Below is a basic list of products and tips which can help you achieve your hair goals, whether it be for retaining length, promoting healthy hair growth, or simply maximizing the quality of your hair before and after heat/chemical processing.
Before you do anything, please consider the following:
- Seek the advice of a licensed hairdresser, trichologist or G.P for a consultation to assess your hair needs and condition
- Remember to always "listen" to your hair, be attentive to how it responds to the treatments and techniques - your hair is unique, don't ever forget that!
- Persist, commit, and stay focussed on your hair goal(s) - remember, "Rome was not built in a day" so don't expect miraculous results overnight!
Women of Colour Healthy Hair Regimen
- Experiment pre shampooing with different carrier and essential oils
- Shampoo once a week
- Co wash at least once a week
- Moisturize hair daily
- Seal hair and ends with either a hair oil or hair butter nightly
- Dust hair with sharpened scissors to remove split ends
- Trim hair with sharpened scissors as and when needed
- Deep condition weekly using the 'baggy' method or under a heat cap
- Deep cleanse hair at the very least monthly with a chelating or clarifying shampoo
- Alternate depending on dryness/breakage/chemical treatment applied to hair with a protein/reconstructor or moisture treatment
- Keep the use of styling tools, such as flat irons and hair dryers, to an absolute minimum
- Always use a heat protectant before blow drying, or styling hair with heat
- Wear protective hairstyles often
- Use a protein treatment a week before any form of chemical processing, and at least a week after.
- Always use a wide toothed comb when detangling wet hair
- Exercise frequently, eat protein rich foods, drink lots of water
- Take supplements such as garlic, cod liver oil, multivitamins plus iron, and biotin
- Invest in a quality boar bristle brush
- Massage the scalp frequently.
- Use a satin scarf or silk wrap at night to bed
Keep your hair care regimen simple, and easy to follow.
It is only necessary to purchase one item for each of the products listed below:
- 1 x moisturising shampoo
- 1 x clarifying shampoo
- 1 x conditioner
- 1 x protein treatment
- 1 x deep conditioning treatment
- 1 x leave in conditioner
- 1 x heat protectant
- 1 x porosity control treatment
- 1 x hair oil(s)
Anything else used for styling, or deep conditioning is optional. Experiment with your hair care regimen for different seasons. Some of the products, techniques, and hair styles listed above if used/worn in summer may not always be best suited for winter.
Happy hair journey!
