Natural hair Archives | Hermaze | Relationship, Beauty, Fashion, Family Articles for Women

Having Difficulties Combing Your Hair? See These 6 Tips for a Softer Natural Hair

Olamide Olajide — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 15:42:18 +0000

As a happy young lady enjoying carrying my natural hair, It has become of note that a big concern among naturalistas, especially those with tighter textures, is brittle or hard hair. One huge question that we Naturals have struggled with is “How does one attain softer hair?”

Below are six tips I have highlighted that may be of help!

Always Take A Lot Of Water

One primary way to achieve softer natural hair is to make sure that you stay properly hydrated. Never should you be dehydrated, always ensure you drink lots of water. This is not only good for your body but it enhances the growth and texture of your hair.

This is where it all begins. Our hair follicles/scalp feed off what we take in our bodies which is why it is so important to drink plenty of water in addition to eating healthy if you’re trying to attain healthy hair. Sufficient water intake is the first step towards a soft and well textured hair.

Steaming is another way to give your hair just the right amount of hydration it needs. The heat opens up the hair cuticle allowing the water to penetrate the hair.

In my experience, my hair is immediately softer after this process!

Ensure You Use Moisturizing Cleansers

When cleansing your Natural hair, refrain from using products containing sulfates which can strip the hair of moisture, leaving it feeling hard and brittle. Use a moisturizing shampoo or cleanser (like a shampoo bar or clay wash) and follow up with lukewarm or cool water to rinse. These types of cleansers are usually pH balanced and contain ingredients that will moisturize and soften the hair. Rinsing with cool water helps to seal the hair cuticle, making it smoother.

Make Sure You Rinse Your Hair Thoroughly

In keeping with the idea of pH balance, a rinse of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) or even Coconut Milk can help bring your strands back to the proper levels and get rid of that rough feeling, leaving you with smoother, softer hair.

Oil Rinse is another rinse that softens hair.

Never Leave Out Deep Conditioning

After cleansing with your moisturizing shampoo, following up with a moisturizing deep conditioner will further moisturize the natural hair and put back what the hair may have lost. Like your moisturizing cleanser, this will usually contain other elements that promote and maintain moisture. Using heat along with your deep conditioner will help open your hair cuticle so that your conditioner can penetrate deep down into the strands.

Use A Leave-In Conditioner For Your Natural Hair

Once you have cleansed and conditioned, continue the process by adding a water-based leave-in conditioner. These no-rinse products will set your hair up for success when used on slightly damp hair right after washing. Seal in that moisture with a natural emollient like an oil (grape-seed, almond, jojoba, etc.) or a butter (like shea or mango). Remember, oils and butters do not moisturize and soften hair on their own. The key is moisture (liquid/water) first, then emollients to retain it.

In between washes, if necessary, use a spray bottle to lightly spritz your strands with water and follow the same procedure of layering your moisturizing product and sealing.

Low-Maintenance/ Protective Styles to Retain Moisture

Protective styles are stressed so much because they do a fantastic job at helping the natural hair retain moisture. These styles will typically tuck in your ends, the oldest part of the hair, keeping them protected. Secure your natural hair in a low-maintenance style and you should see a difference in how much moisture you have retained, resulting in softer hair.

Dear Readers, Have you suffered from dry Natural hair at one time or another? What steps did you take to overcome it?

Photo Credit: Google Image

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Natural Hair: 9 Ways To Stop Breakage From Happening

Olamide Olajide — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 13:31:51 +0000

In grooming your Natural Hair, Breakage or what most people call shedding is almost inexcusable. I have had my share of breakage and I can tell you that breakage happens.

We’ve all dealt with at one time or another.

Since it’s nearly impossible to completely eliminate breakage, there are some preventative measures that one can take.

Stop The Hair Breaking Behaviour

There are 3 common types of breakage: mechanical/manual (breakage from combing or manipulating hair), physical (breakage caused by heat appliances or physical elements such as dry air), and chemical (breakage caused by chemical treatments or using harsh chemicals as hair treatments).

What’s important to remember is anything in excess can potentially damage and break hair. But if you notice more breakage or any hair loss, assess your routine and eliminate the hair breaking behaviour.

Learn the Best Ways to Handle Your Hair

The longer your hair grows, the more gradual hair care changes is required. That means preventing breakage by sometimes pre-pooing (pre-shampoo treatment) with coconut oil, using olive & coconut oil for an oil rinse, and shampooing my hair in twists or plaits. Experiment with extra measures to minimize breakage in your hair.

Deep Condition Regularly

It is essential to deep condition your hair almost weekly so as to add an extra boost of moisture and breakage prevention. Ensure you deep condition your hair always and be sure you will notice less breakage and shedding.

Detangle Damp Hair Not Wet Hair

Hair is at its most fragile when wet. If you have highly textured hair that tangles easily, it is best to lightly mist your hair and detangle with a wide tooth comb before shampooing. Shampooing in plaits or jumbo twists also prevents tangles and breakage.

Trim Those Dead Ends

I know it may seem counterproductive when you’re trying to grow your hair. But removing split ends is the only way to prevent further damage on other parts of the same hair strand where split ends are present. Trimming the tip/dead ends will help keep your hair in optimal shape and decrease breakage.

Moisturize Your Hair As Needed

Your Hair needs the perfect balance of moisture and protein to remain healthy or breakage free. Hydrated hair is not easily broken. If you notice popping of hair strands, that’s a good sign that moisture is needed.

Don’t Over Do It With Moisturizing

There is a such thing as over moisturizing. Your hair will feel spongy when you deep condition overnight, baggy or practice the greenhouse effect too often. This will cause breakage and shedding. However, You can remedy this by incorporating a protein-based deep conditioning treatment.

Pay Due Respect To Your Scalp

A healthy scalp is essential to growing healthy hair. Cleansing your scalp at least bi-weekly and keeping scalp moisturize can prevent hair loss and scalp irritation.

Give Your Ends Extra TLC

Your ends are both the oldest part of your hair and the most fragile. They need a little extra attention. Make sure you have your ends covered by applying product from ends to roots.

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Photos From Natures Gentle Touch Hair Institute’s Natural Hair Workshop

Kennis Umudi — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:07:48 +0000

Natures Gentle Touch Hair Institute which is one of Nigeria’s largest hair institute hosted another edition of its Natural Hair workshop in Lagos on Sunday, June 4th, 2017 with ‘Naturalistas’ in attendance.

It was an exciting time for ‘Naturalistas’ as the event featured a general discussion on Natural hair trends, how to groom it and the challenges of wearing natural hair in the workplace. The event also had a platform for Q & A session where guests had the opportunity to ask the Institute’s lead Trichologist questions around how to take care of their hair.

This platform was designed by the Institute to support Nigerian women who choose to wear their hair naturally, to meet fellow ‘Naturalistas’, to commune and support one another on the natural hair journey.

“The Nigerian Kinky natural hair is beautiful when it is well pampered. On the flip side, it can be difficult to manage when you do not know what to do. Creating a platform for women to share their natural hair stories as well as gain knowledge from hair experts can make a huge difference in ensuring that this natural hair journey is smooth and enjoyable”- Anita Anosike, Brand Manager Natures Gentle Touch.

The event was a major eye-opener for guests present on appropriate Natural Hair care regime. It ended with a networking session. There will be an upcoming edition for Nigerian women outside Lagos who are natural, transitioning to natural, and those with chemically-treated hair that are considering a journey into natural tresses.

Photo source: Google images

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