7 Tips for Growing Natural Hair and Retaining Length
Have you had a length goal in mind but can’t seem to reach it no matter how many growth remedies and products you try? You’ve been doing the work, but you’re not seeing the results that you desire.
Although your hair is always growing, the problem is you’re not retaining that length.
Your hair breaks off more than it grows, therefore, it looks like your hair is never
making progress.
Don’t worry, there are healthy hair care practices you can start following today to
achieve your length goals and maintain healthy curls.
In this post, we’ll discuss 6 tips that can help you promote natural hair growth and retain your length.
Keep Your Scalp Healthy
If you want to grow healthy hair, it’s important to remember that growth starts at the root. That means prioritizing the health of your scalp should be your main focus.
It’s important to shampoo your hair and scalp regularly to get rid of product build-up that could interfere with your growth.
Our Lemon & Rosemary Clarifying Shampoo is perfect for removing dirt, oil, and
product build-up without leaving your hair stripped. Use your fingertips to massage the shampoo onto your scalp.
Another tip to keep in mind is to wash your hair in sections. This will prevent tangles and ensure you’re giving your hair and scalp an effective, thorough cleanse.
Deep Condition Regularly
One cause of natural hair breakage is excessive dryness. To combat this, you want to do regular deep conditioning treatments.
Deep conditioning provides your hair with nourishing ingredients that help to
replenish moisture and add strength. You also want to keep a good moisture-protein balance by alternating your treatments.
Our Rose Hydrating Conditioner is great if you need nourishment
and moisture. With ingredients such as Apricot Oil, Rice Bran Oil, and Rose Water, it’ll revive your curls and provide nutrients to your scalp.
If you need protein, our Coconut Milk Strengthening Deep Conditioner has you
covered. With amazing ingredients such as Green Tea, Mango Butter, and Coconut Milk, you can expect this to provide the perfect balance of moisture and strength your hair needs.
Be Gentle While Detangling
Detangling can become frustrating when you’re dealing with a lot of tangles and
knots. This is why it’s important to be gentle and patient. If you’re not careful, it can lead to breakage, split-ends, and less length retention.
Here are tips to make detangling easier:
- Use our Fenugreek Pre-Poo before shampooing to remove tangles, add
moisture, and improve manageability - Start at your ends and work your way up
- Detangle in small sections and make sure your hair is wet
- Finger detangle to remove big knots before using a hair tool such as a
wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush
Protect Your Curls Every Night
Before you go to sleep, you want to make sure your hair is protected with a satin
bonnet, scarf, or pillowcase. If you sleep on cotton, it can absorb moisture from your hair and cause friction which can lead to breakage.
When you sleep on satin, it provides a barrier that helps you to retain moisture, keep your curls intact, and minimize unwanted frizz.
Wear Low Manipulation Styles
If you want to retain length, it’s best to do low manipulation styles. These don’t
require you to touch your hair as often which means less chance of breakage and shedding.
Some examples of low manipulation styles are:
- Twist-outs
- Braid-outs
- Bantu Knots
- Loose buns
You can also wear protective styles which usually last longer. These can protect the ends of your hair by tucking them away and giving you a break from styling your hair. Some examples are box braids, faux locs, and wigs/weaves.
Although you won’t have to touch your hair as much with these options, it’s still
important to keep it moisturized and maintain a clean scalp. A low manipulation or protective style doesn’t mean you can completely forget about your hair!
Moisturize Your Hair Properly
Keeping your hair moisturized creates the perfect foundation for healthy hair
growth. When it’s time to style your hair, it’s great to follow the LOC method.
LOC stands for Liquid, Oil, and Cream — It ensures that you layer your products in a specific order to maximize moisture retention. Each product that you apply locks in moisture from the previous one.
Here is how to use our products in the LOC method:
- Use our Banana Leave-In Conditioner on damp or wet hair. It delivers
softness, shine, and manageability - Follow up with our Herbal Hair & Scalp Oil. It’s lightweight and great for
locking in moisture. - Apply our Irish Moss Styling Cream or Okra Curl Defining Gel
depending on which style you’re going for. This step closes the hair cuticle
which prevents moisture loss.
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Trim Your Ends as Needed
The last tip for retaining length is to stay on top of your trims. How often you decide to trim your hair depends on its health. There’s no specific schedule to follow because everyone’s hair is different.
You don’t want to hold on to split-ends for the sake of length. If split-ends are left
untreated, they can travel up the hair shaft and lead to more damage.
Here are signs to look for when it’s time for a trim:
- Rough, dry ends that you can see through
- An increase in tangles and knots making it harder to detangle
- Less curl definition and elasticity
- Excessive breakage and shedding
You can either see a professional stylist for a trim or do it at home. If you decide to trim your hair, make sure that you use the correct pair of shears and find tutorials. There are different techniques and you have to find what works best for you!
The health of your hair should always be a priority. Eventually, the growth will come as you continue to take care of it. Be patient and find what works best for you so you can achieve your desired length.
Blog Contributor: @naturally_madisen
Website: NaturallyMadisen.com
