It seems obvious
that we shouldn't over-manipulate our hair, but for me this is one of the most
difficult rules to obey. It’s not a problem after a fresh relaxer but once I get into my stretch period not touching my hair is hell!
I did some research and used my own
personal experience to come up with some tips tricks and tools to help prevent
breakage. Here are some of the things I came up with:
1. Get a GREAT brush
I cannot stress this enough. A good hair brush will save so many strands. If there's only one tool you can invest in, my personal pick would be a good detangling hair brush. So how do you know a good hair brush? It’s not that hard to tell a good brush. A good brush should have bristles made of SMOOTH material (usually plastic). If you run your finger along the spines they should have no rough edges, that is, nothing for your hair to catch on. The bristles should also be evenly and widely spaced so that you hair glides right through. If you brush your hair and see too many strands … it might be a good time to change your brush.
I personally recommend the Denman brushes. I’ve used them for years and they are great. I’ve never seen them in Nigeria, but I have in Ghana).In Nigeria, I use the AirHedz brushes that you can find in Casa Bella, they’re good brushes but of late they haven’t lasted.
I’ve also been hearing good things about the Wet Brush so I might try them out when I get the chance.
I cannot stress this enough. A good hair brush will save so many strands. If there's only one tool you can invest in, my personal pick would be a good detangling hair brush. So how do you know a good hair brush? It’s not that hard to tell a good brush. A good brush should have bristles made of SMOOTH material (usually plastic). If you run your finger along the spines they should have no rough edges, that is, nothing for your hair to catch on. The bristles should also be evenly and widely spaced so that you hair glides right through. If you brush your hair and see too many strands … it might be a good time to change your brush.
I personally recommend the Denman brushes. I’ve used them for years and they are great. I’ve never seen them in Nigeria, but I have in Ghana).In Nigeria, I use the AirHedz brushes that you can find in Casa Bella, they’re good brushes but of late they haven’t lasted.
I’ve also been hearing good things about the Wet Brush so I might try them out when I get the chance.
2. Protective Styles
Looking good is essential, but you want to make sure that your chosen style isn’t doing damage to your hair. There are lots of styles that are easy and super cute. Here are a few of my faves:
Looking good is essential, but you want to make sure that your chosen style isn’t doing damage to your hair. There are lots of styles that are easy and super cute. Here are a few of my faves:
a. Spiral Curls
Get out your flexi –rods before bed, get your hair into 8 (or as many as you can manage) chunks and roll them up lengthwise to give you spirals. Take them out in the morning for a soft bouncy look. This is also a great time to moisturize your scalp
Get out your flexi –rods before bed, get your hair into 8 (or as many as you can manage) chunks and roll them up lengthwise to give you spirals. Take them out in the morning for a soft bouncy look. This is also a great time to moisturize your scalp
b. The Bun/Ponytail
The almighty bun, how could I ever live without you…? Simple and with perhaps the least manipulation of all. The bun is classic. Just ask Audrey Hepburn. As for the ponytail… my ultimate dream is to have an anime style ponytail that’s long, full and flows in the wind. Both these styles are super easy but you have to keep three things in mind:
The almighty bun, how could I ever live without you…? Simple and with perhaps the least manipulation of all. The bun is classic. Just ask Audrey Hepburn. As for the ponytail… my ultimate dream is to have an anime style ponytail that’s long, full and flows in the wind. Both these styles are super easy but you have to keep three things in mind:
i.
Only use ponytail holders that have no metal and don’t catch hair
ii.
Don’t pack your hair too tight… this can put unnecessary stress on
the hair and makes it more likely for you to pull out strands when taking it
out.
iii.
Learn to let go … don’t overuse your ponytail holders. I’ve found
that the older the band gets the more likely it is to pull out hair. Learn to
throw them away!
c. The French Braid
Also known as didi, braiding your hair inwards is a great way to protective from the elements. I love these because you can keep it in for more than a day. I like to braid up the back and spiral roll the front for a chic look.
Also known as didi, braiding your hair inwards is a great way to protective from the elements. I love these because you can keep it in for more than a day. I like to braid up the back and spiral roll the front for a chic look.
d. Cornrows/Weaving
Just like French braids, weaving your hair keeps you from touching it and lasts a while. One of the best things about cornrows and weaving is that it gives you access to your scalp, which means that this is a great time to add in all your favorite oils :D
And if you can’t tolerate walking around looking like a primary school student, slap a wig on :D
Just like French braids, weaving your hair keeps you from touching it and lasts a while. One of the best things about cornrows and weaving is that it gives you access to your scalp, which means that this is a great time to add in all your favorite oils :D
And if you can’t tolerate walking around looking like a primary school student, slap a wig on :D
e. Braids
I know when we started this blog we said we wouldn’t do braids or weaves but I don’t think my hair can last without them. I’ve read a lot of blogs, posts and message boards and most say that large braids are ok. Here are the “rules” of braids:
I know when we started this blog we said we wouldn’t do braids or weaves but I don’t think my hair can last without them. I’ve read a lot of blogs, posts and message boards and most say that large braids are ok. Here are the “rules” of braids:
i.
