JudithFunnie
06-05-2012, 08:23 PM
The molecular structure of African American hair creates kinky, thin spirals. Although this structure allows African American hair to hold many hairstyles that other types of hair cannot accomplish, it also causes the hair to dry out and break easily. Here's a few tips to prevent breakage and promote hair growth.
Tip#1 Moisturizing is very important in avoiding breakage. African American hair is coiled, and therefore the sebum, which is the natural oil produced from your head, takes longer to travel down the hair follicle of coiled hair than down the follicle of straight hair. This is why African American hair is usually drier than other types of hair. Avoid using products and shampoos with harsh chemicals such as sulfates.
Tip#2 Avoid using too much heat when styling hair. Excessive use of blow dryers, curling irons and other heat-producing hair styling tools cause the protein structure of the hair to temporarily denature, allowing the hair to become straight and severely fragile.
Tip#3 Avoid brushing and detangling you hair while it is just wet with water. African American hair's fragility is heightened when wet with just water. The trick is to comb and detangle the hair with a conditioner, like olive oil. Do not brush your hair while it is wet, even if you have applied conditioner. The brushing expands the hair, causing it to break.
Tip#4 Trim your ends every two to three months. Trimming your ends by 1/4 to 1/2 inch removes split ends, which will eventually travel up the hair shaft and break off more of your hair.
Tip#5 Your diet is important and plays a part in the health of your hair. Foods rich in protein (nuts, fish, protein, eggs, beans, and vegetables) Eat more broccoli, kale, spinach, Swiss chard, bananas, strawberries, un-salted almonds, peanut butter, peas, whole grains and oats. Consider taking a daily multi-vitamin as well as a vitamin B-complex supplement to encourage hair growth. Drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily to flush the chemicals and toxins from your body. Drinking water also gives your body proper nutrients needed for hair growth. Try to limit or eliminate alcohol, caffeine products, soda pop and drinks that contain a lot of sugar. These products can hinder African American hair growth, according to Black Voices Hair Talk.
Tip#6 Wash your hair once or twice weekly with a moisturizing shampoo. Hair Care Guide reports that ethnic hair shouldn't be washed as frequently as other types of hair to prevent stripping hair of its natural oils. Washing your hair once or twice weekly unblocks hair buildup that hinders hair growth. Condition your hair regularly with herbal and homemade conditioners.
Tip#1 Moisturizing is very important in avoiding breakage. African American hair is coiled, and therefore the sebum, which is the natural oil produced from your head, takes longer to travel down the hair follicle of coiled hair than down the follicle of straight hair. This is why African American hair is usually drier than other types of hair. Avoid using products and shampoos with harsh chemicals such as sulfates.
Tip#2 Avoid using too much heat when styling hair. Excessive use of blow dryers, curling irons and other heat-producing hair styling tools cause the protein structure of the hair to temporarily denature, allowing the hair to become straight and severely fragile.
Tip#3 Avoid brushing and detangling you hair while it is just wet with water. African American hair's fragility is heightened when wet with just water. The trick is to comb and detangle the hair with a conditioner, like olive oil. Do not brush your hair while it is wet, even if you have applied conditioner. The brushing expands the hair, causing it to break.
Tip#4 Trim your ends every two to three months. Trimming your ends by 1/4 to 1/2 inch removes split ends, which will eventually travel up the hair shaft and break off more of your hair.
Tip#5 Your diet is important and plays a part in the health of your hair. Foods rich in protein (nuts, fish, protein, eggs, beans, and vegetables) Eat more broccoli, kale, spinach, Swiss chard, bananas, strawberries, un-salted almonds, peanut butter, peas, whole grains and oats. Consider taking a daily multi-vitamin as well as a vitamin B-complex supplement to encourage hair growth. Drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily to flush the chemicals and toxins from your body. Drinking water also gives your body proper nutrients needed for hair growth. Try to limit or eliminate alcohol, caffeine products, soda pop and drinks that contain a lot of sugar. These products can hinder African American hair growth, according to Black Voices Hair Talk.
Tip#6 Wash your hair once or twice weekly with a moisturizing shampoo. Hair Care Guide reports that ethnic hair shouldn't be washed as frequently as other types of hair to prevent stripping hair of its natural oils. Washing your hair once or twice weekly unblocks hair buildup that hinders hair growth. Condition your hair regularly with herbal and homemade conditioners.