Many African-American women and some men want to grow long and healthy hair. But they do not know how to do it. They also believe that it is a very slow and difficult process. If you do not take proper care of your hair, it will be very difficult to grow them. In general, black hair grows naturally 4 to 6 inches a year. While most of the care are similar to any normal hair care and maintenance but African-American hair also has some specific and unique characteristics which ask for different and special care and maintenance.

The following tips will help you to understand how you can grow long and healthy African-American hair.

Shampoo and conditioner

shampoo your hair and condition it regularly. If you have black hair, you need to shampoo and condition it at least once or twice every week. Even people who have braided hair need to do it regularly. Following that regimen will keep your hair soft and healthy and will help you to grow. It will also keep away problems like drying out and breaking off. Shampooing will keep away the dust and other impurities and the conditioning will improve the health of your hair.

Take care while sleeping

when you are sleeping, you can wear a silk scarf to keep your hair safe. You can also use a silk nightcap. It is better to sleep on a silk pillowcase because silk is soft and gentle. African-American hair is coarse textured and sleeping on a rough surface may snag it.

Avoid hair appliances

you need to avoid heated hair appliances if you want to grow long healthier African-American hair. Do not use hot combs, blow dryers or curling irons. If you use excessive heat on black hair, it will break. It is always better to let your hair dry naturally by keeping it open for some time. Never use any hair appliances when your hair is still wet.

Moisturize daily

for long healthy black hair you need to moisturize your hair daily. It will eliminate breakage. Use of daily moisturizer will help your hair to grow fast. You need a quality hair lotion. You can also buy a moisturizing spray.

Trim split ends

after every three months you need to trim the ends of your hair. After trimming the hair, use a deep conditioner. While trimming, you need to remember that you should never trim more than half an inch. Once you are able to get healthier hairs, you will find fewer split ends. It means you do not have to trim as often.

Do not over process

do not keep processing your hair again and again. If you are wearing a relaxed style, do not do anything for the next 8 to 10 weeks. You do not need a touch up for such relaxed style until 8 to 10 weeks. Otherwise, your hair will break off. Do allow your hair to grow; you need to give it some time before changing styles. Keep shampooing and conditioning your hair to manage the new hair growth. Let your hair dry naturally. You can also use air conditioning moisturizer before you go for any styling.

Try low-maintenance styles

you can always try some low maintenance styles with your hair. You can put them in a loose bun, you can also wear loose braids. It is better to try some natural African American styles. If you have a problem with your hair or it is weak, then you should not comb or brush your hair repeatedly throughout the day.

References

1. How To Grow African American Hair Long
2. Hair problems
3. Black Women Hair and Identity