In this article I will go over briefly what we as women of color are doing wrong when it comes to growing longer hair and what we can do to change that and actually achieve our dream of having longer hair. I've been using this technique for about 4-5 months and my hair is beyond my shoulders and still growing!

Hair Myths and the Truth About Them

1. Clipping the ends makes the hair grow
   This myth is one of the oldest and most inaccurate myths I know. Clipping the ends has absolutely nothing to do with hair growth! Your hair is dead, not alive and clipping the ends will not make another strand of hair sprout out like that of a rose bush. Clipping the ends is what keeps us from gaining length. All hair grows an average of 1/2 inch per month so if you keep cutting it every 6 weeks or so your hair will never get longer.
2. Pills and Greases Help Hair Grow
   In all honesty as many greases that are out there claiming to make the hair grow "GUARANTEED" should be out of business because none of these greases or vitamins will ever make your hair grow. Vitamins are beneficial to the body, but they are not going to promote hair growth. Greases will actually stunt your hair growth. About 99.99% of all hair grease contains mineral oil or petroleum. These ingredients actually clog the pores on your scalp and inhibit moisture from absorbing into our already dry hair. DO NOT place anything on your scalp! Your scalp actually produces enough of the needed oil(sebum) to lubricate the scalp efficiently. If anything use a water based, mineral oil/petroleum free, and protein free moisturizer in your hair daily.
3. Washing the Hair Too Much Dries Out the Natural Oils
   Washing your hair often does not dry out the hair. Water is moisture so how can that possibly dry out the hair? If anything washing your hair with harsh shampoos is what dries it out. You should use a gentle shampoo that doesn't lather up like dish washing liquid in your hair. The shampoo should be formulated for chemically treated, damaged, dry hair. Lather once and then condition. Black hair should be washed about ever 3 days and no less than once per week.

Now that I've unveiled some of the myths to taking care of our hair I will tell you the basics of how to grow your hair long and gain an average of 6 new inches of beautiful hair in 12 months!

1. Wash your hair a minimum of once a week and deep condition the hair every time you shampoo. Do not use a blow dryer to dry your hair. Instead allow your hair to air dry or sit under a dome dryer.
2. Moisturize your hair daily and comb the hair with a wide tooth comb only. NEVER use a brush in your hair ever! It will only rip your hair out and cause major breakage!
3. Sleep with a satin bonnet, pillow case, or satin scarf at night.
4. Stop getting your ends clipped to gain length.