For ages, men have been scrutinizing hair loss and trying to combat it. This blog will provide the most effective ways for black men to grow their hair faster.
Nearly 50% of men experience some hair loss or poor growth by their mid-30s. And contrary to popular belief, it’s not just an issue for white males.
2 out of every 3 cases of hair loss and poor growth occur in black men. While genetics and stress are believed to play a part, we can do plenty of other things to help.
It is often seen among black men that they experience hair damage and hair loss due to exposure to heat and various chemical treatments. So, I write this blog specifically about hair growth for black men. To understand clearly, read this blog to the end.
Growing black hair faster is quite simple. All it requires is acquiring knowledge on which products to use. The rest is pretty common information easily found on the internet- a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and hair nourishment.
Use of Shampoos & Conditioners
Moisturizing the hair is very critical for growth. Using shampoo regularly strips the hair of its natural oils, leaving the scalp completely dry, eventually leading to slow or no hair growth at all.
To avoid this, you can use a Pre-Shampoo product. It acts as a conditioning treatment for the hair by moisturizing it. Pre-shampoo products are thick in texture. This allows them to form a layer of foam on the hair. After washing the hair in the shower, the moisture stays intact And feels soft and smooth.
You can purchase a ready-made pre-shampoo product from the market, or you can make one at home. Making a pre-shampoo product at home would require you to combine a protein-based conditioner and organic oil.
An average shampoo’s ingredient list contains several surfactants, which are very harsh on the hair. That is why you must look for shampoos that contain fewer surfactants and more nourishing ingredients.
The best way is to use a moisturizing shampoo. You can even use a product that contains organic oil. Look for oils such as argan( also known as Moroccan) oil and Jojoba oil. These are very efficient at protecting the hair from heat and frizz. They also do a very good job at keeping the hair moisturized.
As mentioned above, conditioners are the key when it comes to boosting hair growth. Use a rich conditioner to fight the dryness of your hair. An average person’s hair stays 10 to 15% moisturized, whereas a black male’s hair stays much less than that.
Avoid hair conditioners that contain petroleum or Mineral oil. If you already do, switch them with conditioners with organic oils(olive, Jojoba, or argan oil). While looking for products with organic oils, also try to use the ones that contain shea butter or fatty acids.
To keep it short, more conditioner and less shampoo.
The chief editor of the bestreviewlist recommends,” A rule of thumb is to stick to sulfate-free shampoos. Sulfates are known to make your hair frizzy and dry out. This is especially bad for African American hair which is already brittle enough. The extra harshness is something you should avoid at all cost.”
Use of oils
The scalp consists of numerous sebaceous glands that release sebum(the hair’s natural oil) to keep the hair moisturized. Regardless of that, you need to keep your hair moisturized from the outside, which requires applying oil to it frequently.
Be cautious while purchasing hair oils. Read the ingredient list carefully, and if needed, consult with a dermatologist if you have any skin issues. The best oils to search for are olive, jojoba, argan, and coconut oil. These oils are very good at protecting the hair from heat and promoting hair growth.
The ideal time to apply oil to hair would be after a shower or before bedtime. It also varies from person to person, depending on their hair texture, requirement, and lifestyle.
Protein Treatments
Protein treatments help in boosting hair growth by providing nourishment and making the hair stronger. With each varying hair type, the Protein treatments also keep changing.
These protein packs are meant for regular use. People who have used protein treatments say they experienced negligible hair damage. If you have severely damaged hair, it would be best for you to use reconstructors.
In the case of mildly damaged hair, Deep penetrating treatments are recommended. Whereas if you have very little damaged hair, you can use a light treatment to repair them.
Supplementation For Hair Growth
To ensure the full-fledged growth of your hair, you must include health supplements in your diet. There are various multivitamins & mineral supplements, fish oil capsules, protein supplements, and biotin supplements that will help you in this journey of growing your hair faster.
Multivitamin supplements provide the hair with multiple nutrients that contribute to keeping your hair healthy and strong. One of the most important vitamins required for boosting hair growth is vitamin A.
Every cell in our body requires vitamin A for growth, including hair. It also helps the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum(hair’s natural oil). As we all know, sebum moisturizes the scalp and keeps the hair healthy.
Another vital vitamin for hair growth is vitamin B, also known as biotin. Studies have shown that a person with biotin deficiency experiences hair loss. Although biotin can be found in various food items, some men still have this deficiency.
