Our hair can grow long.
African hair can grow long.
Whether it is the softest, fluffy natural hair or thin but coarse,
brittle natural hair or relaxed hair; our hair can grow long.
It just takes understanding and doing the basics to grow our hair
long.
It’s not easy though because one slip up and we easily find our
hair breaking and at worst falling off.
If hair growth seems to have reached a plateau and it won’t grow
beyond a certain length or it just keeps breaking no matter what
treatments are done, a good starting point is to have a trim. Chop
off 0.5cm to 1cm!
Split hair is compromised and if the split part isn’t cut off it causes
a split right to the bottom of the hair and the entire hair will
eventually, break off.
Our hair naturally gets split ends every 3 – 4 months from normal
daily wear and friction and lack of moisture. We therefore need
to trim our hair every 3 – 4 months if we want to see
growth. Yes, we have to cut it to maintain its length. The period is
shorter for relaxed hair, relaxed hair must be trimmed every 2 – 3
months.
Our hair grows between 0.5cm – 1.2cm a month. But most of us
don’t see this growth because our hair ends break off faster than it
grows. It breaks off because of split ends.
Split ends are not easy to identify, we all get them. The curlier, the
more coily, kinky the hair, the easier it develops split ends.
If we make it a habit to cut 0.5cm – 1cm every 3 – 4 months, we
have a better chance of experiencing about 2cm growth every 3
months, that means we could have upto 8cm of healthy growth a
year!
Here is our recommended basic hair regimen for hair growth:
1. Start with a trim. Trim 0.5cm – 1cm of hair
2. Deep condition hair weekly, interchanging between a
moisturising deep conditioning treatment and a protein deep
conditioning treatment.
3.Moisturise and seal hair daily or every second day, according to
your hair’s needs, if you have your hair out.
4. Put your hair in a protective style every two weeks, or else
touching and styling it every day causes wear and tear that causes
split ends. When hair is in a protective style like cornrows, try not
to keep them longer than 4 weeks, 6 weeks max. Ideally 2 weeks
5. Avoid using heat for styling such as hand-held blow dryers or
straightening irons. Heat can cause hair to burn at worst or at the
very least it dries out hair, dry hair will develop split ends
6. Trim hair every 3 – 4 months, you can push it to 6 months if you
have been diligent about moisturising and sealing.
Conditioning is probably the most important part of our washing routine, in fact it’s probably the most important part of our hair care routine. Conditioning does more than just restore the moisture that was stripped from shampooing.
Applying a conditioner to your hair literally conditions your hair to improve its texture and appearance to one that is smoother and naturally shiny, see below how it does this.
Here are 6 reasons why you should not skip conditioning your hair:
- PH Balance – In its best state, the human hair and scalp has a pH between 4.5 and 5.5, this is slightly acidic. Washing your hair causes an imbalance in pH because water alone has an alkaline pH of 6 – 8.5. Conditioning restores this balance because conditioners have an acidic pH of between 4 – 5.5. This closes hair cuticles to stop hair from losing moisture that our naturally dry hair needs.
- Detangling – Our naturally coily hair tangles easily and this can result in hair loss through breakage. The best time to detangle hair is when it’s wet and protected by a layer of conditioning agents so it breaks less and experiences less damage because there is less friction than when it is dry. This also reduces the risk of split ends caused by friction.
- Promotes Elasticity – Conditioning hair results in improved elasticity, which prevents breakage. It does this by locking moisture within cuticles making hair flexible. Dry hair tends to be brittle and snaps easily when under tension.
- Natural Shine – A natural shine is what we are after. Conditioning leaves hair with a lustrous natural shine by smoothing and laying cuticles flat. Raised or open cuticles give hair a dull appearance and rough feel. Conditioner closes cuticles. This smoothening process that lays down the cuticles gives hair its natural shine and a smooth texture.
- Strengthens Hair – When conditioner is applied to hair, protein and moisture are deposited into hair strands, this strengthens hair against damage of daily handling and styling.
- Moisturises Hair – Kinky, coily, curly hair is naturally dry, it is not able to moisturise hair strands on its own, as is the case with straighter hair. Our natural hair requires an infusion of moisture often. For hair to remain moisturised, moisture must be sealed or closed within cuticle, conditioning does this, it closes cuticle and keeps moisture in the hair. Moisturised hair is softer to the touch and flexible to avoid breaking.
Our Amina Deep Penetrating Moisturising Conditioner is the best deep conditioner for deeply moisturising, hydrating and softening the kinkiest, moist coily of 4c/z hair! It rewards your coils like no other. It is a thick, creamy conditioner, formulated with concentrated natural oils and natural conditioning agents that are extremely beneficial and responsive to kinky dry hair.
Why Deep Condition?
