Braided Folk
Anybody out there growing an afro? Natural hair folks out there?
Okay so I really want my afro to grow. But it grows the most right in the middle and the sides and back take a long time to grow. So i have a little fro it's about 4 inches at the top and 3 inches on the sides and the back. It's growing really really slow. I've been using V05 moisturing shampoo and conditoner, but I don't know if it's the best for my hair. My hair is not really nappy but it's thick and curly. And it's very soft. I have no idea what to use on it, and what to do to make it grow faster and healthier. I put twistes in it sometimes and sometimes I braid it. But as soon as I put them in I miss my natural hair. It putting the twist and braids in my hair bad for growth? In order for it to grow faster should I just wear it natural everyday? i have twist in now. Should I take them out tonight?
There are many websites and message boards where you can learn how to take care of your hair and get advice from other naturals. You can also try youtube and you'll come across many videos from other naturals.
Hair growth is pre-determined by your genes and nothing can make it grow faster than it's supposed to. On average, hair grows 1/2 inch per month, or 6 inches per year. I went natural last summer and my hair is about 3 1/2 - 4 inches. I used to use V05 moisture milks before I switchd to a no-shampoo product line. V05 was probably the best shampoo I used since becoming natural. Many naturals don't use shampoo though because it dries out the hair and natural hair needs the moisture.
Twists, cornrows, and flat twists are very popular styles for naturals. These styles along with braids, wigs, weaves, and buns are considered protective styles. Protective styles are styles that protect your hair from daily styling/brushing/combing because these things break off your hair. It's not the dirt from dirty hair that helps hair grow, but the actual non-manipulation of the hair that keeps it from breaking off. Many people mistake length retention and quicker hair growth from scalp. The only reason it *seems* like hair is growing faster with braids is because that style is keeping you from breaking off your hair from constant manipulation, thus, helping you retain the length and growth you have. There is a myth that many people have about dirt making the hair grow, this isn't true and your hair is not a plant. Plus, dirty hair is gross and unsanitary and you should wash it even while it's in weave/braids/twists/cornrows, because if you don't then it can become matted, tangled and break off when you take it down.
Not wearing your hair natural would probably be flat ironing. Wearing twists and braids would still be natural - it just not a loose natural hairstyle. Just make sure those twists and braids and such aren't too tight or you could end up damaging your hair and scalp. I don't put any styles in my hair, i just wear it in a curly fro, but I don't manipulate it everyday, either.
Whether or not you comb your hair everyday will depend on your hair texture. Some people's hair tangles and form little knots on the ends easily. Mine doesn't do that, so I comb my hair probably once a week to detangle. Other than that I get up, add water, add moisturizer, and use olive oil to seal the moisture, and go. But, I also put coconut oil in my hair every night before bed because I play in my hair a lot so this keeps it from getting dry while I play with it and when I do find little knots in my hair they're very easy to get out with the oil. But, my hair doesn't form a lot of knots and doesn't tangle easily so I can go longer than some without combing my hair.
Natural butters like shea butter and natural oils (olive oil, jojoba, coconut, grapeseed, etc) are good for your hair. In their natural state is when they are best. Shea butter is extremely moisturizing. There is also mango butter, cocoa butter, avocado oil, aloe vera gel and many others you can buy and use on your hair in their natural state. You can also find these ingredients mixed in other products but if you read the ingredients list you'll see that very small proportions of these ingredients are included in the product, so you'll be better off just buying them in their natural state. You can mix them together and mix them with your other hair products. I add olive oil to my moisturizers and conditioners for added moisture. Many people make their own products out of these natural ingredients. You can find many of them at local health foods stores, grocery stores, and, of course, online.
http://www.motowngirl.com
http://forum.blackhairmedia.com
http://www.nappturality.com
http://www.longhaircareforum.com
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