If you’re just starting out on your natural hair journey, it can be a bit overwhelming at times. From choosing which products may work best for you, to learning the ways of your hair in its natural state, each person’s natural hair journey is one of learning and growing. Listed below are 10 natural hair tips for beginners sure to help you out along the way:
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1. MOISTURE IS MOST IMPORTANT
It doesn’t matter what texture your hair is, how healthy it is, etc. – moisture is essential. Hydrated hair is at the foundation of maintaining and attaining healthier strands. Various forms of moisture include water, leave-in conditioners, creams, and more. Moisturized strands allow for softer hair, improved manageability, and hair that is less prone to breaking off.
Click here to check out the most moisturizing leave-in conditioners for dry natural hair:
2. MAINTAIN WEEKLY DEEP CONDITIONING
Deep conditioners consist of a combination of hydrating and nourishing ingredients that help to replenish moisture back into dehydrated strands. In addition, deep conditioning aids in better moisture retention, and can help to strengthen your strands. Incorporating weekly deep conditioning into your hair regimen is an essential natural hair tip for beginners.
3. DO NOT COMPARE YOUR HAIR TO OTHERS
It is important that you do not compare your natural hair to others. Our natural hair is so unique, and each person’s head of hair is different – in texture, length, density, etc. The way one person’s hair reacts to a product or turns out in a certain style may not be the way yours does. It is a matter of learning what works best for your hair and embracing it in all aspects.
4. GET TRIMS AS NEEDED
Getting routine trims helps to maintain healthy strands. Trims get rid of split ends and help to prevent them from further traveling up the hair shaft. Without getting regular trims, your natural hair is more prone to single-strand knots, breakage, and dry, brittle ends. A good aim is to trim your hair as needed. Here are some signs its time for a trim to look out for.
5. ACKNOWLEDGE ANY HAIR DAMAGE
As a new natural, it is not uncommon to have some form of hair damage if you previously wore your hair straightened most of the time or had a relaxer. In the effort to attain and maintain healthy natural hair, you first want to acknowledge any hair damage you may have – straight end pieces, hair that is always tangled and dry, etc.
Once you do, you can either gradually transition and trim these pieces off or go ahead and cut them off right then and there. Getting rid of your damaged pieces will allow for more healthful, full looking hair.
6. DO ROUTINE SCALP MASSAGES
Hair growth starts at the roots, so it is essential that you are maintaining good scalp health to allow for unrestricted growth and good hair health as well. One simple way to do so is with routine scalp massages. Simply use your fingertips, with or without an oil applied, and gently yet firmly massage your scalp for at least two minutes. This will help to get blood circulating at the roots and stimulate growth.
7. PROTECTIVE STYLE ON OCCASION TO HELP WITH LENGTH RETENTION
Protective styles include box braids, two-strand twists, puffs, etc. When done properly and not too tight, protective styles can be very beneficial for your natural hair. For one, they help to limit manipulation which in turn helps to retain more length. You are also limiting the friction of your clothing brushing against the ends of your hair, helping to alleviate brittle ends and lessen the acceleration of split ends. Wear protective styles on occasion to get the benefits of both and then some.
Click here to check out a list of more beneficial protective styles for natural hair:
8. WASH HAIR IN SECTIONS OR CHUNKY TWISTS TO REDUCE TANGLES
When washing our hair in the sink or shower, as we massage the product in or flip our hair over, the strands easily intertwine with each other and become tangled. To prevent a prolonged detangling time, try to wash your hair in sections, or chunky twists to limit the strands from locking with each other.
9. AVOID TOO TIGHT OF HAIRSTYLES
Hairstyles that are too tightly pulled back – box braids, buns, etc. cause tension and stress on your scalp and edges. When done too frequently, can lead to thinning and breakage. Next time you are in your hairstylists’ chair, speak up if they are braiding too tight. Also, try not to wear pulled back buns and puffs too frequently, as they can produce the same thinning effect at the hairline, edges, and nape from the pulling.
10. TRY THE L.O.C. AND L.C.O. METHODS FOR RETAINING MOISTURE.
The L.O.C and L.C.O. methods serve as an acronym for applying a “liquid/leave-in”, “oil”, and “cream”. The order switches based off how you decide to apply your moisturizing products. Both methods though, will help to retain moisture in your natural hair. They are essentially applying additional layers of moisture in your hair and sealing them in.
Click here to see a more detailed look at the L.O.C. and L.C.O. methods.
What is a natural hair care tip you have to share with others? Let us know below!
