Hola fashionistas! It’s hair time (lol). Are you having trouble keeping your hair strong and healthy? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I have the same issue. My hair is thick and stubborn, and it can be challenging to manage. Virgin (natural) hair can be tricky to manage, but there are some tips and tricks that can help. Today, I’ll be sharing 5 easy tips on maintaining strong, healthy Virgin hair.
However, before we divulge into the tips, don’t y’all think we need to know what Virgin hair is?
Natural hair, mostly called Virgin hair, is a relaxer and chemical-free hair that remains undamaged and unprocessed. I have watched a lot of my friends with virgin hair go through the stress of keeping their hair healthy and let’s just say the last one I watched wasn’t cheap.
They would complain about their hair being too thick, or too strong to comb out, and I even watched my roommate yell as they weaved her hair. I would often ask, “why not just relax?” but then she would go all defensive on me and say she wanted to grow it out. I didn’t mind this because I loved laughing at her face whenever she screamed at the stylist, who happened to be our mutual friend (lmao).
In short, Virgin hair can be a bit difficult to manage because it can knot and tangle easily, be hard to comb through and be very strong. That’s why it requires regular attention and treatment with natural products. One of the things I love most about virgin hair is its versatility. Most virgin hairs are naturally curly and so do not require plaiting before they can be styled. Please note that these tips are not just for ladies, because who said guys can’t have healthy strong hair?
So, here are the 5 tips for maintaining strong, healthy virgin hair:
1. Washing.
Washing your virgin hair is the best way to keep your hair neat, clean, and free from buildup and dirt caused by pollutants. Air pollution isn’t just bad for the environment—it’s bad for your hair, too. All of that grime and dirt can build up on your strands and make them appear dull, lackluster, and dirty. Not to mention, it can also contribute to more serious side effects, like hair loss.
So, when you have spent so much time outside during the week, whether to work or on errands, then consider washing your hair.
How many times should you wash your hair, you may ask?
Well, personally, I make sure to wash my hair when I start to notice flakes or itchiness or a lot of buildup oils which can be about twice a week, that is if, I’m not on weaves. However, for natural virgin hair, it is recommended to wash your hair once a week.
What products should I use to wash my hair?
Experts in the hair care industry generally recommend using a pH-balanced shampoo. This helps to prevent too much dryness and damage to the hair during the shampooing process. Ph-balanced hair products like Avalon Organic Therapy Thickening Shampoo and conditioner and Dove Amplified Textures Super Slip Detangling Conditioner are great for moisturizing and strengthening your hair.
Not only should we look out for ph-balanced shampoos, but also those made of 100% natural products. Be careful not to get any product that has any trace of sulfates as they damage the scalp.
How do I wash my hair?
Washing your virgin hair can be a bit daunting, but don’t worry! I got you covered. If you do not have the time to go to a stylist, just follow these simple steps and you’ll have beautiful, clean hair in no time.
- Start by wetting your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water. I know some of y’all are like me, who likes using hot water. However, hot water can cause a bit of damage to your virgin hair, making it weak and dry which in turn could lead to hair loss.
- Then, apply a small amount of shampoo to your scalp and massage it in gently. Shampooing should be done gently and thoroughly so as to get the soap treatment into your scalp and clean it. Remember not to use your nails to scrub your hair but your fingertips because we want to gently scrub and massage the scalp and not tear it off (lol).
- Rinse the shampoo out completely and then apply conditioner to your hair, focusing on the ends. While the shampoo targets your scalp, the conditioner targets your hair itself. So gently massage the conditioner all over your scalp and strands of your hair and use a comb to detangle all the knots that may have built up in the shampooing process. Once the conditioner is in, and you are certain your hair combs out without knotting, rinse it out with cool water. I love conditioning my hair, it just feels so good to comb through those tangles.
- Finally, use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to detangle your hair and then let it air dry.
2. Apply Natural Products To Hair.
Just washing your hair is not enough to keep your hair healthy and make it grow because you also have to think about how to nourish it. Applying natural products like natural oils helps boost hair strength and growth. When you apply these natural oils, you’re basically feeding your hair the nutrients it deserves. Here are the 5 best oils to use for healthy hair and why:
- Coconut oil: helps rich hair growth.
