The following list was composed by Chicoro, Author of Grow It: How To Grow Afro-Textured Hair To Maximum Lengths In The Shortest Time. Below the list is a link to how you can download a free copy of her 13-page book.
1. Avoid bleach and hair dye.These products degrade the protein on your hair, damage the hair, and make the hair strand weaker and vulnerable to breakage.
2. Detangle hair with fingers only enough to section your hair before washing. Do this only if hair is not dry and hard, matted, or sticky with product. This will help to smooth hair in one direction and minimize tangles.
3. Detangle hair when wet with a comb, when trying to remove snarls and tangles.Afro-textured hair is more relaxed when wet and less prone to breakage when wet.
4. Air dry hair whenever possible. The moisture level in hair matches the moisture level in the environment. Blow drying dries hair and removes natural moisture from the hair strand. This makes it prone to dryness and breakage.
5. Cover your head when in bright sun and windy environments. The sun and air degrade the protein in your hair and break it down. This weakens the hair strands and hair structure.
6. Moisturize and lubricate your hair. Moisture comes from water. Your hair strands contain water and this is what makes the hair flexible and pliable. Lubrication helps the hairs to slide past one another and align in the same direction. Water provides moisture and oil like substances provide lubrication. They are not the same.
7. To hold on to all the length you get, use protective styling. This keeps the ends of the hair from the air and minimizes dryness. Protective styling is not necessary to gain length, but can help you to grow your hair past the point where it usually breaks.
8. Put down the scissors. Cutting hair does not make it grow. Trim or cut when hair is split or broken. Most hair grows unevenly. It’s natural.
9. Set goals for your hair. Determine what you want to do. Goals help keep you on track.
10. Document your hair journey. Take photos of your starting point. Write down what products you use and how you use them. Photos help you to see true progress. Without photos, sometimes we cut off our hair because we think we have not made any progress. Photos and journals help you to see clearly and serve as a record for what works and doesn’t work for you.
