How to Grow Long & Healthy Black Hair

African-American hair may seem fragile and prone to breakage, but there are many ways to pamper the hair into long, soft lengths. For those that chemically treat their hair with relaxers or color, great care must be taken to properly manage both new and old growth. Those with natural locks may have an easier time, but they should still should take time to pamper their untouched coiffures. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Cleansing Process

1

Start with a hot oil treatment. V0-5 has been around for years for a reason. That's because it works. A hot oil treatment only takes a minute, and it will leave your hair soft and reinforced going into the wash.

2

Wash hair every three to five days, especially if hair is relaxed. Black hair tends to be dry. Shampoo tends to strip away necessary oils, so try not to use too much. If need be, a warm water rinse will do.

3

Use gentle motions when washing the hair and scalp. Too much pulling and poking may feel good for a moment, but it will end up breaking hair rather than cleansing it. Two washes are fine; any more will strip valuable natural oils from the hair shaft.

4

Use a rich conditioner with natural oils, leaving it on for about five minutes. This step is so very important. That's true because it softens the hair and gives back some of the moisture that was just stripped away. Conditioning is a prime step for eliminating frizz, static and stiffness.

Styling Tips

5

Use only natural bristle brushes and combs with either wide or de-tangling teeth. Stay away from narrow-tooth combs, since they'll pull the hair and cause breakage.

6

Use a bonnet hair dryer instead of a hand-held model. Curler setting is a lot less traumatic to the hair than the harsh pulling of a hand-held dryer. In addition, never dry the hair without a few drops of a heat protecting product.

7

Stay away from bare rubber bands for ponytails. Use thick, coated bands to prevent unnecessary hair loss and tangles. Several brands produce ponytail elastics just for black hair. Make the investment. Save yourself some strands.

8

Cover the hair when lying down or asleep for the night. Believe it or not, cotton pillowcases contribute to a lot of hair loss and pulling. Twist or wrap the hair close to the head, using bobby pins to secure. Then, cover the hair with a snug scarf or "wave cap." It may not look beautiful, but protecting fragile ends will lead to long hair.

9

Avoid heavy, oil-laden styling products and finishers such as oil sheen. Instead, try products made with dimethicone and other synthetic shine enhancers. Old-school haircare was heavy on fatty finishers which slick the hair to the head and don't allow for movement. These also work to clog the follicle, blocking growth.

What to Do and What Not to Do

10

Try to avoid hair color. In order to go blond or brown, the hair will have to be bleached. That's a very drying process. If color is necessary, use single process color. Apply it a minimum of two weeks after a relaxer.

11

Avoid too much braiding. Although many people swear that braid will grow your hair, years of too-tight styling will lead to a broken and receding hairline. Keep braids in for a maximum of two months with a break in between.

12

Don't use glue-in extensions. Removing the glue will inevitably remove some of your natural hair along with the extension. If you must use extensions, then get ones that clip in or sew in.