So as we move ahead in these uncertain times; we believe that we are presented with many opportunities to do some of the things we have been putting off. And so this may be an opportune time to get some length retention going on with our TWA’S or otherwise. What say you?
So this feature is for the sistahs who are undergoing the natural hair process and would love to see added length. We did some research on your behalf that we hope will help.
So first things first – Is it hair growth that we should be focused on or is it length retention… huh! you say. And we reply, yes – there is a huge difference, but let’s just say that they are not mutually exclusive. You can have hair growth but no retention, resulting in you being stuck at square one. And so we ask you to make both a priority.
We visited some of our favorite blogs who manufacture their own products to get you some tips; as well as we added a few of our own.
1. Always Buy Quality Styling Tools – While blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons make hair look gorgeous, the extreme heat can compromise hair health. And so according to Miss Jessies tools do not have to be expensive, but the quality is key. Look for tools that offer a variety of heat settings, allowing you more control. Be aware that some irons and curlers will demarcate settings sometimes as high as 400 degrees, but know that the highest setting isn’t always the best for your hair (400 degrees being very high for all hair).
The finer your hair is, the lower the temperature should be. When it comes to blow dryers, try to seek out dryers with varying nozzle attachments, such as a diffuser, as this allows for heat to be more evenly distributed across your hair. They suggested asking a hairstylist (preferably your regular one, about what they would recommend. If after styling, you are still struggling with flyaways, avoid trying to solve the problem with your hot tools, as the extreme heat on fragile hair is sure to guarantee breakage. Instead, opt for styling products. Visit Miss Jessies at link to read more https://missjessies.com/blogs/curly-natural-hair-blog/3-ways-to-avoid-breakage
2. Dusting – I first heard this term on a Youtube channel some years ago… Cannot quite remember so that tells you how looonngg ago it has been. In any event “dusting is a method whereby you remove split ends (about a quarter of an inch); every 6-8 weeks as opposed to cutting away a greater portion every 3 – 4 months. It is a good technique for length retention as it removes split ends before they get out of hand. Always remember to use a sharp pair of scissors specific to trimming ends. And condition ends right after.
3. Protective Styles – Utilizing protective styles is very popular in the black hair community. The beautiful thing about protective styling is that we are the bomb-dot-com in this area. There is so much versatility as we go about protecting our hair. Styles that span a high bun to wearing a wig. We must caution however that protective styles can potentially cause our hair to dry out. This is because we see it as a means of keeping our hands and attention from our hair for a period. We must ensure that our crowning glory remains moisturized during the period of protection.
4. Utilizing Pre-pooing – According to our friends at Bask & Bloom, a company that we absolutely fell in love with after seeing them on Facebook – we should utilize pre-pooing as a means of retaining our length. Pre-poo (or before shampoo) is a great way to add a layer of protection using a hair oil like their Stimulating Herbal Oil before cleansing or clarifying the hair. Most people would prefer to go straight to cleansing, but if you’re focused on length retention, suffer from super dry hair, or hair that can break easily when tangled, this step can be a huge benefit.
Here Are Four (4) Reasons Why They Believe We Should Consider Pre-Pooing Our Natural Hair…
- Long time in-between wash day due to protective styling, your hair will have some shedding. Adding a pre-poo oil to remove it before cleansing will help avoid tangles.
- Hair that dries out quickly (high porosity) after washing and rinsing, doing a pre-poo will help with moisture retention.
- Dry scalp issues. Protecting the scalp is just as important as protecting the hair, this is where hair growth starts. Massage a few drops to stimulate the hair follicles and increase circulation over your entire head.
- If the style you’re doing calls for a lot of manipulation, doing a pre-poo will prepare your hair for that to avoid lots of breakage. https://baskandbloomessentials.com/blogs/news/why-you-should-consider-pre-pooing
5. Eat a Healthier Diet and Get Active – If your diet lacks specific nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, or protein, then it can affect the condition and strength of your hair. Ensuring that we eat nutrient-dense foods and drink plenty of water is a great way to improve the health of our hair before it grows out of our scalp. Also, being active and exercising increase blood flow throughout the body, including our scalp and hair follicles, so having an overall healthy lifestyle can result in healthier hair! https://mielleorganics.com/blogs/the-mielle-blog/5-tips-for-length-retention
6. Gently Detangle Your Hair – When detangling your hair, treat it like you would and gently go through. Finger de-tangle first, then use a wide tooth comb after, ensuring you start at the ends and work your way up to the root.
So there you have it. We hope that our tips will help somewhat, we believe that there are many others that we can utilize in our journey to retaining our hair length. How about sharing your own with us. Leave us a comment below. We want to hear your take …
I love my hair because it’s a reflection of my soul. It’s dense, it’s kinky, it’s soft, it’s textured, it’s difficult, it’s easy and it’s fun. That’s why I love my hair.”
‑Tracee Ellis Ross
