20 Apr 2013

Maintaining Healthy Hair


Hello Divas,

Whiteroses welcomes you to this new issue… As she brings your way, valuable information on maintaining healthy hair.

Our hair is of great importance to us. It is our covering and “Crown of Glory” There is an onus on us to keep it healthy and neat at all times.

Our African hair is peculiar in nature. African hair is thicker, with tighter and smaller curls, and grows more slowly; contains less water, and breaks more easily than Caucasian and Asian hair. African hair comes in a variety of textures, ranging from kinky, coarse, to straight.

 
Taking care of your natural hair is the foundation for a healthy and beautiful hair.  Research has shown that some ways of maintaining our natural hair include:
1.   Washing and conditioning. This should be done with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner; every 10 to 14 days using good quality products formulated for your hair’s texture. To prevent moisture loss, look for natural moisturizers in the ingredients list, such as shea butter, olive, avocado, argan, coconut, and jojoba oils. Avoid shampoos and conditioners that contain parabens, phthalates, or petrochemicals.  
2.   As you wash and condition the hair, keep it from becoming tangled. Do this by gently shampooing hair at the scalp and not on the strands, and allow shampoo to wash down the length of your hair as you rinse. When applying conditioner, apply to strands rather than the scalp. Let your hair absorb conditioner for two to three minutes before rinsing (check the directions on conditioner bottle) to ensure your hair reaps its benefits.
3.   Never rub a towel against the hair. This will result in frizz and damage. Gently pat the hair with a towel to stop the dripping. Microfiber towels work best.
4.  Comb through hair with a wide-toothed comb while hair is damp. When hair is damp/wet it is very fragile, so be gentle when you comb it. Use a spray bottle filled with water to re-wet hair if needed as dry hair is more difficult to manage and detangle. Let the hair air dry, or blow-dry it.

Perms, hair relaxers, and hair color products are a great way to enhance your style, but remember that chemicals weaken your hair. In order to ensure that your hair stays healthy, it is important to follow a beauty routine that nourishes and strengthens your locks.
1.   Do not over-process your hair. While it is tempting to re-apply relaxer each time you visit your salon, you need to go five to six weeks before having another touch-up. Do not get your hair colored the same day you apply or re-apply relaxer as this will weaken your hair.
2.   Limit use of the blow dryer, curling iron, or flat iron. Using these tools everyday will weaken your hair follicles, and your hair will lose its sheen and will be more susceptible to breakage.
3.    Make sure you use a restorative hair treatment (hair mask, leave-in conditioner, or hair oil) to combat damage caused by chemicals and heat.

Also—
·         Flaunt a repertoire of silk scarves. Silk scarves are traditionally used to maintain moisture and hair styling in African hair. Wrap one around your head before you go to bed; it will hold the moisture and your hair in place until morning. For those  who have a tendency to pull scarf off in the middle of the night, try a silk pillow.

·         Get in touch with your scissors. In order for your hair to grow, you need to keep the ends of it clipped on a regular basis. Therefore, once a month, you should visit your stylist for a haircut or let a friend clip your ends.

·         Let your hair breath. Avoid making your hair almost immediately after your lose it. Give it a week to “take in some fresh air” and grow. If you have short hair, you can make a simple pony tail, this way, you can pack it.

·         Watch your accessories. Rubber bands, barrettes and hair clips can break off African hair. Therefore, use them sparingly. Try to beautify your hair without all of the fuss.

·         Use henna dyes. Dyes can be harsh and dry out African hair. Ones made of henna are plant-based and do less damage.

Try these beauty tips, there’s nothing to lose anyway ;)

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