How to Grow Healthy Natural Hair in 2024

Growing healthy natural hair requires a combination of good hair care practices, a healthy lifestyle, and patience. Here are some tips to help you grow and maintain vibrant, natural hair in 2024!

Maintain a Healthy Diet

It's important to think of your hair like a plant, and for a plant to grow you not only need to water it, but you need to give it healthy food for it to thrive and progress forward. Our hair is just the same.

Now that we know our diet can do much more than help us lose or gain weight, let’s get into which foods promote faster hair growth. Eating a colorful pallet of foods will do wonders for your overall health.

See below for the best foods to add to your diet for healthy hair growth.

1. Eggs: Eggs are a fantastic source of protein, biotin, and other essential nutrients like zinc and selenium. Biotin, in particular, is renowned for promoting hair growth and overall scalp health.

2. Berries: Berries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that contribute to healthy hair. Vitamin C, found abundantly in berries, aids in collagen production, which is crucial for strong and vibrant hair.

3. Spinach: This leafy green is a powerhouse of nutrients, including iron, vitamins A and C, and folate. Iron deficiency has been linked to hair loss, making spinach an excellent choice for promoting healthy hair growth.

4. Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients play a vital role in supporting a healthy scalp and strengthening hair strands.

5. Sweet Potatoes: Loaded with beta-carotene, sweet potatoes are converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A promotes the production of sebum, the oily substance that conditions the scalp and keeps hair healthy.

6. Avocado: Avocado is not only delicious but also a great source of healthy fats, vitamins E and C, and biotin. These nutrients contribute to hair strength and elasticity, preventing breakage and promoting growth.

7. Greek Yogurt: High in protein and vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), Greek yogurt supports blood flow to the scalp, promoting hair growth. The probiotics in yogurt also contribute to a healthy gut, which is linked to overall hair health.

8. Lean Poultry: Chicken and turkey are excellent sources of high-quality protein, which is crucial for hair growth. They also provide iron and zinc, essential minerals for maintaining healthy hair.

9. Oysters: Oysters are a rich source of zinc, a mineral that supports the hair growth and repair cycle. A deficiency in zinc has been linked to hair loss, making oysters a valuable addition to your diet.

Remember, maintaining a balanced and varied diet is key to overall health, and your hair is no exception. By nourishing your body with these nutrient-rich foods, you're not only promoting natural hair growth but also supporting your overall well-being. So, eat well, stay hydrated, and watch your locks flourish!

Scalp Health

The scalp is often an overlooked foundation for growing healthy natural hair.

Having luscious and healthy locks isn't just about the products you use externally; it starts from within. The saying "you are what you eat" holds true for your hair as well. If you're looking to promote natural hair growth, consider incorporating these nutrient-rich foods into your diet:

Why Does Scalp Health Matter?

1.     Promotes Blood Circulation:

A healthy scalp ensures proper blood circulation, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles. Improved blood flow means enhanced nourishment for the roots, leading to stronger and faster hair growth.

2.     Prevents Hair Loss:

Scalp issues such as dandruff, psoriasis, or inflammation can contribute to hair loss. Maintaining a clean and well-nourished scalp creates an optimal environment for hair follicles to thrive, reducing the risk of shedding and promoting retention.

3.     Balances Sebum Production:

The sebaceous glands in the scalp produce sebum, a natural oil that conditions and protects the hair. An imbalanced production of sebum can lead to either oily or dry scalp conditions, both of which can hinder healthy hair growth. Proper scalp care helps maintain the right sebum balance.

4.     Reduces Breakage and Split Ends:

A well-moisturized and healthy scalp contributes to softer and more flexible hair. This, in turn, reduces the likelihood of breakage and split ends, allowing your hair to grow longer and retain its length.

Tips for Maintaining Scalp Health:

Regular Cleansing:

Keep your scalp clean by washing your hair regularly using a mild, sulfate-free shampoo. This helps remove excess oil, product build-up, and environmental pollutants that can impede hair growth. Here are some of the best cleansers for natural hair that promote scalp health.

