Ultimate Tips & Instructions on Growing Thick & Long Healthy Hair
~Low-Manipulative Styling for THICKness~
-Bunning
-Roller sets BEFORE 6 wk post and 1x/bi weekly
-Bantu knot out(s) 1-4 sections ONLY
-1-4 Flexi Rods
-Clipping up your hair (tuck ends)
-Braids or twists that are kept in for at least a month at a time, but no more than 1.5 months for individuals
-Sew-ins/Wigs/Cornrows no longer than 2 months
-Heat pass 1x every month or more
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THICK Hair Rules!
-Have your
last trim before starting your hair journey, only trim if necessary during your journey, or you will not see your absolute progress (make sure you are
FAITHFUL to moisturizing & sealing your ends at least 4x/wk to prevent splitting and breakage of your ends)
NUTRITION
-Take a
multivitamin (Discuss with your physician/pharmacist if it is appropriate for you to take them, what options are best for you, and the best way to take them)
-Eat a
healthy diet. Eliminate as much fast food and processed foods out of your diet as possible
-Drink plenty of
water. Drink at least 8 cups (~4 water bottles) a day
FITNESS
-Exercise at least 30 min a day. It's important to have good blood circulation so that the nutrients we consume are passed along to our hair follicles to get the best growth
WASH DAYS
-Detangle (if necessary) in sections, combing from ends to the roots and/OR detangle under running water with conditioner in your hair with your fingers or a wide tooth comb, best after DCing
-NEVER pile your hair on top of your head and start scrubbing vigorously. Try to scrub your scalp gently with your fingers aligned vertically. If your hair is long enough, braid your hair in sections and wash in those sections
-Use a T Shirt to squeeze/press out water gently if necessary
STYLING
-Always use a
leave in conditioner spray/foam, alcohol-free, before styling
always to prevent breakage!
-
Air Dry whenever possible
-
Roller sets counts as a manipulative style when you are
6 wks post relaxers...if you have
100% natural hair and do not experience breakage, it is not consider a manipulative style when you do it
2x per month (if you are transitioning it is a manipulative style because of the two textures)
-Do not use
damaged styling
tools, especially combs, they
snag/break at the
hair and can cause breakage
-
Relaxed hair, always
blow dry on cool.
Naturals, use the
lowest heat possible. Invest in a blow dryer that focuses on keeping moisture in the hair such as
ceramic or
tourmaline dryers that have
ionic technology, and also have a powerful motor so there is less time you will have to use the blow dryer on your tresses...
*make sure you do research before any purchase
-Only
wide tooth combs allowed for combing through the
entire length of your hair from ends to roots.
Medium teeth combs and
tangle teezer are okay for detangling your
ends or sections of hair, but use them carefully and with patience to avoid damage and use them on a bi/weekly basis or not at all if possible.
-
Always comb your hair from
ends to roots!, to avoid knots and tanlges
-
Avoid brushes (Use satin/silk scarf with Aloe Vera gel/Alcohol-free foam or mousse to lay down edges...or use the scarf method with out using gel if possible)
-If you use gel, try to use
98-100% Aloe Vera gel or an alcohol-free gel that's conditioning
-
Wrapping straight hair and wet wrapping is
FORBIDDEN, this THINS out your hair (look at "Helpful Youtube Vids" discussion for
cross wrapping)...wrapping right after a roller set to set the hair is okay with a
wide tooth comb, but
wet wrapping is absolutely forbidden!
-If you are bunning, use
satin scrunchies (available at Walmart, Goody brand), and do not pull hair too tight
-When you are doing the scarf method, use a
satin/silk headband or scarf
-
Keep hands out of your hair when not styling/massaging
-
Tie your hair with a satin/silk scarf or bonnet
EVERY night!!!, and secure it so your hairline/nape is not exposed. Get a
silk/satin pillow case if you have problems with your scarf falling off at night
BRAIDS/WEAVES
-People with
thin edges ABSOLUTELY NO individuals
-
Absolutely NO GLUE in tracks
-If you have a full head sew-in,
make sure the braids are not braided too tight, if it is too tight please tell your stylist before they finish the braid up or installing the weave. This can lead to
traction alopecia.
-If you have a
sew-in, be
gentle with
combing, especially when a month has passed and there is new growth, you don't want to cause breakage when pulling on the tracks, be gentle!
