Summer is here, and while it’s a season of fun and sun, it can also be a challenging time for our 4C natural hair. But guess what? It’s totally possible to grow your hair and retain length even during these warm months. Let’s chat about some practical tips, tricks, and products that will help you achieve length and flourishing hair, you’ve been dreaming of. Over here we just have hot seasons or months, we don’t experience the four seasons. So, these tips work for us in places where we just have the alittle bit hotter and sunnier months.
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Table of Contents
Hair Growth and Length Retention During Summer.
1. Hydration and Moisture is Your Best Friend
- Staying hydrated is crucial. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body and hair hydrated.
- Moisturize Daily: Your hair needs moisture just as much as your body does. Use a water-based leave-in conditioner or a hydrating spray every day to keep your hair moisturized. After moisturizing, don’t forget to lock in the moisture with a butter or oil. Personally, I haven’t been using butters or oils for sometime now to seal in moisture. I did share how I moisturize and keep moisture locked in without using butters and oils on this post.
Related posts;
- How to moisturize 4C natural hair between wash days.
- Best time To noisturize 4C natural hair.
- Moisturizing routine for dry 4C natural hair.
- How to apply moisturizing products On dry type 4 hair.
- The best moisturizing hair poducts for everyone.
2. Protective Styles and Low manipulation Styles for Length retention
Low Manipulation and Protective Styles:
- Braids, Twists, cornrows , flat twists and Buns: These styles protect your ends and reduce the need for daily manipulation, which can lead to breakage. Just make sure your protective styles aren’t too tight to avoid tension on your scalp and edges.
- Maintain Your Styles: Even with protective styles, it’s important to keep your scalp clean and your hair moisturized. It easy to wear protective styles and forget all about your hair which may lead to dry hair which is susceptible to breakage. Also, applying products on long term protective styles without cleaning it, may lead to build up. Use a light oil to nourish your scalp and a hydrating spray to keep your braids or twists moisturized.
Related posts:
- Benefits of wearing low manipulation and protective styles.
- How to care for protective styles for maximum length retention and hair growth.
- Ways to make your protective styles last longer.
- Products to use on protective styles.
- How to prep your hair for protective styles.
3. Deep Conditioning Religiously
- Deep Condition religiously and as needed: A good deep conditioning treatment will replenish moisture and strengthen your hair, making it more resilient to the summer heat. Use a moisturizing deep conditioner on every wash and a protein treatment as needed. Moisturizing deep conditioners restore moisture to the hair while protein treatments repair damage and strengthen the hair minimizing breakage.
Related posts:
- Moisturizing deep conditioners Vs protein treatments On 4C natural hair.
- Benefits of protein treatments on 4C natural hair
- How to use moisturizing deep conditioners on natural hair.
4. Scalp Care is Essential
Healthy Scalp, Healthy Hair:
- Cleanse Regularly: Keep your scalp clean by using a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. This helps to remove sweat, dirt, and product buildup without stripping your hair of its natural oils.
- Scalp Massages: Stimulate blood flow to your scalp with regular oil massages. This can promote hair growth and keep your scalp healthy.
Related post: 6 Do’s and Don’ts for Healthy Scalp.
5. Night Time Routine
Protect While You Sleep:
- Moisturize and Seal: Before bed, spritz your hair with a hydrating spray and seal in the moisture with a light oil or butter. For already moisturized hair, don’t apply any other moisturizing products.
- Satin or Silk Bonnet: Always sleep with a satin or silk bonnet or use a satin pillowcase. This reduces friction and helps retain moisture, preventing breakage.
6. Trim Regularly
Healthy Ends:
- Schedule Regular Trims: Trimming your ends every 6-8 weeks can prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft and causing more damage. Healthy ends are essential for length retention.
Related posts:
7. Protect from the Elements
Sun and Water Protection:
- Cover Up: Use a hat or a scarf to protect your hair from the sun’s UV rays.
- Pre-Pool Prep: Before swimming, saturate your hair with clean water and apply a leave-in conditioner to minimize chlorine or saltwater damage. Rinse your hair immediately after swimming.
Related post: leave-in conditioners to moisturize natural hair.
8. Limit Heat Styling
Embrace Your Natural Texture:
- Minimize Heat Use: Excessive heat styling can cause damage and breakage. Embrace heatless styles or use heat sparingly with a good heat protectant.
- Products to Try:
Related post: heat protectant to use to keep heat damage away.
- How I go years without heat styling
- The best heat protectants to use when using heat to minimize heat damage.
Must-Have Summer Products for Growth and Length Retention
- Leave-In Conditioners:
- Deep Conditioners:
- Oils:
- Hydrating Sprays:
- Shampoos:
By incorporating these tips and products into your summer hair care routine, you can protect your 4C natural hair, promote growth, and retain length. Remember, consistency is key, and your hair will thank you for the extra love and care. Enjoy the summer, flaunt those fabulous styles, and keep growing your beautiful natural hair!
