HAIR WE GO AGAIN.

I’ve been natural for nine years now, I haven’t let my tresses see even a smidge of relaxer. I have trimmed my hair so many times and have done a total of three “big chops”

I was worried about the length I would lose, I had one and a half year’s growth. The conditioner, the wash days, the hair growth oils, straining my arms to do my own cornrows, the hours spent in the salon getting my hair braided… the list goes on, I had invested quite a bit into my hair.

With natural hair care I am convinced that it is a game of trial and error. What works wonders for you could have disastrous consequences for me. There are so many hot takes and the girlies are out here fighting for their lives!

“As a board certified dermatologist.”

“Oh I am a cosmetologist”,

“Ah yes! I learnt this in my trichology studies”

via GIPHY

Whatever. I am tired. But here’s some food for thought.

  1. Trim regularly

We want to hold onto our hair for the sake of length but long hair really isn’t a win when its damaged and you look in the mirror in disdain when you can see through your afro. Hair is long, at what cost?

Trimming gets rid of split ends that could potentially split further down and cause even more breakage. You will also have less knots and tangles.

  1. Ask yourself, is everything okay at home?

Your diet, stress levels, how much sleep, exercise and water you’re getting – these all have an impact on your hair growth rate as well as your ability to retain length. You could be slathering million-dollar hair products onto your tresses but there are some things that cannot be substituted.

  1. Is your protective style really protecting your hair?

If your hair has been pulled so much that you need to sign an affidavit before you can blink and turn your head… you have put your hair in the line of fire.

Are you moisturizing your hair while it’s in a protective style?

My temporary solution is spraying Easy Waves Oil Sheen moisturizer. At the local supermarket it ranges from $1.85 to $3.

  1. How are you detangling your hair dear?

I used any kind of comb to comb my hair and I would start from the roots and go to the ends of my hair. Let me not lie, I wasn’t combing my hair, I was raking it. Any who, I once was lost, but know I am found.

Firstly, detangling dry hair is sacrilegious. There are detangling serums, I have seen the Natural Hair Warriors use coconut oil, water, something pls.

Then try remove the knots with your fingers, then you graduate to using a detangling brush. Put the afro comb and tail comb down! I implore you. Start at the ends of your hair and work your way to the root.

  1. The average hairdresser doesn’t know how to handle natural hair. (In my opinion)

Do what you will with that information. The heat will be so high, the hair starts burning, smoke everywhere – Vesuvius is that you!

My hair flourished when I would do washdays at home, condition it at home and straighten my hair without heat. When I got busier and had less time, I just went to the salon. Sofia Hair Care, I will be visiting you this time around!

Whatever you plan on doing to your hair…remember that it grows back. (Sometimes okay)