For all my men and women out there who are growing out their natural hair, I commend you. Having natural hair Is NOT an easy task, nor is it something you can do without having knowledge of your hair. Listed below I have included a few natural hair tips and tricks of the trade that you should know. Being mindful of your hair type is ideal. That is the easiest way to take care of your hair and promote hair growth.

When transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair, there are a few things you need to keep in mind along the way. For example, I have thick coarse hair. So I thought until I began paying attention to my actual hair texture. Thick coarse hair basically means the same thing. Thickness describes the width of your hair strands. I actually have a 4B/4C hair texture with fine hair strands and high density.

Natural Hair Tips

Pre Poo Method

A pre-poo means moisturizing your hair before you begin your shampoo. When you use this method it doesn’t strip your hair from its natural oils or take away moisture. You don’t have to use any expensive products cheaper ones usually work just as fine. You can use Olive oil to pre-poo or a rinse-out conditioner. Any other type of oil that promotes hair growth is optimal. Sometimes I will use hair grease to pre-poo because I feel like grease is a bit more “greasy”.

Using oil would be better to avoid having greasy hair after your shampoo though. I just feel as if I will wash away the oil so the process is redundant. Nevertheless, be sure to apply the oil to your hair strands and saturate them. When you approach your wash day, remember shampoo is for the scalp, and conditioners are for the strands. There is no need to measure out the exact amount you will use because everyone is different. Leave on for about 30 minutes then rinse out.

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Apple Cider Vinegar is a likely common item in most households. It has many uses and benefits outside of the kitchen. Apple Cider Vinegar clarifies and restores shine, removes buildup and environmental residue, locks in moisture, and helps with detangling natural locks. It can also be used to kill the bacteria that cause dandruff. You can use this as a hair rinse before and after you shampoo.

Create and massage one part water and one part Organic Apple Cider into your scalp area. (Make sure that it is Organic) Leave this mixture on your scalp for 30 minutes then rinse with cold water. Do not use this method more than once a week. Also, make sure to use small amounts and DILUTE! Too much of this will damage your hair and contribute to dryness.

Deep Condition

Deep conditioning makes your hair shine and allows you to wear natural styles for longer periods of time. Deep conditioning is a very important step in your hair care routine. It adds hydration to dry hair and protects your hair against damage and breakage. This should be done after you shampoo but before you condition your hair.

Clarify

Many natural hair products are thick and creamy which can cause build-up if used on a daily basis. Build-up on the hair can make the hair look dull and cause breakage. This breakage occurs because the build-up causes your hair to become heavy and weighs it down. Clarifying your hair is a necessary process. This is especially true if you are someone who uses many products on your hair. A bit of oil or grease will not cause loads of product to build up on your hair.

You should use a clarifying shampoo on your hair every 4-6 weeks or when necessary. A hydrating shampoo is recommended afterward because it adds moisture to your hair. If you don’t typically use many hair products on a daily basis you should be fine. A clarifying shampoo will be necessary if you use any of the following at least 3- 4 times during the week. These can include any of the following:

Cold Water Rinse

Many people wash their hair in hot or warm water. This is because most people either wash their hair in the shower or over the sink. Let’s be honest who really wants to wash their hair with cold water? That’s something nobody would ever say “Yeah I’ll do that”. Going to the hair salon and receiving a cold water shampoo would probably leave the client highly offended. This is why we have to be mindful of our hair and hair techniques.

Washing your hair with hot or warm water opens the cuticle of the hair. When doing your final rinse using cold water is preferred, because it closes the cuticle and leaves a smooth and shiny finish. When I say cold I don’t mean freezing! Lukewarm water would work just as fine as long as it is cooler than warm.

Combing

Comb through your hair thoroughly with conditioners, and not just the outside perimeter of your hair. If you do not comb conditioners thoroughly through your hair, you can cause matting, tangling, and knots which many times results in breakage. When you do comb your hair rake your fingers through your hair prior to using a comb. This will help you untangle most of the hair that may become tangled or matted together. Use a wide tooth comb to allow you space to detangle and always start from the ends. Beginning at the ends of your hair work your way up to the roots as gently as possible.

NO Sulfates

Sulfates are harsh chemicals that can harm your hair. They can cause damage, breakage, and dry hair. STAY AWAY from shampoos that contain sulfates.

Hair Styling

If you are wearing braids or extensions, avoid tension around the hairline. Unnecessary tugging and pulling around the edges cause breakage and bald spots. Be sure to wear styles that work with your hair. For example, if you have thin hair around the edges be mindful of your wig placement if wearing a wig. Be sure that you do not place the wig directly on your edges if you notice thinning around that area. If you are wearing extensions avoid adding too much hair to your braids. This will cause your hair to be heavy and pull your hair out causing breakage.