3 Steps to healthy Long Hair

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Retain

Think of the hair on your head as long sponge strands. Depending on the porosity it will soak up the moisture quickly or eventually. The problem with a sponge is that gradually the moisture that was soaked up evaporates, and the sponge becomes hard, brittle, and dry, making it susceptible to tears and breakage. Well, the same principle applies to hair. This is why moisture retention is soooo important. If you don't sustain a state of moisture, your hair will become hard, brittle, and dry and inevitably break off. So, to retain moisture you must first apply a moisturizer (FYI: moisturizers contain water. Oils are not moisturizers!), then apply a butter or oil to seal the moisture in. The butter or oil should keep the moisture locked in for as long as possible. It's also important for you to know your hair porosity when it pertains to moisturizing your hair. Using an effective moisturizer for your hair type and following up with a butter or oil suited to your hair type will do the trick (shameless plug: “A Bittle Butter” would be the perfect sealing butter for maximum moisture retention). Also make sure you don't have hard water in your home (hard water will cause dryness and breakage as well).

Balance

Protein moisture balance is key! Without protein our hair would be a mushy mess because protein makes up 91% of our hair. It’s mandatory that you maintain balance by using products containing protein as well as moisturizing agents. Check out the chart below to help you figure out what your hair is probably trying to tell you (keep in mind some medical conditions can mimic the symptoms listed in the chart. If my 3 steps don't solve your hair problems, follow up with your doctor or check to see if you have hard water in your home).

Rest

Would you be able to function properly if you didn't sleep for 2 days straight? I'll answer for you, no you wouldn't, so why do you expect your hair to stay healthy if you don't allow it to rest? That's why it’s soooo important to keep your hair in low manipulation styles or protective styles as much as possible. My suggestion is that you style your hair to last for a week. You can put it in twists, wash & go, braids, a bun, wear a wig or weave etc. Protective styles protect your hair from the wear and tear of hair styling, thereby allowing you to retain length. Don't be fooled into thinking your hair isn’t  growing, trust me it is (unless you have a medical condition that prevents it from doing so). If your hair is breaking off at the same rate it’s growing, it’s impossible for you to retain length. So remember, more rest for your hair equals noticeable growth.

Comment down below and let me know if this information was helpful. Also let me know if you're a lazy natural and what’s your favorite protective style.