• Carol's Daughter Wash Day Delight

• TPH by Taraji Never Salty Sugar Hair & Scalp Scrub

• Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo

• Girl + Hair CLEAR+ Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Rinse

• OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Hydrating Hair Shampoo

• Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Hydrating Shampoo

• CurlSmith Wash & Scrub Detox Pro-Biotic

Scalp Massages:

Stimulate blood circulation by including regular scalp massages into your hair care routine. Gently massaging your scalp with your fingertips promotes relaxation and encourages increased blood flow to the follicles.

By prioritizing scalp care, you create the perfect foundation for your hair to flourish. Incorporate these tips into your routine, and watch as your locks transform into the luscious, vibrant mane you've always desired. Your scalp deserves the attention – and so does your stunning natural hair!

Strengthen Hair to Retain Length

Aside from genetics, the key to unlocking rapid growth lies in strengthening your locks from root to tip. The basics of our hair’s makeup is the amount of protein it has. Weather, chemicals, and wear and tear cause our protein build up to break down with time. And eventually, even the thickest of curls and coils can become weak and damaged without the proper care.

Signs of weak or damaged hair:

• Dryness

• Thinning hair

• Rough texture

• Split ends

• More shedding than normal

• Lots of tangles

• Breaking and snapping

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate:

Moisture is essential for maintaining hair elasticity and preventing breakage. Regularly hydrate your natural hair by using deep-conditioning treatments and leave-in conditioners. Well-moisturized hair is more resistant to damage and tends to grow faster.

It is proven that the most effective way of deep conditioning is using indirect heat. It is the heat from a hooded dryer or thermal cap that stimulates the scalp and opens up the hair follicles allowing the product of choice to work its magic.

Gentle Detangling:

Treat your hair with care during the detangling process. Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently detangle knots, starting from the tips and working your way up. This reduces the risk of breakage and split ends, which in the end, promotes healthier growth.

Check out some of the best detangling brushes for natural type 4 hair.

Trim Regularly:

Regular trims are crucial for maintaining the health of your natural hair. Trimming removes split ends and prevents them from traveling up the hair shaft, ensuring that your hair grows stronger and retains length.

Limit Heat Styling:

Excessive use of heat styling tools can lead to weakened hair and breakage. Limit the use of flat irons, curling wands, and blow dryers to prevent damage. When styling with heat, always use a heat protectant to minimize the impact on your natural hair.

Choose the Right Products:

Select hair care products specifically formulated for natural hair. Look for sulfate-free shampoos, moisturizing conditioners, and leave-in treatments that cater to the unique needs of your curls, and coils.

Low Tension Protective Hairstyles

The tighter the coils means the more prone to knots and tangles your hair is. Single-strand knots tend to form from tighter curls and coils because the hairs tend to curl on top of each strand. Keeping your hair in a stretched state can prevent single-strand knots allowing you to move better along your hair journey.

A protective style is a hairstyle that shields your strands from the harmful environment we live in. However, it is important to select a hairstyle that not only shields your hair from external factors but also avoids damaging it by exerting excessive pressure on the scalp. In all honesty, most people are doing it all wrong. You cannot neglect your hair when protective styling because you will not retain any of the length you gain.

Tight-pulling styles like micro braids and tiny cornrows can indeed cause damage to your hair. They can lead to tangles, matting, and even hair breakage. It's important to choose protective hairstyles that don't exert excessive tension on your scalp and hair.

Instead, opt for looser styles that allow your hair to breathe and provide easy access to your scalp for moisturizing and maintaining its health. Additionally, avoid glued-down wigs or braids that limit access to your scalp. By selecting the right protective hairstyles, you can promote healthy hair growth and minimize the risk of damage.

Allowing yourself to still have access to your hair even with a protective style allows you to still provide moisture to those strands. Even in a hairstyle, our scalp still needs breathing room. Stay away from glued-down wigs or braids that limit access to your scalp.

Click to view the best protective hairstyles for hair growth.