by Ekemini Udoh
I decided to go “Natural” when I realized that my hair was breaking excessively. Surprisingly, going Natural didn’t stop my hair from breaking. Severe breakage inspired my quest for knowledge on how to groom a healthy Natural hair. I could literally see over two hundred strands of hair in my comb every time I combed my hair. I didn’t count it though, but it was a lot and that really got me scared.
Overtime, I discovered this hair-care routine, and breakage reduced drastically. This has worked for me and most clients that access my services.
Routine: ruːˈtiːn/
A routine is a sequence of actions regularly followed.
Your Hair-care routine should involve a sequence of actions that you need to follow regularly.
Remember that the aim of adhering to a healthy Hair-care routine is to retain length and grow healthy hair in other to achieve your healthy and length goals.
Developing a healthy Hair-care routine is a commitment to consistently follow through some basic steps needed to maintain healthy hair.
Consistency and commitment are the two key words when it comes to establishing a healthy Hair-care routine.
To be committed and consistent, you need a very simple Hair-care routine. When you decide to follow a routine that’s cumbersome and complicated, you will likely get tired, lose your motivation and fail even before you start. So, I encourage you to take a pattern that is easy, simple and convenient.
I have grouped this simple Hair-care routine into 4 steps
- Cleansing
Cleansing your hair otherwise known as shampooing is the process of removing dirt, product build up, shed skin cells, from the hair and scalp.
A clean hair and scalp is the first step to achieving a healthy hair.
Shampooing should be done weekly or biweekly basis depending on the hair and scalp condition.
Weekly/Biweekly Shampooing Routine
Some people need to shampoo their hair every week e.g. those experiencing severe dandruff, those that workout daily and sweat profusely especially on the scalp, those on treatment for psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis etc.
- Conditioning
This is important because shampooing process strips hair of oil and moisture which is infused into the hair through the process of conditioning.
Moisturising Deep Conditioning Treatment
This should be done at least once in two weeks.
- Moisturising
Using a water base moisturizer is a very important part of growing a healthy hair.
Pomades do not replace moisturizers!!!
Try to use water based moisturizers.
- Protecting
The ends being the oldest part of the hair strand need to be protected. They are fragile and more prone to breakage hence the reason why most people experience split ends and hair breakage.
Remember that hair grows at an average of about ½ inch per month and if the rate of breakage is the same as the rate of hair growth, then there will be no increase in length.
Protecting the ends involves wearing hairstyles that will keep the ends tucked away so they are not constantly rubbing against the pillow case/wall, car seats, and couches. The constant friction can cause dryness, split ends and breakage.
Wear low manipulation styles that will keep you from touching the hair on a daily basis.
Wear a silk bonnet when you are about to go to bed.