Hair Not Retaining Length? A Few Tips To Help.

Source: Thirstyroots.com

I have spoken about this a few times in the past but it always helps to re iterate.

The most recurring complaint I get when I speak to naturals is 'My hair is not growing'!!! or 'My hair has stopped growing'! And I always say, barring any medical conditions or medication that may truly be stopping your hair from growing; hair is ALWAYS growing. HOWEVER, if your hair is breaking off at the ends at the same (or faster) rate at which it is growing, then it is only logical that it remains at the same length and feeds your belief that your hair is not growing or has stopped growing.

The ends are the oldest and most fragile part of the hair and so need the most (and gentlest) attention. If you treat them right, they don't break off and sabotage your length retention goals. If also you invest a ton of money in hair growth products or vitamins, you will be wasting that money because hair grows from the roots but breaks off at the ends. So if you're increasing your growth at the roots but you neglect the ends, you'll still end up at the same place you started!

1.Build a Basic Regimen You Can Be Consistent With.
I cannot stress this enough - consistency is key. Based on your schedule, pick a day you will wash and deep condition your hair.(This should be done either weekly or fortnightly)

 Follow this up with a leave in and seal with an oil. Try and utilize the advantage of a protective style (twists, braids, crochet etc) so you're not constantly manipulating your loose hair - and make sure you MOISTURIZE  and SEAL every day/every other day/every 3 days even when you're in a protective style. If your ends are prone to tangling, try using a heavier oil like castor oil on them - this will keep the curls separated, preventing knotting.

Get your ends trimmed when necessary as split ends will also tangle and travel up healthy hair, damaging it. (Think of pantyhose that gets a 'ladder' it starts off with a little tear and the next thing you know its gone up the rest of the otherwise 'healthy' pantyhose)

Use a protein conditioner at least once a month to strengthen your hair and every other deep conditioning should be a moisture based one so you get a protein/moisture balance (This is very important particularly if you have color in your hair)

 Clarify your hair to remove build up at least monthly. If you don't get rid of build up, all your other products will just sit on the hair and not penetrate through - leaving you with dry hair even when you're moisturizing and doing all that you should be.

2. Handle Your Hair With Care
If your hair practices involve yanking and tearing at your hair, then that needs to stop! Be careful with your hair especially when taking down a protective style. This way you don't lose all the length you've retained while in a protective style. Never comb your hair dry but always make sure it is saturated in conditioner ( and use a wide toothed comb) This eases the combing friction and makes it easy for the comb to glide through. Use your fingers first when detangling before using a comb.

Cover your hair with a satin/silk bonnet/scarf when at home - not just when you're going to bed but when you're sitting and lounging on your couch. If bonnets and scarves don't last the night while you sleep, get a silk or satin pillowcase. Cotton absorbs moisture from the hair so  your hair is at risk of drying out from the constant rubbing against a cotton pillow case. Hair will glide better against silk/satin and friction will be greatly reduced

3. Be patient with your hair :)

 Sometimes you may be doing all the right things but putting yourself under too much pressure by constantly fretting about it or comparing it to the length of other people's hair. Everyone's hair grows at a different rate - even sisters in the same family! So relax, take pictures and celebrate little successes!

Source: Pinterest.com