1. Stop hating your hair. The more you hate your hair, the harder it will be for you to actually study what your hair needs. Be grateful for your hair journey because it is apart of your overall growth. Whether your hair is loose, tight, thin, course, dry; you have the ability to positively change the conditions of your hair. And stop letting people tell you, you don’t have “good” hair; tell them to mind the business that pays them. They’re hating. ALL HEALTHY HAIR IS GOOD HAIR AND HAS THE CAPACITY TO GROW.
2. Change how you view maintaining your hair. If you are negatively thinking about your hair you’ll never want to do it. So if you never want to do it, your hair won’t get the proper care it needs because you’re fighting it. Be excited even when its hard. Eventually you will trick your mind into loving your hair and you will totally see results.
3. Stop comparing your hair to others. Everyones scalp, follicle, texture, density, and pattern is different. Even the way we respond to products is different. Genetics plays apart in how fast or slow your hair grows in length and thickness. So don’t feel bad if in 6 months you’re not at bra strap length it takes time, and length doesn’t equal health.
4. Trim you hair based on need. Getting your hair trimmed every 3 months may not be necessary despite what so many say. Cut your hair when necessary and find a stylist that listens to your requests to however long or short you’d like to cut. Don’t let them bully you into cutting more than necessary!
5. I only wash my hair once a week. Build up between dandruff, oils and products accrue with in 7 days for my head and I prioritize wash days like its nobodies business. I look forward to washing my hair and rinsing the week out my hair to start fresh.
6. Deep condition and learn the products that your scalp and hair likes. I know I can’t have too much fragrance in my shampoos and they have to specifically target dry scalp and dandruff. I need heavy rich and creamy conditioners to really add moisture and shine to my hair and a light leave in after rinsing for moisture retention.
7. GREASE YOUR SCALP AND ENDS. I use Olive Oil Fortifying Hair Dress to grease my scalp when necessary. I make sure to braid it afterwards so that I can ensure the oil really locks and to protect my hair.
8. Scalp massages with oils or hair grease can really help moisturize, stimulate blood circulation, unclog pores and hair follicles from dead skin, reduce stress and promote hair growth.
9. LEARN HOW TO BRAID YOUR HAIR. I can not stress this enough. Learning how to braid my hair was the ultimate cheat code to hair health because I kept it moisturized, low maintained, and protected especially since I am the one braiding it.
10. Adding vitamins B12, biotin, collagen and protein to your diet not only encourages hair health and growth but it also has positive affects on skin health and nail growth. Foods like spinach, flaxseeds, red meat, shrimp, fatty fish and berries and really help in growing long beautiful tresses.