Many relaxers give a 20 minute window in which to apply it and while it may be accurate for an average black women, we are not all the same and 20 minutes may be way too much for some. In my case, I found out that a mild texturizer applied for 5 minutes more or less did the same thing as a relaxer!
Now considering that I thought that my hair was resistant and I used super relaxers in the past applied for about half an hour, you can imagine how damaged my hair was even though it appeared thick when air dried, it was extremely damaged. Relaxing bone straight may not be the best thing for your hair and more often than not, does not work because hair will usually be left with a bit of curl anyway!
Now I’m not saying that you have to go natural like I did but you may want to rethink your relaxing routine. Make sure that you are stretching your relaxers to at least once every 12 weeks and not 6 weeks like most stylists suggest. This way you are leaving little room for error in terms of overlapping your relaxer.
You may also want to consider texlaxing instead of relaxing (Read this article for more information about texlaxing: https://blackhairinformation.com/relaxed-hair/relaxing-texturizing-and-texlaxing-black-hair/).
This way you preserve much of your natural hair’s strength while being able to wear it straight easily by roller setting or flat ironing. It would be wise to learn to look after your own hair because not many stylists will be in a position to offer the texlaxing process.
It is also important to consider starting a deep conditioning regimen with an emphasis on protein to help your hair regain some strength. Remember to also alternate with moisturizing conditioners and moisturize daily with a good quality leave in conditioner*.
Unfortunately may also have to accept that if your hair is in fact over processed now, you will be starting from scratch and all you can do at the moment is to keep the hair your have on your head long enough to allow healthier hair to grow. You can trim the damaged hair little by little until you are left with the healthier well looked after hair. After that, you can start aiming for length goals.
I tended to favor moisturizers with glycerine listed in the first few ingredients when I was relaxed so you may want to try those yourself. The ones that fit the bill perfectly are the ones made for curly perms like wave nouveau or S curl. Don’t worry, it won’t give your hair the ‘wet look’ but glycerine* attracts moisture from the atmosphere and which will keep hair soft all day.
Please note that glycerine containing products tend to work best if you live in a relatively humid environment. If it is dry, either summer or winter, then please opt for one without glycerine*. Giovanni direct leave in is excellent.
Trust me, being pure African does not affect how long your hair grows, only your regimen and how you handle your hair will be the determining factors.
Without knowing your hair regimen I can only give you so much advice but I would encourage you to watch hair care videos on our site or youtube. Start a fresh with your hair journey by visiting this link: https://blackhairinformation.com/all-you-will-ever-need-to-know-to-grow-black-hair-long-and-healthy/.
I wish you the best of luck and hope that all my advice at least gives you a starting point on your new hair care journey.
That’s ridiculous! I’m a darkskinned AA female and my hair is waist length.
Both of my parents are from Ghana, West Africa. I am 100% African and my hair is thick and was long until I cut it. It was curly and soft when I was natural and is healthy when relaxed. Someone needs to check their hair treatment routine cuz……errrr…..ummmm…..ahhh…. yeah!
You might be an African but you don’t represent the whole continent. So your problem has to be found somewhere else…I’m an African btw, and within my family we have different hair growth rate
Exactly am 100% african and my hair grows slow but my mom and my sisters hair grow mad fast my mom hair is reaching her bra straps
See what I mean? Smh. That was the dumbest thing I have ever read. However, I have noticed at most African hair salons focus is on braids or twist; not nurturing scalp or hair health. This is just my opinion.
That’s true, most (not all) of the African braiders I’ve come across know next to nothing about healthy hair. All they want to is to create the cutest neatest style that will have your edges begging for mercy. smh
@ Eric Reese..for realllll….
BlackHairInformation.com I hate to say all but it has been true with my experience…..I pretty much go to the same African sistah…she is excellent knows what styles that fit my hair and everything..how ever she does not have a clue about HEALTHY HAIR…I hair thick natural hair…and she just takes a comb and RIPS right through it…I be like hold on sistah…you need a wide tooth comb and start at the ends GOSH…I have to tell her alot of things because eventhough she is from the motherland she has no clue about our GOD given hair…GOOD STUFF SISTAH..love your page
THEMORE I READ THAT GARBAGE THE MORE I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS SOME BS…
I DO NOT LIKE THE TITLE MAYBE BECAUSE I AM PURE AFRICAN MY HAIR WONT GROW…HELL YOU AINT PURE AFRICAN EITHER..WHITE FOLKS COLONIZED THE MOTHER LAND TOO…JUST IGNORANCE..I HATE IT! YOU ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THINGS WE ARE DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE…GOOD GOD…
Great answer to her question! It is soooo sad what we believe about our hair and that some of us have no idea what to do with it. I hope this will change.
I know, it’s so sad when I get questions like these. Education on hair care is the only way to stop this ignorance.
LOL…really……??????? Stop believing it….research your hair…
Braids and weaves can be a great protective style but only if you are taking care of your hair while its in these styles.
Both of my parents are African and my hair is past shoulder length after shaving it off completely 2 years ago.
maybe its the hair texture. if im classified as 4c, i know iv seen some 4Z on some sistas out here. im talking every single strand at the nape of the neck is a tight curl by itself. our hair needs lots of vitamins, moisturization, and the least amount of manipulation to retain current length and continue to grow.
iv done well wearing extension braids for the past 5 years. my hair is now so thick i cant comb it and well past my shoulders/chest length when pull it. i still havent straitened my hair to date so i dont know what thats going to look like but i do know it would not have grown as well if i didnt wear the braids like i do
Im pure african i have shoulder length transitioning & very healthy hair. Um
This has always been a crazy concept to me. I’ve been to africa had they had some of thee most BEAUTIFUL women with GORGEOUS hair! Do NOT let the media fool you thinking pure African women can’t have long hair because it’s not true at all!!
