6 Tips for Healthy Natural Hair Growth (Part Three!)

In our final post of this three-part-series we are going to discuss proper detangling and the use of excessive heat. If you missed the previous tips, you can check out part one here, and part two here. 

Tip #5: Proper Detangling

Proper detangling is crucial when it comes to retaining length. The best thing you can do for your child’s hair is to finger detangle before a comb or brush ever reaches those curly tresses. After washing your child’s hair, you will add your conditioner of choice (hopefully one with lots of slip!). You will begin with small sections by gently running your fingers through your child’s hair, feeling for any small knots. Gently remove them. Once you are finished finger detangling one section, you can use your wide tooth comb or Denman brush. Be sure to always start from the ends, working your way up until that section is completely detangled. Braid or twist the section and move on to the next. Never comb or brush your child’s dry hair unless it has already been completely detangled and stretched (see banding), be sure to use a moisturizer.

Tip #6: Avoid Heat

You’d be surprised at how often people are using heat on their child’s hair. Many parents and caregivers tell me they like to blow dry their child’s hair before styling. Not only does heat weaken the hair shaft, especially if proper heat protectant is not being used, but there’s a big risk with permanently damaging your child’s curl pattern. Once this is done, the damage cannot be reversed unless the heat damaged hair is cut off.  Blowdrying before styling is an unnecessary step that can easily be achieved by banding. Banding is a way to stretch the hair without the use of heat. If you must use heat, make sure you go about it the right way. Check out this post and this post for flat ironing tips.

I hope you have enjoyed this three-part series on how you can help your child grow long, healthy natural hair. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting long, Rapunzel-like hair, try not to put too much emphasis on length as it could create a complex in your little one’s mind. Be mindful of what your child wants and talk to your child about healthy hair care habits. It’s never too early to learn about caring for those beautiful locks, no matter what the length.

You can read all about Miss A's hair care routine by clicking here. 

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6 tips for Healthy Natural Hair Growth (Part Two!)

Yesterday we talked about two important tips to get your child started on their healthy natural hair journey. Today, we are going to discuss the importance of protective styling and how it will help retain length.

Tip #3: Avoid Wearing the Hair Out/Loose

If your goal is long hair, I highly advise you to save loose styles for special occasions. This includes an afro, puffs, curls, twist outs... shall I continue? Kinky and curly hair is already prone to tangles. When the hair is worn out for an extended amount of time that only increases the potential damage you are unknowingly causing. Which brings me to our next tip...

Tip #4: Protective Styling

If you’ve been following our blog for a while then you know we can be pretty serious about protective styling. In fact, most of 2011 Miss A was wearing protective styles and that just so happens to be the year she retained the most length. We even had a couple of Protective Styling Challenges that year (shout of to all participants!).

So, what is a protective style exactly? Well, that really depends on who you ask. If you want my opinion, it’s any style that requires no rubber bands or hair accessories (aside from the occasional headband or no slip bow, see part one) and falls under the following category:  Two/three strand twists, box braids, mini braids/twists, cornrowed/twisted updo's. See photos below for examples of a few of our favorite protective styles:

You can use the search box to the left to view more protective styles on the blog.

Most people will probably tell you a protective style is anything that hides the ends of the hair so no damage is being done, or something along those lines. While they are not wrong for thinking this, I don’t completely agree. Buns, for example, hide the ends; however, the bun could be pulling at the hairline, and in Miss A’s case, causing terrible tangling. There will be a lot of trial and error and ultimately you will have to do what works best for your child's mane.

Don't forget to be careful with how tightly you style your little one’s hair. If they are in pain, don’t just chalk it up to them being tender-headed. Try to be as gentle as possible, otherwise it defeats the entire purpose.

For us, protective styles last anywhere from one to six weeks so always remember to continue to moisturize the hair while it’s braided or twisted up. Bee Mine Juicy Spritz is simple and effective.

Tomorrow we will discuss the final two tips in this three part series so be sure to stop by and check it out. I will also be answering any questions or concerns you all may have. So, if there's anything you'd like to ask, be sure to leave a comment.

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6 Tips To Healthy Natural Hair Growth (for kids!)

