2. Shampooing weekly is damaging
Co-washing as a form of cleaning natural hair is very popular. Many naturalistas co-wash their hair weekly as an alternative to shampooing because it is widely thought that shampooing weekly can have a damaging effect on the hair.
However, this is not true. Conversely, it might prove to be beneficial, especially if you use heavy hair products throughout the week. This is because shampoo removes the product buildup from your scalp allowing it to breathe, and a healthier scalp means healthier hair and hair growth.
As a forewarning, shampoos often contain sulfates which can dry out the hair. It is important to use a sulfate and silicone free shampoo or replenish your hair’s moisture afterward by using an efficient deep conditioner* and or moisturizer. Nonetheless, shampooing your natural hair weekly is not something to cringe at.
3. Protective styling is necessary for length retention
Examples of protective styles include box braids, kinky* twists, faux locks, weaves, cornrows, and wigs*. They are a great way to change up your look and also have a reputation for increasing length retention.
Protective styles are low manipulative hairstyles and the idea is that the less you manipulate the hair, the less damaged it will be. Many natural hair gurus have ventured to say that length retention is impossible without the use of protective styles.
If you are under this impression, I am a living witness that it is simply false. When I started my natural hair journey, I made the decision that I was going to be reliant on protective styling to achieve the hair length I wanted. I found out early on that protective styling was not for me.
The front portion of my hair is extremely sensitive to manipulation and tension. After each protective style, I experienced thinning and breakage in that area.
So, I pretty much cut out protective styling altogether. When I did this, I was concerned that I wasn’t going to be able to maintain length but I have done just that. My hair is healthier now than it has ever been. There are other ways to maintain length and protective styling is just one of the many ways.
These personal discoveries and many more have allowed my natural hair journey to remain enjoyable and have allowed myself to remain the carefree black girl I am. What are some of your breakthrough hair discoveries and tips?
LaShonda Williams-Riddle says
I have been saying this for months now. My hair loves hair grease it enhances my curl pattern and my hair does not look dull. I wash and condition weekly. I have not had any problems with retaining length and I do protective styles only when I get tired of fooling with my hair. I have been natural for 2 years now I transitioned for 6 months.
ladee neenah says
I stay away from grease simply because I don’t like the greasy feel. And I think it contributes to the horrible acne that I had up until two years ago (when I went natural.) I protective style all the time but without extensions. Just braids or two strand twists that I wear for a few days before unraveling two or three days before wash day. I wash weekly (no longer than two weeks, my scalp demands it – also the reason I don’t do long term protective styles) with a sulphate free shampoo and clarify once a month with black soap. I also eat right, drink lots of water and exercise and my hair is flourishing.
Brenda Baltazar says
Beautiful
Dolores de Graaff says
Wauw sooooooooooooooooow beautifulllll