Caring for Ethnic Hair tips

1.        Healthy living will result in healthy hair. Eat a healthy, well balanced diet; drink plenty of water and avoid smoking.

2.       Massage your scalp regularly to stimulate oil production and to reduce the dryness of your hair. Remember… African hair, generally black hair, is the slowest growing of all ethnic groups, at less than 0.9 cm a month. It is also slightly more dense and grows almost parallel to the scalp, twisting around itself as it grows but as in the case with ALL hair, the follicle NEEDS nutrients and vitamins to produce healthy hair strands. African hair also produces plenty of protective oils, called sebum. In fact, African hair actually produces more oils than Caucasian and Asian hair. However, due to the tight curls, the oil fails to spread evenly along the hair fibre.

3.       Therefore it is even more important for African people to massage their scalp and get the oils spread evenly as much as possible because without this very necessary lubrication, the fibres become very dry. This causes the brittle strands to flake and roughen, resulting in hair that is coarse to the touch.Do not shampoo every day. Ethnic hair is dryer than other hair and if you wash it everyday the shampoo will strip away the natural oils from your hair. Rather shampoo every 3 to 7 days instead.

4.       If you enjoy going to the gym or exercising daily and you sweat, it is recommended that you rinse your hair out with water and only use shampoo occasionally. However, if you want to use a shampoo every day, use a moisturising one with a low PH level when washing your hair.

5.       Don't use a 2- in-1 shampoo and conditioner. They are not suitable for very dry hair. Use a separate shampoo and conditioner.

6.       When washing your hair, rub only in one direction to avoid tangling.

7.       Hot water can dry and irritate the scalp, so rather use warm water when showering or bathing.

8.       Massage oil into your scalp and brush out to the ends of your hair, while your hair is still damp.

9.       Moisturize your hair with a conditioner when you shower, to add shine and give it extra protection, as well as to reduce static and untangle the hair.

10.   Use a leave-in conditioner to hydrate and protect the hair. It also makes it easier to comb.

11.   Blot the water out of your hair, instead of rubbing. Rubbing causes hair to tangle and break

12.   Limit your use of blow dryers, hot irons and straighteners

13.   Use a pick or wide-toothed comb. It makes it easier to comb if your hair is slightly moist, because it can slide easier across the hair.

14.   If your hair is very wet, wait until it dries more, hair is most fragile when it is wet.

15.   If you have a tough knot or tangle, use your fingers to loosen it and then continue combing.

16.   Comb your hair to remove any tangles before brushing it, using a brush to detangle your hair will stretch your hair and may cause your hair to break off.

17.   Use a soft hairbrush on your hair daily which will distribute the oil at the root of your hair and scalp to the rest of your hair. Dampen the brush slightly before brushing.

18.   Get a hot oil treatment once a month to deep-moisturize your scalp and hair.

19.   Satin or silk pillowcases are kinder to your hair, because it can slide across it without getting caught. An alternative to the silk pillowcase is to wear a silk or satin scarf over your hair before your sleep to prevent breakage.

20.   Avoid hair products that contain alcohol which dry out your hair.

21.   Use the Oleda Hair helper vitamins by Hair Beauty -  this product Feeds Hair Follicles To Help Hair Grow and at last South Africans have a product that besides being very affordable, truly works. For Men, Women - All Hair Types and Colors - Light, Dark, Sun Damaged, Wind Damaged, even Over-Processed Hair! Beautiful hair starts with FEEDING your hair from the INSIDE through the blood stream. Lifeless, brittle, thinning hair is very often caused by poor nutrition. Hair follicles (the roots) must have special nutrition in order to have the best thickness, shine and strength you want.

And remember...the very best hair treatment applied ON the hair strands themselves can never ever make up for FEEDING THE HAIR PROPERLY FROM THE INSIDE through the blood vessels. We just can't eat enough foods rich in vitamins and minerals for the kind of strength, thickness, shine, vitality and growth we need for the most beautiful hair. The best way to feed your hair and scalp - is through your mouth, as with the help of our special HAIR HELPERS VITAMINS.