The struggle to grow long black hair is very real for a lot of us, and can be quite frustrating. I’ve run into a lot of naturals who want to give up because they aren’t getting the results they want, but fail to realize that the fault may lie with them and not their hair. Just as with any disease, you need to attack the problem on multiple levels.
Growing natural hair, either using the long-transition method or after a big chop, takes diligence and know-how. Having a regular regimen for your hair, as well as your body is very important.
Yet even with a great regimen, ignoring your lifestyle and diet is the worst thing you can do to your hair and you know what? It will show all too clearly in the health of your hair as you experience shedding, thinning and stunted growth.
There are many different reasons why your hair growth may have stalled, all of which can be resolved using simple remedies or methods. As long as you take an all-around approach to hair health and growth, the results will come! So let’s begin the process of elimination and see what can be done to get you out of your hair slump.
1. Your hair is sufficiently lacking protein or is getting too much
Protein treatments can be good and bad for your hair depending on your circumstances at any given time. Protein can both soften your hair helping it hold on to moisture and also make your hair hard and brittle, making it easier to break off. It is of vital importance that you balance out protein treatments with water-based moisture treatments.
So if you’ve just jumped on the bandwagon of protein treatments (since it’s highly promoted that hair needs protein to grow), make sure that you’re not overdoing it.
Pay closer attention to your strands, and if you notice they are getting hard and dry, then back off the treatments and focus on moisturizing. Cut back to only doing them once or twice monthly or every other month, depending on the condition of your hair.
Remember, what’s working for someone else isn’t necessarily going to work for you — their hair and their journey isn’t identical to yours, so why would you expect identical results?
2. Your hair is physically breaking from your styling and maintenance
Your hair is like a baby — you have to be gentle and caring or it won’t develop properly. When you’re excessively using heat styling and hair manipulation methods or not being gentle when detangling (especially for transitioning hair), your hair is more likely to break.
Also, refrain from tying your hair too tight because this can break your edges and roots, causing your hairline to start balding (traction alopecia).
Reduce the amount of heat styles you wear by either cutting back or learning how to retain your style longer, so that your heating tools don’t have to be used as often. Of course, going cold turkey for as long as you can would provide optimum results.
You should also bear in mind that if you’re not going to sleep with a silk or satin scarf or pillowcase, then you risk having your hair broken. Cotton and polyester sheets and pillowcases dry out your hair and moving around on them can snag your hairs more easily than a smoother pillowcase. Another option is to wear your hair in a pineapple, using a fabric hair tie. However, I still recommend protecting your roots with a scarf while you sleep.
3. Your hair has buildup from the water coming out of your shower head
If you’re convinced that your methods are all good and should be working, then it could be that your tap water is counteracting your hair care regimen.
Hard water is a common problem in different areas of the U.S., which can cause your hair to dry out. The same goes for chlorinated tap water, which is known to excessively dry your hair out as well.
To combat this problem, it’s best that you install a filtered shower head. I personally use this and have seen the difference in my skin and hair — the moisture is better retained in both.
[email protected] kofi says
I just had a big chop…my hair is growing out a bit but each time I touch it I notice it’s shedding seriously already, I, m not sure what the problem is or if it’s absolutely normal. I also have severe dandruff and I don’t want to use the sulfate shampoo recommended by my doctor. Does he the dandruff have anything to do with the shedding. I got the big chop like 2 days ago, but I didn’t go all the way low. I was able to identify the natural roots so while my hair is very much lower than a TWA IT’S not skin. Any help please..
Safiya Elle says
Hi, it sounds like you have excessive dryness, with it breaking off and the dandruff. You need a natural cleanser, stay away from the sulfate and other chemical shampoos. They also strip your hair of its natural oils. I recommend that you use either the bar or liquid shikakai, amla and aritha shampoo/conditioner and focus on moisturizing your hair daily with a water-based leave-in like shea moisture’s jamaican black castor leave-in. Then use extra virgin coconut oil (organic) to seal it in. Do this daily and wash weekly. After each wash, make sure you are rinsing with cool water to lock in moisture. Also, after you wash each week, use the coconut oil to deep condition. Sit under the dryer for 20-30 min with a shower cap, then rinse it out with warm water. If needed, use a natural conditioner to cleanse out the oil, like Kirk’s castile coconut conditioner. This should all help with your dryness by nourishing and conditioning it. Plus, you should implement fruit smoothies with herbs like moringa.
