12 Healthy Habits for your Natural Hair
I often get questions about how I got my hair to be so healthy and how I’m able to retain length; especially as someone with mainly 4c natural hair. Most people ask ‘what do you use on your hair’ or ‘what products do you use to make it grow’, but I believe that this is the wrong question to ask. It implies that products can make your hair grow but the fact is this, hair will grow regardless of what products you choose to use.
Of course, there are some products that can help in your natural journey such as castor oil and vitamin E oil. These can stimulate growth when massaged into the scalp regularly.
Fun fact - I actually massage my right eyebrow with castor oil to stimulate some growth.
Products do not create growth, they merely facilitate growth in the following ways.
By providing slip which minimises friction.
Cleansing your scalp which creates a good environment for new growth.
Giving your hair the nutrients they need which allows the strands to be less brittle.
The questions mentioned above are evidence of a common misconception that a lot of new naturals have. My response is usually along the lines of this: “products don’t make natural hair grow, healthy habits do”.
As such, here are 12 healthy habits that have helped me in my natural journey:
Create a sustainable weekly or bi-weekly (every 2 weeks) routine.
Choose a wash day (wash, condition and rinse in sections).
Apply your favourite leave in conditioner, oil & twisting/curl cream (cream is optional for me).
After washing, leave the twists to air dry.
Rinse & repeat.
Deep condition your 4c natural hair every 2 weeks, 4b/4c hair feels so supple and soft afterwards.
Use a wide tooth comb for detangling. I find it easier than using popular detangling brushes especially on thick 4c hair.
Ensure that your main detangling session is on wash day with conditioner in your hair. During the week, try finger detangling.
Twist your hair most nights - aim for 80% of the time. On lazy days you can pull it into a pineapple.
Sleep with a silk bonnet or use a silk pillow every night.
Get a trim about 3/4 times a year.
Minimum manipulation is key. Where possible, with the exception of wash day, just leave your hair alone.
Avoid/minimize using excess heat on your natural hair (blow drying, straightening, silk presses). Instead use heat in a different way (e.g. steaming low porosity hair).
Plan ahead! If you want to achieve a certain look, prep your hair the night before. This minimizes the tension of combing, and excessive manipulation on the “day of” whilst trying to figure out a style that you like.
It is not always necessary to part your natural hair. I hardly ever part my natural hair with a rat tail comb or similar tools. Instead, I use my fingers to gently separate moisturised/oiled strands.
Water is not the enemy! If you’re looking to refresh your twists or afro puff during the week, spray it with water, allow it to seep in & then add your favourite leave-in conditioner & oils quickly. (This is also low manipulation).
Let me know if this was at all helpful & comment below with any other healthy habits you live by in your own natural hair journey!
Love,
Ez
x
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