researches for africaresearches for africa
African author
Joanna M.
Hair
09 / 2020

How to Grow Healthy Natural Hair | 4C Black African Hair

braided long black hair

My TOP Tips to Keep Natural Hair Healthy & Strong

During the past 11 years, I have noticed that my hair’s condition often aligns with my daily habits. In other words, on the months when I am too busy, or when I don’t have enough time to take care of my hair, my hairs condition is very fragile. But in the months when I have lots of time to spare, to really give myself the divine care and assistance my body and hair needs, my hair flourishes. I have no doubt in my mind that taking good care of your hair is the best way to keep natural hair healthy, strong and growing, regardless of what products you choose to use. For this reason, encouraging and stimulating hair growth should be approached in a comprehensive manner for each individual.

Continue reading, and don’t forget to check out my hair products by clicking the image below. In the natural hair shop online by clicking the image below. Available in the shop are a range of black hair products to maintain and grow healthy hair.

Continue reading, and don’t forget to check out my hair products by clicking the image below. In the natural hair shop online by clicking the image below. Available in the shop are a range of black hair products to maintain and grow healthy hair.

The Science Behind Growing Black Hair Healthy & Strong

No doubt the desire for longer hair is widespread among the African community. However, let’s first ignite a desire for healthier hair, because strength is a direct consequence of good health. As mentioned in many of my blogs, hair grows on average by half an inch a month, but you can see remarkable results of one and half inches a month, when you adopt a weekly heart centred care regimen for your hair. I have met many women who went through years of dry hair spells, and who also lost a lot of hair, only to experience rapid growth when they started a strict weekly regimen.

With that being said, no matter how hard we tried and did not try, our hair will not grow 15-20 cm per month. Hair growth is influenced by various factors: heredity, the sex of a person, the general condition of the body, age, the state of the nervous system, nutrition. Not all hair grows at the same speed – even scientific tests shows that even the hair on a person’s head grows at different rates: in the daytime, the hair grows somewhat faster than at night. In summer, they grow faster than in winter.

Always remember that hair takes time to grow. Similar to a garden, hair growth is determined by the hair roots. A good and nutrient-rich soil ensures that healthy and beautiful black hair grows. However, if the body suffers from a lack of nutrients, the survival of the hair is lowered and promotes the development of hair loss. Well-being, general health, genetic factors and some habits have an impact on black hair growth.

There are several ways to speed hair growth. With just 2 or 3 daily changes, hair growth can naturally be stimulated. However, first and foremost: Hair needs enough nutrients and time to grow. Without further ado, let’s now look at some tips to making sure your hair remains healthy and strong:

If you are interested in how to speed up hair growth, it is worthwhile to think about how not to harm this natural process. There are several habits that should be abandoned for the benefit of a long and healthy spit.

1) Avoid Over Coating Your Scalp

When doing a hair treatment, try to avoid overcoating the hair root. When the scalp is too coated , the hair loses volume, greases faster and the pores are clogged by the waxes and silicones. As a result, the pores can no longer breathe properly and disrupt the metabolism of hair follicles.

Without styling products, the hair feels freer, the scales of the hair are not clogged, the blood circulation of the scalp increases, which has a positive effect on hair growth.

If you still use styling products, mousses, gels and varnishes to create and save a hairstyle, then do not forget – after about 6-8 hours after application to the hair, they must be washed off!

Also remember the simple rules of laying: you do not need to pull your hair into tight tails and braids, use rubber ties and constantly wear hats, try to use hair clips that do not damage the hair structure, for example, crabs or ribbons made of natural materials.

2) Massage Your Scalp Frequently

Massages ensure better circulation and, as a result, optimal supply of nutrients to the cells. You can massage your scalp with your hands or a brush, or ask your partner to do so. A massage with the hands has the advantage of gentle stimulation with body heat. This also prevents unnecessary knotting, and breakage is avoided. If you want to make the hair roots even better, use an additional almond or coconut oil , which moisturizes them and reduces hair breakage. But make sure you avoid adding oils to the hair. Oils should only be applied to the scalp.

