5 Tips For Healthy Natural Hair [ORIGINAL]

Keeping natural hair healthy isn’t hard, but it does require slightly different methods of hair care. If you are trying to get your hair back in shape or just trying to maintain a healthy natural hair regimen, try following these tips:

1. Co-Wash

Co-washing is using a moisturizing conditioner or a cleansing conditioner to wash the hair. This method is often used in between shampooing. Naturals do this because shampoo strips the hair of its moisture leaving the hair dry. I personally don’t use shampoo at all. I opt for apple cider vinegar in replace of a shampoo. The apple cider vinegar leaves my hair and scalp clean without all the harsh ingredients some shampoos tend to have.


2. Finger Detangle
You may think using a comb or brush to detangle you hair is absolutely necessary, but trust me – it’s not. Use your fingers! Yes, this process does take longer, but it’s so much better for your strands. Combs and brushes break your hair off more than you think. I was skeptical at first about trying to get through my hair with just my fingers, but to my surprise it worked. I haven’t used a comb or brush to detangle since.

 3. Keep Hands Out Of Hair
I don’t know what it is, but women have a tendency to touch their own hair a lot. You may not realize you are doing it, but you probably are. Constantly playing in your hair can lead to breakage. I know it’s hard, but try to be mindful of it. The less you touch your hair the more it will grow, stay healthy, and strong.

 4. Protective Style
A protective style is a hairstyle that doesn’t involve manipulation and protects your hair from clothes, harsh weather, etc. Protective styles can include twists, braids,  buns, and even weaves. Typically when your hair is in a protective style you don’t have to put your hands in your hair for a period of time unless it’s to moisturize. With winter approaching fast, it’s a good idea to try these styles because cold weather leaves hair drier than usual and we tend to wear clothing that pulls our hair out like sweaters, coats, and scarves.

 5. Keep Hair Moisturized
Moisture is the most important thing for healthy natural hair. Dry hair is not going to cut it. No matter how you wear your hair, it must stay moisturized. The best moisturizer is actually water. Try spritzing your hair with water when needed. Also use a water-based moisturizer/leave-in conditioner and seal with a moisturizing oil. I find coconut oil to be the best oil to use as a sealant, but others like olive oil, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil work well too. If you straighten your hair obviously water or even water-based products may not be the best. Try using shea butter or coconut oil by itself.

7 Quick Tips and Shortcuts for Healthy Hair

Does your hair take more time than it should? If you’re reading this, the answer is probably yes. The experts are here to help, with seven styling shortcuts that will streamline your routine.

Cut Your Hair Time

Some women are slaves to fashion. Even more are held hostage by their hair. They’re constantly rushing to the colorist to beat back grays, fussing with rebellious bangs, waging war against their natural texture—and losing precious hours of their lives. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are some common time-wasting traps into which you may have unwittingly fallen, along with hair care tips that will set you free.

Time Drain: You Start Blow-Drying Too Soon

In the morning rush, do you attack your hair with a brush and a dryer immediately after stepping out of the shower? “There’s no upside to this,” says Kristina Barricelli, a celebrity hairstylist and a co-owner of the Gemini 14 Salon, in New York City. “It takes longer to style dripping-wet hair, and hair is less elastic when it’s wet, so it’s more prone to breaking from the tug of the brush.”

Speedy Solution

“It’s the last bit of moisture left in your hair that provides the set,” says Mark Garrison, the owner-stylist of the Mark Garrison Salon, in New York City. With that in mind, start by taking the nozzle off your dryer, flipping your head over, and blowing your hair around, just to get the excess water out. Then let it air-dry while you put on your makeup. When it’s about 80 percent dry, you’re ready to start styling. The exception: If your hair is very coarse, curly, or dry, air-dry by only 25 to 50 percent, to avoid introducing frizz into the equation. To make the most of your blow-out time, tailor your technique to the effect you’re after. If you’re going for volume, dry the roots first; that’s where liftoff happens. For a sleek look, blow all your hair to one side of your head (using it like a giant roller) until dry, then flip and flatten it to the other side.

Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair

When it comes to healthy hair, it’s not just what you put on your tresses that counts -- it’s what you put in your body, too.

By Elizabeth B. Krieger

Reviewed by Victoria Barbosa, MD

WebMD Feature

Better-looking hair can start at your next meal.
"Just like every other part of your body, the cells and processes that support strong, vibrant hair depend on a balanced diet," says New York nutritionist Lisa Drayer, MA, RD, author of The Beauty Diet.
It can take longer to notice changes (both good or bad!) in your hair than in your skin. For example, "just one week with a poor diet can yield acne flare-ups or dry, sallow skin within days," says New York City dermatologist Cybele Fishman, MD, "but with hair, it can take a few months for a nutritional deficiency or the effects of a crash diet to show up."
The nutrients you eat today help fortify the hair follicle -- from which each strand is born -- and the scalp that surrounds it. "Healthier follicles? Healthier hair. Healthier scalp? Healthier hair!" Drayer says.
Of course, there's more to your hair than what you eat. Smoking, hormonal imbalances, and not enough sleep can also affect how your hair looks and feels. No magic nutrient can make up for those concerns.
Still, you have a lot more leverage than you might think. If you eat a balanced, varied, protein-rich diet that focuses on the following 10 foods, you'll be giving your hair the TLC it needs and deserves.