Low levels of vitamin D tend to result in alopecia which is a technical term for hair loss. The best source for vitamin D would be the sunlight, but if you are a person who does not get the chance to get out much, you can start consuming Vitamin D supplements to compensate.
Studies have also shown that people on supplementation with Vitamin E have had a 34.5% hair growth. Doctors generally recommend a course of 6 to 8 months for this type of supplementation.
Fish oil capsules also come in handy for boosting hair growth. These capsules contain Omega-3 fatty acids, which are very important for the hair to fight against dryness and dullness. They also help in preventing dandruff.
Balanced Diet For Hair Growth
We have all studied in school how a healthy and balanced diet is important for survival and growth. A balanced diet would ensure that you have healthy skin, hair, nails, and proper functioning of the internal systems.
Before you begin using any product to moisturize your hair, make sure that you have enough water that happens to be the body’s natural moisturizer. Your hair acts very similarly to your skin, which means it can run dry now and then. To prevent that from occurring, drink about 2- 2.5 liters of water every day. You may drink even more if you exercise regularly or are living in a warmer region.
Your hair is made of protein, so make sure you consume plenty of it. An average person should keep a ratio of 25 – 35% protein in their diet. If you are a non-vegetarian male, go for protein-rich food such as chicken, eggs, beef, turkey, steak, etc. On the other hand, if you are a vegetarian, you can indulge in having nuts, lentils, and pulses.
Embrace dairy products as they have a higher protein content compared to other average food items. They are also very rich in calcium.
Avoid consuming too much junk food, as it might contain a lot of preservatives or unnecessary ingredients. If you consume them too much and too often, they will lead to excess weight gain, which is quite harmful to the immune system.
Natural coloring agents
If you like styling your hair with hair dyes frequently, you are setting your hair up for severe damage. These hair dyes contain many chemicals which are very harmful to the hair and the scalp.
Instead, you can switch to using Henna which is a natural coloring agent without any harmful effects on the hair. Based on the studies by various scientists, it has been noticed that Henna also acts as a conditioner for your hair. It makes your crown look thicker while giving it a great shine and making it stronger.
Handling Gently
If you comb or brush your hair right after coming out of the shower when it is soaking wet, I suggest you stop immediately! Your hair is most vulnerable when it is completely wet. Brushing or combing the hair at this particular time could lead to immense hair fall or split ends.
Let your hair air dry by itself to reduce any chances of them breaking off. Even if you still insist on wiping your hair with a towel, make sure you are not doing it rigorously. Be gentle while towel drying the hair, and proceed with dabbing the hair rather than rubbing it.
While we discuss how to use a towel after a shower, let’s talk briefly about the type of water you should use to wash your hair. Scientists have observed that washing the hair with chilled water can construct the capillaries of the scalp. These capillaries are responsible for carrying out nutrients to the hair and taking away the waste products from the skin.
To ensure better health for your hair, use lukewarm water to shower. Do not wet the hair suddenly; instead, slowly pour the lukewarm water and let the hair experience a gradual change in temperature.
Stay active
Indulge in physical activities to keep yourself fit. Being physically fit has been known to have multiple benefits, such as increased muscle mass, improved cardiovascular system, and respiratory system. All of these factors promote the well-being of your body, leading to the growth of healthy hair, nails, and skin.
The best part about physical fitness is that it is holistic, which means it is not necessary for you to go out and enroll in a gym and work out for hours. You could go out for a walk in the park or jog for a couple of miles. You could even try one of today’s trends of physical activity called “Follow along at home” training via online applications.
Answering some common questions asked on the internet.
How long does it take for black hair to grow?
Just like any other hair, black hair can also grow at a rate of half an inch per month. But due to excessive use of unnatural chemicals, harsh products, and varying styling methods, it grows at an exceptionally slower rate. Black hair also tends to grow slower due to its curly pattern; because of this, the natural oil released by the scalp(sebaceous glands particularly) cannot reach the hair’s entire length properly.
What do we know about hair growth?
World-renowned trichologist Phillip Kingsley says that” Human hair has the second fastest-growing cells in our body, with the intestinal cells being the first.” There are about 120,000 strands of hair growing on an average scalp at any given time.
Despite almost every man spending a huge amount of time dressing up their hair, it still fails to be an essential tissue or a vital organ to the human body. The body never puts the hair’s nutritional needs before any other part.
And this is why we should be very careful with our approach towards our hair care.
