How To Retain Length With Relaxed Hair

You can’t grow long, relaxed hair.

You can adopt a squirrel.

One of the two sentences above is true. And it has the word ‘’squirrel’’ in it. The other is false.

Whoever said you cannot grow long relaxed hair was telling old fishwives’ tales. You indeed can grow long, healthy, relaxed hair. It might be a challenge but you can do it. You just need to practice the following:

1.  Stop Over-Using Heat

Courtesy: Stylist

When you go to the salon, some stylists will use a dryer, then blow dryer, then flat iron, then a hot comb on your relaxed hair. Especially if you have new growth. They try to make your growth as straight as possible. What is this, a cooking show? Now say that last sentence again in Kevin Hart’s voice. Please ask your stylist to stop using all this heat. It is thinning your hair and stunting your growth. Also try air-drying after washing and conditioning your hair. This helps you avoid heat as much as possible.

2. Protective Styling and Stretching of New Growth

Courtesy: Pinterest

Challenge yourself to wearing your hair in protective styles for 6 months: braids, wigs, twists. Put your hair away and watch your hair grow to unbelievable lengths. Of course, do not do 6 months continuously. Undo the protective style after a month or 2 then rest for 2 weeks and install another protective style. You will see your new growth significantly long as you unravel each protective style.

3. Massage Oils Into Your Scalp

Create a hair-growth mixture of castor oil, peppermint oil, sweet almond oil, and olive oil. Pour this mixture onto your scalp and massage daily for 5 minutes. This stimulates hair growth.

4. Trim, Trim, Trim

Courtesy: Thirstroots.com

Trim your split ends to prevent even more breakage. Split ends will cause the splitting to rise up the hair shaft which leads to even more splitting. This inhibits hair growth. Trim once every 6 months or as needed.

5. Keep Hair Moisturized and Sleep In A Satin Bonnet

Keeping hair moisturized ensures it doesn’t get dry which means it will not break easily. Moisturizing hair also makes the growth easier to manage. Moisturize every 2 to 3 days before you sleep. Also, sleep in a satin bonnet or on a satin pillowcase to ensure that your freshly moisturized hair stays that way…freshly moisturized

Which tips have helped you grow long relaxed hair? Share below!

Find it difficult to take care of your hair? Please read How To Take Care Of Relaxed African Hair