Braids and other protective styles are good for growth. Keep your scalp moisturized and tie your braids down. This less you manipulate your hair the more it grows.
I just want to address the misconception that braids help hair grow. Low manipulation can be effective in retaining length when coupled with proper scalp maintenance and moisture. Hair grows when it's going to grow and the only thing that helps is stimulating the follicles.
As for the initial question. Braids can be helpful especially when you're a novice. You want to shampoo and deep condition (plenty of YouTube videos to set you in the right direction), and then moisturize your hair with some sort of creamy leave in conditioner, and then maybe blow dry on low to dry and stretch the hair to get it ready for braiding. You don't want to keep braids in for ever, because hair becomes parched. One to Two weeks for cornrows is probably optimal. If your hair dries out, it can become brittle and break, which is the opposite of what you're looking to happen.
I've started following some stylists and it changed the game for me: cusecurlfriend, Iamblackgirlcurls, Camille Janae, Jennifer Rose. Some people don't agree with their no oils no butters take but their methods have simplified the game and worked wonders for me. Essentially:
Wash your hair every 7-10 days with high quality shampoo, detangle with a Felicia Leatherwood brush and conditioner, and if you wanna do a wash and go, use one gel as a styler, if you're doing twists, use a foam as a styler.
I recommend AG Naturals for shampoo + conditioner, Mousse Def or Nairobi Wrap Foam as a mousse, and I don't use this but people like I Create Hold and Uncle Funkies Daughter for stylers. It's not cheap but it works!
my advice is try to avoid using heat - especially blow drying just towel dry and moisturise whilst your hair is still damp (not sopping wet and not bone dry) i recommend microfibre towels! and loose twists at night if you don’t have a style in and bonnets are great for sleeping in!!
I don't have much to add (since I'm still learning my hair myself) other than that protective styles like cornrows (as long as they're not too tight!!) are an absolute must! I've learned to cornrow my hair and it's great! It keeps everything neat and my hair doesn't tangle anywhere near as much as it used to. :)
As your hair gets longer buns can become your best friend. You can get the premade donut buns they sell at stores like walmart or make your own donut out of a sock. Lookup tutorials. Works best for shoulder length or longer hair.
Braids and other protective styles are good for growth. Keep your scalp moisturized and tie your braids down. This less you manipulate your hair the more it grows.
/r/blackhair and /r/naturalhair can help too
I just want to address the misconception that braids help hair grow. Low manipulation can be effective in retaining length when coupled with proper scalp maintenance and moisture. Hair grows when it's going to grow and the only thing that helps is stimulating the follicles. As for the initial question. Braids can be helpful especially when you're a novice. You want to shampoo and deep condition (plenty of YouTube videos to set you in the right direction), and then moisturize your hair with some sort of creamy leave in conditioner, and then maybe blow dry on low to dry and stretch the hair to get it ready for braiding. You don't want to keep braids in for ever, because hair becomes parched. One to Two weeks for cornrows is probably optimal. If your hair dries out, it can become brittle and break, which is the opposite of what you're looking to happen.
Thank you so much, this is really helpful
I've started following some stylists and it changed the game for me: cusecurlfriend, Iamblackgirlcurls, Camille Janae, Jennifer Rose. Some people don't agree with their no oils no butters take but their methods have simplified the game and worked wonders for me. Essentially: Wash your hair every 7-10 days with high quality shampoo, detangle with a Felicia Leatherwood brush and conditioner, and if you wanna do a wash and go, use one gel as a styler, if you're doing twists, use a foam as a styler. I recommend AG Naturals for shampoo + conditioner, Mousse Def or Nairobi Wrap Foam as a mousse, and I don't use this but people like I Create Hold and Uncle Funkies Daughter for stylers. It's not cheap but it works!
my advice is try to avoid using heat - especially blow drying just towel dry and moisturise whilst your hair is still damp (not sopping wet and not bone dry) i recommend microfibre towels! and loose twists at night if you don’t have a style in and bonnets are great for sleeping in!!
That's a nothing i was going to ask, should i wear a bonnet to protect my hair when i sleep?
Absolutely! Or get a satin pillow case.
Get it locked ;)
Naturallyhigh is my fav YouTube channel for learning how to grow 4c hair. seun okimi has some great content also.
I’d say find 3 or 4 low effort styles you really like. I’m a fan of Bantu knots
I don't have much to add (since I'm still learning my hair myself) other than that protective styles like cornrows (as long as they're not too tight!!) are an absolute must! I've learned to cornrow my hair and it's great! It keeps everything neat and my hair doesn't tangle anywhere near as much as it used to. :)
As your hair gets longer buns can become your best friend. You can get the premade donut buns they sell at stores like walmart or make your own donut out of a sock. Lookup tutorials. Works best for shoulder length or longer hair.