In addition to promoting the circulation of the scalp, a scalp massage stimulates the hair follicles. The hair follicles are small invaginations of the skin in which the hair roots are formed. If the metabolism of the hair follicles is disturbed or if they lack certain nutrients, the hair follicles can not work optimally.

To stimulate the hair follicles, massage the scalp 1 to 3 times a week with warm coconut or olive oil and circular motion for three to five minutes. Then let the oil work for 30 minutes and then wash the hair as usual.

Insufficient blood flow to the hair follicles can lead to the fact that hair growth slows down. Regular head massage is a pleasant and effective procedure that promotes the activation of blood circulation, and, consequently, improves the condition of the hair and scalp. A minimum of effort and time is required for the massage, and the path to good hair health becomes easy and pleasant.

3) Use Blood Circulation Promoting Hair Products.

Caffeine-containing hair care products as well as a massage improve the circulation of the scalp and ensure optimum utilization of the available nutrients. Caffeine or black tea may be helpful on top of problematic hairs that are brittle, chipping, dull, or gray. Even with hair loss, these ingredients provide an effective means of improvement when used continuously for at least three months. Here you can find information on fast caffeine or Teein rinses.

4) Protect Your Hair From Harsh Elements To Keep Natural Hair healthy, Strong & Growing

Those who are serious about having healthy black hair, should deal in greater detail with the various causes of hair damage and eliminate the problems in a sustainable way. This means protecting your hair and deliberately changing bad hair regiment habits. The following tips can help!

1. Protection and moisture for your hair Sun, wind, dry air and salt water can damage your hair and scalp.

Avoid contact with seawater when your scalp is normal to dry, because sea salt has a degreasing effect and additionally promotes dehydration, which can lead to scaly, irritated and itchy scalp. The hair becomes more brittle and strawy. Rinse it immediately after refreshing cooling in the sea. In addition to the bleaching effect of the sun, warm wind, freezing cold and heated rooms are unfavorable conditions that can dry out the hair and scalp. A protective, seasonally adapted headgear is advisable. From unrefined, vegetable oil such as olive, coconut or thistle oil you can provide your hair with the necessary after care as a hair cure.

If you feel that your hair has been damaged alreadt, use pure alove vera gel, which is a special moisturizer. Aloe Vera contains iron, zinc, vitamins A, C and E as well as fatty acids and naturally regulates the moisture balance in the black hair.

For this extra dose of care with aloe vera you need: 2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel, preferably self-harvested 2 teaspoons olive oil, thistle oil or coconut oil 1 tsp honey 30 ml of warm water Mix all ingredients together and spread on the scalp and hair tips. Leave for half an hour and wash with a mild shampoo.

2. Use satin and silk hair scarves instead of cotton, because african hair can be spoiled at nights!

Instead of a pillow covers or bonnets made of cotton, hair is comfortable on silk or satin, because these materials dry out less.

hair products to promote growth in black hair

5) Opt for Hairstyles With Less Hair Styling

Frequent styling with hair spray, hair gel, perm or colouring damage African hair. Products containing ammonia, chlorine, phosphates and sulfates additionally dry hair and hair roots, weakening it and worsening nutrient supply. As a result, afro hair appears dull and dull hair in turn emphasizes the possibly existing gray hue of the african hair.

With a switch to natural products, you can bypass these additives. Because of the dehydrating effect they have on your hair, hot straighteners and curling irons are just as unfavorable. If possible, leave the towel-dried hair to dry in the air. Although I do blow dry my hair weekly, I do so carefully on low heat. I know my hair can withstand low heat and I have never experienced heat damage from hair dryers.

6) Style Hair With Care

a) Trim Regularly

For healthy hair, trimming the hair tips every eight weeks is essential, taking all tips into account. To achieve your goal of long hair that is guaranteed without split ends and dry tips, damaged ends should be cut off half a centimeter in any case.

