Tap to Read ➤

Hair Growth Tips for African Americans

Sonia Nair
African-American hair is difficult to manage and grow. Here are some tips to boost hair growth in African-Americans.
African Americans have brittle hair, though it appears coarse and thick. Being curly, it is difficult for the oil from the scalp to reach the hair tips. This makes the hair dry, frizzy and brittle; and difficult to manage. Hair loss and thinning is very common in these people. However, proper hair care may prove beneficial for making their hair strong and healthy.

Tips for Hair Growth in African Americans
African-American hair is difficult to manage, due to its texture and constitution. Apart from that, poor hair care and excessive or improper use of hair care products add up to their woes. Regular straightening, blow drying, perming, and use of wigs make the situation worse.
In short, health and growth of hair depends on factors, like proper nutrition, proper hair care, individual health condition, hereditary factors, and lifestyle. Here are some guidelines for managing this type of hair and for boosting its growth.
• A healthy diet is very important, as far as the health of the hair is concerned. Your diet must supply you with sufficient amounts of vitamin E, B vitamins, vitamin C, beta carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, sulfur, zinc, and silica.
You may consult your health care provider and start multivitamin supplements, as per his instructions. Biotin is also said to be useful for hair growth.
• Proper hair care is essential for all hair types, but is more vital for African-American hair, which is difficult to manage. It includes regular oiling, washing and moisturizing.
• Instead of using the traditional petroleum-based hair greases and hair lotions with mineral oils; opt for natural oils, like coconut oil, olive oil and jojoba oil. Shea butter is found to effective for this purpose. Also try good quality moisturizing products, that are meant for African-American hair.
• Wash the hair at least once a week. Use a shampoo, which is specially meant for African-American hair. Never forget to use a conditioner, after washing. Leave-in hair conditioners are best suited for this type of hair.
• Reserve blow drying for special occasions. Instead, use a towel to dry the hair. Use a wide-toothed comb for detangling, or else, gently insert your fingers into the hair and loosen the knots.
• Avoid use of hair care products with harsh chemicals, because they may cause irreparable harm. Hair care products with the following ingredients must be avoided at any cost.
They include chemicals, like methyl-, propyl-, butyl-, and ethyl-paraben; polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, synthetic colors, DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine), TEA (triethanolmine) and isopropyl alcohol.
• Oil massage can work wonders for African-American hair. Use warm coconut oil or olive oil for this purpose. Gently rub the oil on the scalp and keep it overnight, before washing the hair using a shampoo. You can repeat the process every month.
• Avoid regular use of heating devices, like flat iron, hair straighteners and blow dryer. Never forget to trim the hair, every two to three months. This will be useful to get rid of split ends. Cover your hair, while going out in the sun, and during sleep. If you are using cotton pillows, use a silk scarf to cover the hair.
When compared to men, women tend to keep long hair. So they have to be more careful, in order to maintain the health of their hair. Hormone changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy and menopause, affect the growth of hair in women. Refrain from using hair extensions and avoid tight braids.
Above all, adopt a healthy lifestyle; and quit smoking and excess alcohol consumption. Regular exercise, good sleep, and increased intake of water and fluids, may also prove beneficial. Stress relief techniques, like yoga, may work wonders for boosting hair health.
In case of excessive hair loss and thinning, consult a doctor to rule out the possibility of any underlying medical condition.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.