Well, a part of the reason you’re asking yourself these questions is because of improper education of black hair care.  It’s not your fault, well at least not all of it is.  You see, many of us are told that African American hair should only be shampooed every 2-3 weeks, and that combing a no lye relaxer through your hair is a good method to get your hair at its straightest.

Well, I’m sorry to tell you that those hair care methods are the sole purpose as to why your hair is damaged and is breaking off in the first place. The truth is: you should never comb a no-lye relaxer nor any type of relaxer through your hair once applied. Here’s why. The chemicals in the relaxer are made to permanently straighten the hair, so there is no need to comb the chemical through your hair. The chemical or relaxer when applied to your hair is already altering hair bonds which are weakening your hair in the process, so when combing the relaxer through your hair, you are actually weakening these hair bonds even more, which may later cause hair breakage and damage. 

And if your stylist has ever combed a relaxer through your hair once applied, well, you need to find a more educated stylist, point blank. Unless of course you want to end up completely bald.  

As for shampooing your hair, completing this hair care method every 2-3 weeks in the hopes that dirt will actually make your hair grow is a major no no. Your scalp is as sensitive as the skin on your face. Now really, could you imagine only washing your face every 2-3 weeks? Disgusting right? 

 And if you can imagine not washing your face every 2-3 weeks and are actually OK with it, well maybe I have a couple of doctors to recommend you to. 

 Anyway, back to the matter at hand, you must at least shampoo your hair every 2-3 days, and if you are a workoutaholic like me, you must shampoo your hair every time you work out hard enough to break a sweat, and if you’re not breaking a sweat while working out, well maybe you’re just wasting your time. But if you are like myself, you work out hard enough to break a sweat, DO NOT shampoo your hair every day with shampoos that include sulfates. 

Sulfates dry out your hair and cause hair breakage especially when used to that extent. If you’re not sure which shampoos include sulfates, READ the label.  Or just opt for the organic shampoos which are the best for your hair anyway.  Examples of organic shampoos would be Burt’s Bees or the Jane Carter Solution products.  

Shampooing your hair every 2-3 days or every time you break a sweat also applies to you sistas’ who sport braids and loc’s. If you can’t, won’t, or just plain downright refuse to shampoo your mane every 2-3 days or per workout sweat (once a day), then cleanse your scalp with a natural cleansing astringent or sea breeze. This is an excellent way not to get your loc’s wet while still maintaining a healthy scalp.  

So if you are serious about growing your hair and stopping hair breakage, following these simple tips will have you on the way to long, beautiful, and healthy black hair.  

1. Shampoo and Condition your Hair every 2-3 days with an organic products 

2.  Deep Condition your hair with a Protein based conditioner, either under a hair dryer for 20 minutes with a cap, or with a cap only for an hour.  I recommend Organics Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise. 

3. Moisture your hair as needed.  I recommend products such as Organic coconut oil, olive oil, and Shea butter.  

4. Stop using No-Lye Relaxers!  The damage from No-Lye relaxers is sometimes beyond repair.

No-lye relaxers tend to strip the hair completely of its natural moisture, causing your hair to become dry, brittle, and then no more.  I recommend Mizani relaxers. This is the only relaxer I have used in my hair and client’s hair, where they don’t experience breakage, or damage. In fact, their hair grows! 

Following these three steps along with a healthy diet will give you optimum results to stop hair breakage and promote hair growth.