If you’re anything like me, you absolutely dread “wash day”. Depending on your routine, it can take anywhere from several hours to your entire day. I have long thick hair and sometimes just the idea of doing my hair stresses me out. Any woman with kinky-curly hair knows that natural hair maintenance is not for the faint of heart. From moisturizing to styling, it takes a significant amount of time and dedication. However, the rewards are totally worth it. There’s no better feeling than to know that you can still look your best, even with your natural hair. In this post I am going to share several things that I do to keep my natural hair flourishing.
Tip 1: Deep Conditioning
One of the main reasons why natural hair can be difficult to manage is because of its dry texture. Our scalps produce an oily substance called sebum. In individuals with straight hair, it takes a short period of time for the oil to travel down their strands of hair. However, the curlier your hair, the longer it will take for the oils to reach the end of each strand. This is why individuals with straighter hair need to wash their hair often whereas those with curly hair need to add additional moisture. This is where deep conditioning comes in.
Deep conditioning is a great way to penetrate your strands of hair, thus providing intense hydration. Moreover, this helps to restore your hair’s natural luster. I prefer to use Shea Moisture’s Curl and Shine Hair Masque from their Coconut and Hibiscus line https://www.sheamoisture.com/coconut-and-hibiscus-curl-and-shine-hair-masque/764302291084.html. This treatment has worked wonders on my hair. However, you don’t need to spend your money on expensive hair products. Whenever I am not able to buy a deep conditioner, I use a 1:1 ratio of olive oil to jojoba oil as a treatment.
There are several ways to deep condition your hair. Some prefer to cover their hair with a towel or plastic bag in order to retain heat. I invested in a hood dryer that I can use at home. Heat is essential for receiving the maximum benefits of deep conditioning. Heat allows the cuticle to lift so that the moisture can penetrate the hair strand. In situations where a hood dryer is not practical, I usually apply the product to my hair and then cover it with a plastic bag for about a half hour. Deep conditioning is a great way to heal your hair from the damage caused by frequent styling. You will certainly see a difference in your hair texture by adding this to your regimen at least twice per month.
Tip 2: Lock In The Moisture
So now that you’ve deep conditioned your hair, how do you retain the moisture? At this point, you may need to add an oil, butter, or cream to keep your hair moisturized. The type of product you need will depend on the porosity of your hair.
Low porosity hair has a difficult time retaining moisture. It seems as though water tends to slide off the hair without actually being absorbed. This hair type tends to dry rather quickly even after it is washed and conditioned. One way to tell if you have low porosity hair is by placing a strand of hair in a glass of water. If it floats at the top of the glass, you likely have low porosity hair. Those who have this texture will benefit from water based or cream based products. These have a better chance of absorbing into the strand whereas oils and butters (cocoa butter, coconut oil, olive oil) just sit on top of the strand. Deep conditioning is a must for low porosity hair.
High porosity hair tends to absorb moisture rather quickly. This hair texture seems to take hours to dry after you wash it (this also depends on the thickness of your hair). If you have high porosity hair, a strand of your hair will sit at the bottom of a glass of water. If you have this texture, you may benefit from using a light oil such as grapeseed oil or more of a medium oil such as olive oil. This hair texture tends to get “weighed down” when too much moisture is applied. Less is more when dealing with high porosity hair. I have high porosity hair and I personally use olive oil to retain moisture.
Regardless of the porosity of your hair, it is going to take a series of trials and errors before you find the product that works for you. With this in mind, it is important to be aware of your hair type as this can help choosing products become less daunting.
Tip 3: Supplement
After trying to grow my hair for a few years, I reached a plateau. I felt like I was doing everything right–washing my hair biweekly, deep conditioning, hot oil treatments, trimming dead ends. For some reason, my hair just wouldn’t grow past my shoulders. This is when I started to experiment with supplements.
For about a year, I’ve used moringa root and have seen a major difference in my hair growth. Moringa Oleifera, originating in India, is often called the “tree of life” because of the vast array of vitamins and minerals it provides. Other than hair growth, is has been used to treat diabetes, bacterial infections, inflammatory diseases, cancers, and reproductive issues. In regards to hair growth, moringa contains amino acids (the building blocks of protein), fatty acids, B vitamins, and iron which work together to support hair growth. Not only has my hair grown since using this supplement, but I have been able to retain the length.
Moringa root comes in tea, oil, powder, and pill form. I prefer to use moringa as an oil. Usually, I warm a small amount of oil and massage it into my scalp. Occasionally, I mix it with olive oil when I moisturize my hair. If you are looking for a way to boost your hair care routine, Moringa root is surely worth trying.
