Hair Goals

My Kinky Hair

Chapter One: Hair Growth

There are many misconceptions about African hair. One of them is that African hair cannot grow long due to its kinky nature. This is false.

Hair growth in black girls undergoes a cycle of three phases just like that of every other girl in the world. The only difference is in the hair growth rate. Girls with thin hair shafts and straight curls such as Caucasians experience twice as much hair growth rate compared to black girls whose hair is thick and with circular curls. However, with good hair care, black girls can also grow long lustrous hair.

The growth phase is the first phase of hair growth cycle. It is also called the anagen phase and occurs from the day new hair starts growing on a bald head. It takes six to seven years of active hair growth for those with a long cycle and two to three years for those with a short cycle.

During the anagen phase, black girls' hair grows at a length of ¼ an inch in a month and three inches in a year. Therefore, a typical black girl should have at least eighteen-inch long hair at the end of the anagen phase. Incredible, right? Unfortunately, this length is very difficult for black girls to achieve.

The main reason for not achieving the length is hair breakage. Hair breakage is avoidable if you take good care of your hair. Healthy hair also breaks. In fact, everybody loses fifty to eighty strands in a single day. What you should avoid is unnecessary breakage.

The transitional phase follows the anagen phase. It is also known as the catagen phase. This phase marks the end of the anagen phase and prepares hair follicles for the resting phase. At this time, most hair strands have achieved maximum length. The hair follicle detaches itself from its source of nutrients called dermal papilla. Therefore, no more nutrients are supplied to the hair follicle. The catagen phase lasts ten to fourteen days.

After the catagen phase enters the telogen phase, also called the resting phase. In this phase, all the hair strands that have reached their maximum length start shedding. The shedding goes on for six months to one year.

After the telogen phase, all the remaining hair strands repeat the growth cycle for more than ten times in a lifetime.

Chapter Two: Hair Care

Love is the greatest rule for hair growth just as it is the greatest commandment that God gave to humanity. Love is care, but care cannot necessarily mean love. Therefore, the greatest secret to hair growth is to not only care for it but to love it too because you can only take good care of what you love.

Hair always rewards its owner with length, thickness, softness and shine if treated well. You can only get the best results if you shower your hair with the love it needs. However, love without actions is no love. There are things you should do to show hair love. Here are some of the ways to show that you love your hair:

Understanding Your Hair

Understanding your hair means that you develop an intimate relationship with your hair. You have to know your hair deeply. Firstly, you have to know the texture of your hair. Is it 4A, light and soft, 4B, not very thick and coarse or 4C, very thick and coarse?

Secondly, you have to know how your hair behaves when in contact with water. This way you will find the best detangling method that will not lead to hair breakage.

Thirdly, you have to know which products work for your hair. Using the right product on your hair is important because it guarantees best results. See how your hair feels or behaves when you use your preferred product on it. If it feels smoother, looks shinier and is more manageable after using the product, then go for it!