One of the most common questions I’m asked is “how can I make my child’s hair grow long?”, or some variation of that question. The simple answer to that is there is no magical potion (or, in this case, moisturizer). Now, while there is no way to make your child’s hair grow, don’t fret because there ARE steps you can take to assist in retaining length which will result in a healthy head full of natural hair. While genes play an important role in this process, I also believe that with proper care, anything is possible. Some quick hair facts:  each person has their own individual hair cycle growth phase in which their hair has potential to reach it’s longest (or, terminal length). Once the cycle is complete, it restarts (shedding, anyone?) and a new strand of hair begins to form. Hair grows about 6 inches per year, or half an inch per month, on average. If you do your part in caring for this length to the best of your ability, your little lady (or fella) is sure to have some long locks. In this three-part series, we are going to discuss 6 important tips on how you can help your child during their healthy hair journey.

I’m sure you’ve read some of these tried and true tips on the blog before but hopefully this series puts an end to this very common question.

Tip #1: Avoid hair accessories. 

"What? But they’re so cute!" I know, I know. This is a difficult one for mothers of little girls especially. We always want to match their hair beads and bows to their outfits but please keep in mind that these can do more harm than good.

Beads, for example: we use a rubber band to secure the beads at the end of the braid or twist. Remember, the ends are the oldest part of the hair, therefore, they need the most TLC. Tightly wrapping a rubber band around a small piece of hair and then adding weight from the beads is just asking for trouble! Please take into consideration that typically when parents and caregivers accessorize with beads, we usually leave them in for a few days, sometimes a couple of weeks. Imagine the pulling this is doing to those ends during that period. Overtime, the ends will become dry and brittle resulting in breakage.

Other hair accessories to avoid: Ponytail holders/hair ties (yes, even Goody Ouchless ones). Tight ponytails will inevitably pull on edges. Snaps/barrettes. Bows with metal closures.  

Tip #2: Moisturize! 

Well, duh. People tend to forget how important moisturizing the hair is. It’s easy to moisturize one time then forget about until the next wash day, especially during these Winter months. I strongly suggest a daily moisturizing regimen. Focus on the edges, nape of the neck and the ends.

My favorite moisturizer for my daughter (or holy grail, as we like to call it) is Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer (use discount code: 15BBBSUM for 10% off or you can purchase on Amazon). We've been using this product for years and it has never failed me. Don’t forget to seal the moisture in with an oil. I like Extra Virgin Coconut Oil or Olive Oil.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for part two of this three part series. We will be discussing the importance of protective styling as well as ways you can properly detangle your little one’s hair without the breakage (or tears!).

I’d love to hear your feedback. Do you have any tips you’d like to share or anything you’d like me to answer in our next post? Leave a comment below!

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Half Up, Half Down - Banded Natural Hair with Braid + Dealing With Epilepsy

Hey everyone! I know I haven't updated on the blog in a while but if you follow our Facebook page then you know we have been dealing with a lot here lately. As many of you may know, Miss A had 2 seizures last week, about 12 hours apart. She has absolutely no health issues that we were aware of and never had a seizure before in her life. She was in the hospital for a few days and there was talks of a tumor, brain infection and cysts on both sides of her brain. The doctor officially diagnosed her with having Epilepsy but we don't know what caused her seizures. This is still very new to us and it is terrifying. She is in seizure medication and she is doing better but she still has moments that seem off to me. She will be going in for another EEG in a couple of weeks. She will also be having a sleep study done and I am going to request another MRI because at first the doctor was sure she had cysts and now he "doesn't think" she does. I feel pretty clueless at this point but I am going to remain strong for my little girl. I will try to make a full post next week but I just wanted to update you all and let you all know that is is doing well and I thank you all so very much for your thoughts and prayers.

Picture of her when she was in the hospital. The day she went home. As you can see, she still wanted to play dress up, lol

As you can see from the above picture, Miss A's hair was stretched through banding. If you don't know what banding is, please check out our Banding F.A.Q. post *CLICK HERE* I banded her hair in a few sections for a couple of days using Goody Ouchless ponytail holders (they are very stretchy, cloth and metal free). I used Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer (As you probably know, this is our fav. Discount code: BBBJAN will get you 10% off, good through March 31st, 2012 www.beemineproducts.com) I planned on styling her hair this week but nothing ever goes according to plan so I decided to do this quick style before we headed out to take Lil Man to speech therapy.  I parted her hair from ear to ear with my fingers. I loosely tied off the top section with a ponytail holder, I then made a space between her hair right above the ponytail holder and flipped her ponytail through that section. I braided the remaining hair and tied it off with another matching ponytail holder. I used a little Kinky Curly Curling Custard to smooth the top section down and viola! All done. Nothing too fancy but very easy and cute.

Don't forget to "LIKE" our Facebook page for more pictures and updates. Please feel free to ask questions and share your own pictures! :-)

xoxo, Nik