1. Salmon

Besides being rich in protein and vitamin D (both are key to strong hair) the omega-3 fatty acids found in this tasty cold-water fish are the true superstar. Your body can't make those fatty acids, which your body needs to grow hair. About 3% of the hair shaft is make up of these fatty acids, Drayer says. Omega-3s are also found in cell membranes in the skin of your scalp, and in the natural oils that keep your scalp and hair hydrated.
Other options: If salmon doesn't thrill you, you can also get essential fatty acids from fish like herring, sardines, trout, and mackerel, as well as avocado, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts (see below for more wonderful things about walnuts.)

2. Walnuts

These are the only type of nut that have a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids. They're also rich in biotin and vitamin E, which helps protect your cells from DNA damage. Since your hair rarely gets much shielding from the sun, this is especially great, Drayer says. Too little biotin can lead to hair loss. Walnuts also have copper, a mineral that helps keep your natural hair color rich and lustrous, Fishman says.
Other options: Try using walnut oil in your salad dressing or stir-fry instead of canola or safflower, Fishman says.

Coconut Oil for Out of Control Curls and Lack-Lustre Locks!

Perhaps you have noticed the mane of thick shiny hair owned by people living in tropical coastal regions? Their secret is Coconut Oil. People everywhere are switching on to its natural benefits. We’ll tell you what they have been discovering.
Unfairly demonized by the FDA for years because of its high saturated fat content, coconut oil is finding new proponents daily, with internet doctors such as Dr Oz and Dr Mercola singing its praises to the masses.
Used for thousands of years, it just happens to be one of the most effective conditioners for all hair types, the hidden reason it’s in so many hair care products.

How Does Coconut Oil Care for Your Hair?

Regular conditioners tend to soften hair and smooth the cuticles, adding shine and giving the appearance of healthiness. Coconut Oil works at a deeper level, and actually does boost hair and scalp health and repairs your damaged hair. As an added bonus it’s also an antimicrobial which controls the fungus causing dandruff, so you can skip the dandruff shampoo.
Coconut Oil is thick, white and semi-solid at room temperature and should be warmed to melting point prior to use on hair. Unrefined (100% Virgin) coconut oil is ideal for your hair and less expensive than commercial cosmetic products.

	Penetrates, Thickens and Protects Virgin Coconut Oil is completely absorbed by the hair, filling up the hollow shafts, adding body and making hair appear thicker, whilst also protecting it from damage (by reducing fiber swelling).
	Prevents Protein Loss and Boosts Shine Coconut Oil helps hair retain proteins – normally lost through weak, damaged hair. It also seals in moisture, making hair stronger and silkier.
	Prevents Dandruff and Hair Fall-Out Coconut Oil’s antibacterial properties protect the scalp against infections resulting in itching, dandruff and weak dry hair. They also protect hair follicles, strengthening hair – meaning less breakage and less hair falling out!
	Promotes Hair and Scalp Health Vitamins E and K found in coconut oil nourish hair and boost health and shine. Massaging it into the scalp makes it easier for hair follicles to absorb nutrients, whilst stimulating blood circulation to the area, moisturising and preventing build-up of dry skin (another cause of dandruff).

How to Use Coconut Oil for Hair

I use a ‘super moisturizing conditioner’ as my regular conditioner, thoroughly mixing Honey, Aloe Vera juice and a standard conditioner for dry hair (a tablespoon of each).
You just use it in the same way as you would any normal conditioner, massaging into wet hair. I run my fingers through my hair rather than combing it through. To avoid greasy roots, I don’t massage into the scalp, but rinse thoroughly. Getting shiny nourished hair is nice and easy. I have fairly straight hair and still use shampoo to clean my hair and prevent greasiness.

Smooth and Shine Spray

To maximize results I use a spray comprising of both Aloe Vera gel and Aloe Vera juice (a tablespoon of each), a teaspoon of Jojoba Oil and enough water to ensure the mixture isn’t too viscous. Some people add Glycerin because it is a humectant (makes water stick to the hair), but I don’t like it as I found it too sticky.
Give the bottle a good shake and then spray evenly to clean the damp hair. If, like me, you’re prone to slightly oily roots, then start lower down working towards the ends. This spray is great for smoothing split ends!
And if you want to go the whole distance, when the hair has dried, lightly smooth on small amounts of ‘jojoba jelly’ – Jojoba Oil and Glycerin (a tablespoon of each), mixed with a 1/3 of a cup of Aloe Vera gel.

Deep Conditioning Coconut Oil Treatment

For hair that is dry/damaged I perform a regular deep conditioning treatment. A mixture of 4 tablespoons of conditioner and 3 tablespoons of cold pressed virgin coconut oil works wonders for me. My hair feels so much healthier afterwards, and since using it, it’s almost dandruff-free.
I simply work it into my hair when damp, towel wrap, and leave to work its magic for around 2 hours, before rinsing. I treat my hair to this ‘healing session’ every other week, although it would be even more beneficial to do so weekly. Depending on the extent of damage, you might even want to skip the conditioner, applying only coconut oil.