The thicker they are the less
likely they are to not take out your hair
ii.
DON’T LEAVE THEM IN TOO LONG… braids are
heavy and can weaken your hair from the base. Leaving them in for too long
makes it almost certain that your hair will break (this is why people lose
their edges)
iii.
Keep your hair healthy… just because you
have braids doesn’t mean that you can completely ignore you hair. Make sure to
keep it moisturized, wash when you need it and generally do what you usually do
to keep your hair healthy.
3. Combing & Brushing with Care
Your hair will get tangled, rough and scattered. This is something you can’t avoid. The best way of dealing with tangles is to start from the tip and work your way backwards from the root. This will help loosen knots. NEVER EVER EVER COMB YOUR HAIR FROM THE ROOT, this just makes knots worse and encourages breakage. Be gentle with your hair. I’ve found that a fair amount of breakage is caused by bad combing and it can all be prevented by using a good brush and combing with care.
Your hair will get tangled, rough and scattered. This is something you can’t avoid. The best way of dealing with tangles is to start from the tip and work your way backwards from the root. This will help loosen knots. NEVER EVER EVER COMB YOUR HAIR FROM THE ROOT, this just makes knots worse and encourages breakage. Be gentle with your hair. I’ve found that a fair amount of breakage is caused by bad combing and it can all be prevented by using a good brush and combing with care.
4. Night Protection
Keeping your hair protected at night is a great way to protect all those precious strands. . Cotton absorbs moisture so sleeping on a cotton pillow strips out moisture and can catch strands of hair. Use a silk or satin scarf to cover your head. Wrap it, flexi-rod it, pin-curl it or just use a satin pillow. I like satin pillows because it means I can be lazy at night and don’t have to worry about covering my head.
Keeping your hair protected at night is a great way to protect all those precious strands. . Cotton absorbs moisture so sleeping on a cotton pillow strips out moisture and can catch strands of hair. Use a silk or satin scarf to cover your head. Wrap it, flexi-rod it, pin-curl it or just use a satin pillow. I like satin pillows because it means I can be lazy at night and don’t have to worry about covering my head.
5. Drying Properly
Your hair is the most vulnerable when wet. Getting hair from dripping to cute can be very stressful when its dew but in order to save each strand you need to be very careful. Here are some tips I use:
Your hair is the most vulnerable when wet. Getting hair from dripping to cute can be very stressful when its dew but in order to save each strand you need to be very careful. Here are some tips I use:
a. Dab Dry … DO NOT RUB DRY.
Towels are made of cotton… it makes sense, since it is one of the most absorbent materials on the planet. But unfortunately cotton is also great at catching strands of hair. When drying your hair, pat with a towel in order to minimize the catching
Towels are made of cotton… it makes sense, since it is one of the most absorbent materials on the planet. But unfortunately cotton is also great at catching strands of hair. When drying your hair, pat with a towel in order to minimize the catching
b. Air Dry if you can
Easier said than done. It takes hours and is best done when you don’t have anything to do for the next 12 hours. But it leaves your hair full, soft and healthy so it’s well worth it.
Easier said than done. It takes hours and is best done when you don’t have anything to do for the next 12 hours. But it leaves your hair full, soft and healthy so it’s well worth it.
c.
Don’t
Over-dry
If you must use artificial methods to dry your hair, make sure that you don’t stay under the heat too long. Over drying will dehydrate your hair, leave it crispy, take out all your moisture and make your hair more liable to break. Make sure to keep checking your hair while you dry and time it if possible so you can get a feel for how long you can stay under the dryer
If you must use artificial methods to dry your hair, make sure that you don’t stay under the heat too long. Over drying will dehydrate your hair, leave it crispy, take out all your moisture and make your hair more liable to break. Make sure to keep checking your hair while you dry and time it if possible so you can get a feel for how long you can stay under the dryer
That’s it! Those are my simple rules for
protecting your hair from over-manipulation when stretching your relaxers.
Remember every strand is precious!
Phew… that’s a lot of typing, I hope I’ve
given you some good information. Let me know in the comments if you have any
questions or comment and remember… Let’s Grow Naija Hair!