All hair types require deep conditioning or treatments or masks. But for African hair, deep conditioning or treating your hair is the most important thing you can do. It is a must to deep condition African hair, whether natural or relaxed, once a week. African hair is naturally dry and brittle and needs extra attention and assistance to thrive. Deep condition makes sure hair gets the moisture boost, nourishment and strengthening it needs to be soft and smooth. Deep conditioning is a process where a concentrated conditioner or treatment is applied to the hair and left on the hair for a period ranging from 20mins to 60mins. This is to ensure that the product gets into the hair. Most other products are applied and sit on the hair, not penetrate it. The length of time, plus heat ensure that deep conditioning happens.
How To Deep Condition Using Amina Deep Penetrating Moisturising Conditioner
There are several ways to deeply condition hair, but what is common amongst these methods is the stimulation heat. Heat encourages the hair cuticle to open up allowing the conditioner to PENETRATE each hair, ensuring silkier and hydrated hair strands.
Step 1: Cleanse Hair
The best way to use the Deep Penetrating Conditioner to deep condition is after you have washed your hair with a shampoo. Clarify your hair only when necessary or once a month, using raw and unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (mixed with water) or a clarifying shampoo. Washing removes product build up allowing for easier penetration of the conditioner into your hair.
Step 2: Apply Conditioner Generously
After washing and rinsing shampoo, apply a very generous amount of conditioner to dripping wet hair. Do not dry your hair after rinsing off your shampoo.
Note: For that extra WOW FACTOR, simply add a small amount of our AfroBotanics Mukaya African Oil Blend to your conditioner in your hand before applying to wet, it is a blend of Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Marula Oil and Baobab Oil.
Step 3: Activate Conditioner Using Heat
Methods to Activate Heat:
- Heat Cap: the heat cap is an all-time favourite as it requires the least admin, and at R600.00 max, is worth the purchase. After applying the Deep Penetrating Conditioner put on a shower cap, and on top of the shower cap use a headscarf to protect the shower cap from melting from the heat of the heat cap. Put the heat on the highest level, bringing it down as time passes. Sit for 20 minutes, cool-off and rinse off the conditioner.
- Steamer: highly effective and worth the once off purchase of about R1200.00. We love the steamer because it really opens up the hair cuticles allowing for maximum moisture penetration. After applying the Deep Penetrating Conditioner, sit under the steamer for approximately 20-25 minutes, do not cover hair. Ensure to have a towel, as water will drop from the steamer. Cool-off then rinse off the conditioner.
- Hooded Dryer: So there are two kinds. There’s the one which we are familiar with and have probably used a few times, the one available at the salons – more professional. Then there’s the smaller portable one with a hair bonnet that needs you to connect your blow dryer to it. However they work similarly. After applying the Deep Penetrating Conditioner, put on shower cap and sit under the professional dryer, or connect your blow dryer to the end of the hair bonnet hooded dryer for 20 – 25 minutes. Cool-off then rinse off the conditioner.
Moisturizing Low Porosity Hair Using the Baggy Method
There is probably one word that we keep hearing as naturals; in fact we could probably start a petition to have it be our official ‘natural’ word, “moisture”. If you don’t already, you should learn how to love this word, because you will hear it a lot, and besides you should know by now that moisture is key to growing hair. But many of us struggle with retaining moisture and frequently ask ‘how or where can I get moisture’, ‘what products can I use to acquire moisture’, or ‘what’s the secret ingredient for moisture’.
Today we are going deep into the Baggy Method, which is a highly recommended moisture infusion method for low porosity hair. Low porosity simply means that your hair struggles to absorb any moisture, even from water-based products, products just sit on the hair and does not saturate or penetrate into the hair shaft, it’s hair that is prone to dryness. Although it struggles to absorb water and let water into the cuticle, this hair type retains water the longest once water gets through. High porosity hair has cuticles that are open that let water in and out easily, it is also prone to dryness. Normal porosity hair has cuticles that are open just enough to let water in and keep in for a certain period.
The Baggy method, which may not work for all, but is worth the experiment, is one-way to maintaining luscious and hydrated low porosity coils. It combines extremely simple steps and is only a plus to your already existing hair regimen. Okay, so it’s similar to deep conditioning and doesn’t require any extra effort, but it does deliver the much-needed nutrients your hair needs. It is advised that you add this method as part of your washday routine. Start on the day you wash your hair as your hair will be clean.
For best results, do it twice a week for 4 weeks at a time. Or do it daily for a week and you will see a different in the moisture content of your low porosity hair.
There are two ways to go about it, depending on what is suffering the most. 1. Ends or 2. All-over. If you spot that your ends are splitting, dry or brittle, then the emphasis should be on your ends. However, your whole head could benefit from it.
Dos:
- Use Apple Cider Vinegar, mixed with water to clarify and to remove any product build-up.
