It is true that many African American men and women struggle to grow strong, healthy hair.
Even though breakage is common, there are some things you can do, and products you can use to help you get and keep your hair strong and healthy.
In this article, we’ll examine some of the hair growth methods.
African American Hair Care: How to Grow Your Hair
There are many things you can do to protect black hair and help it grow thicker and healthier. Here are some of the most effective steps you should take to care for your hair:
#1: Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!
There are several different types of black hair. Each hair type has its own unique needs. However, most African American hair does tend to be dry. The drier your hair, the more likely it is to break off.
To help your hair grow, you want to keep it moisturized. When you shampoo your hair, the product cleans your hair. But the cleaning process also strips away oils that keep your hair hydrated. After shampooing, make sure you add moisture back to your hair and scalp to prevent damage and breakage.
You should condition your hair every time you shampoo. Also, you should do deep conditioning treatments regularly. Depending on your hair type, you may choose to do deep conditioning treatments once or twice a month. Shea products are important moisturizing options to add to your routine. You might also use products like argan oil or castor oil to help the appearance and feel of your hair. Find the ones that work for you. Choose those that do not weigh your hair down.
#2: Use “Clean” Beauty Products
Since black hair can be prone to dryness, it’s important to use products that are effective, and safe for you.
When looking for the best hair care products, you should try to find clean products. “Clean” is an industry-standard term that refers to products that do not contain proven or suspected toxic ingredients, such as sulfates and parabens, among others.
Try to AVOID both sulfates and parabens in your products. Many store-bought hair care products contain ingredients like sulfates and parabens, which can negatively affect your hair and health.
Sulfates, for instance, create the lathering effect when you shampoo, yet they can be very harsh on your hair, causing it to dry out and break.
Parabens are water-soluble chemicals that protect products from microbial and fungal infections. While preservatives are important to keep products safe longer, parabens may affect your health negatively.
#3: Nourish Your Body… Yes, That’s Right, Your Body!
If you are healthy overall, you will grow healthy hair. If you are exhausted or stressed, or if you suffer other medical conditions, you will see the effects in your hair as well. When you treat your body well, your hair will look good, too.
Here’s what you can do to help your hair:
- Eat a healthy diet that’s full of vitamins and nutrients.
- Stay hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water per day.
- Get plenty of sleep. Experts recommend 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
- Manage your stress with activities like exercise and meditation.
The more you nourish your body, the more you’ll nourish your hair. If you’ve noticed a change in your hair’s health, take a look at your lifestyle. There may be ways you can improve how you care for yourself that will help your hair, too.
#4: Take Care of Your Scalp. It’s the Source of Hair
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Your scalp is where your hair comes from: if it’s damaged, clogged or inflamed, your hair will stop growing.
Taking care of your scalp is just as important as taking care of the skin on the rest of your body. Here are some of the issues that can negatively affect the scalp:
- Dryness: Your scalp can experience dryness, just like the skin on your body. This may cause your hair to break. Keep your scalp moisturized
- Product/oil buildup: Products, oil, and dead skin cells can build up on your scalp, preventing hair from growing. When you shampoo, make sure to massage the scalp to help wash those culprits down the drain
- Stress: Stress produces free radicals which can damage your scalp cells. Free radicals can affect your hair before it emerges from your scalp, causing thinning and premature balding.
There are many issues that can affect your scalp and, as such, your hair growth. Exfoliate, nurture and moisturize your scalp once a month. Fortunately, Mereltä, a once-a-day weightless serum, can help improve your scalp health, leading to healthier, thicker hair.
Let’s take a look at how Mereltä helped improve hair growth for Aneetrai:
Case Study: Aneetrai’s Hair Growth Success
Aneetrai first started using Root Renewal serum, Mereltä’s scalp treatment, to address serious hair loss at the edges and hairline.
Before using Mereltä’s Root Renewal serum, Aneetrai's hair loss was so pronounced that she even considered surgery. With little hair growth, she could not pull her hair back into braids. Also, she was seeing constant breakage which stopped hair growth.
After doing her research, Aneetrai decided to start with Mereltä instead. Mereltä’s Root Renewal is a plant-based, safe, topical scalp treatment that promotes hair growth. Aneetrai promised herself to be patient and diligent in applying Root Renewal serum daily for several months. Even if it took a while to enjoy new hair growth, Aneetrai kept at it. The results of this scalp treatment were astounding to her, and now, Aneetrai enjoys peace of mind and healthier, thicker hair.
Her hair has grown to the point that she can pull it back into braids with the rest of her hair.
“Mereltä is a genie in a bottle. It works like a charm.”
Aneetrai
Black Hair Growth: Final Thoughts
To achieve hair growth, you should:
- Keep your hair moisturized
- Use clean beauty products.
- Nourish your body from the inside out
- Take good care of your scalp
If you are experiencing thinning hair, hair loss, or fragile hair, Mereltä can help. A clean and safe hair growth product, Mereltä has helped black women's hair and women's tightly coiled hair to regrow. Try it today!