Taylor Collins says
still learning and it has been a year and I have not yet found the right hair care regimen for my hair. trying to stay natural , but my hair is so short and super nappy and sheds like crazy. ugh. I need help. :/
Tu Bella Mari says
LOL…NO DID IT
Juanita Howell says
reminds me of my daughter and her daughter lol
Prince PapiChulo says
Chelsea Crouch Sweety I own my own salon and deal with clients from all hair types so dont teach or chat here. Dominican women dont use relaxers and other garbage thank you and God bless
Jhana Gray says
Does any one know a good online site that delivers hair products to Australia coz I can’t find any good products
Prince PapiChulo says
I also sell hair, weaves, wigs, gels, natural oils and all other hair products
Chantell Immapeiceofwork Chew says
Im just learning. And starting from scratch at that. Literally
Renata Mckinney says
HAIR CONDITIONERS DOES JUST FINE
Nicole Alexandra Hooper says
Monica Taylor Collins hey hun. if your hair sheds in my opinion its because of dryness. plenty of moisture and protective hair styles. nappy hair means strong hair so use it to your advantage and use plenty of moisture. steam it and use things to help it grow such as braids, until it reaches a more manageable length. hope this helps and remember all hair is unique and fabulous.
Prú Sashà says
She isn’t straightening her hair she’s brushing it
Ruth Nunes says
have you tried Jamaican castor oil…that might help. They also say a lot of moisture. I am learning too and want to do it without the big chop:)will see what happens. Theres a wealth of information on these natural sites. Hang in there.
Yolonda Spead says
Don’t forget to use a satin pillowcase when sleeping, works wonders….
Majorly_Mojo says
“6. Stick To What Works” Definitely my favorite tip LOL, sometimes we get caught up in trying new things, constantly trying to find the next big thing that will wow us but in reality we may have already found it. LOL. I have revisited some last regimens and thought why did I ever stop doing this, this is when you need to sit down and reevaluate your life lol #js.
Shay Bailey says
I’m still learning I want to grow I’m having problems into what to use now know now since I had to do the 21/2 to 3 year plan my hair will be down my back trust no perms none of that all natural products that’s all from here on out!
Reshell Sanae'Marie Williams says
I’m starting from scratch.
Dacia Mackinnon says
Love this site!
koolkittychick says
I discovered most of these methods last year, and it made a world of difference. I retained about six inches of hair growth and went from APL to MBL in the space of a year. I hope to reach WL by my birthday, which is next May. Of all the tips, the finger detangling one was the turning point for me. Once I mastered that technique, my hair started retaining practically every inch I grew.
Chantal says
Ive added finger detangling to my routine which takes a bit more time but it does help in length retention. However, Im in a twa, and I cant seem to acheive second day hair so Im always re-twisting or re-bantu-ing every night which Im sure isnt good. By the end of the day my hair just shirnks back up to an fros with no definition….what can I do? I really wanna reduce manipulation of my hair
Danni says
Hi Chantal!
How large are you making your bantu knots and twists and how moisturized is your hair before hand? When I had a twa, I did my twists in medium small sizes and i did the rope twist method. Also make sure that your hair is really moisturized. When I did this on my 1-2 inch twa, i did not have to worry about redoing for a whole week. Another good tip is to not seperate them alot. If your seperate your twists once and loosen the hair by massaging your scalp. This makes it last alot longer as well. These are things that I find essential in making a twistout or bantu knot out last. Good Luck!
Josann F says
Learning….everyday!!
Kendi Harrall says
Reminds me of my mom when I was a kid. She would do my hair every 2 weeks. I mean the works! She being a beautician was great. My hair always looks so good. Never believed in perms and colors on hair. Just press and curl on special days and other days it was just wash and braided up. Now that will be my regimen.