How to Grow Long Black Hair

Some women desire long hair and a few men even prefer it. However, growing long hair is difficult for some people, especially African-American women. Yet, there are several tips and techniques to help you grow long, beautiful black hair. The key is adopting a few healthy habits.



Step1:

Trim hair every six to eight weeks. To maintain and grow long black hair, trim your hair every six to eight weeks to remove split ends. Take off less than half an inch.

Step2:

Keep your hair moisturized. It's vital to maintain your hair's moisture. Apply a moisturizing conditioner after each shampoo and massage hair moisturizer into the scalp daily. To retain moisture, wrap your hair in a satin scarf every night.

Step3:

Limit the amount of chemicals applied to your hair. If you receive chemical relaxers and hair color, limit these to once every six to eight weeks. Excessive chemicals can damage hair and cause breakage.

Step4:

Take hair growth supplements. While there are ways to naturally maximize hair growth, you may need to experiment with supplements. Hair supplements contain vitamins and minerals essential for healthy hair. If your hair is badly damaged, cut it off and start over.

Step5:

Visit a hair stylist on a regular basis. There's nothing wrong with doing your own hair. However, if you want to grow long black hair, you may need a professional's help. Regular shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments are proven to strengthen African-American hair and maximize growth.

Step6:

Wear a swim cap. Before jumping into a swimming pool, put on a swimming cap. The chemicals used to filter the water can strip your relaxer and damage your hair. After swimming, wash and condition your hair.

Step7:

Choose a hands-off hair style. Applying heat and chemicals can weaken African-American hair. If you want to grow long black hair, choose a hassle free hairstyle such as an updo, twist or braids. You can wear the same hairstyle for weeks, and give your hair a break. Stay away from rubber bands.

How to Care for Relaxed Black Hair

Caring for relaxed black hair can be somewhat of a challenge, but with a consistent hair care regimen it can be very manageable.



Step1: Before a relaxer, do not scratch the scalp or allow water to come in contact with the hair within 72 hours. This will reduce burning and irritation.

Step2: For best results, a licensed beautician should apply a no lye relaxer to straighten the roots of the hair.

Step3: The chemicals applied to the scalp should not sit for a long time, be aware of how long the chemical has been on the hair before rinsing it out. When burning occurs it's time to rinse.

Step4: Rinse with warm water and apply a neutralizer to deactivate the chemicals.

Step5: Using a cleansing shampoo with a built in moisturizer, thoroughly wash the scalp and hair.

Step6: Apply a conditioner and put on a plastic cap.

Step7: Sit under the dryer for 15 minutes.

Step8: Rinse out the conditioner with cold water (as not to strip the moisturizer out completely).

Step9: Towel dry.

Step10: Hair is most vulnerable to damage when wet, use an anti-static or ionic hair brush to comb through without causing damage to hair.

Step11: Apply a light setting lotion before applying rollers for better hold.

Step12: Dryer Dryer Sit under a bonnet style dryer for rolled or straight hair until dry. A bonnet style dryer will help reduce frizz verses naturally drying or using a blow dryer.

Step13: Remove rollers and style or use a curling iron or flat iron to style. For black or course hair, use a ceramic flat iron that heats up to at least 400 degrees, for best results.

Step14: Spray with a light holding spray.

Step15: To maintain styled black hair, use minimum repeated heat to reduce damage.

Step16: At night use a satin cap or bonnet to maintain body.

Step17: For styling, use a wide tooth comb to reduce pulling hair.

Step18: For added shine, spray with a light sheen once or twice a week. Do not use heavy oils, grease, creams, or gels. These weigh the hair down reducing body, bounce, or can cause extra flaking.

Step19: For a healthy scalp wash and condition hair once a week.

Step20: Keep hair trimmed to promote growth and maintain body.