7 Ways to Get (and Keep) Your Natural Hair Healthy

Like the meme says, “I make hair contact before I make eye contact.” That’s a fact. Your hair is your crown. Really, it shares a story before people even get a chance to hear you speak. When ladies and gentlemen come to our salon, we make sure they leave feeling and looking great, but also have a clear understanding of what they should be doing to maintain their natural, healthy hair. If you are looking to learn how to maintain your natural hair, here are 7 things everyone should do as part of their hair care routine.

1. Protect your hair from damage

Wrap your hair when necessary. For the most part, people have the knowledge that wrapping your hair at night is an essential part to the hair care routine, but what you wrap it in is even more important. At night, make sure you protect your hair by wrapping it in a silk or satin bonnet. Now, if you’re one of those “wild” sleepers that wake up asking, “Where did my bonnet go?”, don’t worry, a silk or satin pillowcase works just as well. Whether a silk or satin bonnet or pillowcase, what this does is protect your hair from losing its moisture at night, unlike cotton pillowcases that tend to soak up the moisture from your hair.

2. Based on style/ need to moisturize your hair using light weight products.

This is a fact: heavier products will weigh your hair down. Unfortunately, the heavier the product the more it creates buildup which can lead to an itchy scalp and greasy hair. Nobody wants that! A helpful tip and reminder to maintain your natural hair is to make sure the products aren’t weighing your hair down. Coconut oil, jojoba oil and olive oil are great light weight product solutions to help you achieve this goal.  

3. Detangle your hair when necessary to avoid breakage. 

Your hair tends to lose between 50 to 100 hairs per day. If you aren’t regularly detangling your hair, the easier it is to matte and tangle. The more tangled your hair is, the harder it is to comb through it without breaking pieces off.

One helpful tip for detangling is by putting a quarter-size amount of conditioner onto your strands before starting the process. Once applied, make sure you take small sections, starting at the ends and slowly and very gently working your way up. Never go from the root straight down to the ends of your strands. This method moisturizes your hair and gives your hair enough slip to detangle while avoiding breakage.

4. Keep your hands out of your hair 

We know, we know - this is easier said than done, especially when you want to whip your hair back and forth, but this is a must. Over manipulation is the direct cause of damage, frizz and split ends. Once your hair is styled, let the style speak for itself. Please, keep your hands out of your hair and don’t try to over manipulate it. 

5. Protein treatments

Just like your body needs protein to feel strong, your hair does too! Your hair is made up of a protein called keratin. When you get protein treatments, it boosts the hair with a variety of nutrients and proteins to help reconstruct and strengthen your hair strands. Your hair could go from limp and lifeless to lively and luscious in just one sitting.

6. Good diet

Of course, there are so many factors that affect maintaining healthy hair (especially genetics), but maintaining a healthy diet will also assist in your overall goal. Healthy fats, lean protein and other healthy foods, play a part in helping your hair develop a sheen and natural luster. Literally, you are what you eat. 

7. Maintain a healthy scalp

Your hair needs a healthy environment to grow. When your scalp is filled with buildup (excessive oil, dirt and flakes), it does not provide the clean environment needed for your hair follicles to thrive. It is key that you find a wash routine that works for you, so that you’re able to regularly cleanse your hair. 

Overall, each of the steps shared are ways to help you maintain your natural hair. So, make sure you are;

1. Adding a layer of protection to your strands at night to maintain moisture.

2. Use light weight products

3. Detangle your hair when necessary to avoid breakage

4. Keep your hands out of your hair

5. Get protein treatments

6. Have a good, healthy diet and

7. Maintain a healthy scalp.

Trust me, if you consistently work these into your routine, your hair will thank you for it by growing in length and strength. 

If you’re interested in booking a session, please visit (flawlesshairstudios.booksy.com) to schedule an appointment.