Hair that is heavily styled daily and stressed by heat and chemical additives, however, often needs a reduction. Note: A lace cap without a hairdresser, with craft scissors or household scissors is conceivable unsuitable. The scissors in the household are simply not sharp enough to achieve an optimal cutting result.

b) Finger comb hair

Daily african hair combing for 1 to 2 minutes stimulates the circulation of the scalp and spreads the natural hair oils evenly over the hair. Healthy blood circulation is very important for hair follicles to work efficiently and let new and healthy hair grow. Note: African hair should only be combed when dry. For combing hair is a natural hairbrush or a comb with wide prongs.

6) Avoid Tight Fitting Hairstyles

Avoid the too frequent use of such damaging styling methods. Even tight-fitting hairstyles, hair bands and sharp-edged clips can damage the hair. These can lead to unnecessary black hair loss. If a ponytail is essential for you, then make it lose.

Make sure when tying your hair, you avoid rubber bands or metal bands. Even hair ties made of old, smooth knitted socks are better because of the missing metal eyelet.

7) Opt for Mild Shampoos To Keep Natural Hair healthy, Strong & Growing

As with styling, additives in the shampoo and warm water damage the hair. Shampooing should, therefore, be done only with lukewarm water and a sparingly used, natural and mild hair shampoo. Alternatives to commercially available products, which usually contain harmful substances, is the Jostylin SLS FreeNatural Hair Growth Shampoo, which is rich in B vitamins, zinc and proteins, as well as the Jostylin Moisture Shampoo with orange. Hair washing becomes even more natural and milder by using only lukewarm water and combining this minimalist wash with frequent, intensive brushing.

Water Only Wash Hair Weekly, Shampoo Bi-Weekly

Less is more and this especially true when it comes to shampooing hair. Wet hair provides an unprotected surface due to its open cuticle layer. This open cuticle allows harsh chemicals ot enter faster, thus cause dry and brittle hair. With the use of a hot hair dryer, styling equipment and a brush, the hair is damaged faster. If you do need to wash your hair too frequently, opt for water only washing once a week and shampooing once every two weeks.

8) Opt for a Simple Hair Care Regimen

It does not matter if it’s dry, brittle, hair damaged by color or perming, it needs the right care, just like greasy, flaky, gray or fading hair. You can achieve the optimal and individual care by simple, usual household ingredients. An effective and fast-acting care product is Leave-in Hair Conditioner. It is an effective solution made from water and just one other ingredient. Many recipes for hair conditioners tailored to the individual hair problem are presented in this article . Also recommended are these effective, vegan hair treatments to make your own .

9) Consume Less Acidic Man Made Foods and Stimulants

With a basic diet, you can counteract the negative process of hair loss. Avoid therefore one-sided and excessive consumption of: sugar, alcohol, flour (ground flour or white flour such as wheat) and coffee.

If there is a lack of zinc, you can also improve your supply of essential trace elements by abstaining from alcohol, because the extraction of alcohol requires more zinc, which is then lacking for hair growth. Also, estrogen levels in men and women increase by drinking alcohol, which can also lead to hair loss at elevated levels.

10) Avoid Stress

Stress is one of the main causes of hair loss. It disturbs the normal hair cycle, often leads to lack of sleep and thus to a disturbed release of growth hormones. Stress is also known to trigger a sudden onset of gray hair.

In addition to hair loss, one of the causes of slowing hair growth can be exactly stress. Stress is accompanied by the release of adrenaline into the body, which has a vasoconstrictive effect. As a result, the nutrition of the hair follicles is disturbed, which leads to a slowing of growth, deterioration of the hair condition, and their loss.

For a long-lasting, thicker mane you should avoid stress or counteract enough balance through sports or recreational phases such as meditation, pleasant, quiet music, anti-stress teas and baths. Deep breathing, love words to his loved ones and sufficient sleep help reduce stress. There are some teas that you can specifically use for relaxation and inner peace. Or treat yourself to a relaxing and pampering bath every now and then.

11) Adopt An Active lifestyle.

