How to Make Your Hair Grow, a Black Woman’s Guide

There seems to be a common misconception that it is extremely difficult or near impossible for black women to grow long hair and they have to settle for short, unruly curls. However that's not true and we'll show you how to make your hair grow fast!

The secret to growing your hair long is to adopt a hair care regime and stick with it, much like glue. With proper hair care, which includes proper nourishment from what you eat, you can find yourself with long, lovely hair in no time. Here are some guidelines to help you make your hair grow and enjoy longer and healthier hair.

Cleanse Your Hair

First off you'll want to make sure that you're cleansing your hair and scalp properly. Whether it's misinformation or even cultural tradition, many black women think that it is better to wash their hair once every two weeks or less.

This is largely because it can affect your current hairstyle at the time. The truth is that cleansing your hair and scalp once a week is a must in order to remove any dirt or excess oil. Excess oil and dirt can result in clogged pores on the scalp, which can hurt hair growth.

Although it's extremely tempting, try cutting back on using heat tools such as flatirons and blow dryers in your hair or avoid them all together. This type of excessive heat can be very damaging to African-American hair. Something else to reduce or avoid altogether are the use of chemical products. This includes texturizers, relaxers and hair dyes.

Moisturize Your Hair

Moisturize your hair on a consistent basis (at least once a week) because this is essential for growing black hair long. Frequent conditioning helps to prevent dry split ends and also makes hair more manageable. Another type of hair conditioning is protein treatments.

Use Protein Treatments

Protein treatments help by strengthening and reconstructing damaged hair. Hair is made up of mostly protein so that is why this treatment is essential. Overuse of protein treatments can leave hair dry and brittle, so be sure to limit the use to once a month.

Trim Often

Make sure to adopt regular trimming habits that will get rid of any split ends. Split ends can hurt the growth of your hair no matter how much you condition and moisturize. Try to trim at least once a month.

Avoid The Unnecessary 

Put a limit on the amount of manipulation done to your hair. Remember that African-American hair grows best when it is left alone. Using your fingers as a tool in order to detangle your hair is best, but if you must comb your hair, use a wide tooth comb.

Braids are great for protective styling but remember not to leave them in too long and make sure that they are not too tight, especially around the hairline.

Lastly, a diet rich in nutrients is essential for long hair. Make sure that you're getting enough protein, vitamins, A, B, C, E and omega 3's.

Do you have any other ideas on how to make your hair grow? Please let us know in the comments.