The dos and don’ts of long, strong curls

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It can take a long time to grow out curls. If you’ve been trying to grow out your curls for some time, you can probably attest to how frustrating this can be. However, take comfort in the knowledge that curly hair does grow at the same rate as all other hair types. The difference is that due to the coiled nature of curls, it can take some time to see progress, whereas other hair types see a more immediate result. If you want to help your curls along, there are some dos and don’ts of long, strong curls. Follow these tips to make sure you’re doing everything possible to ensure your strands grow quickly.

The dos and don’ts of long, strong curls

Dos:

Take good care of yourself. In order for your strands to grow, they need a strong foundation. This means drinking plenty of water, eating well, including lean proteins, taking a multivitamin, and getting plenty of rest. Like the rest of your body’s systems, hair needs a healthy body to actually grow well.

Cut out chemicals. Challenge yourself to review your curl products, and start making the switch to more natural ingredients. Artificial ingredients are often disruptive to your natural strands, and can actually inhibit growth. Instead, opt for more natural products that can help foster healthy curl growth and development.

Get regular trims. So many curly girls skip trims because they want to retain their length. However, regular trims are hugely beneficial. Removing dead ends can make your overall strands that much healthier, and you won’t risk your curls breaking off due to damage. Every 6-8 weeks is a good place to start.

Stay the course. It can be really difficult to resist the urge to cut your curls when growing them out doesn’t feel like it’s going as fast as you’d like. However, make a promise to yourself to stick it out. You’re sure to love the long term results of your hard work and dedication.

Dont’s:

Tie your curls back too tightly. While many of us grew up skinning our curls back from our scalps, this can actually lead to a lot of damage down the road. Rather than force your curls into tight protective styles, try to give your scalp a break and let your curls hang out naturally as much as possible. When you do tie your strands back, keep it loose. In addition, avoid rubber bands when tying up your curls. Instead, opt for cloth covered hair ties or scrunchies.

Wash your curls every day. Instead, try to create a routine that allows you to skip a few days between washes. This might be a bit abrupt for folks used to washing their curls every day, so instead try to cut out a few washes until your’re down to one or two a week. Don’t forget to follow every wash with a conditioner and deep conditioning treatment as well.

Overuse heat to style your curls. In fact, try to avoid it as much as possible and when you must use it, keep the temperature as low as you can. Heat is no friend to curls, and can really put a jam in your growing out process.