Yolanda says
Try an all natural shampoo at justnaturalskincare.com. They have shampoo, conditioner, and treatments geared towards different hair types and scalp conditions. They have products geared towards dandruff. I do not suffer from that but my sister does and she used those products with success. She also said the shampoo from nattynatural.com helped her scalp. Try the tingle oil form K.J. Naturals on etsy.com. If I were in your shoes I would stick to all natural oils, butters, and products. I think over-the-counter and prescription products may exacerbate the situation. I think those medicated products may help your scalp but damage your hair in process, stick to natural. Also the post above gives great info, you may need to get a filter for your shower (I have one). Hard water can give you a scalp issue, dry hair, and build-up (that can cause shedding or breakage) also.
[email protected] kofi says
I just had a big chop…my hair is growing out a bit but each time I touch it I notice it’s shedding seriously already, I, m not sure what the problem is or if it’s absolutely normal. I also have severe dandruff and I don’t want to use the sulfate shampoo recommended by my doctor. Does he the dandruff have anything to do with the shedding. I got the big chop like 2 days ago, but I didn’t go all the way low. I was able to identify the natural roots so while my hair is very much lower than a TWA IT’S not skin. Any help please..
Safiya Elle says
Hi, it sounds like you have excessive dryness, with it breaking off and the dandruff. You need a natural cleanser, stay away from the sulfate and other chemical shampoos. They also strip your hair of its natural oils. I recommend that you use either the bar or liquid shikakai, amla and aritha shampoo/conditioner and focus on moisturizing your hair daily with a water-based leave-in like shea moisture’s jamaican black castor leave-in. Then use extra virgin coconut oil (organic) to seal it in. Do this daily and wash weekly. After each wash, make sure you are rinsing with cool water to lock in moisture. Also, after you wash each week, use the coconut oil to deep condition. Sit under the dryer for 20-30 min with a shower cap, then rinse it out with warm water. If needed, use a natural conditioner to cleanse out the oil, like Kirk’s castile coconut conditioner. This should all help with your dryness by nourishing and conditioning it. Plus, you should implement fruit smoothies with herbs like moringa.
Yoli says
Try an all natural shampoo at justnaturalskincare.com. They have shampoo, conditioner, and treatments geared towards different hair types and scalp conditions. They have products geared towards dandruff. I do not suffer from that but my sister does and she used those products with success. She also said the shampoo from nattynatural.com helped her scalp. Try the tingle oil form K.J. Naturals on etsy.com. If I were in your shoes I would stick to all natural oils, butters, and products. I think over-the-counter and prescription products may exacerbate the situation. I think those medicated products may help your scalp but damage your hair in process, stick to natural. Also the post above gives great info, you may need to get a filter for your shower (I have one). Hard water can give you a scalp issue, dry hair, and build-up (that can cause shedding or breakage) also.
[email protected] kofi says
Thank you so much safiya
[email protected] kofi says
Thank you so much safiya
Risha Bridgers says
What is a good leave in that will leave your hair moisturized all day without heavy build up?
Safiya Elle says
The only commercial one I can vouch for is the shea moisture jamaican black castor oil leave in.
Safiya Elle says
The only commercial one I can vouch for is the shea moisture jamaican black castor oil leave in.
Emina Kelvin says
Hi my hair is too soft and stunted. I tried applying cannabis oil but still no results.please what can I do
Alma Ruddock says
I would try oils that are more targeted for hair growth like castor oil but first of all it is important to ensure that your hair is not breaking off at the same rate that it is growing which means maintaining a decent moisture protein balance in your hair regimen with regular treatments as well as ensuring that your hair porosity is in the normal range. Just search the website for more info on these subjects.
Twain says
My hair has been stunt for 2yrs. It’s dry and it shedds daily. When I was 12 my mom put a relaxer in my head. I think that has a lot to do w/it but I’m 28 now x my hair is stuck @ like a .5 inch or 1 inch. I wanna grow locks but I’m not trying to have twist for 3years the same length..What Do I Do