- Apply and rinse out conditioner like our Black Pearl Hydrating Conditioner. Or Amina Deep Penetrating Moisturising Conditioner
Side note: you can do this method on damp hair, however, you are likely to sweat and your hair might not dry. If your hair is not fully dry by the end of the method, you have probably lost some moisture.
- After leaving your hair to dry naturally but damp, section hair, and apply EITHER a dab of the Afrobotanics Nehanda Leave-In Conditioner or Black Pearl Hair Juice
- Seal the moisturizer in with a blend of oils (Afrobotanics Mukaya Oil Blend).
- You can do a braid out, twist out or whichever protective style to your liking. You can also tie the ends together, using hair ties (but not too tightly).
- Apply a plastic cap
- Apply head scarf for security
- Leave products on hair for 3-4 hours, or over night. But not longer than this because it is important that your hair gets to breathe!
- Undo protective style and style your hair as your like.
If this method is not a success with you, don’t worry; we will be posting about other methods that can help your hair retain moisture and ultimate growth, just stay tuned!
Have you tried the Baggy Method? If so, please let us know how did it go in the comments section below.
Lately protective hairstyles trends are just booming, and even when you already have a protective style you just can’t wait to have the next one done.
Protective styles are a great way to shield your hair from damage, especially the ends. A protective style is a style that keeps you from touching your hair daily and keeps the ends of your hair tucked away. The ends are the oldest parts of our hair therefore constantly manipulating hair without giving it a break can cause hair ends and the rest of your hair to weaken.
Damage to our hair can happen easily, by combing and styling it daily, we compromise our hair. So if you want healthier and longer hair, you have to put your hair in a protective style for 1 week to 6 weeks depending on the style.
Protective styles are necessary and applicable to those who wear their hair natural and those that relax their hair.
Examples of stylish and trendy protective styles:
- Box braid (can last for 4 – 6 weeks)
- Wigs (protective style under the wig)
- Cornrows
- Bantu Knots
- Crotchet Braids
- Weaves
- Twists with own hair
- Pigtails that tuck away the ends
- Up-dos like buns
However, it’s imperative that we follow the right regimen before we put our hair into a protective style. When our hair is ‘protected’ it is not easy to get the much-needed moisture to the hair and could end up drying out. Dry hair is susceptible to split ends and breakage, defeating the whole purpose of putting our hair in a protective style. That’s why we have put together this guide of what you can do before a protective style in order to ensure your hair emerges healthier and longer after the protective style.
- Pre-Poo
Wet your hair. Apply the AfroBotanics Amina Deep Penetrating Conditioner/Black Pearl Hydrating Conditioner before you shampoo your hair, cover with a plastic shower cap and leave for 20 -30 minutes. An alternative is to apply the Mukaya 5-in-1 Oil Blend, cover with a plastic shower cap and leave for 20 – 30 minutes before shampooing. These methods infuse extra moisture before you strip some moisture from your hair by shampooing, leaving it less dryer.
- Cleanse Hair
Wash your hair using the Black Pearl Sulfate – Free Shampoo to remove all product build up and dirt. Leaving you with a head of fresh hair that is ready to absorb moisture.
- Deep Condition
Deep Conditioning is one of the most efficient ways to get the most out of your conditioner. It is extremely hydrating and leaves your hair softer, shinier and with added elasticity, making your hair less prone to breakage. Rinse out.
- Moisturize
The L.O.C Method will leave you with the most satisfying results. What is this? Apply our Nehanda Leave-In Conditioner to damp hair to moisturize hair, followed by the Mukaya 5-in-1 Oil Blend to seal in the moisture while providing your hair with nutrients. End this method off with our Asantewaa African Triple Butter to ensure that your hair is protected and does not lose any moisture. Then detangle or comb hair and partition braid hair in twists or pondos until it dries or overnight.
If you have HIGH POROSITY HAIR, that is hair that loses moisture quickly, then consider doing this step twice before braiding, so do the first L.O.C. two days before going to braid, and then L.O.C. again the night before you go braid.
- Stretch
Stretch your hair without any heat by braiding it or doing twists the night before you have your hair braided. Doing braid out is the most successful method to stretch our hair. It will make it simpler for you when you comb-out your hair before the protective style. Your hair needs to be stretched to ensure that it all gets tucked in, which is essential to it being protected.
NB: Don’t forget to hydrate your hair during the protective style using our AfroBotanics Modjadji Braid Spray or Black Pearl Hair Juice. This will you’re your hair moisturized and nourished and will also minimize breakage when unbraiding and keep your style looking fresher and desirable for longer. Also remember to apply our Asantewaa African Triple Butter to your scalp every few days to maintain a healthy and clean scalp.
What are your current favorite and most successful protective styles? Drop us a picture in the comments section below, to give others some ideas.
AfroBotanics hosts second Annual ‘My Beautiful Life Workshop’ 21 September 2019.
