HOW TO KEEP OUR NATURAL HAIR HEALTHY AND BEAUTIFUL.

Natural hair has become an overnight sensation and we cannot help but agree that it is so amazing to have natural hair. It might be because you are going back to your roots, trying a new look, or you’re simply done with harsh relaxers - keeping natural hair has become the lifestyle for many women. It takes a lot of effort to take care of natural hair, such as the right advice, products and diet, that will ensure you are on your way to beautiful healthy natural hair.

Here are steps to a healthy and beautiful natural hair.

1. Nourishment
Just as we are what we eat, so is our hair. Healthy meals such as fruits and vegetables nourish the hair follicles and also promote hair growth with strong strands. Drink plenty of water. No matter how unappealing vegetables may be to you, the best way you can consume them is by mixing with fruits and blending them into a smoothie. Not only is it tastier, it is more nourishing than cooked vegetables.

2. Go easy on the heat
Too much heat when blow drying will result in damaged hair. Once you use excessive heat on your hair, getting it back to its natural state becomes problematic. Intense heat results in dryness, brittle hair and split ends that cause breakage. To prevent damage from heat ensure that your hair is properly hydrated by using hydrating shampoos and conditioners.

3. Regular hair and scalp cleansing
Hair requires a clean environment for it to properly flourish. When dirt builds up on the scalp, pores and follicles become clogged, essentially resulting in an unhealthy and delayed growth. Cleansing the hair and scalp using a good shampoo gets rid of dirt build up.

4. Practice fingertip cleansing
The scalp can feel itchy from time to time and we take the opportunity to scratch it during wash days to relieve itchiness. Cleansing the scalp using fingernails to remove build up and ease itchiness is not advisable as it could result in unnecessary damage. The pressure applied on the scalp while cleansing should arise from the fingertips and should be minimal.

5. Deep conditioning
Deep conditioning ensures moisture retention. It should be done after cleansing. Some people opt to deep-condition their hair overnight. This is unnecessary as it can lead to over processed hair, leading to damage. Ideally, you should not deep condition longer than is instructed.

6. Moisturizing
After thoroughly detangling hair from the ends, working your way up to the roots, you need to
moisturize. The most effective way to retain moisture is by applying your moisturizer on damp hair. Apply a leave-in conditioner prior to moisturizing followed by a seal in moisture like oil to render your hair manageable.

7. Protect your hair
Get regular trims to get rid of split ends. Wearing protective styles keeps your hair tucked in for weeks on end without combing. For this reason, you will notice length and volume retention. Ensure that you always protect your hair before going to bed by wrapping it in a satin bonnet or a silk scarf.

By Firdausi Musa Dantsoho