Whhhhoooo thats a lot of hair!

Yeah, that's what I get every time I sit in a salon chair. How did you get all of that hair? Well there is no one answer to this question. Most of the woman in my family have longer hair, so I would say genetics plays a role. However, what is most important is the maintenance of your hair and keeping it healthy.

Length is not all that matters, health comes first, and length in time will follow. For example: If your hair is down your back, but half of it is damaged it is only a matter of time before it breaks off and falls out. On the other hand, if your hair is neck length and healthy in time length will follow.Our hair is always growing, in fact, we humans grow an average of half and inch a month or 6 inches per year. However if it is braking off you wont see it. Therefore maintaining your hair is the key.

I wont lie, mmaintaining your is not always easy, I know it has not been for me! However I believe its worth it regardless of the length because the hair is a woman's glory. Therefore we must keep it healthy.

1. Chemicals

I can't stress enough how bad relaxers are for your hair. And I'm not being a hypocrite, because I was on the "creamy crack" once too. The convinance of having straight hair was wonderful, no lie. But in time I saw how damaged my hair was becoming. I have not had a relaxer in 5 years and I will NEVER look back.

Do not get me wrong, I am not saying that it is impossible to achieve long healthy hair with a relaxer. My sister is an example that you can. She has beautiful relaxed hair. However, it is well maintained by a professional cosmetologist. She does not buy a 5.99 kit and slather relaxer on her hair.

The main ingredient in most relaxers (lye based) is Sodium Hydroxide. It is also the main ingredient in most drain cleaners. Drain cleaners have the power to eat away hair, food particles, and other substances in your drain. If you would not ingest or put this on your skin, why on your hair? Furthermore, the FDA lists Chemical relaxers as one of its top consumer complaint areas. I wonder why hmmmm

2. Proper washing.

A clean scalp is a healthy scalp. Washing the hair not only cleanses it, but it moisturizes the hair also. How do you ask? Well, water is the number one natural moisturizer on the earth. Think about this, what it the opposite of dry? Wet.

However, you do want to be mindful of the shampoos that you use. I personally use shampoo only once every 1-3 months. When I do, it is sulfate free. More companies are now making sulfate free shampoos and that's a good thing. Sulfates, found in most shampoos, are just like detergents. They strip your hair. If I don't use shampoo , what do I use? Conditioner. I CoWash, as some like to call it. Not only is it non damaging, but it is moisturizing and conditioning.

3. Proper conditioning and moisturizing.

Conditioning is one of the most important steps in creating and maintaining healthy hair. You should condition your about once a week. Deep conditioning at least once a month. Conditioning adds moisture, and nourishment to the hair. It is like food for hair. It also combats dryness which is on of hairs biggest enemies. You should invest in a good conditioner. I like Nexxus Humcress, its on the expensive side, but its worth it. A water based moisturizer should be used to combat dryness. You can also use a small amount of light oil directly on the hair after moisturizing to lock the moisture in.

 

4. Protective styling.

Protective styles are those where the ends are not exposed. For example braids or buns. 9/10 when you see me I will be rocking a sew in, or a wig. This is because these styles are what you would call protective. Nevertheless, any style you get should be achieved in a protective fashion. This means limited use of products that are not good for your hair. Especially those that contain alcohol. For example: gels and spritz. Minimal combing should be done to the hair (I will post a tutorial on the proper method of combing your hair soon), as well as use of heat.  Last but not least, I will never recommend the bonding method of weaving, because it is very damaging.

I can't guarantee that if you follow my tips, that your hair will grow down your back. But I can will say that if you do your hair will be much healthier, happier, and it will thank you for it.