Is your hair the same length it was last year or maybe the year before? Do you keep asking yourself why your hair isn’t growing? It can actually be quite frustrating if you’re putting in a lot of effort and you’re not getting your inches. So where are you going wrong?
Let’s explore a few reasons why your hair isn’t growing and how to fix it :
Moisturizing
This is usually one of the main reasons why your hair isn’t growing. Your hair is probably dry and brittle most of the time, meaning you’re prone to breakage and shedding.
If you have natural hair, you know the first rule is to MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE. When you have kinky, curly, or coily hair moisture is your hair’s best friend. If you want your hair to flourish, you have to always make sure your hair has moisture.
The makeup of natural hair does not allow the sebum produced to naturally flow through the curls all the way to the end, making it one of the most sensitive hair types. Always make sure you can seal the moisture in after wash day. You can spritz your hair with water just to maintain the moisture level.
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Water
You should also take a sufficient amount of water if you want to retain hair growth. This could also be a reason why your hair isn’t growing as well because you need moisture inside and out. Drink loads of water to ensure hair health and health in general.
Too much heat
If you want your natural hair to grow and thrive, you have to reduce the amount of heat you use on your hair. Heat dries natural hair out. If you have to use heat always make sure you use a heat protectant and try to reduce it as much as possible. If you have to use heat on your hair, utilize the low heat settings to avoid heat damage.
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Deep condition
This is the holy grail when it comes to natural hair. If you don’t deep condition your hair, it’s probably why your hair isn’t growing. Sis, if you want the inches, it’s time to make deep conditioning your best friend.
Try to deep condition weekly depending on the level of damage to your tresses. Deep conditioning leaves the hair feeling moisturized and fresh. It just has a way of elevating your hair. If you deep condition and your hair still feels dry and brittle, you can introduce a hot oil treatment.
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Ends
Most people focus all their attention on the roots of the hair and forget all about the ends. Your ends are just as important as your roots. Always moisturize your ends to prevent breakage. When it comes to taking care of your ends, it also means trimming your split ends.
Stop clinging to your damaged ends they are preventing your hair from prospering. Split ends make it easier for your hair to tangle and break. Have regular trims every 3-4 months.
Nutrition & Diet
You are what you eat, if you eat healthy you will have glowing skin and amazing hair. You might want to start eating right if your hair isn’t growing. Eating a balanced diet could increase your hair growth. Especially foods in Vitamin A, C, B, and E, iron, biotin, and protein.
If you want to take your hair growth rate up a notch you can try supplements with these nutrients and watch your hair flourish.
Manipulation
If you change your hairstyle every 2 days or even every day, you may be the culprit of why your hair isn’t growing. Natural hair thrives when left alone with its moisture. If you also have hands in hair syndrome, you need to stop touching your hair
It’s advisable not to comb or brush your hair every day because you can cause unnecessary breakage and stress to your ends. Always try and do low manipulation hairstyles on your hair, especially if you have it open.
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Harsh products
If you don’t check the ingredients of what is in your hair products this could be another reason why your hair isn’t growing. Always use sulfate-free and paraben-free products on your hair. All those harsh chemicals could be preventing hair growth.
Genetics
One of the reasons why your hair isn’t growing could be because of genetics. Other people’s hair grows faster than others. But this is not to say that you can’t retain your hair growth. Genetics only affects the hair growth cycle.
If you have a slower growth rate all you have to do is make sure you retain as much hair length so your hair can grow longer. Just because no one in your family line has long hair doesn’t mean you should follow the same fate. If you want inches just take care of your hair right. It could be the reason why your hair isn’t growing but don’t let it stop you from retaining length.
Protective styling
Well, this is for those who don’t do protective styling and those who overdo protective styling. If you’re one of those people who stay with one hairstyle for 3 – 6 months you are the reason why your hair isn’t growing. If you’re also one of those people who keep changing their protective styles, you’re also the reason why your hair isn’t growing.
You need to let your hair be. Always make sure that the protective style you have will keep your hair well moisturized, well taken care of, and most importantly will protect your edges.
Cotton
Do not use towels to dry your hair. Cotton can be a reason why your hair isn’t growing. A cotton towel strips your tresses of moisture and natural oils. Invest in a microfiber towel to help in keeping your moisture in and retaining your natural hair oils.
Health issues
If you have any underlying health issue this could be attributed to why your hair isn’t growing. If you have eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis of the scalp, allergies, or hormonal imbalance. These are the issues that could affect your hair growth. Visit a doctor for advice on the same.
Satin scarf or Pillow
If you’re using a regular pillowcase, this can also be a contributing factor to why your hair isn’t growing. You should always sleep on a satin pillow or with a satin head wrap to avoid unnecessary strain on your tresses.
Use the right tools
If you use hair tools such as small tooth combs, brushes, or even broken combs, you’re why your hair isn’t growing. Always make sure you use wide-tooth combs and Denman brushes to detangle your hair. This will prevent breakage.
Inconsistent hair regimen
If you have no regimen on how to take care of your hair you’re not doing your tresses justice. Come up with a hair care regimen and follow it to the tee. Customize your hair regimen to your hair type. Try and understand your hair needs so you can create a regimen destined for growth. You can invest in all the right products but if it does not match your hair type it may not grow.