*Build Your Natural Hair Care Library*

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Going Natural with Ease!

Posted on Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
By Azara



Chemicals relaxers and hair coloring are very damaging to the hair. These products cause extensive breakage and hair damage to a lot of women, so in order to revert the damages of these products, it is best to let one’s hair grow natural. Deciding to let your hair grow naturally can be very frustrating and intimidating at first, but overall rewarding. There are lots of benefits in letting your hair grow naturally; one being that you pay attention to what your hair NEEDS, while another benefit is that natural hair grows faster and tends to be healthier due to the absence of chemical relaxers and processors.

Thinking about going natural?
Below are some tips on growing your hair naturally.

1. THINK before you PLUNGE!

a. If you are thinking about growing your hair naturally, it is important to remember to transition slowly. Going natural is not just about “cutting” your hair, you need to do your research first and learn new concepts associated with growing your hair naturally.

b. One of the most important things to do is to know and understand your hair structure, because often times what works for others will not necessarily work for you.

2. Cut your PERM
a. The first step to growing your hair naturally is to cut off parts of your hair that have been chemically treated, because the part where your natural hair meets with your chemically treated hair is a weak point that leads to a lot of breakage.

3. Pick your Transition Style

a. Depending on the length of your hair, as well as your level of comfort, you can choose to either leave your hair as it is, or wear tiny twist or afros. If you are looking for more versatility in terms of styling, you can wear your hair in braids or full weaves, while waiting for your natural hair to grow to your desired length.

b. Other transition styles include Sister Locks that are similar to dreadlocks.

4. Shampoo with CARE

a. It is important that you use proper products to shampoo your hair, most commercial products contain harmful chemicals that strip your hair of its natural oil, leaving it dry and brittle.

b. Be sure to read the ingredients of your shampoo and stay clear of products that contain sodium sulphate because they tend to cause irritation on both skin and eyes.

c. Frequent shampooing of the hair is not necessary, natural hair needs to be washed when it
starts feeling “greasy”, because of the accumulation of the hair’s natural oil and dirt.

d. One of the best alternatives to harmful shampoos is to mix baking soda with a cup of warm water, spray it on your hair and massage. One of the reasons why baking soda works as a great shampoo alternative, is because it acts as a natural cleansing agent that is gentle on both hair and skin.

5. Don’t forget to MASSAGE

a. Massaging your scalp helps in promoting blood circulation, which is vital in promoting hair growth.


6. Always CONDITION

a. This is essentially the key to healthy hair, because conditioning repairs all the damage done to the hair while shampooing and styling. It is important to remember that natural hair is delicate and needs lots of moisture and PROTEIN, so conditioning with protein-based products help in coating your hair with moisture. It is also important to develop a habit of conditioning your hair at least once a week, and deep conditioning at least once a month. Be especially sure to look out for products that contain Aloe and Rosemary because they work well to stimulate growth.

7. Remember to MOISTURIZE

a. Natural hair is very prone to dryness, and adding moisture is an effective way to ensure that your hair stays healthy.

b. When looking for great hair moisturizers, stay CLEAR of products that contain mineral oil and petroleum jelly because they clog up the pores on your scalp, which hinders hair growth. Be sure to look for products that are water-based such as glycerine, because water acts as a good moisturizer.

c. Other great moisturizers include natural oil like that of coconut oil, Shea butter, avocado and mango butter.

d. Serums also work best to control hair frizz and maintain hair luster.

8. Stay away from HEAT

a. Be sure to stay away or LIMIT the amount of heat you put on your hair. The constant stretching and pulling that occurs to your hair, along with the heat of a blow dryer, damages your hair’s elasticity. If you are still adamant on using heat be sure that it is below 150 degrees, to prevent the cuticle layer from burning.

9. Comb with care

a. The Key to preventing hair breakage while combing your hair is to use a good hair detangler with a wide tooth comb. Combing hair when damp also helps to ensure that you put minimal stress on both your scalp and hair. Be sure to take your time when combing to prevent hair breakage.