Last year we hosted our first workshop, a first experience at wanting to do something different, put the women in our community at the centre and empower them by giving them tools to define for themselves what a fulfilling, successful and beautiful life is to them. Women have to learn to fill their cups first before they can fill the cups of those around them.
At our 2018 workshop we had 60 women, young and old, at different places in their careers and personal lives and each woman walked away with the ability to assess the state of their lives and determine where they want go, and were given tools to define where they want to go and how to overcome the fear to start with that change.
Rachel Nyaradzo Adams, renowned international leadership coach led the half-day session, and it was impactful. And this year we want to do more and go deeper and hopefully make it a journey beyond the one-day workshop.
From my own experience I know that change is hard. Life forces change upon us but it is often difficult and very scary for us to take the decision to change.
One day you go to bed content with yourself, content with life, and the next day you wake up with a hint of discontent.
The discontent grows, seemingly with no cause no root and we often don’t know where to start. When I look back now I am tempted to feel as though I wasted 4 years of my life swimming in discontent because I didn’t know where I want to be and how to begin to figure it out.
- Sometimes we know we need to change but don’t know how or are downright terrified of change.
- Other times we feel unhappy about where we are at but have no idea where we want to be or who we want to be.
- Concepts such as ‘self-love’ and ‘authenticity’ are thrown around everywhere and they have no resonance with us, we have no idea where to start.
We start looking outside of ourselves in books, podcasts, the lives of public figures, we attend talks by successful people and still, we don’t find the spark of inspiration that lasts long enough to see us make serious change.
We are here to learn and grow, everybody gets pushed by life to grow and change, every single person. We either determine (as much as we can) where we want our lives to go and are deliberate about change and respond to our need for change or life happens to us and pushes change upon us.
This year we have an all-day workshop planned with some amazing, experienced practitioners in life-coaching, personal development, leadership development and alignment experts.
Date: 21 September 2019
Time: 07h00 – 17h00
Venue: The Orchards Executive Guest House, 46 Allan Rd, Glen Austin, Midrand
Price: R400.00 per person (breakfast, lunch and snacks incl) PLUS a free book “Unbecoming
to Become” by Ayanda Borotho.
This workshop will not only change your life through concepts I and thousands have used successfully, but you will have a template on which to work from to make sure you fulfill your vision 2020.
Executive Life Coaches:
- Jacqueline Freemantle: Master CCE ILDP International Coach
- Akhona Ngcobo: Enneagram Practitioner and Transformation Coach
- Brian Ntshangase: Meditation Facilitator and Energetic Healer
- Ayanda Borotho: Actress, Author, Transformation Practitioner
Click on the link below to purchase tickets.
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/83186-the-2nd-annual-afrobotanics-my-be-you-tiful-life-event/
Our hair structure is mostly a fibrous protein called keratin.And the best way we can help strengthen our hair is through doing protein treatments.Those who relax their hair or chemically color it, should do protein treatments more often,but those who keep their hair natural should also factor in a protein treatment.
Our hair loses protein almost every day, but this sometimes gets put back by the products we use.Most products will contain ingredients that have some protein, like avocado oil has a smallamount of protein. However, every day use products usually do not have enough protein to compensate for protein we lose through every day activities.
We lose protein when we handle our hair, when we comb, brush and style our hair. We lose protein when our hair rubs against our jackets and polo necks. We lose protein and moisture due to dry air created by heaters and heating air conditioners that we use more of in winter. We lose protein almost daily and eventually our hair starts to suffer.
Signs Your Hair Needs Protein:
– Low elasticity: when you stretch your hair, whether wet or dry, and it doesn’t snap back or returnto its natural state or curl pattern
– Limpness: when your hair feels limp, stringy or gummy when wet
– Dryness: When your hair is excessively dry and you have tried deep moisturising conditioning treatments
If you like to use a blow dryer, a curling iron or a straightening iron on your hair, then look our for these signs often to protein treat on time.
How Often Should You Do A Protein Treatment?
When misused, too much protein on hair will cause hair to be stiff, brittle and break.Every head of hair differs and the balancing of moisture and protein in your hair care regimewill differ from the next person. But as a rule of thumb, a good hair regime factors in a protein treatment once every 4 – 6 weeks. If you use heat often, colour dye your hair or wash your hair often you may consider factoring in a protein treatment more sooner. Heat styling and handling hair often cause the protein bonds to have holes and therefore require aprotein treatment more often.
Should I Do A Protein Treatment When I Do Protective Styles Often In Winter?
Winter is the perfect time to do protective styles not only is it convenient but comfortable as it keeps our heads warmer. Protective styling when done well can help retain hair lengthand it is always a good idea to do a protein treatment followed by a moisturizing treatment between protective styles OR if you keep your braids for longer than 4 weeks, then definitely do a protein treatment