On the contrary, it can be quite doable with the following tips:
According to New York City-based dermatologist Janet Prystowsky, M.D., “The truth is that a balanced diet with healthy amounts of vegetables, proteins, and fruits is all you need.”
She is supported by Dr Francesca Fusco, another NYC-based dermatologist, who explains, “To promote hair growth, you need to ‘feed’ the hair from the inside. Try increasing your protein intake with foods like fish, beans, nuts, and whole grains.”
- Trim your hair frequently
This might seem counterproductive since you are trying to grow your hair but trust us when we see this is the way to go. By getting regular trims, you prevent split ends which causes your hair to break.
Celebrity hairstylist Michael Dueñas says, “While haircuts don’t make your hair grow any faster, they get rid of split ends that break your hair. Eliminating the breakage gives the appearance that your hair is growing faster.”
Experts recommend trimming your hair every 10 to 12 weeks.
It is important to wash your hair often. Just make sure you are shampooing less and conditioning more.
According to Prystowsky, M.D., you should not wash your hair every day. She recommends reserving it for when your hair is greasy and dirty.
This is because shampoo can dry out and strip the hair of its healthy natural oils. When you wash your hair, avoid using a 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner. Start with a shampoo and then the conditioner since its job is to restore the nutrients stripped by the shampoo.
Relaxers do wonders for the African hair but they also have devastating effects since they are made of chemicals. Some of them, especially the cheap ones, also contain a hazardous ingredient called Sodium hydroxide or “lye.”
According to the soap company, Certified Lye, users that “substances with large amounts of lye can cause chemical burns, permanent injury or scarring, and blindness. Lye (sodium hydroxide) may be harmful or fatal if swallowed”.
Even though some relaxers like Dark and Lovely, African Pride, and Optimum Care, exclude lye from the ingredient regimen, it is still important to use relaxers sparingly. Try once every 3–4 months.