Rubbish!! Rubbish!! Rubbish… Wont even entertain this…
Hi! YES Your hair does grow! I too thought my hair didn’t grow until I first began to LOVE MYSELF and what GOD put on my head. I wore braids for a long time and thought my hair would never get past neck length….little did I know I was taking care of it ALL WRONG!!!! The only reason your hair isn’t growing is because there is something you are doing to it that is causing it to continually break off. I had to learn and study my hair….and it takes years to master it…. I watched natural YT vids, bought books, asked questions on forums…. I have a few YT videos on my channel explaining my natural hair journey…Please watch them and learn… And it doesnt matter the hair texture…. I am so sick of hearing that!!!!!! I am considered 4C which is VERY tightly coiled or kinky…. but my hair is now past bra strap length. Yes your hair does grows!!!! Watch my vids… When I began care for my hair properly I saw results in length and health within 90 days.
i would love to.
cut my hair to grow but it even worse.
how can i suscribe to ur chanel
Whaaa??? I know girls/women from Ghana with long, beautiful hair!
Reason is that most Africans don’t know how to maintain healty hair. Sorry dear, but that’s a fact.
Come to Africa and you’ll see lots of beautiful healthy long hair.
I just wanted tp say..I know most of us now know that black hair grows..However,this young lady is only 19 ans mayb she does not know howvto correctly take care of her hair..I just dont think its fair to respondvto hervquestion by saying “its the dumbest thing ever hrard” or any othet type of harsh feedback,,I mean its a learning experience. .until recentlyeveryone thought relaxing hairvwas the right tthing. .This is a informative site,not to make ppl question feel like dumb ones..im just saying.
yea this co worker of mines has long hair and shes from gambia. A regular customer of mines is from africa thick long poofy hair. Africans in my state definetly know how to take care of there hair.
Imagine this, most cultures with long hair wash their hair 2 to 3 times a week, women of color dont, I feel hair should be washed and deep conditioned at least once a week, but wearing your hair not washed for 30 days or longer is simply lazy & nasty and I feel thats why the hair done grow for many its lacking basic attention, same as many wear the virgin hair weaves not wash it for months, poor hair weaves:(, even the best grade of hair will tangle and shed from this type of abuse… bout dirty hair grow, clean hair grow faster!
K. Just style what u have!!
Sis, your hair will grow if you keep it moisturized. try an aloe juice and water mixture spritzed on your hair throughout the day. Protective styling…braids, twists. Sleep with a bonnet to protect your hair too. Checkout “just call me vee” on youtube. she has great haircare tips.
It is sad that we believe these myths about our hair.
There are places in Africa where the women grow their hair very long. The Himba women of Namibia for example
What’s good for my own hair it is very important myself my hair is very than in the back it is coming out so what can I get to help it my hair please contact me are call me please 1 205 227 o826 thanks very much and merry Christmas to you
Try to make your own shampoo, maybe relaxers aren’t for you. try more protective styles. how are your eating habits? are you drinking water. Are you truly caring for for YOUR hair? Advise is good but you have to figure out what good for you since we are all created different and what works for one doesn’t work for all.
Maybe because you don’t take care of it properly that it “won’t grow “
Smh
In her case, it may be what she eats. Healthy eating equals healthy hair. I’d drop the chemicals too, ALL CHEMICALS.
I know a lot of people like top think it’s not because of one’s ethnicity but sometimes. .
it is :/
I eat fairly healthy. Drink a bottle of water every day. have tried every so called hair care trick in the book and my hair is not like my mom’s hair. She’s DoMinican and I would kill for her hair type. It grows fuller and better then mine.
Not saying that’s the case here, but in general different ethnicities, different hair types make for different health progress. We are not all the same and can’t expect our hair to be the same either
More water and exercise. Lots of Extra virgin olive oil,Rosemary oil,Jamaican Black castor oil,Coconut oil and wash hair one to two times a month. Keep in twisted or crochet weave. God bless
Yes much more water. Aim for at LEAST 64 Oz per day.
water isn’t going to give me her hair, that’s my point. in fact, my mom only has one kidney because she donated the other, so she can’t even drink that much water or it will collapse. But thanks
Lol i use to think that..Lmaoo
The key is keeping it trimmed and not dried
I thinks hair growth has alot to do with genetics
Very good
Although i believe in the whole genetics argument, from reading this post i felt this young ladys issues were more to do with her relaxing methods and hair care between salon visits. Deal with yhe environmental issues first ( hair care practices ) before you can successfully identify the internal ( genetics and race).
It’s not rocket science that African Americans that have been there since slavery are mixed race. That explains the big afros. Take a look at the type C hair. There is no way that my 100% African hair is type 4c. We need a type 5 for us pure breds.
She needs to STOP chemically processing her hair and STOP blow drying it. The chemical and heat is preventing her hair from growing. Everyone’s hair cannot withstand these things.
I know pure African with long hair down to their behinds. I’m tired of people especially in America that think only black people alter their hair. Women all around the world from different ethical background do something to their hair. Pure Caucasians have short hair as well. Relaxer (straight) , perm (curly) , heat straightening method , color, braids, weaves, even gel is altering ones hair. Why do people make hair such a big deal. Wear your hair how you want it. It’s your hair. People do not have to look at you if they don’t like it. So walk proudly with whatever style your wearing.
Stupid
Lies I say!
No way u need to help it with oils less combing and some love they do respond
I’ve seen Africans on YouTube with waist length hair. Not Ethiopians or Somoli either . Maybe it is genetics but hair care has something to do with it.
Hair growing is something genetic and full stop .