Sports activities, outdoor walks and other active activities contribute to the acceleration of metabolism and abundant oxygen supply to all cells of the body – including hair follicles. That’s why people who lead a healthy lifestyle, hair grow much faster and look much better.

After an active day, as a rule, a deep and prolonged sleep follows. During sleep, the cells regenerate, which also leads to the growth of healthy hair.

12) Keep The Following Emergency Ingredients At Home for Healthy Hair Care

Castor Oil

Castor oil nourishes the hair and a source of valuable essential fatty acids. It provides plenty of vitamin E, provides the hair base and accelerates natural hair growth.

Since castor oil is very viscous, it should be mixed with the same amount of coconut oil, olive oil or almond oil for use. Apply this mixture upside down, massage well for 5 minutes with circular motions and allow to act for 30 to 45 minutes. Then wash the hair as usual.

Note: For a pleasant scent, a few drops of essential oils (such as rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender or thyme oil) may also be mixed with castor oil and applied to the scalp.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar helps remove dirt, dust and residue from hair care products on the hair. In this way, the hair is detoxified, softer, brighter and stronger. For the application of apple cider vinegar, just after washing hair, mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a quart of water. Add the mixture to the hair and massage well. Let it work for 15 minutes and then rinse it out. Note: To reduce the apple smell, simply add a few drops of essential oil (such as rose oil).

Aloe vera

Aloe vera naturally stimulates hair growth. It also reduces dandruff, promotes the natural shine of the hair and prevents hair loss.

Just mix some fresh aloe vera gel with a little lemon juice, massage into the hair and leave for 20 minutes. Then wash the hair as usual. Repeat this application 1 to 2 times a week. Drinking fresh aloe vera juice helps to accelerate this process in addition.

Aloe Vera is a powerful natural moisturizer, antioxidant, antiseptic and tonic for hair. Accelerates hair growth, nourishes and saturates with moisture. Strengthens the structure of hair, restores fat and water balance. It is especially recommended for the treatment of exhausted and discolored hair, for the protection and restoration of hair after staining.

Herbs

Herbs such as rosemary, catnip, stinging nettle, burdock root, horsetail and sage promote hair growth. They improve blood circulation, stimulate the hair follicles, strengthen the hair and provide a soft and supple hair feel.

For the application of the herbs, pour one of the above herbs with 1 liter of hot water and leave for 10 to 20 minutes. Fish out the herbs and use the water as a final rinse after shampooing. Note: The herbal water can also be mixed with a few drops of essential oils. To strengthen the effect of the herbs, daily herbal teas help.

Other Herbs to Grow Natural Black Hair

Bringara – protects from the adverse effects of the environment, regenerates skin cells. Prevents the premature appearance of gray hair. Gives hair shine, fluffiness and healthy appearance, making them more elastic and elastic. Gives force to brittle, dry and damaged hair.

Hibiscus – prevents premature graying, cross-section of tips and hair loss, stimulates their growth. Strengthens the structure of the hair, increases the density, fights dandruff, moisturizes and softens the hair. Restores dry, brittle and emaciated hair. Regulates the work of the sebaceous glands, perfectly cleanses and nourishes greasy hair.

Ginkgo biloba – normalizes the activity of the sebaceous glands, restores the structure of the hair, improves the elasticity. It has antioxidant properties.

Mustard oil – has a refreshing, stimulating effect, intensively speeds up hair growth, improves blood circulation of the scalp. Makes hair obedient, facilitates combing.

Sesame oil – soothes the scalp, saturates the roots of hair with nutrients, protects from exposure to sunlight.

Coconut oil – reduces hair protein loss during washing. During wiping and combing protects the hair from damage. Ideal for hair protection during the holiday season, exposed to direct sunlight, wind and sea. It evenly spreads over all the hair, protecting them from water penetration.

Nettle extract – has antiseptic, firming, anti-inflammatory effect. It gives the hair a healthy shine and a well-groomed appearance.

