4c Natural Hair
If you have 4c hair as I do, you would know that it can be quite challenging to grow your hair, much less grow it to waist length. But, I am ambitious, so I have put myself to the challenge to grow my hair to waist length, and I am almost there.
The Backstory
It all started in 2015 when I decided I would go natural. Most of my friends had also suddenly decided to go natural, which might have influenced me. Still, I thought it was time to stop putting hair relaxers in my hair, so that was also motivation enough for me to go natural. And something with me is my hair would grow very fast between my relaxers, and honestly, it was getting expensive and dangerous. All that accumulated to me deciding to go natural on a whim. So, in 2015, I cut my hair and have not looked back.
Taking Care Of My Natural Hair
Having 4c hair can be challenging because of the tight coils that make up the hair; it can be tough to comb or style the hair. In addition, 4c hair is prone to dryness and requires extra care. When it was shorter, all I had to do was wash it, apply my hair moisturizer and apply hair gel to give it definition. However, as my hair grew, it tangled and matted, which is where the challenge was. It got to a point I wanted to texturize my hair, but that would be applying chemicals to my hair which also means I may have to maintain the texture change to my hair as well.
I strongly contemplated texturizing my hair until I saw YouTube videos of texturized 4c hair and how damaged their hair became and the fact that they lost the beautiful 4c hair texture; I then advised myself against it.
Do Protective Styles Help Natural Hair Grow?
This challenge led me to put my hair in protective hairstyles, and I would not manipulate it as much unless it were time for me to wash it.
Little did I know that not manipulating my hair as much also allowed my hair to grow rapidly.
Panthenol For Curly Hair
Lately, I realized that my hair had dramatically changed when I started using shampoo and conditioner containing Panthenol. Panthenol has been a great savior to my hair. Panthenol is a humectant, which means it draws moisture from the atmosphere and keeps it in my hair, which is something my hair desperately needs. Since I have been using the new shampoo and conditioner, my hair has changed in the way it feels and its texture. In addition, Panthenol is making my hair grow faster. As a result, my hair gets the hydration it needs, which keeps it soft and healthy.
My hair is healthy, the texture of my hair is soft and, fluffy, and bouncy, indicating that it is hydrated.
So far, my hair is almost waist-length, and I plan on continuing to use my panthenol-based shampoo and conditioner and keeping my hair in protective hairstyles.
How do you maintain your 4c natural hair?
