Commandments of Hair Care

My Hair Bible Commandments Of Healthy Hair

1) Water   

Forget what you've heard and forget what you've been told. Our hair needs water. We have to drink it, and our hair has to absorb it. It not only allows hair to retain length but it also makes hair texture less rough over time. Stop being afraid to get your hair wet. It will thank you!

2) Conditioner   

This softens, helps lock in moisture aka water, and... protects hair from splitting. 

Let me repeat that cuz I don't think you heard me... 

Conditioner protects hair from splitting. I went one year without a trim and was able to retain all of my length with almost zero split ends because 

a) I deep condition 

b) I co-rinse/co-wash and 

c) I use plain old conditioner as a leave-in before I ever comb my hair.

3) Natural oils 

 
These lock in moisture/h20 period. No more to say other than olive, coconut, and avocado oils are the very few oils on earth that also penetrate the hair strand. It's valuable to have at least 1 of the 3 in your mix.

4) Don't Comb Dry Hair 

 It's not worth the damage. I comb my hair only 2 ways 1) Under running shower water 2) With conditioner in it. If you don't have a really great leave-in then find one. If you must go through your dry hair try finger combing instead.

5) Protective Style

Yes loose hair will grow, but it can also cause more split ends which = more trimming. The fastest, and most efficient way of retaining hair is to protect it. This prevents rubbing, and slows down dryness if done after moisturizing. What is a protective style? Any style that keeps your ends out of the air. Buns, braids, french twists, two strand twists, flat twists, etc. At least 4 days a week protect your hair!

6) Keep Your Scalp Clean

Yes hair grows on a dirty scalp but eventually it can lead to your hair growth slowing down in pace. Or worse (as has happened in my family) can lead to hair loss. Always keep your hair root clean and the pores on your scalp free of dirt and dead skin cells. 

And always use a Ph balanced shampoo. 

Let me repeat that... 

Use a ph balanced shampoo. I don't care how natural it claims to be, if it is not ph balanced you are doing your hair and scalp a disservice. Vinegar rinses also help (see home remedies for more).

7) Low Manipulation

We all want to rock the latest styles but sometimes you are doing too much! Keep your hands out of your hair. Even combing and brushing hair too much can lead to damage. Use a boar bristle brush and a seamless comb. 

8) Back Away From The Heat 

Applying heat too much is one of the worst things you can do to your hair. Heat should not ever be applied more than once every 2-3 weeks. Blow dryers should never be used on high heat on wet hair because it breaks down the hair forming almost blister like bumps on the strand that can snap off your hair from a simple combing. 

Always blow dry on cool. Never flat iron at over 440 degrees. Try air drying more freuently (silk scarf method works). Try not to blow dry AND flat iron. Either do one or the other. Try alternatives to straight hair like roller-setting, and silk wrapping instead. 

And always... 

always... 

Use a heat protectant!!! 

The longer you go without heat =The faster you will see results.

9) Watch Your Tension 

Don't wear any style that places too much tension on your hairline or your hair. That could be fatal. It could break your edges and thin your ends out. I don't care how cute it looks, it's not worth it.

10) Do a strand test, do a strand test, do a strand test. Oh, and did I forget... do a strand test! 

Every 2 - 4 weeks if you are starting your healthy hair journey. Every 4 - 6 weeks to maintain.

*Bonus - don't wear any hairstyle that would cause you to neglect your hair because when you finally take it out you may be in for a big disappointment.