- Almond oil: nourishes the scalp and hair strands.
- Castor oil: softens hair texture making it smooth to comb through and style.
- Olive oil: Keep your hair free of dandruff and flakes.
- Grapeseed Oil: Gives your hair a stronger root.
While shampoos and conditioners take care of the washing and cleaning aspect of the hair, these natural oils contribute to the growth, development, and strength of virgin hair. Now, when applying these oils, be careful not to add so much that it causes buildups later, but just a little to the root and strands of your hair can make them strong, and healthy and also keeps the natural curls of virgin hairs.
3. Eat Healthily.
I honestly don’t think this should come as a surprise to us. Just as healthy foods contribute to the nourishment of the body, it also affects the hair in more ways than one. A lack of proper nutrients is one of the leading causes of slow hair growth and even hair loss. To ensure that your locks are growing at their full potential, be sure to include foods rich in vitamins A, C, D, and E, zinc, B vitamins, iron, biotin, protein, and essential fatty acids.
Another important hair diet is water. Drinking water helps your hair stay hydrated and thereby enables the scalp to breathe and absorb all the nutrients fed by food and natural hair-growing oils.
Examples of foods rich in these minerals are eggs, beans, nuts, soybeans, oysters, berries, and meat. I don’t think this can even be a problem for me, because I love food (lol). Who doesn’t? I may like junk food but I always try to substitute some things for healthy food.
4. Don’t sleep with wet hair.
Wet hair is more prone to breakage, so sleeping with wet hair can increase the risk of damaged hair. Additionally, wet hair can encourage the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause scalp irritation. Finally, sleeping with wet hair can make it more difficult to get a restful night’s sleep, as the dampness can make it uncomfortable to lie down. Instead, if you want to keep your hair soft overnight, add leave-in conditioner and tie your hair before going to bed.
If you want to help your hair keep its moisture and reduce the amount of frizzing, consider sleeping on a satin pillowcase or with a satin scarf. The smooth fabric creates less friction, so your hair won’t become as dry or frizzy overnight.
5. Choose styles that protect your hair.
One of the things I love about virgin hair is its versatility of styles. You can use the hair itself to create your own style and it will stick with the right products. When on braids, it is necessary to moisturize them especially when it’s been on for too long. So as you choose a style to make, it is important to keep yourself hydrated, and your hair moisturized.
For example, for braids that have stayed too long, mix a bit of water, leave-in conditioner, and natural oil in a bottle, spray and massage it gently into the hair, then tie it with a satin scarf and leave in for some time. I did this for one of my customers and wow, the hair kept shining even after two weeks.
In conclusion:
My favorite person with virgin hair is Priscilla Shirer. Her rich, thick, and wavy hair is still very much virgin but she has shown so much commitment and consistency when it comes to taking care of and maintaining a healthy hair lifestyle. She started her perm when she was 13 but after a series of searching for the right product, she decided to take her hair growth seriously and went in on it.
1Blessed Natural Mag wrote: ‘As for Shirer’s hair secrets… she said she limits the amount of heat she puts on her hair. Her hair is blow-dried before twisting, which is about every 6-8 weeks. Her hair is straightened and ends clipped 2-3 times a year. One of the biggest things she does is protective styling with twists. She also likes to do twist-outs. Her hair is finger-detangled before being combed. Steaming, deep conditioning, and moisturizing are also important parts of her natural hair regimen, especially after washing.’
Links below
Because It’s you on Libri: https://www.libri7.com/book/20457/Because-It’s-You
His Moon Luna: https://m.novel-cat.com/bookDetail/22961236047/about/liked/HIS-MOON-LUNA—
Dealing With Love: https://www.goodnovel.com/book_info/31000380358/Billionaire/Dealing-With-Love
Later Fashionistas…
God bless you guys (love emoji)
Photo credit: Getty Images and google.com
By Oluwatoyosi
Recommended3 recommendationsPublished in Hairstyles, Our Fashion Passion, street style