7. The shampoo and conditioner you are using are damaging
When going natural, it’s important that you switch to natural hair products too. Relaxers aren’t the only danger to your hair. If the shampoos and conditioners you’re using are made with toxic chemicals, then your hair will continue to be depleted of its natural oils* and suffer for it.
You can opt for natural brands instead, or even make your own homemade shampoos and conditioners using natural ingredients like amla, shikakai and aritha.
These cleanse and nourish your hair at the same time. It’s important to learn the different types of toxins that are found even in some of the products that claim to be natural, such as BHA/BHT, isopropyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate and mineral oils*.
8. You fail to keep up with your hair regimen
Just as you wouldn’t allow your baby to go hungry over an extended period, neither should you allow your hair to go unmaintained. Life can sometimes take you away from your normal routine, which is understandable, but this is why you should opt for the simplest methods possible. A lot of newbie naturals and even some veterans, include way too much in their regimen to a point where a simple wash day feels overwhelming.
Your hair care routine should be simple, so that you won’t mind doing it. Staying consistent with your regimen is important to your hair gaining back and retaining its health.
Your locks need nourishment and care regularly, just like a garden. So set a day of the week as the day to give your curls and kinks the attention they require — and stick to it!
9. Your body is deficient in important vitamins* and minerals
Taking care of your body should be at the top of your list when creating your hair care routine. Without a healthy body, it can’t translate to healthy hair — no matter how nourishing the products and methods you use on your hair.
Your body is producing your new growth, so when you’re deficient, that new growth is going to be dry, dull and weak. You need to give your hair a good head start, because that new growth will one day be the middle and eventually, the ends of your hair.
You should change your diet so that processed, starchy and sugary foods are minimal. Eat more meals that are made from scratch and include more fresh fruits and veggies, especially leafy greens, avocados and almonds.
Of course, daily smoothies made with herbs like baobab and moringa* (high in iron*, which is important for hair growth) are always a plus! Make sure to include hemp and spirulina for added protein, since protein deficiency can cause issues with your hair. Make sure to drink tons of water as well!
10. You trim and dust your hair way too often
I see a lot of women who are obsessed with their ends. But what they really need to be paying attention to is the entire strand.
Forget your ends for as long as you can and wear protective styles 80% of the time if they worry you that much. You’ll be surprised at how much hair you can retain if you just stop trimming so often! Sure, you may have some split ends in the end, but at least by then, you won’t mind the cutting action.
Are you having problems with growing out your hair? Why do you think that is and what are you planning to do about it?
[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