Basic hair care

These are essentials for healthy hair

* Either section the hair and plait it, tie it back or wrap it up using a scarf before going to bed, this will reduce the number of tangles you have to comb out the next morning, reducing the chances of breaking your hair.

* Sleep with a satin scarf or sleep cap on your head or with a satin pillow case. This helps avoid split ends caused by the rubbing of your hair against a "rough" cotton pillow case. It also avoids moisture being wicked out of your hair into your cotton pillow case.

* Wash your hair no more often than every week to week and a half. More than that can dry it out.

* Comb your hair out while you're conditioning it to remove the tangles while it's wet and relatively slick.

* Oil your scalp on a regular basis with a good natural oil like shea butter. A daily moisturizer is not a bad idea.

* Do a deep conditioner or hot oil treatment once a month.

* Massage your scalp on a regular basis to promote circulation and oil production.

* Avoid overuse of products with mineral oil or petroleum. They tend to block the pores and are not readily absorbed. If your mother used Vaseline® on your hair, stop.

* If you exercise and sweat, rinse the salt out of your hair even if you don't wash it. Condition it afterwards with a daily leave-in conditioner.

* Always use a leave-in conditioner after washing your hair.

* Put as little heat as possible on your hair.
Heat, especially combined with perms is very damaging to hair.

* Avoid alcohol based products unless you have a need for a water-free shampoo to cleanse your scalp (for example while you're waiting for your locks to lock).

* Remember that water (moisture) is your friend and get plenty- inside and out. If you used to press your hair or blow it out and learned to fear water on your hair because it would draw up, you need to get over this. Spritzing a little water on your hair every day is a good idea. Get a spray bottle and just spray it just a little.

* Eat a proper diet. Vitamins and protein are essential for proper hair growth. We have nutritional supplements specifically designed for hair and skin health. Hair Growth Supplements

* Find a style that works with your natural hair type and growth pattern. The less you work against your hair, the less stressed it will be.

* Do not relax your hair until it is bone straight. This is just asking for trouble. Why relax your hair until it has absolutely no body or curl and then put heat on it to try to get that curl back?