Kukurma – with hair care helps to strengthen them, prevents loss, destroys dandruff. It monitors the health of the scalp, normalizes its activity. Regulates the work of the sebaceous glands and removes excess fat.

Kapoor Kachari – protects and strengthens hair, restores their structure, restores health and natural shine. This powerful tool to prevent hair loss, stimulates the replacement of old, lifeless skin cells of the scalp to new, viable, protects from harmful effects.

Lavender – restores damaged hair, eliminates dandruff, brittle. Prevents hair loss. Effective means of alopecia.

Lemon extract – has a tonic effect on weakened, damaged hair, restores natural shine.

Burdock extract – has an anti-allergic and bactericidal effect, strengthens the structure of the hair, preventing them from falling out. Regulates the function of the sebaceous glands.

Macadamia oil – has an emollient, moisturizing, regenerating effect. It restores the damaged hair structure.

Nim – removes dry itch of the head and peeling, fights dandruff, relieves the symptoms of psoriasis of the scalp, stimulates hair growth and makes them silky, shiny and strong. Facilitates the process of combing.

Fenugreek – due to the rich composition of iron, proteins and vitamins A and C, fenugreek is used with great success for the treatment of dandruff, premature alopecia. And also used to enhance hair growth.

Burdock oil – effectively eliminates uncomfortable itching and flaking of the scalp, eliminates the problem of split ends, stimulates hair growth, normalizes the hydrolysed balance.

Rosemary is one of the best hair care products. Eliminates dandruff and protects against it, cleanses the scalp, regulates the work of the sebaceous glands. Stimulates hair growth, prevents their loss. Restores hair and scalp after ailment.

Tulsi – cleanses the scalp, improves blood circulation, provides an additional flow of blood to the bulbs, removes old cells and promotes the rapid emergence of new, stimulates hair growth, makes them strong, shiny and soft.

Henna – has antibacterial and antifungal properties, strengthens hair, makes them more dense, lush and soft, eliminates dandruff, prevents hair loss. In addition, henna has a cooling effect, relaxing and relieving tension, headache.

Garlic extract – is a strong antiseptic, as well as a tonic for the circulatory system. Garlic is exceptionally rich in proteins, fats, sulfur-containing active biological compounds, vitamins (C, E, A, D and Group B), minerals.

Mulberry – Protein, obtained from mulberry, makes the hair strong and healthy, the mulberry extract-antioxidant restores the structure of damaged hair, returning them a shine, a healthy appearance.

Shikakai – nourishes and strengthens hair follicles and hair roots, makes them healthy and strong, restores skin. Prevents hair loss and stimulates their growth. Increases the density of hair. Prevents premature graying of hair. It gives the hair a healthy shine.

13) Consume a Healthy and Balanced Diet To Keep Natural Black Hair healthy, Strong & Growing

All of the above tips are of little use if only a small amount of the required nutrients arrives at the hair root. A healthy diet is the basic requirement for healthy afro hair growth. The ultimate goal should be a balanced and healthy diet to maintain healthy and strong hair growth. A deficiency supply can lead to disturbed melanin production and thus prematurely grayed hair.

You should, therefore, prefer foods with the following vitamins, minerals and proteins:

