11 Reasons Why Your Natural Hair is NOT Growing
‘I have been natural for so and so years but my natural hair is not growing. If anything, IT IS BREAKING.’
If you have been thinking or saying that, then you are among hundreds of people who mail me everyday with the same statement.
I completely understand how intimidating it can be scrolling through Instagram and Tumblr and seeing that post of a gorgeous lady (or even a guy),that has a head full of long, healthy, voluminous natural hair.
Like, “what am I doing wrong?
Why is my hair not growing?
I have done everything to it but it still doesn’t grow.”
I understand.
Thankfully I am here to help!
So I have compiled 11 reasons you may not know that can be affecting the health and length retention of your natural hair.
So I have compiled 11 reasons you may not know that can be affecting the health and length retention of your natural hair.
- Ultraviolet Radiation
Ultraviolet Radiation from the sun can be very damaging to our hair. T
he same goes for extreme winter temperatures.
These cause internal fluctuation of moisture within hair strands so try to protective style once in a while with a fancy scarf/turban, box braids, kinky twists, etc. - Chlorinated water
Chlorinated water in swimming pools and hard water are literally enemies to your natural hair.
The chemical from the chlorinated water and the minerals from hard water strip your hair of moisture and prevent your hair from being properly moisturized.
Try spritzing your natural hair with water and sealing it in with a heavy oil or butter like Shea butter before entering a pool.
You could also simply buy a filter for your shower if you live in hard water areas. - Pollutants
Pollutants in the atmosphere can actually dry out natural hair and cause your hair color to change.
You can also prevent this by wearing hats, scarves or wearing protective styles. - Nutritional Deficiency
It doesn’t really matter how good a product is if you don’t eat well.
Hair begins to grow from inside our bodies so what you eat clearly defines how healthy your hair is when it comes out of your scalp. - Inconsistent regimen
If you don’t have a consistent regimen that works for your hair texture and lifestyle, you hair might be doomed to breakage. You can read about my regimen here.
- Using the wrong products
What may work for your hair-crush may not work for you. Hair type and porosity matters so rather than buying the latest natural hair product, focus on observing if your current hair products work with your hair.
Does it make my hair soft? more manageable? more defined? etc.
Depending on your hair needs you can ascertain what works and what doesn’t. - You have hands in hair syndrome
Yes, that is a real thing. Having your hands in your natural hair all the time can cause breakage.
Naturals refer to this as, excess manipulation.
So stop trying to get your hair to look like the latest style or to look like your hair crush.
Rather, focus on your journey and keep your hair in styles that hide your ends i.e. protective styles.
- You are not moisturizing properly
It is one thing to have a cupboard full of hair products and another knowing what to do with them.
Read the instructions on your products and use as directed.
Not all products work the same and also learn how to layer your products.
Use water based products first before oily ones. - Don’t forget your hair in protective styles
Protective styling can be your hairs best friend in retaining length but it can also be a trigger for breakage.
Use water based moisturizers to keep your natural hair constantly hydrated, I show you how to in one of my first YouTube Videos. - You don’t sleep with a satin/silk scarf or a satin pillow
I know a number of naturals that are still unaware that they are supposed to go to bed with a satin scarf or satin pillow.
Scarves in satin or silk material help protect your hair from loss of moisture and prevent breakage from the cotton material of your pillowcase. - Doing a length check everyday or very often will only frustrate you.
Hair growth is only properly visible to the eye when it gets to an inch or more.
So stop standing in the mirror every morning with a measuring tape.
Your hair is growing, you are just unable to see it and retain length.
Do you have more tips to add? Please share what has worked for you in the comment section below and you can find more on 25 Tips and Tricks for Growing Natural Hair
25 comments
the last point tho. I have sobstoppudoing length checks..so sorry frustrating ahnahn! thank you for the tips girl.
Lol! So Zainab you’re one of them…hehe You’re welcome dearie.
Great advice I need to start back protective styling
You’re always welcome Kerdisha!
great tips u’r funny when you say “stop standing in front of the Mirror wt tape every morning” thts reminds me of my frd always complaining abt her hair not growing. especially the new naturalistas lol
Lol! You know! I have many friends that do it too. haha
Mirror mirror let see how my hair is growing………………. i ended up cutting it. Now have started to grow it again. my front hair is very fragile advise me what to do. want i new fresh start. Hair Health i can say
I’ll love to help you further. Send me an email to igbocurls@gmail.com
Do I still need to worry about a satin pillowcase if my natural hair is in cornrows?
Yes you do. The satin pillowcase or scarf is there to prevent moisture from being absorbed by your pillow and also to preserve your hairstyle for the next day.
I have been practicing all these tips for over a year but my natural hair is still very light and very soft.
I don’t know the name for my hair type but I would very much appreciate tips on how to grow a thicker and stronger hair like the 4chair.
Hi Irene!
The thickness of your hair depends on how many strands grow out of one hair follicle but if you do want thicker looking hair, you can try volumising conditioners. They will make your hair appear thicker and fuller.
Hi Chinwe, I find your tips useful and educating. Good job. I really want to know how long to stay between protective styles. I mean how long can I leave my hair ‘alone’ without ‘putting it away’. My hair is 1year and 3months I like the growth and the health but I don’t like doing it. I enjoy pouring water on my head every day.
Hi Fikayo,
Thank you! You can leave your hair alone for as long as you want. I haven’t ‘made’ my hair in over a year, so you’re fine but if you want to retain a lot of length with your current length I would recommend you protective style. When you want to protective style do it only for a maximum of 8weeks.
Hi. I have very thick hair. I find it difficult to even comb. I went through some of your tube videos and downloaded your app. I’m now trying to get a regimen and follow your steps to see if my hair can be soft for once in my life!
Thank you for downloading my app! I hope your hair is softer now.☺️
Anytime i scalf my natural hair or even braids, it itches, makes it soo uncomfortable. So i mostly dont cover my hair. I feel i need air. Also, my hair is thick and hard, it doesn’t stretch. Well, i once used a texturizer in my hair thinking it will work, it only stretched my hair and nothing else. But after that, i feel my hair is not growing. Its been a year now since i used it. What do u think i should do about it? Because my hair is 2 years and the length i was expecting it to be by now is no way close.
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Hello, thanks for the tips. I have very thick natural hair and find it difficult combing it. Any advice?
Section it, apply lots of leave in conditioner and finger detangle.
Natural hair products are so expensive in Nigeria…even the oils…not easy to get good shampoo and conditioners..
It depends, but I do understand your thoughts. Where have you been shopping from so far?