-Make sure whoever does your
individual braids doesn't do them
too tight, this can cause hair breakage at the root or damaged hair follicles
-
Avoid micros (try to stay with small/medium sized braids or larger)
-DO
NOT wear
tight ponytails with individuals. This can lead to thinning edges. Try to wear your braids in loose styles. Avoid pulling and be gentle.
-
Use light oils/products/growth aids (e.g. Gro Aut oil, coconut oil) on your scalp with
individuals, thicker oils like JBCO will attract more dirt causing more build up, which can lead to more hair loss when taking down your braids. Also when
installing braids, avoid heavy products like waxes because they will cause instant build up and attract more build up.
-For individuals, try to avoid
synthetic hair if possible, especially if you have dry hair, it tends to
dry the hair out
RELAXING
-DO NOT start
self relaxing until you have done your research, have practiced with conditioner, timed yourself from start to finish, and read the directions thoroughly, doing this will avoid a setback!...Make sure to have someone with you when you attempt relaxing the first couple times incase you need assistance...There are some good tutorials in the Youtube Vids discussion...
-
Stretch relaxers for
at least 8 weeks. The longer your stretches the more thickness you may gain, challenge your self to a longer stretch each time. Stretching for
12-16 weeks or more is the goal for this challenge. If you notice breakage before the time you planned to relax, evaluate how you been styling your hair and how often have you been deep conditioning, you should be DCing at least 1x/wk, you might want to increase to 2x/wk (with protein or moisture or alternating depending on what your hair needs), if you still experience breakage it's probably best to relax to avoid a set back, always listen to your hair
-If you have a
very sensitive scalp, base your scalp with Vaseline the night before the relaxer and again the day of your relaxer on your problem areas or your whole head again if you are very sensitive. It is important that you don't burn before the relaxer is able to process your hair. This can lead to uneven under processed hair which can lead to breakage
-If you are not
relaxing your edges or nape, section off those areas (braided, with clips, etc.) before relaxing
~If you have
thin edges or nape area, try to relax them when they have at least an inch of new growth or every other relaxer or more if possible...
-If you are relaxed, always coat your hair with conditioner or an oil on your relaxed hair before relaxing to
prevent over processing your previously relaxed hair
-When relaxing
edges/nape,
relax those areas
LAST, If you want them to process more slowly add more Vaseline/base to the area
FLAT IRON
-Invest in a flat iron that has tourmaline, 100% ceramic, or tourmaline-cermamic mix
*make sure you do research before any purchase
-Invest in a blow dryer that focuses on keeping moisture in the hair such as ceramic or tourmaline dryers that have ionic technology, and also have a powerful motor so there is less time you will have to use the blow dryer on your tresses...
*make sure you do research before any purchase
-Try to flat iron only when necessary, length checks and special occasions (e.g. graduation, birthday, wedding, etc.)
-Clarify, preferably with a chelating shampoo, to remove build up to get maxium results with the deep conditioning treatment and remove mineral deposits to get the best shine
-Do a deep condition treatment with heat the day of flat ironing
-Relaxed and naturals, if possible, air dry, roller set, or caruso steam roller, before flat ironing, or flat iron roots only, if possible
-Try to use 350 degrees or lower
-Always use a heat protectant, try to find one that benefits your hair while using heat and is alcohol-free
-Deep condition treatment with heat after/before washing flat ironed hair
-Remember 'traditional'
wrapping is FORBIDDEN (may use
wide tooth comb to set the hair or saran wrap the first day, if necessary)
Look here for alternative methods in the Cross Wrapping for Straight Hair section on this page
http://www.hairlista.com/group/low-manipulation-h-e-n-c-e-thickness-challenge/forum/topics/helpful-youtube-vids-what-are-your-favs , also you can do pin curls, use large flexi rods in big sections, or pillow rollers to maintain curls...
GROWTH AIDS
-Add a growth aid (make sure to do a spot test on topical aids for allergic reactions, especially for sulfur allergy)
+Black Tea Rinses (Shedding)
+JBCO
+PPO w. Shampoos/DCs
+Gro Aut Oil
+Sulfur mix
+Indian Oils
+GHE
+Others…
-If you are applying topical growth aids to your scalp more than 3x/wk make sure you wash at least 2x/wk so hair folicles do not get clogged. Clogged pores can lead to hair loss
-Massage scalp &/or problem areas with or without growth aids at least 3x/wk to promote growth
Happy Thick Hair Growing!