  • Vitamin A (retinol) is responsible for strong hair growth and is abundant in carrots , head and corn salad, kale, spinach, chickpeas, apricots, mango and honeydew melon.
  • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is important for the transport of important iron to the hair root and is found in almost all fruits and vegetables, especially in citrus fruits and cabbage varieties.
  • Vitamin E protects the cells of the hair follicles against damaging influences and promotes the circulation of the hair root. The growth is promoted by improved food intake and strengthened the hair. This vitamin is contained in sunflower, olive and safflower oils, avocado, black currants, peppers, herring, salmon, rye, chickpeas, sesame and almonds.
  • Vitamin B3 (niacin) can only have a positive effect on cell renewal when absorbed internally. It is available in apricots, bananas, tomatoes, rye, barley, buckwheat, sesame, peanuts, meat, herring and salmon. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) stands for a good blood circulation of the scalp and optimal absorption of the existing nutrients.
  • You will find vitamin B5 in sunflower seeds, shiitake mushrooms, yeast, rye, millet and avocados.
  • Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is responsible for about 100 reactions in enzymes and also plays a role in the absence of hair color. Since it is water-soluble, it can not be stored in the body for long. Smoking, alcohol, medication, or a high-protein diet can lead to a vitamin B6 deficiency. Contains this vitamin in calf’s liver, potatoes, bananas, lentils and spinach.
  • Vitamin B7 (biotin, also called vitamin H) strengthens the hair root and contributes to hair loss. It occurs, for example, in meat, egg yolks, milk, oats, yeast, cucumbers and almonds.
  • Vitamin B9 (folic acid) is responsible for the division and regeneration of cells and thus also involved in the hair renewal process. You can take it with kidney beans, spinach, lentils, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, papaya, mango, oranges, bananas, yeast, rye, chickpeas and sesame.
  • Copper promotes the absorption of iron, improves the hair structure and prevents thin and brittle hair. It is found mainly in offal, rye, sesame, nuts, lentils, peas and beans. Iron stands for growth in the hair roots. You can find this trace element in liver, yeast, quinoa, amaranth, rye, chickpeas, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and tomatoes.
  • Zinc is also an essential trace element and promotes, among other things, hair growth, supports the formation of new hair cells, protects the hair root from inflammation and is responsible for a healthy scalp. You should not miss cheese, lentils, mushrooms, walnuts, pecans, rye, chickpeas and tomatoes on your plate.
  • Protein (protein) is found in every cell and is the basis for the hair component keratin. Best sources of protein are potatoes, cereals, soy, eggs, cheese, meat and fish. Here are some more tips on plant protein sources. Proteins are used to form keratins, copper is important for hair pigmentation, silicon for growth and firmness, and vitamin E is used for the health of the scalp and hair follicles. The daily nutrients determine the activity of the scalp and thus determine black hair growth. Especially foods with many proteins, a high vitamin content (vitamins A, B, C and E) and many minerals (iron, zinc, copper, magnesium and selenium) are an enrichment for the Haarboden. They care for the hair and promote its growth.
  • Also, Omega 3 fatty acids are very valuable for the hair. About 3 percent of our hair shaft consists of Omega 3 fatty acids and give the hair a healthy look.

Best Foods for Hair Growth

  • Broccoli
  • parsley
  • peppers
  • spinach
  • cabbage
  • grapefruit
  • avocado
  • oats

Freshly prepared fruit and vegetable juices from carrots, oranges, turnips and green salad. Omega-3-containing foods such as fatty fish, linseeds, chia seeds and walnuts.

Treat Your Hair With A Deep Conditioner for Natural Hair Growth

Deep condiytioning treatments ensure that your hair is well nourished and replenished from the inside out. Opt for having these treatments once a month.

For more homemade remedies, have a read through the articles called I homemade leave in conditioner for natural hair and deep conditioner for natural hair growth to help prevent breakage and keep your hair in healthy conditioner.

Use Vitamins As An Afro Hair Loss Treatment

If you want to know how to stop hair loss, first make sure it is not the result of a health problem such as iron deficiency. Thinning hair is a big sign of iron deficiency so please consult your doctor immediately. Your hair health can easily be restored by taking iron supplements if you are deficient. No amount of black hair growth products will grow your hair if you have iron deficiency.

To read more about taking vitamin supplements to prevent hair loss, visit the article called: Best Vitamins for Natural Hair Growth. To also find out more about hair loss, read my article on Afro hair loss treatment.

Other Factors That Influence: How to Grow Natural Hair

Here are some other important factors that influence hair growth include:

Jostylin’s Natural Hair Growth Products

At Jostylin, we offer a range of hair care and maintenance products specifically created for Type 4 natural hair. To find out more about our range, click on the image below. You can also read more about the Jostylin hair products and how they work for hair growth on the article: best hair products to promote growth in black hair.

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