10. PROTECT your HAIR

a. Be sure to protect your hair while you sleep by wrapping it with a silk scarf, this helps to promote luster while decreasing split ends that also occurs with natural hair.

11. ALWAYS TRIM

a. Just like in relaxed hair, split and damaged ends also occur in natural hair. Split and damaged ends will hinder hair growth in relaxed hair as well as natural hair. In order to ensure that your hair grows properly, be sure to trim it regularly; this reduces the amount of damage done to the hair.

Most importantly, if you are confused about maintaining your natural hair, be sure to seek the expertise and advice of a natural hair specialist, to ensure that your hair is in GOOD hands.
Good Luck!

The original article can be found at http://www.bellanaija.com/2009/05/05/go-natural-with-ease/

12 comments:

  1. i just did my BC (big chop) last monday. i love it. it`s a big change because most black women are relaxed but i`m very interested in my own hair. i transitioned for 5 months so i have hair its just short. can`t wait until next year when it`s long!

    btw u didn`t mention co-washes! co-washes are great! & better for the hair than shampooing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great tips, Rhonnie! I wish I had done all these things while I was transitioning. It would have made it a lot easier. I love your hair, by the way!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Rhonnie, I am a newly natural hair wearer. I've just recently did my big chop on 6/8/09. Iam new to your blog and it is great , I have recieved tons of tips , advice and inspiration from visiting your blog . So much so that it has prompt me to start a natural hair blog of my own sharing my journey and experience. It's new so its not quite as nice as your blog , but as time goes on I hope it will grow as I do , god willing . I invite you visit me at AuNaturale007.blogspot.com and share any advice , and or tips you may have . Thanks (smile)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree with LuvBenet, these are excellent tips! You definitely have to think about it before taking the plunge. Transitioning to natural for many of us is about making a mental transition too.

    I'm almost nine months in and I'm loving my transition now. Twistouts, co-washed bunning, and wigs for my lazy days have been staples. Limiting heat ( I air dry mostly) and combs have been the best thing I've done to protect my hair during my transition period.

    Dani

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love your blog...I BC'd in April after after a 1 1/2 month transition. I'm getting used to my natural hair and can't wait to experiment with different styles along my journey...great article!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey there I am thinking I need a trim. How often should I trim and what is the best way to do it without going to the salon and having them whack too much off?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hey naturallady,

    Some folk trim on a set schedule, some never trim, while others trim when they feel their ends are feeling bad so it truly is a personal decision.

    Also, some call it trimming and others call it dusting when referring to the ends.

    I personally dust/trim my ends about every six to eight weeks or I'll see split ends.

    The easiest way for me to trim is to do small two-strand twist and clip each end periodically.

    Hth!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I did not know about the baking soda...but it makes so much sense now, thank you!!! btw I posted on the products I use...come check it out!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. HeY gUrL! i JuSt NoTiCeD yOuR cOmMeNt On My PaGe! ThAnKs! I tHiNk ThE tIp YoU aNd CN gAvE wOrKeD wOnDeRs! I wEnT oUt AnD gOt A cHeApIe CoNdIsH (Alberto V05 Moisture Milks in Strawberries and Creme!) tHaT wOrKs GREAT! aNd It SmElLs So GoOd ThAt SoMeTiMeS I'm AfRaId BeEs WiLl CoMe AfTeR mE!

    BuT eNoUgH oF mY rAmbLinG... ThAnkS 4 tHa TiP!

    Rae

    ReplyDelete
  10. great advices!!!!!
    I looove your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great information, but just to add a quick tip-if your hair gets tangled or matted in any way-just use the Take Down Remover cream to detangle easily. It is great for transitioning hair-especially if you are not ready for "the big chop" and your ends are still chemically relaxed.

    ReplyDelete